got a number finally. Gujarat cell phone: 98255-03746. RECENTLY UPDATED!
Use it or lose it. Or something like that. :)
Also, the following is the reason I am not a graphic designer:
Monday, January 30, 2006
my new phone number has CHANGED (again!!)
awwww yeah...
got a number finally. Gujarat cell phone: 98255-03746. RECENTLY UPDATED!
Use it or lose it. Or something like that. :)
Also, the following is the reason I am not a graphic designer:
got a number finally. Gujarat cell phone: 98255-03746. RECENTLY UPDATED!
Use it or lose it. Or something like that. :)
Also, the following is the reason I am not a graphic designer:
Friday, January 27, 2006
"So the point is not to become a leader...
The point is to become yourself,
to use yourself completely—
all your skills, gifts and energies—
in order to make your vision manifest.
You must withhold nothing.
You must, in sum,
become the person you started out to be,
and enjoy the process of becoming. "
(Warren Bennis)
I am back in India. Two months to write an annual report and work on the film project. Two months. An annual report and 3 films. Gwah! It's all mindset right? Head up, hit the ground running, keep pushing forward. I'm going to make this happen- I have only two months and absolutely no time to doubt myself.
Can someone poke my brother Vim in the arm and ask him why he's ignoring me??? April 15th boy; are you in???
It's so strange to feel so at home in more than one place. At home. Across the ocean. Globalization with a twist.
to use yourself completely—
all your skills, gifts and energies—
in order to make your vision manifest.
You must withhold nothing.
You must, in sum,
become the person you started out to be,
and enjoy the process of becoming. "
(Warren Bennis)
I am back in India. Two months to write an annual report and work on the film project. Two months. An annual report and 3 films. Gwah! It's all mindset right? Head up, hit the ground running, keep pushing forward. I'm going to make this happen- I have only two months and absolutely no time to doubt myself.
Can someone poke my brother Vim in the arm and ask him why he's ignoring me??? April 15th boy; are you in???
It's so strange to feel so at home in more than one place. At home. Across the ocean. Globalization with a twist.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Best weekend ever!
Included so many of my favorite things: spending time with family and friends, snowboarding, smores on an open fire, Taco Bell, a hot tub, a pool, getting rocket-launched off of a bed (thanks Sweta!), mind-numbing TV shows, great conversations, new underwear, you name it.Highlights:
1. Snowboarding: I can now do spins! Also, Vish let me teach him...he's a rockstar and such a quick learner.
2. Swimming: (Confession: I actually daydream about it if it's been too long) Got to swim for the first time in over a year! Did 102 laps (51, if you count there/back as 1). So satisfied- should hold me over for a while.
Now, some news:
1. I leave for NY tomorrow, then I go back to India for a couple of months to finish out a few projects, including the films. But I will be back in time for the Shamrock Shuffle (now a family tradition), if anyone wants to run it (8k) with me.
2. I've probably got a job with Chi Public Schools
when I get back.
3. And, contrary to popular belief, in comparision to my brothers, I am actually the normal one:
Friday, January 06, 2006
Activism, Insanity, and Waste
Instead of just the usual New Years Resolutions, this year I start by looking back. So...
Lessons of 2005-
1. Angry activism doesn't effect change for the long term.
Over this year, I met a lot of rageful activists, sincerely passionate about whatever their issue or cause. What I am learning is that angry activism can spread their anger throughout the masses and inspire immediate action, but their movement isn't sustainable. (Don't get me wrong- there is a lot to be angry about: economic disparity, lack of access to healthcare, children' s rights, ongoing systems of racial oppression, economic and linguistic colonialism, environmental apathy, IMF arrogance, the not-so-separate Church and State.. the list goes on). But action rooted in and inspired by anger cannot last; it isn't productive. No one likes being angry. It creates bitter and hostile people who are perpetually looking for the next fight, the next victory and always looking to label the next oppressor, or antagonist. It doesn't work long term. Anger isn't condusive to coming up with constructive, productive solutions.
2. Introspection is necessary, but can go too far.
For the majority of 2005, I was living in India. Many of the people I met had the deliberate goal of wanting to understand themselves better. It requires a lot of introspection, a lot of looking at the parts of oneself that aren't so great. It's hard- but it's also addictive. There is no way I can begin to encapsulate how much I have discovered about myself. Sounds hokey, I know. One of the biggest revelations I had was about how much I had yet to learn. But it's hard to question such fundamental things about yourself and your purpose without skating the edge of insanity. For instance, Viral, a good friend of mine who founded CharityFocus, recently finished an advanced Vipassana course, a month-long, solitary, silent mediation. How many of us could do that without going crazy...in a room by ourselves, without talking to anyone for a month? But he is one of the most grounded people I have ever met and he did it. He's so unconditionally happy with himself and can make sense of any situation. He's also one of the most positive men I have ever met. The strength of his foundation is definitely something I strive for.
3. We live in a culture of waste.
I don't really need to elaborate on this one. Water, food, electricity, clothes, you name it... just look at the amount of plastic bottles in your bathroom right now. Or the plastic bags for fruit at the grocery store. Or the unbelievable amounts of food pitched at restaurants. It makes me sad that not many people seem to notice or care because we are all just so used to it.
So, on the the constructive part:
Resolutions-
1. Be more proactive.
I am not a victim of my circumstances.
2. Take better care of myself.
Cook healthier. Run. Swim. Find opportunities and follow through-head off anxiety attacks. Write.
3. Stop fearing uncertainty.
Trust life and the consequences of my choices.
4. (last but not least) Run the marathon.
No broken legs this time. No leaving the country. No malaria. No excuses this year.
Lessons of 2005-
1. Angry activism doesn't effect change for the long term.
Over this year, I met a lot of rageful activists, sincerely passionate about whatever their issue or cause. What I am learning is that angry activism can spread their anger throughout the masses and inspire immediate action, but their movement isn't sustainable. (Don't get me wrong- there is a lot to be angry about: economic disparity, lack of access to healthcare, children' s rights, ongoing systems of racial oppression, economic and linguistic colonialism, environmental apathy, IMF arrogance, the not-so-separate Church and State.. the list goes on). But action rooted in and inspired by anger cannot last; it isn't productive. No one likes being angry. It creates bitter and hostile people who are perpetually looking for the next fight, the next victory and always looking to label the next oppressor, or antagonist. It doesn't work long term. Anger isn't condusive to coming up with constructive, productive solutions.
2. Introspection is necessary, but can go too far.
For the majority of 2005, I was living in India. Many of the people I met had the deliberate goal of wanting to understand themselves better. It requires a lot of introspection, a lot of looking at the parts of oneself that aren't so great. It's hard- but it's also addictive. There is no way I can begin to encapsulate how much I have discovered about myself. Sounds hokey, I know. One of the biggest revelations I had was about how much I had yet to learn. But it's hard to question such fundamental things about yourself and your purpose without skating the edge of insanity. For instance, Viral, a good friend of mine who founded CharityFocus, recently finished an advanced Vipassana course, a month-long, solitary, silent mediation. How many of us could do that without going crazy...in a room by ourselves, without talking to anyone for a month? But he is one of the most grounded people I have ever met and he did it. He's so unconditionally happy with himself and can make sense of any situation. He's also one of the most positive men I have ever met. The strength of his foundation is definitely something I strive for.
3. We live in a culture of waste.
I don't really need to elaborate on this one. Water, food, electricity, clothes, you name it... just look at the amount of plastic bottles in your bathroom right now. Or the plastic bags for fruit at the grocery store. Or the unbelievable amounts of food pitched at restaurants. It makes me sad that not many people seem to notice or care because we are all just so used to it.
So, on the the constructive part:
Resolutions-
1. Be more proactive.
I am not a victim of my circumstances.
2. Take better care of myself.
Cook healthier. Run. Swim. Find opportunities and follow through-head off anxiety attacks. Write.
3. Stop fearing uncertainty.
Trust life and the consequences of my choices.
4. (last but not least) Run the marathon.
No broken legs this time. No leaving the country. No malaria. No excuses this year.