Tuesday, October 24, 2023

A Brilliant Idea

I have been contemplating the idea of writing my autobiography because I am concerned that my memory may deteriorate over time, causing me to forget many of the stories from my life. As I attempted to jot down some of the key events in my life, I realized that there is so much to tell. If I were to start writing now, I might never finish, and in the meantime, more stories may accumulate. So, I've decided that from this point onward, I will periodically post random stories from my life. This way, I can share a story each time without worrying about the chronological sequence. It's also a clever tactic to keep generating content for this blog :D. Perhaps in the future, when I have more free time, I can compile all these stories to create my autobiography. I am fairly certain that I will be the sole reader of that book! ;P

Living Philosophically: A Daily Inquiry

  • Did you do anything good today?
  • Did you do anything wrong today?
  • Did you take care of yourself today?
  • Did you learn anything today
  • Were you grateful towards anyone today?

Source: X.com

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Rich Dad Poor Dad - Notes

I was sifting through my old notes and then found the notes I had written from the book 'Rich Dad Poor Dad.' That was dated February 2006, so 17 years ago.

This book is a must-read for everyone.

Here are the notes...

  • A 'useless person' is someone who lacks the courage to persist and gives up whenever life presents challenges. They live their entire lives playing it safe, doing the right things, but never taking risks or seizing opportunities.
  • It's often easier to change yourself than to try to change everyone else around you.
  • The happiness that money brings is often short-lived, and people often find themselves constantly chasing more money in search of more joy, pleasure, security, and comfort.
  • Human life is a continuous struggle between ignorance and enlightenment.
  • As the saying goes, 'A fool and his money are soon parted.'
  • If you find that you've dug yourself into a hole, the best course of action is to stop digging.
  • The golden rule applies: those who possess gold make the rules.
  • The wealthy invest in assets, the poor only accumulate expenses, and the middle class often confuses liabilities with assets.
  • Robin Hood, as the book suggests, may not be as noble as we once thought.
  • Taxes, which were initially intended to penalize the rich, often end up burdening the very poor who supported them.
  • Financial intelligence consists of knowledge in four broad areas: accounting, investing, understanding markets, and law.
  • Holding onto old, outdated ideas can be a significant liability.
  • Many people miss the opportunity of a lifetime, even when it's right in front of them.
  • It's not just about how much money you make, but how much you manage to keep that truly matters.
  • Understanding the distinction between assets and liabilities is crucial.
  • A job can provide a short-term solution to a long-term problem.
  • The book advises paying yourself first, and then addressing your creditors and taxes.
  • Don't let the pessimism of others affect your decision-making.
  • Three crucial management skills include cash flow management, people management, and personal time management.
  • Combining intelligence with arrogance often results in ignorance."

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

"Jonathan Livingston Seagull" by Richard Bach is a relatively short novel, but it contains several valuable life lessons and philosophical insights. I read this book last summer along with my daughter.

After reading the book, I wondered at how beautifully the book was written; I find this book is a peak in metaphoric language. Everything that's discussed in the book carries a deep meaning. It is a great book for everyone, and children, in particular, would benefit from it. On a side note, the title reminded me of our old neighbors when we were kids. The uncle's name is David(he is no more:( ), and their elder son's name is John Livingstone; we used to call him 'anna' (brother). I used to wonder then why someone would be named Livingstone; it sounded so oxymoronic. After reading this book, I strongly believe that David uncle, might have named John after the book, or someone may have suggested it to him.

Here are some of the key learnings from the book:

Individuality and Self-Discovery: The book emphasizes the importance of discovering one's true self and pursuing individuality. Jonathan Livingston Seagull's journey is a metaphor for self-discovery and the realization that conformity isn't the only path in life.

Determination and Perseverance: Jonathan's unwavering determination to become a better flyer teaches us that pursuing our passions often requires hard work, practice, and persistence. It's a reminder that we should be willing to put in the effort to achieve our goals.

Courage to Break from the Norm: The book encourages us to have the courage to break away from societal norms and expectations. Jonathan faces ridicule and rejection from his flock when he seeks to improve himself, but he persists in his pursuit of excellence.

Limitless Potential: "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" suggests that we often underestimate our potential. We can achieve extraordinary things when we push beyond our self-imposed limitations and beliefs.

Freedom and Fulfillment: Jonathan's quest for flight is symbolic of the human desire for freedom and fulfillment. It reminds us that we should strive for a life that aligns with our true passions and desires, rather than settling for mediocrity.

Unconventional Teachers: Jonathan learns from unconventional teachers who don't conform to the norms of society. This teaches us that valuable lessons can be found in unexpected places and from unexpected sources.

Teaching and Sharing Knowledge: Once Jonathan masters the art of flight, he returns to teach others. This underscores the importance of sharing knowledge and helping others grow, even if it means challenging the status quo.

Spiritual and Philosophical Themes: The book delves into spiritual and philosophical themes, encouraging readers to contemplate the meaning of life, purpose, and existence. It raises questions about the nature of reality and self-awareness.

Nonconformity and Non-Judgment: Jonathan's story reminds us not to judge others based on their choices or differences. He is initially judged by his flock for his nonconformity, but he doesn't judge them in return.

Transcendence: The story ultimately leads to a state of transcendence for Jonathan, where he becomes more than just a seagull. This reflects the idea that through self-discovery and self-improvement, we can transcend our own limitations and become something greater.

It is a thought-provoking and inspirational book that encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and choices. It advocates for self-expression, personal growth, and the pursuit of one's passions.

Sunday, October 08, 2023

Mughal Art - school project

After a long time, I tried sketching. This is for my daughter's school assignment. She had to paint in school, and her topic is 'Telangana Mughal Art.' I found this somewhere on the internet and sketched it. I'm glad I haven't lost touch with sketching. 


If anyone wants a portrait, do let me know. I can give it a try :)

Saturday, October 07, 2023

Unveiling the Marvels of Space: Mind-Blowing Space Facts

Thanks to my kids, I have been following space news and watching space-related videos on YouTube. I decided to compile some mind-blowing facts that I never knew until recently.

The Vastness of Our Universe
The visible side of our universe holds 2 trillion Milky Way-sized galaxies, each containing 400 billion stars. It takes light 100 thousand years to cross a single galaxy. Yet, this is just a glimpse into an infinite cosmos.

Andromeda Galaxy: A Neighbor Light Years Away
The nearest galaxy to us is the Andromeda galaxy, which is visible to the naked eye. It is located 2.5 million light years away from us. Now, as we are talking, let's imagine that the Andromeda galaxy vanishes or explodes into dust. Even then, you wouldn't know it. Only after 2.5 million years will the people living on Earth realize it. All the stars we see from Earth are the light emitted from those stars several million or even thousand years ago.

The Expanding Universe
We all know that the universe is expanding, aligning with the Big Bang theory. In fact, the universe is not just expanding; it is accelerating outward. So, each day, galaxies are moving away from us by several million miles. There may come a point in the distant future when the sky will be entirely dark, making us feel very lonely.

Exoplanets and Extraterrestrial Life
We are aware that there are countless stars out there, and there is a high probability of finding exoplanets with conditions similar to Earth, where life might thrive. However, I doubt if they would possess the same cognitive abilities as us humans, or they might even be super-intelligent. Nevertheless, the probability of finding such a planet, exploring it, and settling there is next to impossible, and with each passing day, that possibility diminishes as they all move farther away.

Space's Bizarre Geometry: Black Holes
There could be a black hole with a circumference of 30 miles, and according to our math, the diameter of such a black hole would be 30/π, approximately 10 miles. But in reality, the diameter could be several million light-years, causing Euclidean geometry principles to fail in space. This is because space is curved and warped.

The Sun's Role in Our Solar System
The sun is 150 million kilometers away from Earth, which is 1 astronomical unit (AU), and it takes 8 minutes for light to reach us. Now, imagine if the sun were to suddenly vanish. We would only know about it after 8 minutes. You might be thinking this is similar to the point I made about Andromeda. The mind-blowing fact is that even though the sun has disappeared, the Earth will continue to revolve for 8 minutes as if the sun is still there. This is because the speed of gravity is the same as that of light, and it will take 8 minutes for us to realize it. After 8 minutes, the Earth will be catapulted outward tangentially into deep, dark space.

Exploring Our Solar System
The only planet in our solar system with the potential for settlement is Mars. Among the rocky planets - Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars - the rest are gaseous, and there is no possibility of a landing. Mercury and Venus are extremely hot and can even melt metals. Other possible destinations include the satellites of the gas giants, such as Europa around Jupiter and Titan around Saturn.

Diamond Rain on Uranus and Neptune: It's believed that deep within the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune, it rains diamonds! The extreme pressure and temperature conditions cause carbon atoms to crystallize into diamond particles

Black Hole Time Dilation: Near a black hole, time is dramatically distorted due to its intense gravitational pull. For someone near a black hole, time could pass much more slowly compared to someone farther away. This phenomenon is known as time dilation.

Dark Matter and Dark Energy: Despite making up most of the universe, dark matter and dark energy are mysterious and still not fully understood. They influence the expansion of the universe but remain invisible to us.

Lunar Recession: The Moon is gradually moving away from the Earth at a rate of about 3 centimeters per year. This phenomenon is known as lunar recession.

Courtesy: BBC, Brian Cox, Binocs Show, Youtube

Sunday, September 24, 2023

Gaming Nostalgia: My Journey Through Classic Video Games

I used to enjoy playing computer games so much that I would occasionally become addicted for a brief period, only to grow bored and move on to the next one. In the interim, more serious matters like studies, jobs, and exams often provided the necessary distractions to overcome my gaming addiction. There was a time in my life when I aspired to design and build computer games, but unfortunately, that dream never came to fruition. Recently, I decided to introspect and reminisce about the games I've played, leading me to compile the following list. These are the games I spent a significant amount of time playing, and I managed to complete most of them.

Racing Games:

Road Rash: This motorcycle combat racing game series allowed players to engage in illegal street races, battling opponents with melee weapons while racing to the finish line.

This was the first desktop game I ever played, courtesy of my friend Keerthi. It was on his desktop, the first one in our hostel among our batch. We used to take turns playing it, and I still remember Sheriff Rhonda, who used to chase us. The most fun part was kicking other riders and hitting them while racing.

Need for Speed (NFS): Known for its high-speed races, vehicle customization, and engaging storylines. 

This game series was an upgrade from Road Rash for us, with better graphics and maps. The best part was the various camera angles and the slow-motion view you'd get when you crashed.

Asphalt: This racing game series was characterized by fast-paced arcade-style gameplay, stunning graphics, and a wide range of cars and tracks. It's available on mobile platforms and offers various game modes.

Action-Adventure Games:

Urban Chaos: In this third-person action-adventure game, players assumed the role of a police officer in a crime-infested city, engaging in combat, solving crimes, and restoring order. 

We often played this game as a group, with most of us watching while one person played. Meghamsh and Keerthi were usually the ones playing, and they were incredibly accurate in shooting and quick in their reactions. The rest of us would cheer and offer ideas.

Tomb Raider: This iconic action-adventure series featured Lara Croft, an adventurer exploring ancient tombs and solving puzzles. 

I was the only one addicted to this game to the extent that I'd visit the campus computer lab just to check online walkthroughs shared by players from around the world.

Max Payne: Known for its dark narrative and "bullet time" gameplay mechanic, which allowed players to slow down time during gunfights, this third-person shooter provided intense adrenaline-pumping action. 

I still remember the iconic side jump and shooting on the fly.

Role-Playing Games (RPGs):

Diablo: An action role-playing hack-and-slash game set in a dark fantasy world. Players traversed dungeons, battled monsters, and collected loot to improve their characters. 

My friends from IIT still make fun of me for playing this game for 30 hours straight, even falling asleep while playing it. Thanks to Bhargav, it was his system on which I played this game.

Real-Time Strategy (RTS) Games:

Age of Empires: This classic real-time strategy game series allowed players to build and manage civilizations from different historical periods, involving resource management, military strategy, and diplomacy. 

I introduced this game to my colleagues in TCS when I was in Saudi, and it became our savior from the boredom of living there. We often played in multiplayer mode, with Sridhar Talatam and me teaming up to crush our opponents with cunning strategies.

Caesar: A city-building strategy game set in ancient Rome, where players acted as Roman governors building and managing cities. The game threw curveballs when you least expected them.

Simulation Games:

FarmVille: This popular social simulation and farming game allowed players to cultivate and manage virtual farms. It gained widespread popularity on social media platforms.

Open-World and Sandbox Games:

Grand Theft Auto (GTA): An open-world action-adventure game known for its freedom of gameplay. Players could explore expansive cities, engage in missions, and often indulge in illegal activities. 

This game needs no introduction; it's a fantasy game where you can break the law and experience the life of a gangster.

First-Person Shooter (FPS) Games:

Half-Life: A critically acclaimed first-person shooter known for its immersive storytelling and innovative gameplay, which involved combat against various alien creatures.

Rainbow Six: A tactical shooter game emphasizing team-based strategies and counter-terrorism operations. 

This game sometimes had so many keyboard controls that it required 2-3 people to help the player. I still remember the incident when Kalyan (Pichuk) was playing a level where the objective was to kill terrorists with hostages. If the terrorists suspected your presence, they'd trigger an alarm, resulting in the hostages' deaths. After multiple attempts, Pichuk almost reached the spot, and the next moment, I casually mentioned, "What if the terrorists realize you're there?" That was all it took—the terrorists in the game heard me, and the alarm went off. Everyone in the room yelled at me. I was infamous for my iron tongue that whenever I said something bad, for sure happened :D

Delta Force: A first-person shooter game series focusing on military operations and strategic gameplay, often featuring large maps and emphasizing stealth and precision.

Counter-Strike: A popular first-person shooter game known for its competitive multiplayer gameplay, involving terrorist and counter-terrorist teams in objective-based missions.

Battle Royale Games:

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG): A popular battle royale game where players competed to be the last one standing on an ever-shrinking map. It involved intense combat and strategic gameplay.

Unfortunately, this game is now banned. I used to play it on my Poco-F1 phone, which got stolen on the Mumbai local train.

Even as I drafted this post, I relived those moments when I played these games. In the future, I am determined to design a game and hopefully release it to mainstream audiences. As a player, I know what elements give me a rush and keep me engaged in a game. Do let me know of any ideas and any of your experiences with the games I have shared above.