"If I were you I'd wear as little as possible."
- A.B. to me
Thoughts, interesting facts, hopes, observations, quotes, etc. May you find something here that stimulates you and resonates with you. Email me at roshan.bharwaney@gmail.com
12.28.2006
12.16.2006
12.13.2006
12.10.2006
12.08.2006
The best revenge is living well.
In a sense it's not revenge at all, it steps above revenge.
Mahatma Gandhi said, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."
Hattori Hanzo from KILL BILL said, "Revenge is never a straight line. It's a forest, And like a forest it's easy to lose your way... To get lost... To forget where you came in."
In a sense it's not revenge at all, it steps above revenge.
Mahatma Gandhi said, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."
Hattori Hanzo from KILL BILL said, "Revenge is never a straight line. It's a forest, And like a forest it's easy to lose your way... To get lost... To forget where you came in."
12.01.2006
11.28.2006
11.26.2006
11.21.2006
11.18.2006
I admire hamstrings. They are a more subtle part of the body. I never noticed them much before. I think they are a real sign that someone is healthy (as opposed to having a figure from a lettuce-only diet). Check out Madonna's hams, for instance.
People with underdeveloped hamstrings are more likely to tear their ACL. It's actually an injury that women are more likely to have than men. The ratio of one's thigh/quadriceps strength to hamstring strength shouldn't be too skewed in favor of the quads.
People with underdeveloped hamstrings are more likely to tear their ACL. It's actually an injury that women are more likely to have than men. The ratio of one's thigh/quadriceps strength to hamstring strength shouldn't be too skewed in favor of the quads.
11.15.2006
11.07.2006
11.05.2006
11.02.2006
Does art stem from loneliness?
"The arts play a role in a community where there aren't many places to go escape. In Europe, so much of the great art happened in countries where there was a cold winter, and the way to escape was not physically but emotionally through the arts."
- John Meehan, Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet. Also, someone I've worked with in the past (when he was with ABT).
"The arts play a role in a community where there aren't many places to go escape. In Europe, so much of the great art happened in countries where there was a cold winter, and the way to escape was not physically but emotionally through the arts."
- John Meehan, Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet. Also, someone I've worked with in the past (when he was with ABT).
10.06.2006
"I'm an actor and, each time out, I'm trying to convince the audience that I'm this character. Every little thing that people know about you as a person impedes your ability to achieve that kind of terrific suspension of disbelief that happens when an audience goes with an actor and character [he's] playing."
- Edward Norton
He seems to be in the news rarely. Maybe that's part of why I think he's a very good actor.
- Edward Norton
He seems to be in the news rarely. Maybe that's part of why I think he's a very good actor.
9.23.2006
9.19.2006
I love my letter opener.
Appearance and function -
It's long and sleek. Double edged. Has a red handle. Well balanced. Stainless steel. Made in Japan. I love slotting it in and the sound & sensation of the long tear.
History -
I found it 6 or 7 years ago at an abandoned office of a bankrupt construction company in Hong Kong. I was searching through their records, as part of a summer internship. I was working in insolvency. Office furniture and machines go to auction to raise money for creditors, but I don't think the letter opener would have sold. I think it would have been thrown away. I saved it.
Gratuitousness -
Fingers can open letters - a letter opener is not a necessary item. Yet, it makes the whole experience much more sleek, refined, efficient. Isn't love also gratuitous? What concrete thing does it actually do or serve in itself? It's not necessary in life, but it makes life more... refined, elevated.
Hmm... when I started writing this post I never realized that the conclusion would be that my letter opener is a symbol for love.
Appearance and function -
It's long and sleek. Double edged. Has a red handle. Well balanced. Stainless steel. Made in Japan. I love slotting it in and the sound & sensation of the long tear.
History -
I found it 6 or 7 years ago at an abandoned office of a bankrupt construction company in Hong Kong. I was searching through their records, as part of a summer internship. I was working in insolvency. Office furniture and machines go to auction to raise money for creditors, but I don't think the letter opener would have sold. I think it would have been thrown away. I saved it.
Gratuitousness -
Fingers can open letters - a letter opener is not a necessary item. Yet, it makes the whole experience much more sleek, refined, efficient. Isn't love also gratuitous? What concrete thing does it actually do or serve in itself? It's not necessary in life, but it makes life more... refined, elevated.
Hmm... when I started writing this post I never realized that the conclusion would be that my letter opener is a symbol for love.
9.10.2006
9.05.2006
9.03.2006
9.01.2006
I have a friend who was put on the list of missing after the World Trade Center attacks by one of his friends. They were both in Pennsylvania, no where near the places attacked. It has had a number of repercussions. For example, if someone finds out that he was on the list and offers sympathies/condolences, he can't really say, "well actually my friend thought it'd be funny and put my name down as a joke." It's dark humor, but I have to say it's quite original. I wonder if his name will be read out somewhere.
8.25.2006
The US leads the world in the proportion of 35- to 64-year-olds with college degrees, but it now ranks seventh among developed nations for 25- to 34-year-olds (NY Times).
The younger generation is lagging educationally compared to the baby boom generation. Tuition costs are going up faster than income and inflation. It's not a good trend. What's happening to the competitive advantage of the US? It's not just that other nations are catching up, the US is losing ground.
The younger generation is lagging educationally compared to the baby boom generation. Tuition costs are going up faster than income and inflation. It's not a good trend. What's happening to the competitive advantage of the US? It's not just that other nations are catching up, the US is losing ground.
8.19.2006
With the exception of Harry Potter, management books, self-help books and biographies of the rich and powerful are the best-selling books in China. Just an indicator of how pragmatic people are this side of the world (I'm in Hong Kong now). If I lived in Asia I think the side of me that does things for intrinsic rewards would be stifled.
8.15.2006
8.08.2006
On a recent conference call, while I was explaining something I noticed I was gesturing with my free hand. I was amused after I noticed this. When communicating in person, gestures, expressions and body language help us to understand each other. Most of communication is non-verbal. But over the phone was my hand-waving helping? Do people gesture as much in person as when on the phone?
8.05.2006
Sometimes I imagine (hallucinate?) that my phone is ringing when I'm in another room. I think I can hear it faintly, but it's just my imagination. Maybe I have psychic powers - and I'm sensing that people want to call me. Or maybe, more likely, I'm too used to answering calls and just have expectations that my phone should be ringing.
8.03.2006
Successive approximation
Nothing is ever going to be perfect - so it's better to get something together and running quickly and make improvements as you go along than to keep wondering if it's right/perfect before you begin/launch. Reflection is seductive and can hinder or trap us, while action takes courage.
This is related to the 80:20 rule. The last 20% of a project takes 80% of the time/effort. One can make huge strides quickly.
Nothing is ever going to be perfect - so it's better to get something together and running quickly and make improvements as you go along than to keep wondering if it's right/perfect before you begin/launch. Reflection is seductive and can hinder or trap us, while action takes courage.
This is related to the 80:20 rule. The last 20% of a project takes 80% of the time/effort. One can make huge strides quickly.
7.31.2006
The tumult in the heart
keeps asking questions.
And then it stops and undertakes
to answer
in the same tone of voice.
No one could tell the difference.
Uninnocent, these conversations start,
and then engage the senses,
only half-meaning to.
And then there is no choice,
and then there is no sense;
until a name
and all its connotation
are the same.
- from The Conversation, by Elizabeth Bishop
I saw this in the subway. It's poignant in an ambiguous, secretive way. We tend to see ourselves in art, and I did get the feeling that this poem encapsulates what's going on in my life right now. But egocentrism aside, I do have a story.
keeps asking questions.
And then it stops and undertakes
to answer
in the same tone of voice.
No one could tell the difference.
Uninnocent, these conversations start,
and then engage the senses,
only half-meaning to.
And then there is no choice,
and then there is no sense;
until a name
and all its connotation
are the same.
- from The Conversation, by Elizabeth Bishop
I saw this in the subway. It's poignant in an ambiguous, secretive way. We tend to see ourselves in art, and I did get the feeling that this poem encapsulates what's going on in my life right now. But egocentrism aside, I do have a story.
7.27.2006
7.24.2006
I plan to go to a Russian bath house with some friends sometime in the near future. I've never been to any sort of bath house before, let alone a Russian one. I look forward to having a big guy (probably called Sergei or Vladimir) whack me with birch tree branches. That's supposed to be part of the experience. It's supposedly relaxing, but I suspect I may start laughing...
7.20.2006
Charles Foster Kane: You know, Mr. Bernstein, if I hadn't been very rich, I might have been a really great man.
Thatcher: Don't you think you are?
Charles Foster Kane: I think I did pretty well under the circumstances.
Thatcher: What would you like to have been?
Charles Foster Kane: Everything you hate.
Thatcher: Don't you think you are?
Charles Foster Kane: I think I did pretty well under the circumstances.
Thatcher: What would you like to have been?
Charles Foster Kane: Everything you hate.
7.17.2006
Since I was a child I've had dreams where I'm Spiderman and I'm chasing after or being chased by villains. Spiderman isn't even my favorite superhero, I don't know why it happens. It happens almost as often as dreams involving my martial arts.
In last night's episode, Juggernaut and some other villain were overpowering me in a subway car. I "gave up" and told them that they were just too strong for me, trying to trick them. They thought I was finished, and muttered to each other that they should go to their headquarters. They left the train on 72nd Street, while I remained looking in a daze or knocked out. When the train started moving and left the station, I pulled open the doors and leapt out, clinging to the wall beside the train. I then crawled up to the ceiling and started moving back to the station. I tried to follow them based on the tracer I had left on Juggernaut's clothing, hoping to learn where their headquarters were. I was a bit confused... it didn't look like I was in New York.
In any case, I woke up because some construction work began outside my window. I wanted to call the police... I think they've been starting too early.
In last night's episode, Juggernaut and some other villain were overpowering me in a subway car. I "gave up" and told them that they were just too strong for me, trying to trick them. They thought I was finished, and muttered to each other that they should go to their headquarters. They left the train on 72nd Street, while I remained looking in a daze or knocked out. When the train started moving and left the station, I pulled open the doors and leapt out, clinging to the wall beside the train. I then crawled up to the ceiling and started moving back to the station. I tried to follow them based on the tracer I had left on Juggernaut's clothing, hoping to learn where their headquarters were. I was a bit confused... it didn't look like I was in New York.
In any case, I woke up because some construction work began outside my window. I wanted to call the police... I think they've been starting too early.
7.11.2006
7.08.2006
7.02.2006
6.29.2006
I was listening to a radio interview of Jose Gonzales (musician). The interviewer asked him, "when was the last time you cried?" He responded, "about 2 months ago..." At that point I thought, gee this guy must be as sensitive as his music seems. But then he ended his sentence with, "... I hit my toe really hard."
6.21.2006
6.19.2006
6.07.2006
Would you eat something made by chef Gordon Ramsey (of Hell's Kitchen)? He seems to be a very angry, bossy person. I think his food (or that made by his trainees) would somehow carry that negativity. More pain than necessary was endured to prepare that food... I think there's something wrong with that.
5.24.2006
5.20.2006
5.12.2006
5.09.2006
5.07.2006
5.03.2006
5.01.2006
Systems deteriorate, that's the law of entropy. Sometimes we can delay this by doing work, putting in energy.
Our dwellings gather dust and many things need to be cleaned. The accumulation of dust and dirt is entropy at home. I wonder if there is a connection between how people deal with entropy at home and entropy in their lives. Are those that always feel the need to clean strongly also those that are uncomfortable with disorder, ambiguity or complexity in their life? Do they need to keep things in their life clear, planned, concrete, tangible?
Our dwellings gather dust and many things need to be cleaned. The accumulation of dust and dirt is entropy at home. I wonder if there is a connection between how people deal with entropy at home and entropy in their lives. Are those that always feel the need to clean strongly also those that are uncomfortable with disorder, ambiguity or complexity in their life? Do they need to keep things in their life clear, planned, concrete, tangible?
4.29.2006
4.27.2006
4.25.2006
According to a blood technician, I have "beautiful" veins. They're "a blood technician's dream" - thick, and whoever is trying to draw blood can't miss it. Mine are "textbook-perfect" apparently.
When people aren't getting a tip from you anything good they say about you is less likely to be flattery and more likely to be a genuine compliment.
When people aren't getting a tip from you anything good they say about you is less likely to be flattery and more likely to be a genuine compliment.
4.22.2006
4.20.2006
4.14.2006
4.12.2006
4.10.2006
4.04.2006
3.24.2006
3.20.2006
3.08.2006
Passover is approaching. Do you know how I know? My grocery store replaced the bread section with Jewish food.
While this is a great way to acknowledge the occasion, it also alienates bread-eating non-Jews. Jewish food taking over the bread section is a symbol of the privileged status (or predominance) of Jews in New York. This is enforced by the fact that the store is owned by Italian-Americans, not Jews.
Some bread is still available, fortunately. It's just that the bread isn't displayed in a place where many can find it, and the loaves aren't arranged neatly. For something that is a staple, this is surprising to me.
Who'd have thought that the way food is arranged in a grocery store could make me feel marginalized? Perhaps bread-eaters should rise up and protest the drastic transformation of the bread section. I should learn more about the Jewish foods though, and maybe buy some. I wonder if I'll develop a taste for it. Do matzos go well with peanut butter?
While this is a great way to acknowledge the occasion, it also alienates bread-eating non-Jews. Jewish food taking over the bread section is a symbol of the privileged status (or predominance) of Jews in New York. This is enforced by the fact that the store is owned by Italian-Americans, not Jews.
Some bread is still available, fortunately. It's just that the bread isn't displayed in a place where many can find it, and the loaves aren't arranged neatly. For something that is a staple, this is surprising to me.
Who'd have thought that the way food is arranged in a grocery store could make me feel marginalized? Perhaps bread-eaters should rise up and protest the drastic transformation of the bread section. I should learn more about the Jewish foods though, and maybe buy some. I wonder if I'll develop a taste for it. Do matzos go well with peanut butter?
3.06.2006
I heard the sound of insect wings around my ears as I lay in bed this morning. It was quite annoying. It reminded me of times in south-east Asia where I'd be laying, trying to sleep, defenseless against mosquitoes. Although to be honest, I wasn't entirely defenseless. Sometimes, when I'd hear them around my ears I'd swat with my hands and if lucky, would kill them. Other times I'd just cover myself completely and try to sleep. I haven't seen a mosquito in NY, this insect turned out to be a fly.
3.02.2006
A lot of people carry around a photo (or photos) of a romantic partner and/or family members in their wallet. A small picture of Bruce Lee has been in my wallet for about a year now. I wonder what that means. On the side of the picture is some of his words:
The highest art is no art
The highest form is no form
I also carry around a strip of magnesium ribbon. I've had this piece for over 7 years. There's more of a story behind that though.
The highest art is no art
The highest form is no form
I also carry around a strip of magnesium ribbon. I've had this piece for over 7 years. There's more of a story behind that though.
2.23.2006
Can we fall in love with anyone that fits within broad parameters of our expectations of a partner? E.g. their physical characteristics match ok, their education and socioeconomic status isn't too different from yours, etc.
Or does love emerge more from a recognition and connection with a particular individual, not paying so much attention to their major characteristics?
I think when people are younger, they'll tend to operate more in the first realm. When people are older & wiser I think they can be more discerning.
Or does love emerge more from a recognition and connection with a particular individual, not paying so much attention to their major characteristics?
I think when people are younger, they'll tend to operate more in the first realm. When people are older & wiser I think they can be more discerning.
2.21.2006
2.13.2006
2.11.2006
2.09.2006
2.05.2006
2.03.2006
Very often we have questions and are looking for answers. The questions could be academic, practical, work-related, metaphysical, interpersonal, etc. But most of the time answering one just raises the next question. And the subsequent answer will raise another question and so on and so forth.
What's it all for? We should try to calm the mice that are running around in our head. I use "mice" as a metaphor on purpose because they are small creatures, and aren't known to be profound/deep. A lot of the times the mental gymnastics aren't necessary. Just be happy and do some good. Right now, I think that's what it's all about.
What's it all for? We should try to calm the mice that are running around in our head. I use "mice" as a metaphor on purpose because they are small creatures, and aren't known to be profound/deep. A lot of the times the mental gymnastics aren't necessary. Just be happy and do some good. Right now, I think that's what it's all about.
2.01.2006
1.29.2006
Leaving home, finishing school, becoming financially independent, getting married and having children are happening at a later age these days. We all knew that... but did we know the statistics?
In 1960, 77 percent of women and 65 percent of men had achieved these benchmarks by age 30. By 2000-01, that dropped to 46 percent of women and just 31 percent of men.
- from "Generation Debt" and "Strapped"
In 1960, 77 percent of women and 65 percent of men had achieved these benchmarks by age 30. By 2000-01, that dropped to 46 percent of women and just 31 percent of men.
- from "Generation Debt" and "Strapped"
1.27.2006
At a restaurant I got a couple of spots of salsa on a white shirt. When I went home that evening I used warm water and soap on those spots. I couldn't get rid of the reddish tinge, so I gave up. I left the shirt hanging in the bathroom for a couple of days. Then, when I went to examine it... the spots had vanished. It seems that when soap and water fail, one's will can help remove stains!
1.26.2006
I think fewer people in this country would eat meat and seafood if they met the animals they ate.
I was at a moderately upscale Chinese restaurant in Hong Kong once and my father and I ordered a whole live fish to be steamed. The waiter went to the tank (which was by the entrance) and brought us the fish in a clear plastic bucket, to verify the size and the type. The fish was suffocating, convulsing and bouncing noisily around in the bucket. If not for the lid it would have surely flown out. The sight would be very offputting for some. I think my mother and sister (both vegetarians) averted their eyes. But to the Chinese, this is a way to show that the fish you're being served is very fresh. The texture of very fresh steamed fish is almost like cotton. The flavor is exquisite too. I'd rather not have seen the fish alive first. But then... I wouldn't have been able to write this post, would I? It's not something I'd want to see regularly.
I was at a moderately upscale Chinese restaurant in Hong Kong once and my father and I ordered a whole live fish to be steamed. The waiter went to the tank (which was by the entrance) and brought us the fish in a clear plastic bucket, to verify the size and the type. The fish was suffocating, convulsing and bouncing noisily around in the bucket. If not for the lid it would have surely flown out. The sight would be very offputting for some. I think my mother and sister (both vegetarians) averted their eyes. But to the Chinese, this is a way to show that the fish you're being served is very fresh. The texture of very fresh steamed fish is almost like cotton. The flavor is exquisite too. I'd rather not have seen the fish alive first. But then... I wouldn't have been able to write this post, would I? It's not something I'd want to see regularly.
1.23.2006
A live-action "Prince of Persia" movie could be great. You know who'd be great in the lead role? Tony Jaa (the lead in "Ong Bak"). In terms of skills, he's right on... acrobatics, running up walls, martial arts... too bad he doesn't look Persian though. I think he only speaks Thai too. Oh well... I can imagine, can't I?