Nobody wears a watch any more.
Nobody wears a tie either.
Nobody shops at a bookstore.

It’s about Marketing to Nobody. Essentially, he’s saying there’s a growing number of people changing their habits and preferences, yet companies out there still trying to cater the same old crowd, hoping they would do the same old things.

I haven’t worn a tie to work since 1994.  I haven’t worn a watch since junior high¹.  I haven’t bought a book from a bookstore in 8 years, thanks to Amazon.

I can add more to this list of things I  haven’t done in a long time:

• I don’t watch live TV.
• I don’t go to the movie theaters.
• I don’t buy a brand-name desktop PC.
• I don’t drink coffee.
• I don’t wear jewelry.
• (Update) I don’t go to the library.

I’m willing to try anything new and different.  So, who’s going to cater a nobody like me?

Photo Credit: helloiamtwo

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

I’m A Nobody

1. Back in the 80′s

Related posts:

1. Need to Spend
2. Curbing Bad Habits
3. Recession-R-Us

With so much going on in this world, the busyness and hectic schedule, it’s good to know there are still ways to get away from it all. Enjoy the good things in life.

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Walk In The Park

No related posts.

• Watched too much television
  I had successfully stopped watching full length movies and even TV episodes every night.  Instead I spend my time reading, talking to my family, and…  sleeping.
• Drank coffee
  I curbed this one pretty good, too.  At one time, I was offered a free small sample of ice coffee at Mcdonald’s.  I accepted it, but ended up throwing it away.
• Ate too much sweets (candy, chocolates, cookies)
  I couldn’t avoid this one.  Work had chocolate chip cookies the 2nd day, and I was hungry.  Sweets are like red meat to me – just can’t live without them.
• Had not exercise regularly
  I couldn’t exercise regularly because I had a debilitating allergies.  Stuffed up nose made it hard for me to breath.  I did replace my usual bike ride and driving range, with gardening: digging, lawn mowing, etc.  The irony is the allergies was from the pollen – while working in the yard.
• Spent too much on Facebook
  I stopped for 5 days.  I couldn’t stay out.  My friends are too important.
• Stressed over politics
  This one was unavoidable when they passed the health care bill.  I should’ve tried harder to avoid this because it stressed me out.
• Had not slept enough
  This one I could claim I did it.  My sleeping schedule was back to 10pm and wake up at 7am.  The allergies helped me sleep more, too.

I learned I have an excessive amount of dedication over certain things.  I need to do a better job balancing my time and curbing my selfish wants.  Otherwise, I’ll need another 3 weeks to stop my bad habit.

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Curbing Bad Habits

Related posts:

1. Bad Habits
2. I’m A Nobody
3. The Internet is 40 Years Old!

• Watched too much television
• Drank coffee
• Ate too much sweets (candy, chocolates, cookies)
• Had not exercise regularly
• Spent too much on Facebook
• Stressed over politics
• Had not slept enough

It’s time to re-prioritize.  It’s time to re-develop good habits.  The next 40 days is going to be interesting.

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Bad Habits

Related posts:

1. Curbing Bad Habits
2. The Internet is 40 Years Old!
3. It’s that time of the year again

After much work, the first two nodes of what would become the ARPANET were interconnected between UCLA’s School of Engineering and Applied Science and SRI International (SRI) in Menlo Park, California, on October 29, 1969. The ARPANET was one of the “eve” networks of today’s Internet.

I wrote about my first experience of being “online” using the Internet.  Specifically, I was using it as a talk box to chat¹ with someone in Italy.  Then I used it for email and reading USENET articles.

It’s the most important medium for my daily life.  My professional life is about maintaining Internet websites, serving e-Commerce and informational contents.  I also maintain personal blogs to document my life.  The Internet is also part of my social life, via Facebook and Twitter.  Finally, it’s obviously the source of information with innovators like Google and Wikipedia.

However, who would’ve thought, after all of these years, the Internet has become a legitimate addiction?  I admit that I have a mild addiction.²

It’s hard to separate myself from the Internet because it’s intertwined with my daily life.  I now watch TV online via Hulu or Netflix.  I listen to music online via Pandora or Blip.fm.  I shop online via Amazon or Newegg.  I play video games online via Steam or Facebook.  I do my banking online to pay my bills, make investments, etc.  Heck, I sometimes go to church online!

Fortunately, I’m happy to say not everything is Internet based.  I still need to go to the supermarket, as my fridge still can’t call a local market to deliver groceries to me.  I still need to go out with family or friends to a local restaurant (although arranging the meeting is being done online).

If there is one thing I like to do via the Internet (that I’m unable to do right now) is going to the office for work.  Working from home is still underrated in my company.  Unfortunately, it’s a political issue, so I’m stuck having to commute 30 minutes each way to/from work – when I can just turn on my laptop and be at work in 2 minutes.  I don’t know when that will change.  I can only hope the next generation of CEOs and managers will see the benefit and practicality.

So it’s been an amazing 40 years for the Internet.  Here’s looking at another 40 years of good times online!

Photo Credit: extremeyarx

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

The Internet is 40 Years Old!

1. Remembering Unix Talk, the new Internet thing to enhance that immensely is Google Wave.  I still don’t have a beta invite, yet, but I’m looking forward to try it.
2. Is there such a thing as a “mild addiction”?

Related posts:

1. Technology and Being Connected
2. Reminder to Foster “Offline” Friendships
3. Ga-Ga over Google!

I like things to be predictable.

Some folks may attribute manhood as the need to be in control.   I don’t deny that opinion, but in the 21st century, where women have already asserted themselves in society, the generalization is easily disproved.

As a spiritual person, I do believe there are things I have zero control over, such as death, fate, and the weather.  However, what I can control is how I react.  I must have a high “adversity quotient“.  I must be able to handle the suffering and pain.

I must suffer well.

Life is unfair and I’m not always in control.  The sooner I realize that, the better I’ll become.

Photo Credit: Control Versus Kaos

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

In Control

Related posts:

1. It’s that time of the year again
2. Honesty and Blogging
3. Contemplating Mid-Life Crisis Already

I am thankful:

• For the wife who says it’s hot dogs tonight,
  because she is home with me, and not out with someone else.
• For the husband who is on the sofa being a couch potato,
  because he is home with me and not out at the bars.
• For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes,
  because it means she is at home, not on the streets.
• For the taxes I pay,
  because it means I am employed.
• For the mess to clean after a party,
  because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
• For the clothes that fit a little too snug,
  because it means I have enough to eat.
• For my shadow that watches me work,
  because it means I am out in the sunshine.
• For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing,
  because it means I have a home.
• For all the complaining I hear about the government,
  because it means we have freedom of speech.
• For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot,
  because it means I am capable of walking and I have been blessed with transportation.
• For my huge heating bill,
  because it means I am warm.
• For the lady behind me in church who sings off key,
  because it means I can hear.
• For the pile of laundry and ironing,
  because it means I have clothes to wear.
• For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day,
  because it means I have been capable of working hard.
• For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours,
  because it means I am alive.
• For the crazy people I work with,
  because they make work interesting and fun!
• For too much e-mail,
  because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.

and…

• For staying up late working from home,
  because of the modern technology that makes it possible.
• For a boss who asks me to go to the office even though I’m tired in the morning,
  because it means I have a job and I’m still needed by the team.
• For the lack of fringe benefits by the company,
  because they are trying to cut cost, so they can still retain me and my co-workers.

What are you thankful for?

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Being Thankful

No related posts.

From what I’ve observed in the blogging world, people seem to lie (or exaggerate the truth).  The common motive behind blogging is notoriety.  A good blogger must write something elaborate and sensational to hold the reader’s attention.  Is the author’s life really that exciting?  Does the author really do what he/she writes down?  Does blogging really bring a substantial income?  Does everything look that easy?

In my opinion, the truth is usually boring.  Reality can be dull.  I’m not an Olympic athlete.  Not a billionaire.  Not a celebrity.  Heck, I don’t even have that many friends, let alone exciting ones.  I’m just a person with limited social skills and selective taste.   I’m unique, in my own way, but certainly not extraordinary.

So why should I even bother writing a long exposé of my life?

This blog is a journal of my reality.  There were moments in my life I’ve asked myself, what did I do a year ago?  What happened 10 years ago?  What went through my mind 20 years ago?  I want to be able to look back at my life, and say “I’ve done that!”  It’s like my childhood photos – I really miss them.   I want to be able to recall important events and people in my life.

I also believe it’s important to note my failures and accomplishments.  Someone may benefit from my experiences.  That’s what blogging is to me.  It’s my small contribution to man kind.  No sensationalism for me.   My blogging motives have to be honest and true.  That’s what blogging is all about for me.

Photo Credit: hersley

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Honesty and Blogging

Related posts:

1. In Control
2. It’s that time of the year again
3. The Internet is 40 Years Old!

You’re all about raw power. You’re tough, you’re loud, and you don’t take crap from anyone. Leave finesse to the other cars, the ones eating your dust.

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Thanks to One Quart Low for the link lead.

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Contemplating Mid-Life Crisis Already

Related posts:

1. Driving Delays and Distractions
2. Hydrogen Cars No Longer a Pipe Dream
3. Lunch Bits – Edition 14

30 years ago – 1977 – I was in Grade 2. I don’t remember much at this age, except for the original Star Wars movie that my uncle “obtained” on VHS tape (or was it Betamax?). I watched this movie many many many times, even though the picture and sound quality were really bad. I also remembered the scene in the middle of the movie, where the Millennium Falcon approaching the death star, was gone. Since English was not my first language, I didn’t understand the conversation. I only watched the battle scenes, over and over again. My wife wondered why I had this slight obsession with Star Wars. This was the reason.

20 years ago – 1987 – I was graduating from high school. I remembered our prom night. With the advice from my best friend, I bought a tux. Of course, the tux didn’t fit any more and it was long gone. The prom was also my first “unofficial” date. We kept it strictly friendly, danced and talked all night. Hey, I was a shy geek back then. In 1987, I also remembered my first day in college, with the initiations, and a lot of yelling and drinking. College daze went downhill after that, but that was another story.

10 years ago – 1997 – I moved to San Francisco Bay Area. This was my biggest move of my life, leaving my comfort zone. Earlier, I stayed in my parent’s place in Toronto, so I didn’t have to pay rent. I had a decent job as a sysadmin. I had a lot friends, some I had known since high school. After a failed long-term relationship, I decided to pack my things and moved to United States to start over. Here in the US, I knew only of only one person and started to build a new network of friends since then. I hardly kept in touch with those friends now – distance has that effect on friendship.

In retrospect, those times were my milestones – life changing events that shaped my current life. I can’t say they’re all good, but it’s certainly not all bad. I am glad those years have a special meaning for me.

Special thanks to Mary Demuth and her inspirational blog that encouraged me to write this entry.

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

It’s that time of the year again

Related posts:

1. Curbing Bad Habits
2. Honesty and Blogging
3. Bad Habits