Wind Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

This has got to be one of the best Murakamis I've ever read.
Often I feel my mind wanders back to the book... the well.
It touches somewhere deep in your subconscious.
I often think about it when I am alone.

Even the scene during WWII, the gruesome death of the soldier.
It leaves an imprint in your mind.
There is some kind of testament to the modern day world as well
How are we living? What are we doing? 

Norwegian Wood by Murakami

Just a girl... meeting a boy...
What is life? What are we thinking about? Why don't we just live, instead of thinking about living?
This book is an insightful story about two young people growing up. Both feel guilty about their friend's suicide. But one just can't let him go.

Quitting is easy... staying on is the challenge

It is so easy to just quit and let it all slide!!
So easy....
What's not so easy is dealing with the consequences!!

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Started in Singapore, finished in New Delhi....

The best part of this book was the beginning. When you start reading about The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, you just get enveloped into a new land and want to read more about Daniel's life, Victor Hugo's pen and Barcelona. The book comes together so perfectly, that you start believing that the author must be some born-again Buddhist who personifies karma and the circle of re-birth in his writings.

I don't know Spanish, but the English version of Zafon's book was wonderful. I finally finished it on the October 2 long weekend in 2014. And I'm so glad that I came across this beautiful book. My next Spanish author is Marquez. I'm not sure when I'll be finishing his 100 Years, but that book is so well written that I thank God for such talented authors in our midst.

And that I have access to them all!! 

Data mining

So I'm reading a book called "Numerati" which is all about the world of analytics and data... then I came across an article in the Business Standard about how "data scientists" were earning millions because companies like Walmart were interested in seeing patterns in buying behavior.

Manipulation of buyers is frequent... but what you want to avoid are the barnacles, that in turn take advantage of the free deals without contributing in return. So it's like people like me, who have a credit card but always pay before the deadline... hence never having to avail of credit in the first place!! I love credit cards btw,... It makes life so interesting!! And online shopping so much fun!!

Deviations though are common - so let me get back to my main theme. Am I a predictable buyer? Well Yes, and No. Every weekend, I visit the grocery store, and buy my veggies and household provisions for the week. Every other day, I buy 3 L of milk and some bread.

I really don't have that much else. It's good to have a mini-supermarket behind the house, particularly when you want to make pizza at home.

I hardly spend on anything else, except my dry cleaning. Rest all goes in sundry expenses....

Even if there are deals in the store, I remain loyal to my brands. Particularly Amul.

What will data miners do about me? How will companies manipulate me? They can try... but the thing about manipulation is when you know it is happening... you won't be party to it!! 

Lies

What does one do about liars?

How can someone look another person straight in the face and lie and lie and lie.

It amazes me.

I hope to God Karma exists. Please exist. Because without that, I am losing hope in this world. 

Actualizing Self

There are some lectures that really do change you. I had one such lecturer in my recent program, who helped push me.

I am glad to say that because of that... I pushed myself and did quite well. 

So go out and live. Breathe and remember, all will be fine. 

All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. ~Walt Disney