You are not your work

Came across this quote by the Venerable Zen Master Lin Chi while reading Principle 13 from Ready for Anything by David Allen:

When hungry, eat your rice; when tired, close your eyes. Fools may laugh at me, but wise men will know what i mean.

Can't help but smile everytime I read that.

The Magic Mundane

The mundane is not a substitute for the sublime. It's just a secret passageway to it.

From the book: Ready for Anything by David Allen.
Chapter: Principle 8, Closing open loops releases energy.

How many times have you got your best ideas while taking a bath, sitting on the pot, lying in bed or taking a walk? I know I have and I can totally relate to it.

Lisp vs. XML

To me, the whole Lisp vs. XML discussion boils down to whether you agree or disagree with this statement:

The whole notion of data vs. programs sucks. XML is based on that notion, sexprs aren't. This is why sexprs are superior.

via LispVsXml

I like the Lisp approach for now: its very convenient, flexible and above all simple. Learning Lisp is on my Someday/Maybe list and when I get around to doing that, I'm looking forward to revisiting this problem.

See also XmlIsaPoorCopyOfEssExpressions

Rules in a Crisis Situation

I remember watching Twins a long time ago and the thing that struck me were these Rules in a Crisis Situation that Julius (Arnold Schwarzenegger) keeps sprinkling throughout the movie. So I googled for the script and I found those rules. Here they are:

Rule 1: Negotiate first, attack last.

Julius: "You never negotiated. You don't know what kind of enemy I am."

Rule 2: If you choose to bluff, you must be prepared to have your bluff called.

Rule 3: Duck.

When asked by Vince (Danny DeVito): How many of those... rules do you have?

Julius replies: Quite a few. They were formulated by a Kendo swordsman in the 17th century, but their philosophical underpinnings can be applied to many other areas of life.

hmm...

The Plan

You plan the Plan and then the Plan plans you!

Where shall I begin?

The White Rabbit put on his spectacles. `Where shall I begin, please your Majesty?' he asked.
`Begin at the beginning,' the King said gravely, `and go on till you come to the end: then stop.'

- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll