Do married people live longer than single people, or does it just SEEM longer?

I know! I know!!! I can't read your mind (clearly) but I know what you are thinking. This is the last thing I want to talk about. But, let's be honest. Single life is way cooler than married life. But as there is both sides to everything, it's the same with this topic.

The good things about single life is not something I can explore in detail here - better to write a book on it. Solitary fun is great. Flirt with anyone, anywhere you want and not be bothered about answering to anyone else. How do you enjoy living a carefree life, going fishing with your buddies without having to clear with someone else first. Theres plenty of time to do your own stuff, focus on your career and personal development when you are single. And, of course, your life is more stress free.

Married life is just the opposite. Though I haven't personally experienced "marriage" I have seen, observed and heard from many married men in addition to so much literature available on the Internet on this topic. So, I think I've got a basic picture of it. Of course, I agree with the good things in a marriage, being a couple and all. But, in a different perspective you loose a lot too. But, when you realize that, it's actually too late to undo for most people. Among some good things that come with the marriage package is having someone by your side, getting things done easily. Let's not dwell on that now :P.

Before I go tossing and turning around this topic, let me try to answer the real question. Do married people live longer than single people, or does it just seem longer. I believe that single life is longer whereas married life actually seems much much longer. This is very much a controversial issue and many if you would openly disagree with me, while some would agree in silence (dhethiki P), and others merely show it :). Some research shows that married people live longer, which maybe true to certain extent. That doesn't mean it's a fact. Being in the fine institution of marriage makes life a living hell (sometimes) for most people. Longing for the day to pass, when days feel like weeks, and wishing to live the single life you once had. Generally speaking, I'm sure it's not the same for everyone. Those who say that married life is actually longer says so based on the fact that (in most marriages) you are well taken care of resulting in a healthy life.

Enough of that. You might think that I don't believe in marriage. Let me tell you something. Oh no, I won't! Maybe later. But the truth is everyone misses single life after getting married. Thats why you got to really enjoy life while you are still young. After settling down there won't be enough time do the stuff you always wanted to do, but kept to do later.

Almost forgot. I have to do some ironing for tomorrow. LoL. Anyway, this is something worth pondering - I'll come back with more later on. In the meantime, this is open for all sorts of criticism :)

"A man in love is incomplete until he has married. Then he's finished". - Zsa Zsa Gabor

"He is his own best friend, and takes delight in privacy whereas the man of no virtue or ability is his own worst enemy and is afraid of solitude." - Aristotle

Cheers,
Hammett

We come. We go. And in between we try to understand

"We come. We go. And in between we try to understand". - Rod Steiger.

A simple statement, yet so meaningful. I don't think I understand what it really means. Maybe the meaning behind it is too deep for my little mind, which can handle only about a million thoughts at a time, to conceive.

It's not an overstatement! Mind is the most powerful organ in our amazing body. It's so powerful that we are able use only a tiny bit of it, and we don't fully understand it's capabilities. People who use a fraction of it, just a fraction more than an ordinary man, are regarded as “genius”. Don't believe me, just yet! Ask Einstein. Ah, he's dead! Believe me then. ;)

So back to the quote. It can mean very differently, when put in different contexts. In the most basic context, we come to this world as a child, we leave as an "old child", and in between - the short time that we live in this world - we try to understand ourselves; why we do what we do, our friends and the society we live in. If we understand everything, I bet life would be so boring and unworthy of living. We don't really need to understand everything to believe it. As the saying goes "for I do not seek to understand in order to believe, but I believe in order to understand. For I believe this: unless I believe, I will not understand". Somethings are to be believed, without having to think too deep and to understand the logic behind. Having said that, ‘belief and logic’ is not the topic for today.

Let's see whats on my mind now. How interesting would it be to write down, every day, every action in your day-to-day life and read through it after several years. It would make you smile in reminiscence and even laugh about the stupid things you did, which might not have seemed stupid then :). I actually started doing it few times, but never got past few days. Basically it's kind of the same thing that we do in contemplation once in a while. Yes! Everyone does contemplate. When we are faced with a challenge, come to a barrier, or when we arrive at a junction in life, splitting to many roads, when we stop and think about which one to take, we do look behind and think through the past actions that led us here. That's a good thing!

Even the smallest action we take, that we don't give much of a conscious thought, I believe we do think before we decide, without even realizing that we do. Plato said, "when the mind is thinking it’s talking to itself". Exactly! It talks to itself, and does manipulate or affect our actions/decisions. Most of the things that we say or talk about, we don't really do them, do we? That's human nature. Likewise, every thought, is not put in to action. So many thoughts go through our mind at any given time.

The subconscious part of the brain is the most powerful - so powerful that we cant even imagine how capable it is. Imagine when you first learnt to ride a bicycle or drive a car. At first, you wouldn't be able to have a conversation with anyone else, while riding/driving because your total focus on driving is a bit too much for the conscious mind to have a conversation at the same time. But after few weeks, when you've got familiar with this activity, the subconscious mind learns it and takes over. After that, wouldn't be a problem for you to have a conversation, talk on the mobile phone (that’s illegal), or even watch movies while driving as your conscious mind will be available for such activities.

Having said that, subconscious mind is responsible for so many other basic functions in our body including breathing, keeping balance when we walk and heartbeat, to mention a few. If you had to do even one of these basic functions consciously, you wouldn't be doing much of anything else. It's responsible for sudden actions we take without thinking. It is also the where dreamworld is ;). If you can implant a conscious thought in to the subconscious, you can magnify it so high and make it so powerful. But, you have to be very careful about what you put in there, because once it's in there, it affects you, without your slightest intervention.

And back to the part about trying to understand. Trying to understand is not a problem at all. But, we can't! Yet, we do try. I guess, that's again part of being human. I find it really nice to sit in a quiet place, listening to some country music, and let my mind do the talking. Its mostly our present situations that put us in states of contemplation. Thinking about why we did what we did, how we got here, what we are meant to do, and what the best action could be. Thats what gets us moving. Thats how we decide our future actions. That's living. Thats what makes the journey interesting, making it worthwhile.

So the quote makes real sense. It doesn't necessarily mean that we spend every day, literally thinking. And it's not necessarily important to understand everything thats happening or every action. Rene Cote says, "It has taken me all my life to understand that it is not necessary to understand everything". I agree!!

Right now, I'm sitting in Raanbaa drinking an apple juice and eating a beef pizza. It's delicious ;). I don't come here too often, but guess I like this environment now. For the last hour, I was thinking about this quote. I still can't seem to understand what it really means. Good quotes are goes too deep, too meaning and too simple to read. This is one of those.

Finally, sound some lone time thinking. It's good for ya! Contemplation too. And again, don't take life "too seriously". Enjoy, have fun and live it to the fullest. But, be serious when you need to, when you have to! Enjoyment and seriousness means differently for different people. However it means to you, be cool and have fun.

“Don't worry about life, you're not going to survive it anyway.”

Cheers,
Hammett

Wandering & Wondering

I don't know where to start...actually wondering - not wondering. Hehe. After I wrote down the topic, my mind wondered elsewhere, fueled by hunger, and I wandered somewhere to eat dinner :). It's not uncommon for us to wander and wonder most of the time, or do both at the same time, sometimes!

There are so many reasons to why this happens. We are living in a world too fast paced to sit and wait in calmness for anything these days. Constantly interrupted by phone calls, text messages, and emails. Facebook texts are sometimes a pain in the a4$3 at times. It keeps coming and coming, and drain the battery before you decide to turn FB text off.

Gone are the days when we had to be going out, moving around restlessly, to actually wander. In the digital world you could be wandering about anywhere in seconds - something I tend to do quite often, without even realizing. Now that I'm thinking about these two words that are spelled nearly the same, sound nearly the same and mean kind of the same thing, I come to realize how much I do it. All the time!!! I find it nearly impossible to stop wondering.

The reason why I am writing this article is still not clear. Lets explore this a bit more. These two words which sound similar, when spelled with an 'a' means "move about aimlessly without any destination", whereas with an "o" it means "...exploration of and around ideas, dreams and concepts". Wandering is physically tiring and wondering is mentally tiring. However tiring it maybe, it's good in a way. It takes us away from the busy work life. Aimless, restless, fearless, and worry-less, feelings of a child- not necessarily mindless. Hehe

I can't keep track of how much I w_ndered after I started writing this article - which wasn't too long ago. Now that it makes me wonder why I started writing about it in the first place, I frankly have no idea how it got me started. This is quite interesting. I could write a book on this topic filled with nonsense. Now that brings me to wonder why you would want to hear me babble. I'll stop this right here...gotta go wander somewhere else. Yea, this feels good!!! ;)

Cheers,
Hammett

Internet reshaping our lives

Hey guys,

It's time to write something here after so long - 13 months ;). Not that I've left blogosphere, my excuse is the so-called "being BUSY".

Anyway, it's amazing how the Internet has changed our lives. It's nothing new to talk about, but at certain times like today, I keep thinking about how our lives would be without it - disconnected from the virtual world. Two sides of that just like anything else for that matter.

I just returned from Addu City yesterday. Something I observed there, which has no particular relevance to Internet, is not something I've yet seen in Male. Nobody seems to go to grocery shops anymore...probably a few still does, most don't! They even order almost everything, from curry leaves, bottle of water, a pack of cigarette...just to mention a few. And the cool thing is, quantity doesn't matter, even the matchbox is delivered FREE. My initial comment to that was "sheer laziness"..I still think so! Why cant u just move your lazy-ass to the shop next-door to buy something so small as a Supari. Hehe. It's ok to do your weekly/monthly shopping online/ over the phone and get free delivery.

I asked around a bit and some people seem to agree with me. This "free delivery" was a marketing initiative by one of the marts in Hithadhoo, which was copied by nearly most of the other marts over the past couple of years. That's enough details - I'm not gonna dig any deeper

Anyway, thats teleshopping - I'd rather prefer online shopping. I guess that'd be the next step they take, one mart has to start and it spreads fast like a virus :)

So, back to the Internet Era, our presence on the Internet and our ability to use it wisely sort of defines our capacity to keep up with a reasonable pace in the current workplace. As Jack Welch says "I was afraid of the internet... because I couldn't type". That's indeed something to be afraid of. It's not only a necessity at workplace, it eases up our everyday life and open up new doors. Internet has changed the way we socialize - not only how, but who we socialize with. Our best buddies and guy next-door aren't necessarily limited to our neighborhood/town. He/ she could be several thousand miles away connected on-the-go, chatting with you at the coffee table, or wherever else in a world where most of us are equipped with a 3G/wifi enabled iPad or a smartphone.

Over the past few years, Facebook has revolutionized how we spend time and what we do on the Internet. Thanks to Mark Zuckerbarg. There you are, catching up with your schoolmates, harvesting your crops in farmville with your cousins, receiving timely status updates from all you buddies, and poking someone every now and then. LoL!!!

Most important thing to remember is, you gotta be very careful who you share information with. There's no problem with been overprotective of whom you share information with. Stupidity can get you into a real mess which I'm sure some of us have experienced. As Albert Einstein says "The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits".

So my advice - whatever you do on the global town square interconnecting virtual villages in all ends of the world, be overly cautious about what personal information you share and who you share it with. But stay connected!!!

Cheers :)
Hammett

Photo credits: http://www.expertbusinessadvice.com/images/content/Building-a-business-in-the-internet-era.jpg

Mobile phones allow deaf people to communicate anytime, anywhere!

Cell phones has largely been limited to text messaging for deaf people. Technology is catching up - as it always does - to enable the disabled to visually communicate in real time.

Cornell University has come up with a technology (which they have been working for over 4 years, led by Professor Sheila Hemami) to over come this. She says that this technology would allow deaf people "untethered communication in their native language"

This project called Mobile ASL (American Sign Language) has created the first phone prototypes last year which are now used by 25 deaf people in Seattle. Still in the early stages of development, it wouldn't take long for this technology to be available worldwide, embedded on all mobile phones.

These researches designed a video compression software which is very much lightweight and streamlined to efficiently deliver clear, understandable video over existing limited bandwidth networks (perfectly compatible with, both, 2G and 3G networks).

Technology would enable just about everything. We just need to wait a little longer ;)

Cheers!

Sources: (ACM, Cornell University)
Picture: Rober Berker, University Photography

Bicycle Thief

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It’s cooler than four-wheels, easier to get around;
Enjoying sun and the cold, everything that’s around;
It’s pleasant activity, an exercise, panting and paddling;
Goodbye to motion-sickness, I would rather prefer biking.

Needed to chill out tonight, steering about in London;
Stunned outside the garage, indecisive of my vision;
Rub my eyes and looked again, oh man, forever it’s gone;
Observed for a while, certainly stolen by a disturbed spawn.
*******************************************************

Damn, I had it locked securely to the frame, and it was there three days back. The garage “was” very much protected. Gates are always securely locked and accessible only with keyless remote-control entry fobs which are provided to tenants only. The 24/7 guard, CCTV cameras, were there and I can’t wait for Monday to call them and inquire about it. In fact, with so much useless security, the garage isn’t safe anymore!!!

Who would want to steal that ugly bicycle dressed in mild rust? Apparently, some sssh0le did. Nevertheless, I hope it does him some good. The worst thing is that I haven’t ridden it in more than a week. Now that it’s gone, I want to ride it even more. I’m glad I didn’t put more money to decorate my lost friend. Goodbye bikey!

Image taken from here.

Why do moths fly towards bright light?

.Sitting at my study table, focusing on comprehensive reading;

Surrounded by utter silence, only noise was the keys stroking;
Something caught my attention, so unexpected and surprising;
Sensing a touch on my neck, the reflex was a bit alarming.

It happened so fast, I jolted forward and fingertips observing;
I jumped out of the chair, little moth went for the light hanging;
It crashes on the bulb and falls, not conscious to avoid hurting;
Doing that for a lifetime, lights off, I showed it out for light-hunting.
************************************************************

One any given night, you would see many flies and other insects continuously crashing in or making endless circles around lights in your living room or even on the streets. The little disturbance caused by a moth tonight, I wanted to find out why they fly towards or around bright lights and surprisingly found many theories. However, none of them seems to be based on concrete scientific evidence.

Insects that attract to light, and that doesn’t are described by a phenomenon called ‘phototaxis’. Earthworms and cockroaches are repelled by exposure to too much light and are known to have negative ‘phototaxis’ while insects like flies and moths are naturally attracted to light and have positive ‘phototaxis’. One theory states that certain insects use light from the moon as a navigational beacon and flies, keeping the moon on its right side. This would work well because the moon is very much distant from the insect. But, if the insect takes artificial light as a beacon, such as a bulb which is much closer than moon, it would be flying around the bulb in an endless circle trying to keep the light on its side.
Another theory about the same so-called light-compass states that, as the light coming from distant is a straight line, the insect flies towards the moon, and speed of its wings is based on the strength of light on each eye. But, when it flies towards an artificial light, the strength of light on one eye differs from the other causing one wing to beat stronger. As a result, the moth flight becomes unbalanced causing it to crash into the light.

The other theory is the idea that flies are attracted to darkness and are nocturnal. Lights at short distance, they see the immediate area around it as the darkest space. They fly in to this ‘darkness’, and as the light is so close they get confused and end up flying around the light. There is debate going on about why insects are attracted to artificial light while natural light is still there. Some believe that it is, because of this dark space they see around artificial lights.

Unfortunately, there is no right answer to this question leaving us to make personal preferences on the most debated theories.

Which theory do you believe in?


Cheers!
Hammett

Image taken from here

A stubborn mind's invasion

.

Twisting and turning, on my warm and comfy bed;
Wandering and wondering, in vague thoughts, outspread;
Wanting and needing, in desperate wait for its return;
Sleepless and helpless, in invasion of a mind so stubborn.

Tired and exhausted, yet troubled with a slight headache;
Worried and scared, uncertain of what’s keeping me awake;
Reading and writing, lot to be done in just two weeks;
Sleeping and resting, without which I can’t reach the peak.
******************************************************

Cheers!
Hammett

Image taken from here

MALDIVES – Highest divorce rate throughout the world

It’s a fact that Maldives has the highest divorce rate in the world, and lot of Maldivians talk about as well. Alarmingly, the figure is way higher than the rate of any other country. The figure speaks for itself. But, what could be the factors “contributing” to this world record?

Actually, I’m rather new to the concept of marriage/divorce :S. Maybe you guys could help me understand what could causing this. Few things that come to mind are:

1- Lack of awareness and higher education in the country.

2- Marriage to please parents
It happens a quite a lot in Maldives, and usually doesn’t last long.

3- Women are underrepresented in the workforce.

Maldives has a long history of women growing up to be just only housewives. Though it has changed a bit over the years, it is still seen and practice that way – maybe not as much in Male’, but definitely in the outer islands.

4- Ease of getting a divorce.

In Islamic Sharia pronouncement of a few words can settle a divorce. In a community where “divorce” is no different from quitting a job – the way it is seen socially – in many instances these words might be used unwisely. I believe the regulation of divorce has changed a bit.

5- Trust, respect and loyalty are unvalued.
Hoo-ha… this is a huge topic!

6- Marriage at YOUNG AGE

Don't get me started. Look around you; friends, family, co-workers - its true! Few guys in mid 20s are mature and/or grown up to be heading a family. It usually ends with a pregnant lady or a little kid or two - whom, most of the time, have to find a way to bringing up a family on her own while the proud dad flies around looking for "exposed nectar". Is that outrageous? :|

7- …and etc!! Don’t hunt me down

There’s a lot more, but I got to run. Interesting topic, isn’t it?


What have you got to say?


Cheers!

If you have never failed, you have never lived!

Hiya,

Today, somehow, I ended up digging up about failures. Maybe I was looking for something inspirational. I'm like a random crawler jumping from subject to subject and never focus on one thing :P

We are social animals. We aren't perfect, but we are very intelligent. Every single moment in your life has an effect on the point in life where you are today. We all make mistakes, not one, but too many. Don't let the bad experiences, embarrassment, guilt or whatever get in the way of becoming the person whom you dream to be; to succeed in life.

A failure is a man who has blundered but is not capable of cashing in on the experience. -Elbert Hubbard-

Don't take failure as a negative thing. Learn from it, and think it a a stepping stone to success. Who hasn't failed? I have failed, but that doesn't stop me from trying again and again. :)

Success is failure turned inside out.

Thought I'd share these interesting clips. Get inspired and start turning your failures inside out. Who knows what you might discover.

FAMOUS FAILURES

GREAT FAILURES OF THE EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL

THE DON'T QUIT POEM!

Cheers!
-Hammett-