Saware - song

Here is a kid - Aamir Hafeez - who really is mind blowing, mind uplifting, and all that awesome jazz! Amazingly powerful voice inside this little kid singing 'Saware' from the movie 'Bandit Queen' originally sung by, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Again, better than the King of Sufi Music, maybe? Judge for yourself... above and below...

Teri Deewani - also by Aamir Hafeez

Tere Bin Nahi Lagda - song

Does Mussarat Abbas sing 'Tere Bin Nahi Lagda' better than Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (King of Sufi Music) or what, huh? I am a super big Nusrat fan, but compare this song and judge for yourself...

1 - Mussarat
2 - Nusrat

What Jigsaw Puzzle Strategy do you deploy?

What is your strategy when putting together a jigsaw puzzle? Do you work on a section at a time, picking a bunch of pieces that look like they fit together? Do you pick out all the easy-looking pieces and position them first, then build around them? Or something else?

I recently worked on a tough 1000 piece puzzle with a few different people and we all used different strategies to finish it. This got me thinking re the psychology behind a jigsaw puzzle task.

[Question I asked on LinkedIn.com - December 9th, 2007]

Short Radio Interview

Short radio interview on KLIV CNN 1590 AM radio station based in San Jose, Calfornia. Topic: my company - Saaze Corporation, the economy, and the digital signage industry. This MP3 file opens automatically online in Quicktime or save it to listen via another program. Happy listening...

Fire, Light, & Moths

In the poem, 'The Question' by Jalaluddin Rumi, he says, "The moth sees light and goes into fire. You should see fire and go toward light." Yet another dimensional view of things. Intrigued, I spent time pondering its meaning, then I realized, I can see the fire, light, and moths dancing collectively and also individually. It was a fun 3D/4D experience! Here is a translation of the poem...

===
One dervish to another, What was your vision of God's presence?
I haven't seen anything.
But for the sake of conversation, I'll tell you a story.

God's presence is there in front of me, a fire on the left, a lovely stream on the right.
One group walks toward the fire, into the fire, another toward the sweet flowing water.
No one knows which are blessed and which not.
Whoever walks into the fire appears suddenly in the stream.
A head goes under on the water surface, that head pokes out of the fire.
Most people guard against going into the fire, and so end up in it.
Those who love the water of pleasure and make it their devotion are cheated with this reversal.
The trickery goes further.
The voice of the fire tells the truth, saying I am not fire.
I am fountainhead. Come into me and don't mind the sparks.

If you are a friend of God, fire is your water.
You should wish to have a hundred thousand sets of mothwings, so you could burn them away, one set a night.
The moth sees light and goes into fire. You should see fire and go toward light. Fire is what of God is world-consuming.
Water, world-protecting.
Somehow each gives the appearance of the other.
To these eyes you have now what looks like water burns.
What looks like fire is a great relief to be inside.
You've seen a magician make a bowl of rice seem a dish full of tiny, live worms.
Before an assembly with one breath he made the floor swarm with scorpions that weren't there.
How much more amazing God's tricks.
Generation after generation lies down, defeated, they think, but they're like a woman underneath a man, circling him.
One molecule-mote-second thinking of God's reversal of comfort and pain is better than any attending ritual.
That splinter of intelligence is substance.
The fire and water themselves:
Accidental, done with mirrors.

Rumi
===

Childhood Story Influences?

The wise ones say, childhood stories influenced our lives with a mix of nature versus nurture doing its work. Zoom through memory lane... now, which childhood story or stories influenced your life and how so?

Those that impacted me, all thanks to my mother, include:

* The Ugly Duckling (My all time favorite! Loved that it is okay to be different and that everyone matters)

* Samson & Delilah (Story about a bull and a cow - loved that Delilah showed Samson how she can be equal to him by being creative)

* Pinocchio (Loved the fact that he was so passionate about becoming real and belonging)

* Gingerbread Boy (Loved the 'run, run, as fast as you can' dedication to keep going despite the odds)

[Question I asked on LinkedIn.com - September 27th, 2007]

Antique Animal Horns

Got these Horns at an Antique Show. The seller got them at an estate sale and is sure that they are from Mexico. So... cow or bull or buffalo horns you think? And antique - yes, no, maybe?

Creative Biz Card Holder

I ran across an interesting creative and customized business and ordered a fun business card holder from them. You can pick pieces to go on your platter and provide the text. The platter is a ceramic plate... different sizes and shapes are available. As you can see below, I picked a laptop, screen, cell phone, fountain pen, and satchel... because these are things I connect to my professional life. Do check out: PeoplePlatters and create your own plate.

Sandals In September

Hallo - thought summer is over, but thanks to Global Warming, yours truly had to run out and buy a pair of sandals. The shoe store was crowded and the store owners probably also thought summer is over, because sandals were on sale. Love the sandals... lots of ventilation room as you can see, however, worried about this drastic weather condition. Global Warming has me hooked, booked, and cooked! Here is an interesting solution I discovered: shop at ClimateCooler - the smarter you shop the cooler it gets. Yeah, this I like!

Chief of a Tribe - got strategy?

Picture this - YOU are on an African Safari in Zimbabwe. Poof... you get separated from your group and land up in the midst of a remote undiscovered tribe. They are friendly and lo and behold... the tribe is a democracy and elections are in 2 days!! You think - hey, here is my chance to be President... Chief Of A Tribe! Sign language works miracles and your name is added to the election ballot... image that!

Drum roll... 'NEWSFLASH' - the tribe is self-sufficient and has pretty much everything it needs. Besides, you don't know how to zip back to Harare (the capital) to grab a slice of modern civilization. The other Presidential Candidates have something special to offer the tribe. So, what can YOU (newbie politician) offer... tangible or intangible? What is your winning strategy?

[Question I asked on LinkedIn.com - August 23rd, 2007]

Cyborg-ify Me, Yes or No?

Picture this - you have a medically malfunctioning body part causing a life-threatening condition. You can't afford treatment. Ding! Dong! - you get the door and standing before you are two people dressed in white lab coats. Smiley face says, "You have been randomly selected to be treated at our medical research facility." You yell 'Yoo-hoo!' and do a little dance.

Then comes the catch... "In exchange for repairing your malfunctioning body part, we will also replace and transfer some of your functional parts into others. You will become a Cyborg - a synthesis of organic and synthetic parts."

Does your jaw drop, does your head spin, or do you think... what the heck, at least I will be alive and hey, parts of me will function better than humanly possible? Do you say... Cyborgify me, yes or no?

My answer: Yes, provided my existence doesn't become so machine-like as to drag me away from my human essence.

Note: check out Heineken's new cybernetics ad

[Question I asked on LinkedIn.com - August 3rd, 2007]

MN Bridge Collapses Near Apt

Just happened to be flipping channels tonight, when I saw the live report on MSNBC about the Minneapolis I-35W Bridge Collapse. Wow - I lived close to the bridge... by the University of Minnesota Law School and, every day and night I got a view of both; the I-35W and Cedar Avenue bridges from my 7th floor apartment window!! How scary is that? This image actually shows my former apartment complex. I am rattled. My prayers go out to the families and my fellow UofM classmates and colleagues troubled tonight.

Time Machine Travel to Where?

Picture this - your favorite cousin has designed a Time Machine. It looks like a London telephone booth; bright red, rectangular, and compact. And... it works - hooray! Your cousin invites you over to test drive it. You can go backward or jump futureward in time.

Where would you go, what one thing (physical or data) would you bring back with you, and why? Note: do not turn the Universe topsy-turvy, so please... 1 - bring back only what fits in the Time Machine and 2 - bring back only a non-living thing. Happy Travels...

My answer: I would travel back to the point where humanity was about to stop being humanity, and find the magic thing which can prevent it from de-humanizing and use it. Then, I would bring the magic back with me and pass it on to others, to be used to maintain our humanity.

[Question I asked on LinkedIn.com - July 19th, 2007]

Beach Waves

Oh my gosh, the ocean waves are gonna get me! Out on a gloomy day in Half Moon Bay, California.

 

Beach Waves 2

Phew, no waves got me... saved my leather shoes! Not exactly dressed for the beach, but it wasn't sunny-friendly either... lots of fog and low visibility.

 

Six Countries Asked To Report In

Visited a friend at his company today and lo and behold... spotted this sign at the receptionist's desk! Couldn't resist taking a picture with my cell phone. The blurry part says: "Please tell the receptionist if you are a citizen of any of the following countries" Wow! Dang!

 

Right or Left Brain Thinker Road?

Picture this - you are zooming along on a deserted dusty road. Bam! You spot a fork in the road and quickly slam on the brakes. At the fork, a wooden post dangles two directional signs... 'Right-Brain Thinkers Only -->' and '<-- Left-Brain Thinkers Only'

Note: you don't have to be left-handed to be a right-brained thinker and vice versa, and... you can't go backwards nor sideways. Which fork in the road would you take and why?

Note 2: I did not specify which road goes where... you have the flexibility to pick. If you want left and left is left-brain thinkers for you, so be it! Eg: I pick the road that leads to right-brain thinkers and want it to be the left road.

One interesting book of many: A Whole New Mind - Daniel Pink

[Question I asked on LinkedIn.com - July 12th, 2007]

How would you make $ on Planet Mars?

Picture this - the shuttle is leaving for the new Earthling settlement on Planet Mars and you have a ticket. Yippee! You only had enough money for a one way ticket, but you are adventurous. Assuming you want to return after many moons, how would you make the money to buy a ticket back to Planet Earth? No stowaways nor strippers allowed.

Note: I would set up a Psychiatric Booth like Lucy in Schulz's 'Peanuts' and cater to those Earthlings nostalgic for Planet Earth.

[Question I asked on LinkedIn.com - July 6th, 2007]

Using the Law Of Attraction to Sell?

How do you or can you use the Law Of Attraction to sell? Selling = a product, a service, an idea, your belief or opinion, etc. Boom! The Power of Positive Thinking and Mind Power win you the sale? Maybe in some indirect way, huh?

Book: Law Of Attraction - Michael Losier

[Question I asked on LinkedIn.com - June 28th, 2007]

Indoor Signage Banner

Hallo - here is the new Saaze indoor signage vinyl banner 3x6 feet. We used it at a show recently...

InfoComm Near Disneyland

Hallo - had a blast at InfoComm '07 in Anaheim, California! At least for me... a representative of Saaze Corp. - it all started with the Battle of the Bands on Monday night at the Hilton Hotel. The 1st band ruled over the 2nd any day! Fun networking and relaxing event.

Tuesday was 'roam around the halls and meet with industry biz partners' day and I must say, our Digital Signage World got some nice exposure, but... we were split into four areas:

1 - an entire section in a hall upstairs
2 - a nice showcase and booth section in a hall downstairs
3 - some booths in the content area downstairs
4 - DS booths here and there mixed in with non-DS people

People I spoke with said, the DS section was double that of last year and so InfoComm ran out of space for DS booths. Loved seeing all the DS booths, but wasn't too happy to see it all split up all over the place.

Wednesday was also a roaming and meeting filled day, but was followed by some juicy private parties. The Scala 20th Anniversary Party (similar one was held in Chicago at the DS Expo) was at 5pm and had some awesome food and was on the open terrace! Great view of the Los Angeles area.

Next, some people went to the Austalian Pink Floyd Concert, others to some blues band, and your truly to the best concert of all... the B-52's!!!

It was Retro Rocking! It was not easy to get tickets and only the first 1000 people were let in. I got a ticket from one of our industry biz partners. It was sponsored by DLP-Texas Instruments and amazingly organized.

When we got there, we are asked to select a hat and then decorate it retro-style. They had beads, feather, pom-poms, flags, buttons, coins, and more... and a bunch of hot glue guns for us to glue all this stuff to our huge paper hats.

Lots of food and drinks and some retro dressed entertainers amused us. The party started at 7pm and the B-52's band at 9pm till about 10:30pm. Yours truly was in the front row, just inches from the stage! Photography was free... we can go to the website and download the images for free.

Thursday was roam and meet some more day. Felt that there was less of a crowd this day. I left around 2pm, before the fork-lifts came in.

Overall, some big players in the DS industry blasted their booths with 'we are in the DS business' alongside their zillion other Audio Visual related offerings, while... the smaller players were very DS niche focused. There were some middle companies as well, with their 'we have DS and screens and integrated models and...' but mostly I saw either big or small.

One interesting thing... people at the non-DS booths and networking events would ask me 'what do you do?' and when I told them, they most often said... 'oh, I saw that on the floor upstairs' or 'oh, I saw the showcase downstairs.'

Bottomline... DS was visible and here to grow. See them all at InfoComm '08 in Las Vegas next year...

-zensufi-

Cool Entrepreneur Song?

I nominate: PRIME TIME by Alan Parsons Project. And you? Take a shot at it...

lyrics: Prime Time

[Question I asked on LinkedIn.com - June 20th, 2007]

Khaled & Haddad Video

Check out this music video. Good combination: Cheb Khaled & Diana Haddad and a beat that rocks!

More images or text on a brochure?

I am a visual person and enjoy images that catch the eye with a few bullet points to explain. Some folks tell me they want to read more about our products and services, while some say the image is worth more than a zillion words crowding the brochure pages. What say you?

[Question I asked on LinkedIn.com - June 6th, 2007]

Sinnerman Remix

Check this interesting music video... music with a cartoon (Balto) as a video. Remix of Nina Simone's "Sinnerman" by Felix Da Housecat... used in the thriller movie, Cellular.

What commission % rate...?

What commission % rate would you pay a salesperson?

Salesperson to sell marketing services through a commission only job. Base salary to be provided much later on.

[Question I asked on LinkedIn.com - April 6th, 2007]

Khaled, Taha, and Faudel

Have enjoyed Rai for two decades and here is one of my favorites... music video of "Ya Rayah" with Cheb Khaled, Rachid Taha, and Faudel, but... I think Khaled's voice stands out as the best and he remains my favorite Algerian Rai singer.

Coming Back To Life

Hallo - spring time brings in the new leaves, buds, flowers, happy faces, fresh beginnings, the traditional new year, and more! So, it is a time for one of my favorite songs. Great words and even better with the music, specially the guitar chords... enter... Pink Floyd's - 'Coming Back To Life' from the Division Bell album.

Where were you when I was burned and broken
While the days slipped by from my window watching
Where were you when I was hurt and helpless
Because the things you say and the things you do surround me
While you were hanging yourself on someone else's words
Dying to believe in what you heard
I was staring straight into the shining sun

Lost in thought and lost in time
While the seeds of life and the seeds of change were planted
Outside the rain fell dark and slow
While I pondered on this dangerous but irresistible pastime
I took a heavenly ride through our silence
I knew the moment had arrived
For killing the past and coming back to life

I took a heavenly ride through our silence
I knew the waiting had begun
And headed straight ... into the shining sun

-zensufi-

Separating Myself From Myself

Hallo - two deep lines to think about...

jado yeh tumne kiya kese / mujh ko bhe mujh se juda kerke

Simple Translation:

how did you do this magic? / you even separated me from myself

So, how is it possible to separate one from oneself? Most likely solution - separation is possible when we get into a zen or sufi or spiritual state of mind. A mind over matter state also known as 'must' (an Urdu word meaning: ecstasy, drunk, excited, intoxicated, mad, overjoyed).

Drunk and intoxicated are not a result of alcohol, but from love, ecstasy, emotion, and/or the thought of union with the greater spiritual being. The sufi believe, that we are all parts of a whole and to be one with the whole is the ultimate goal.

A must state would trigger a blissful separation and reunion with oneself. The Whirling Dervishes of Turkey attain this high state of being or bliss through the sema dance or ritual. The dervishes dance into a trance. Other sufis achieve must in different ways - through poetry, music, or musical-poetry centered around closeness to the greater being.

Now, I am off to separate myself from myself and give myself a vacation on the journey.

Note: the two lines are from the Urdu song 'Qarar' by Ali Haider, a Pakistani musician. Watched him live in Minneapolis, Minnesota back in 1999 - good times. Check out tons of songs at: Pakistani Music

-zensufi-

Tiny Louisville, Big Screens

The tiny airport and City of Louisville (pronounced 'Loouhvull' by most), Kentucky has these digital screens projecting very nicely through wooden panels. Tourist and flight information is presented in an organized and attractive manner. It was great to see this city up with the technological revolution, however, it didn't extend much beyond the borders of the airport - at least, not what I saw in my few days there. No wait - the Marriott Hotel had some digital signage screens as well, but they do almost all over the world. Enlighten me if I am mistaken about Louisville.