Inside Steve's Brain

I was entertaining myself with www.apple.com/getamac/ads/ as I desperately tried to drown out the sounds of my tone-deaf relatives belting out karaoke songs in my house!

Yes… That’s pretty much my 'status' now on the 2nd day of the Chinese New Year.

I initially planned to accomplish several things during this seemingly long holiday. Not surprisingly, nothing is done except that I’m almost done with a book, “Inside Steve’s Brain”.

And so, when the 'music' floated to my ears, I couldn't carry on reading. I had to stop. It so happened that I was reading the section on Apple ads and so I started surfing for past Apple ads. Much to my amusement (and thankfully), the ads managed to drown out the sounds of my tone-deaf relatives. Thank goodness the next generation’s musicality is a drastic change from the previous generation (all of my cousins, my sis & I have musical backgrounds one way or another and I must say are pretty good singers ;p - guess we should be grateful that our parents provided that for us).

Now back to the book that occupied most of my CNY holidays…

There are many books on Apple but this is the first that I’ve read. I started using Apple products in 2006 but never bothered to find out more about the company or its founder. But in 2007 & 8, I started hearing more about him through a Mac believer and started to get a little more intrigued. Still, I never bothered to find out. So when I saw Inside Steve’s Brain at Borders last week, I thought it’s about time I find out more for myself.

It was like revelations. Suddenly, I relate to my Mac stuff and why they are designed in that manner. And previously heard information from SK is also mentioned in the book, creating a sense of much-desired familiarity. I particularly like the human elements in this book and how Steve Jobs’s personalities and idiosyncrasies are revealed through the way he works. It made me constantly reflect on the 16 Habits of Mind (I rather not, but I couldn’t help it) and the way I manage my area of work. It also gave me a better understanding of the Apple company.. not just what happened… but also why it happened and how decisions made in the past impacted Apple today.

It’s a pity that I’m only starting to know a little more about Steve Jobs when he’s not well. I hope he will get better and that the investors just quit harping on his health disclosure (or lack thereof). In worst circumstances, may his legacy still continue with or without him…

Some say Apple is Steve Jobs and without him, Apple is nothing. In a way, he reminds me of a significant founder of Singapore, Uncle Lee - their pursuit for excellence & perfectionism, the no-nonsense, harsh approach, lack of tolerance for stupidity but most importantly their passion to make a difference…

I doubt I'll ever be like them (and I don't want to). But I do hope to learn a little from them and hope that some of their passion and their level-headedness can be rubbed off onto me.

I can't say I'm a Mac but I think I'm slowly but surely becoming one.

And now, I shall end off with Apple's old ads which I like, subtle, intelligent & different... that pretty sums up what I like abt most things as well..

Damn! They are still singing.......
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When the going gets tough, the tough gets going... so do the lamsers

Spent my Sunday at a JC friend's house warming at Jalan Bahagia.... amazing how after so many yrs, we are still so crappy and close and how the guys don't look much diff but the girls all age one way or another... 

Learnt a new thing as well. For the first time in my life, I realised that there are 2-storey terrace houses sold by HDB. The size is pretty decent and the price is much cheaper than most 2-bedder condominums (~ $400k). Such a lovely estate as well. If only... 

While the initial conversations were light hearted, the topic of the economic downturn and retrenchment took centrestage. Being in the double pure science, economics n C Maths combi, our class of 23 is split into mainly three types... IT/Engineer, Bankers/Auditors and Educators.

As I hear from my friends who work in Citibank, Barclays and Standard Chartered talk about how the banks move from dept to dept to axe people, I can't help feel worried for my friends especially those with families or huge loans to pay off. And for those in IT, the cuts are worst.... so they tell me. That made me worry even more... The manner they cut staff seems so clinical as well..  Apparently, after being appraised, those axed will be escorted out of the office straightaway and the security guards will pack their belongings at their desk for them. No returning to the desk for fear of fraud or extractions of confidential data. No saying goodbye to colleagues as well. 

Expectedly, the non-educators turn to the 4 educators present to ask us what's the expected pay if they join teaching. I can't help but feel uneasy cos I always feel that teaching should never be a backup or something to fall back on in times of economic downturn. But you never know, there may be some converts who eventually become really excellent teachers.

As the gloom hangs over us, a lot of people would perhaps hope for secure jobs, cash, and investments that will not depreciate that much. But I think what's most important is that there are people who will support and love you no matter what the situation is. It is this support without the undue stress and pressure that will get those affected going again...  If need be, I will be there for them too. 

But a lot of it has to do with the individual who's affected as well. Not everything is about money and with persistence and resourcefulness, the tough will get going when the going gets tough.... 

And in such times, no matter how hard it seems, we have to try to find humour in life still... 

So here's my current fav theatre ad (been a movie junkie lately.. watching movies twice a week to prevent me from thinking too much). 

Apparently, the guy in the clip, Matt Harding has been travelling to various countries to do his signature dance before VISA hired him to do the ad. http://www.wherethehellismatt.com/about.shtml 

 

Somehow, the lamsing looks familiar ;p 

Happy New Year!

Hmm.. just received an email from a friend who informed me that Disney's going to transform  just for me... 

Yah sure...  

Happy New Year everyone... may 2009 be a gd year for all still... 
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