Personal reflection on leaving militaristic and mission-driven thinking behind in pursuit of self-directed life
The Batmobile
What is your all time favorite automobile?
I may be a little too trusting, but managed to avoid the big sharks.
I know people who trust nobody and that is usually related to their line of work: policemen, lawyers, tax inspectors, etc… It reflects in their social interactions and are usually not very cheerful characters. I came to realize that with such attitude, I would never get anything done. Have no clue how they manage. I … Continue reading I may be a little too trusting, but managed to avoid the big sharks.
No use to learn new skills or lessons when you’re going to neglect or forget previous ones.
Take for example: learning a language. While learning a new language is recommendable because it boosts your brainpower (memory, problem-solving), enhances career prospects in a globalized world, deepens cultural understanding and empathy, makes travel richer and easier, and even slows cognitive aging, offering significant personal and professional growth. But it's all wasted effort when you're … Continue reading No use to learn new skills or lessons when you’re going to neglect or forget previous ones.
This is the First Day of the rest of my Life.
Daily writing promptTell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc. View all responses It's a choice not to be bound by the past. A fresh start to make choices that define my future, a turning point for personal change, ending a bad chapter, or simply deciding to live … Continue reading This is the First Day of the rest of my Life.
Acting is more fun since you can pretend to be someone else while giving a speech is pretending that you’re genuine.
Daily writing promptHave you ever performed on stage or given a speech?View all responses Look at all those holly book stumpers, politicians, pulpit screamers... and compare the way the majority of them talk with the way the majority of them walk. On a personal level: on the rare occasions that I'm asked to deliver a … Continue reading Acting is more fun since you can pretend to be someone else while giving a speech is pretending that you’re genuine.
The ability to speak softly and carry a big stick
meaning to be gentle in speech but powerful in action. "Soft words are hard arguments." – Benjamin Franklin, highlighting the persuasive power of gentle language. "The quiet voice whispers loudest at the end of the day." – Suggests lasting impact comes from thoughtful words, not immediate noise. "Sometimes, strength is a quiet voice that whispers." – Emphasizes inner … Continue reading The ability to speak softly and carry a big stick
Reaching the Finish of A Personal Journey
Daily writing promptWhat positive events have taken place in your life over the past year?View all responses After about five years of making the same New Year's resolution I can start to think about another challenge now that my novel The Maharajagar has finally been published. You can find it at the Library of Forgotten … Continue reading Reaching the Finish of A Personal Journey
Fossil carburant engines
Daily writing promptWhat technology would you be better off without, why?View all responses The consortium of Ford (General Motors), Rockefeller (Standard Oil), and JP Morgan (bank) killed Tesla's electrical car. Imagine how world politics would look like without this eternal strive to control the oil reserves. And on the sideline, the ecological impact of this … Continue reading Fossil carburant engines
to be or not to be
What's the hardest decision you've ever had to make? Why? Why? That's the question!
Water
What is your favorite drink? Water is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula H2O. It is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, which is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known living organisms (in which it acts as a solvent). It is vital for all known … Continue reading Water
The Cucumber Season has been abolished.
Don’t misunderstand me: there are still plenty of cucumbers. This year they’re even bigger than average. Our neighbor gave us one that was about 50 cm (about 1.5 ft). What I’m referring to is the socio-economical cucumber season. It used to be a good old tradition that during the summer our leaders took a couple … Continue reading The Cucumber Season has been abolished.
The Blogoscope.
The Blogoscope. Acrylic on canvas 46 x 36 cm by Shaharee Vyaas. More info on https://maharajagar.com/2021/10/15/the-blogoscope/(opens in a new tab)
Artists and the Middle Way.
Why do you have so many contemporary painters who pose with brush and pallet in their hands while most of their work consists of digitally created canvas prints? Previous generations were proud to pose with the latest tools of their craft that offered them more possibilities to increase the quality and quantity of their output. … Continue reading Artists and the Middle Way.
My Kingdom for a Comfortable Chair.
An incredibly comfortable chair. One that looks nice. I just want to be able to sit and work without having to use any muscle in my body except my fingers and maybe my brain muscle. Those who're following me for a while will probably notice that my studio became a little crammed. That's also a … Continue reading My Kingdom for a Comfortable Chair.
Just for fun: Money in Politics
Money is a necessary component of any democracy: it enables political participation, campaigning and representation. However, if not effectively regulated, it can undermine the integrity of political processes and institutions and jeopardize the quality of democracy.
The $12 Million Stuffed Shark
Why would a smart New York investment banker pay $12 million for the decaying, stuffed carcass of a shark? By what alchemy does Jackson Pollock’s drip painting No. 5, 1948 sell for $140 million? Economist Don Thompson explores it in his book, tracing the money, lust, and self-aggrandizement of the art world in an attempt … Continue reading The $12 Million Stuffed Shark
The Ripping Blogoclowns.
This article whines about the ripping and attention seeking blogo-clowns.
Analogies and differences between my art and that of Gustav Holst (1874 – 1934).
Holst drawn by William Rothenstein, 1920 It was inevitable that, during the research for my own artistical activities, I would stumble upon the works of British composer Gustav Holst. Just as I do, he found inspiration for his work into the planetary system and in the Mahabharata.The Planets, a seven-movement orchestral suite written by Holst … Continue reading Analogies and differences between my art and that of Gustav Holst (1874 – 1934).
The Maharajagar 