Nov 27, 2011
Oct 6, 2011
Steve Jobs' Speech at Stanford University Graduation Rites
In memory of Steve Jobs, I am posting his speech at Stanford University Graduation Rites Batch 2005, published on the University's website.
I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest I've ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That's it. No big deal. Just three stories.
The first story is about connecting the dots.
I dropped out of Reed College after the first 6 months, but then stayed around as a drop-in for another 18 months or so before I really quit. So why did I drop out?
It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unwed college graduate student, and she decided to put me up for adoption. She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates, so everything was all set for me to be adopted at birth by a lawyer and his wife. Except that when I popped out they decided at the last minute that they really wanted a girl. So my parents, who were on a waiting list, got a call in the middle of the night asking: "We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?" They said: "Of course." My biological mother later found out that my mother had never graduated from college and that my father had never graduated from high school. She refused to sign the final adoption papers. She only relented a few months later when my parents promised that I would someday go to college.
And 17 years later I did go to college. But I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford, and all of my working-class parents' savings were being spent on my college tuition. After six months, I couldn't see the value in it. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out. And here I was spending all of the money my parents had saved their entire life. So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The minute I dropped out I could stop taking the required classes that didn't interest me, and begin dropping in on the ones that looked interesting.
It wasn't all romantic. I didn't have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor in friends' rooms, I returned coke bottles for the 5¢ deposits to buy food with, and I would walk the 7 miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. I loved it. And much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on. Let me give you one example:
Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country. Throughout the campus every poster, every label on every drawer, was beautifully hand calligraphed. Because I had dropped out and didn't have to take the normal classes, I decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to do this. I learned about serif and san serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great. It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can't capture, and I found it fascinating.
None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life. But ten years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. And we designed it all into the Mac. It was the first computer with beautiful typography. If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the Mac, it's likely that no personal computer would have them. If I had never dropped out, I would have never dropped in on this calligraphy class, and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do. Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backwards ten years later.
Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.
My second story is about love and loss.
I was lucky — I found what I loved to do early in life. Woz and I started Apple in my parents garage when I was 20. We worked hard, and in 10 years Apple had grown from just the two of us in a garage into a $2 billion company with over 4000 employees. We had just released our finest creation — the Macintosh — a year earlier, and I had just turned 30. And then I got fired. How can you get fired from a company you started? Well, as Apple grew we hired someone who I thought was very talented to run the company with me, and for the first year or so things went well. But then our visions of the future began to diverge and eventually we had a falling out. When we did, our Board of Directors sided with him. So at 30 I was out. And very publicly out. What had been the focus of my entire adult life was gone, and it was devastating.
I really didn't know what to do for a few months. I felt that I had let the previous generation of entrepreneurs down - that I had dropped the baton as it was being passed to me. I met with David Packard and Bob Noyce and tried to apologize for screwing up so badly. I was a very public failure, and I even thought about running away from the valley. But something slowly began to dawn on me — I still loved what I did. The turn of events at Apple had not changed that one bit. I had been rejected, but I was still in love. And so I decided to start over.
I didn't see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.
During the next five years, I started a company named NeXT, another company named Pixar, and fell in love with an amazing woman who would become my wife. Pixar went on to create the worlds first computer animated feature film, Toy Story, and is now the most successful animation studio in the world. In a remarkable turn of events, Apple bought NeXT, I returned to Apple, and the technology we developed at NeXT is at the heart of Apple's current renaissance. And Laurene and I have a wonderful family together.
I'm pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn't been fired from Apple. It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it. Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.
My third story is about death.
When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.
Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
About a year ago I was diagnosed with cancer. I had a scan at 7:30 in the morning, and it clearly showed a tumor on my pancreas. I didn't even know what a pancreas was. The doctors told me this was almost certainly a type of cancer that is incurable, and that I should expect to live no longer than three to six months. My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is doctor's code for prepare to die. It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought you'd have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. It means to say your goodbyes.
I lived with that diagnosis all day. Later that evening I had a biopsy, where they stuck an endoscope down my throat, through my stomach and into my intestines, put a needle into my pancreas and got a few cells from the tumor. I was sedated, but my wife, who was there, told me that when they viewed the cells under a microscope the doctors started crying because it turned out to be a very rare form of pancreatic cancer that is curable with surgery. I had the surgery and I'm fine now.
This was the closest I've been to facing death, and I hope it's the closest I get for a few more decades. Having lived through it, I can now say this to you with a bit more certainty than when death was a useful but purely intellectual concept:
No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.
Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
When I was young, there was an amazing publication called The Whole Earth Catalog, which was one of the bibles of my generation. It was created by a fellow named Stewart Brand not far from here in Menlo Park, and he brought it to life with his poetic touch. This was in the late 1960's, before personal computers and desktop publishing, so it was all made with typewriters, scissors, and polaroid cameras. It was sort of like Google in paperback form, 35 years before Google came along: it was idealistic, and overflowing with neat tools and great notions.
Stewart and his team put out several issues of The Whole Earth Catalog, and then when it had run its course, they put out a final issue. It was the mid-1970s, and I was your age. On the back cover of their final issue was a photograph of an early morning country road, the kind you might find yourself hitchhiking on if you were so adventurous. Beneath it were the words: "Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." It was their farewell message as they signed off. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you.
Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.
Thank you all very much.
Oct 5, 2011
Other Running Essentials
Aside from a good running shoes, socks, and running shirts, there are other running essentials, a long distance runner should have.
Two incidents happened to me wherein my bottled drink was taken by somebody at a semi-hidden place inside the Quezon City Circle. When I made a "pit stop" to drink, my bottled drink was no longer there in a place where I exactly left it. Good thing I brought money so I was able to buy a drink. Why i leave my drink at a certain place? Because its not comfortable to run while holding your bottled drink!
That experience made me dizzy and taught me a good lesson or two. One, always bring money, and two, buy a hydration belt. So every time you get thirsty, you have something to drink immediately and don't have to run to a place where you left your drink or buy a drink from a store.
When hydration belts came out in the market, I find it "over-acting" or " pang porma lg" so I did not buy one. But after that two incidents that made me dizzy, I realized the importance of drinking immediately once you feel the need to replenish the lost fluid of your body.
Running caps. Again, some runners may find it uncomfortable and even unnecessary but actually, running caps absorb the sweat from your head and keep it away from going to your eyes. And when sweat reaches your eyes, there is a great deal of discomfort and sometimes painful.
So the next time you run, make sure you have with you these two other running essentials.
Jul 21, 2011
Exercise and Hemorrhoids
Exercise and Hemorrhoids
By Paul C. Shellito, M.D., Harvard Health Publications
Question:
Can running or exercise make hemorrhoids worse or cause them not to heal?
Answer:
Symptoms of hemorrhoids may sometimes be brought on by activity. Vigorous exercise, or any activity that causes exertion, straining or bearing down (such as weight lifting, childbearing, or even straining to have a bowel movement) can cause hemorrhoids to swell. Exercise will not, however, cause a lasting negative change in the hemorrhoids. In other words, exercise may make symptoms worse temporarily, but the hemorrhoids will not permanently worsen. There is no reason to avoid exercise because of hemorrhoids, unless it causes symptoms that you find unacceptable.
Hemorrhoids are lumps of tissue in the anus. These lumps contain enlarged blood vessels. Hemorrhoids may be inside the anal canal ("internal hemorrhoids"), where they primarily cause sporadic bleeding, usually when having a bowel movement. Hemorrhoids may also lie outside the anal canal ("external hemorrhoids"), where they primarily cause swelling and sometimes discomfort. These symptoms may occur sporadically. Many people have both internal and external hemorrhoids.
Sometimes blood vessels in external hemorrhoids may clot (undergo "thrombosis"). This causes the sudden appearance of a firm lump (½ to 1 inch) at the anal opening. This may be quite painful. The underlying hemorrhoid may have been so small that the person never noticed it before. The hemorrhoid thrombosis usually goes away with time.
Hemorrhoids are not dangerous, so treatment is almost always optional. Minor symptoms can be relieved with home treatment. The most important treatment is a daily fiber powder (such as "Metamucil"). This keeps the stools soft. Also, soaking in warm water three times a day can help if there is swelling, inflammation or discomfort. Ointments, creams, and suppositories are less important.
Hemorrhoids don't actually "heal." They just have ups and downs in terms of the symptoms they cause. Nevertheless, if you see rectal bleeding, visit your doctor. This is to determine if the bleeding is only from hemorrhoids and not from something more serious, such as rectal cancer.
If hemorrhoid symptoms are persistent and bothersome despite home treatment, you may consider surgery (hemorrhoidectomy) or office treatment with rubber band ligation. Although this surgical removal of hemorrhoids is painful, it is effective. With rubber band ligation, a rubber band is slipped around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off its circulation. Once it has been deprived of its vital blood supply, the banded hemorrhoid withers and falls off.
Jul 20, 2011
Mizuno Rider 14 Review
It will be recalled in my review of the Mizuno Rider 13, I mentioned that by far, it is the most comfortable running shoe I have tried. First, let me discuss at least 2 improvements made by the Mizuno guys to the Rider 14, from the technology point of view. One. The Rider 14 now boast of an improved midsole called AP+. Compared to Rider 13 with AP (no plus) midsole, the new AP+ is designed to last longer and cushions better than the previous AP midsole. The Mizuno website says it is more springier. Well, it depends on the built and weight of the wearer. For my built of only 128 lbs, I would say that the AP+ is a minus for me. I find it too hard or compacted compared to the AP midsole of the Rider 13. I noticed immediately when I tried it that is not as comfortable as the 13. I've been using my Rider 13 for more than a year with mileage of more than 200 kms and the shape of it has not sagged a bit. Two, Dynamotion Fit. Although the Rider 13 carried the said Technology, the New Rider 14 boasts of a better fit. My first impression again when I tried the 14 is that the side walls of the shoe are a bit higher that it almost touches my anklebone and I experienced some pain in the upper part of my feet. I also find the 14 too heavy compared to the 13 and the slight weight difference can really matter during long distance run. I really got disappointed with the 14. On the other hand, I love the bold colors of the 14 but sad to say, style and colors are the least factors one must consider in getting a running shoe. Comfort and fit tops the list. Well so much for the Rider 14 and I can't wait for the Rider 15 next year. Sorry Mizuno, I have to skip on the 14s and might just settle for the 13s. If the blue and gun metal black model is still available.
Jul 1, 2011
Running and Hemorrhoids
As a running enthusiast for almost 2 years now and also suffering from case 1 of hems, I have been doing research about the connections between the two. Although I have not read any material that would connect between running and getting hems, many runners already with hems have shared their experiences.
About a year ago, I joined a 10 kilometer running event without any warm up runs for about a month. And at the end of my 10 km run, my external hems acted up, got irritated and swelled. But that is not always the case. There were also numerous instances that my hems didn't get irritated and swelled. The last time I ran (about 3 weeks ago), my hems got irritated, got painful but didn't mind it and still continued running to complete my 10 km standard run. Aside from running, I also lifted weights, do push ups on a regular basis. I surmise that these physical exercises aggravated my hems and experienced pain every time I went to the toilet and at one point, it bled. So I decided to stop my regular and strenuous exercises to give my hems a break. I also took Daflon 500 mg to ease the pain and stop the bleeding every time I go to the bathroom. Daflon did the trick and gave me a relief from pain and bleeding after three days. I stopped taking Daflon after 6 days (3 tablets or 1,500 mg 2 times a day for 2 days and on the 3rd day 1,000 mg, 2 times a day for 4 days. For more than two weeks now, and after more than a week of not taking Daflon, my hems, I would say is manageable (very little or no pain at all) just by doing sitz bath and taking a lot of food rich in fiber.
However, the past two days, I am beginning to experience pain again even if I am regularly doing sitz bath, eating foods rich in fiber AND continue to refrain from running and lifting weights. Now I am considering buying Venapro which claims to have the answer to my on and off hems attack.
Maybe next week I will try to run again to see a direct connection between running and aggravating hems (without lifting weights) to really establish a clear connection whether or not running is really bad for your hems. My experience is not consistent enough to directly link running and aggravating one's hems.
About a year ago, I joined a 10 kilometer running event without any warm up runs for about a month. And at the end of my 10 km run, my external hems acted up, got irritated and swelled. But that is not always the case. There were also numerous instances that my hems didn't get irritated and swelled. The last time I ran (about 3 weeks ago), my hems got irritated, got painful but didn't mind it and still continued running to complete my 10 km standard run. Aside from running, I also lifted weights, do push ups on a regular basis. I surmise that these physical exercises aggravated my hems and experienced pain every time I went to the toilet and at one point, it bled. So I decided to stop my regular and strenuous exercises to give my hems a break. I also took Daflon 500 mg to ease the pain and stop the bleeding every time I go to the bathroom. Daflon did the trick and gave me a relief from pain and bleeding after three days. I stopped taking Daflon after 6 days (3 tablets or 1,500 mg 2 times a day for 2 days and on the 3rd day 1,000 mg, 2 times a day for 4 days. For more than two weeks now, and after more than a week of not taking Daflon, my hems, I would say is manageable (very little or no pain at all) just by doing sitz bath and taking a lot of food rich in fiber.
However, the past two days, I am beginning to experience pain again even if I am regularly doing sitz bath, eating foods rich in fiber AND continue to refrain from running and lifting weights. Now I am considering buying Venapro which claims to have the answer to my on and off hems attack.
Maybe next week I will try to run again to see a direct connection between running and aggravating hems (without lifting weights) to really establish a clear connection whether or not running is really bad for your hems. My experience is not consistent enough to directly link running and aggravating one's hems.
Apr 6, 2011
Yakult Run 2011
All praises go to Yakult and may you set a good example to other greedy corporations. Thank you Yakult and Mr. Biscocho.
Mar 23, 2011
Nike + GPS app
Among the hundreds of thousands of i phone apps in the market today, one app caught my attention and discerning taste. The Nike + GPS app. As a matter of fact, this app is the very first "paid" app I bought from i tunes app store. Even if there are free apps with similar functions available in the app store, I did not hesitate to get a paid app. With this app, one would be encouraged to run as it tracks a runner's progress such as distance, pace and calories burned. You will also receive a voice notice informing you of your current pace and distance covered every kilometer (which can be set or adjusted). It also has a function called "Callenge Me" to improve on your previous run in terms of distance, time and pace. You can also beat your best record. Choose your music and get cheers from friends on facebook. Isn't that cool? This app is also applicable to ipod touch.
Mar 22, 2011
Mizuno Wave Rider 13 Review
The fit hugs my feet perfectly and I did not have a blister after two 21 km. runs. I just don't know if I would have one if I run a full marathon. But I am not yet ready for that. Finding time to train for the full marathon is really difficult.
Overall, Rider 13 has all the qualities I am looking for in a running shoe, durability, comfort, lightweight, and style, and price (in no particular order). I will definitely recommend it.
Rider 14 will be out in the market soon and based on initial reviews, it is getting a good beating from those who have already one in the US. I will be the judge of it once it is out in the PH market.
Mar 21, 2011
My First 21 km run
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