Andy's Mind

Another sunny, warm day here and I’m really enjoying myself. It has been fourth day in a row with the weather that I like best – 30C/90F, blue sky with just few white clouds, sun shining even into the basement (ex-garage) where 4pi is located. I just confirmed, again, that these are the conditions in which my body functions best. And I have been able to sleep with the window in my bedroom half-open, for the first time this year which means I slept better and even though I slept only 6 hours I don’t feel sleepy now. I definitely love this weather and I did everything to stay outside as much as possible to enjoy it.

Especially so since the forecasts are gloomy – a cold front is approaching, with rain and temperatures as low as 10C/50F during the day. Pity. I have to concentrate more on my Spanish. Definitely.

It seems that my last attempt at fiction (previous post) didn’t generate much interest, but I’m going to write on as I have a clear vision now of what the main character would do next. The only thing that hasn’t surfaced yet is how to mix the brunette from his dream again into the story and end it. But I think it will just come to me.

I wrote the first part of a short story, about a city dweller’s unusual day. It’s the first time I put some fiction on-line. Comments more than welcome, even if you would like to tell me it’s crap. Click more to read the first chapter.

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I’m going to write about a book that is important to me – “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho.

I clearly remember the first time I’ve read it. It was in the spring of 2001, which was to be full of emotions and events I was yet unaware of. Tipped by a friend about this book I bought it in a small bookshop I happened to walk by on the lunch break. I started reading just as I left the bookshop, I read while waking back to the office and all the rest of the day spent there (I can admit it now having long left that company). I finished the first reading the very same day, late at night, deeply moved.

I’ve read it many times since. Last time was two months ago. My Spanish friend sent me a book as a gift. When I unwrapped it I rejoiced – it was “El Alquimista” – the Spanish translation. I was really happy, because somehow reading “The Alchemist” back then in 2001 was one of the small influences, small tips that resulted in my interest in Spain and subsequent studying of Spanish. Even despite the fact that Coelho is Brazilian and writes in Portuguese I connected his prose with Spain in my mind. And I always wanted to read it in Spanish. And so it happened, thanks to Miriam, that this was exactly the first book I really read in Spanish.

This Spanish connection is not totally absurd because The Alchemist begins in Andalusia and tells a story of a young Andalusian shepherd on his journey of self discovery. Great lesson of this book is to follow your dreams whatever they are. If you allow your dreams to die you’ll never forget it and your soul would become incinerated, charred shadow, devoid of joy of life.

It makes no sense to recount the story told in The Alchemist here. It is rather simple and serves more as a glue to connect a series of parables in which Coelho transmits his outlook on the world and life. It’s a rather unusual point of view of a Christian, Catholic mystic. But Coelho had a rather unusual life that included psychiatric treatment (thank to his parents), indulgence in the occult, political imprisonment by the Brazilian junta, then spiritual growth and unparalleled success as a writer in the recent years.

Coelho was accused of being shallow and overrated, mainly by critics in his native Brazil. Maybe I’m too shallow but I think in his books he skillfully touches the depths of what really perplexes us all – what is our life and what to do with it. It is, indeed, an overexploited theme in literature – but does it make it less relevant and inspiring? Go and check for yourself.

I’ve come across two cool things today.

First one is something that I wanted to have for years: an all-black keyboard without any markings. It’s called “Das Keyboard” and was featured in today’s dose of Slashdot. Apparently it’s simply a Keytronic, just all black. The only other cool feature it has is that key resistance (or in other words force required to depress a key) varies according to function and region as shown on this picture.

Despite a rather hefty price tag ($80 is quite a lot for a keyboard) I think I’ll buy one as soon as I’ll have some free money floating around. I always loved black equipment, and I’ve had some black keyboards already (the best of which came as a gift from a friend who knew about my little passion for black plastic) but this is what I’ve always wanted having dispensed with the need for markings long time ago.

Now, if only Apple would make a black Power Book, also with unmarked keyboard… Just imagine that beauty: oxidized black metal with cool red or – even better – deep blue illumination… Eh….

Enough daydreaming! On to another cool thing I’ve came across while looking for… incense on zensupplies.com (or whatever). It’s a special alarm clock called Zen Alarm Clock, which is of course digital but uses a physical device (small tubular bell) as the sound source. Not very innovative, since old mechanical wall or standing clocks used all kinds of chimes – but still great. And very elegant in its wooden, carved case (two colors available).

I especially like the “E” sound the larger version produces. It can be used for conventional waking up in the morning, but it can also be used to time meditation. While I’m not entirely convinced that something this gentle and non-intrusive could wake me up I like the idea of timing meditation with it. It is definitely something I would love to have since when I’m sitting at home I don’t know how much time has passed. And harsh sound of alarm in my cellphone is certainly not suitable for signaling the end of meditation.

But, since I’m not the richest of guys at the moment I think I’ll settle for short incense sticks. The only problem seems to be getting a reputable source of good incense, since some of the cheap incense made in China and India these days contain chemical additives that can be toxic or addictive (or both). One of the (many) problems of living in a small country at the edge of the European Union is that anything off the beaten track is harder to get.

Tomorrow I’ll write the first of my essays on books. I came up with the idea that – unless I’d be on the move or somethin’ – I’ll post a book review or essay every Friday. Stay tuned.