Finally 40!

Yesterday I finally turned 40, survived the thirties without any serious damage. :)

"When I can look life in the eyes, grown calm and very coldly wise, life will have given me the truth, and taken in exchange — my youth." [Sara Teasdale]

You only live once - so do it!

This is a time for change. My father passed away early this year, which was hard and led me to take a new look at myself and my life. It occurred to me that sons seek a great professional career first and foremost to impress their fathers. After almost three years running the Norwegian branch of the company I work for, I decided to step down. It was a great job, a business I know very well and the economy and future of the company is very bright. But it takes its toll, there are many sacrifices that a good salary can not compensate for. I'm probably a 'workaholic', so the job easily consumed me.

I reminded myself I work to live and not the other way around. I want to look back at all the things I did, and not regret all the things I never dared or had time to do. I'm proud that I managed to do this, 'cause it wasn't easy.

Stepping down when it is still fun and everything is on the top is a privilege few get. I recommend it! :) One of the last things I did as general manager was to sign new contracts amounting to almost US$ 10 million. The next big thing was to take 5 weeks vacation. I flew to New York, rented a car and used 5 weeks to drive the long northern route over the continent to Los Angeles. That's another thing I recommend you do!

Be patient, pictures from the trip will come soon.

"I don't believe in an afterlife, so I don't have to spend my whole life fearing hell, or fearing heaven even more. For whatever the tortures of hell, I think the boredom of heaven would be even worse." [Isaac Asimov]

Skype

Try Skype if you want to test free phone over the Internet. Skype uses P2P (peer-to-peer) technology to connect you to other users – not to share files this time, but to talk and chat with your friends.

"I received your letter of June 10th. I have never talked to a Jesuit priest in my life and I am astonished by the audacity to tell such lies about me. From the viewpoint of a Jesuit priest I am, of course, and have always been an atheist." [Albert Einstein to Guy H. Raner Jr, July 2, 1945, responding to a rumor that a Jesuit priest had caused Einstein to convert from atheism. Article by Michael R. Gilmore in Skeptic magazine, Vol. 5, No. 2, 1997]

Two to the 100th Power

Are you the curious type, like to explore the world around you to get a better grasp of reality? Well, proves you are human, most of us strive to find answers and understanding. Here's a challenge for you, a simple question to understand two to the 100th power.

Enjoy (and next challenge your friends!).

"We are not endeavoring to chain the future but to free the present. ...We are the advocates of inquiry, investigation, and thought. ...It is grander to think and investigate for yourself than to repeat a creed. ... I look for the day when reason, throned upon the world's brains, shall be the King of Kings and the God of Gods." [Robert G. Ingersoll, "The Gods" 1872]

Internet Relay Chat

If you have ever IRC'ed, you will have a blast reading QDB's Top 100 Quotes. If you don't know IRC it will not make much sense.

I met a lot of great people on IRC, like Daniel, Peter, Marilia, Jordana, Wenda, Kirsten, and many more. We all met at #Valhall. Some years ago I had to stop, IRC just took too much time (usually nights) and other things in life needed my attention. Drop by now and again, my nick is Spirous. Maybe we'll chat? :)

#99835 +(4200)- [X] <Guo_Si> Hey, you know what sucks? <TheXPhial> vaccuums <Guo_Si> Hey, you know what sucks in a metaphorical sense? <TheXPhial> black holes <Guo_Si> Hey, you know what just isn't cool? <TheXPhial> lava? [bash.org]