Dreamline, a brilliant discovery

I’ve read a surprising number of books these last couple of months since I rather prefer audiobooks every time. Well the thing is that I’ve begun to doubt that audiobooks are a better medium when it comes to actually memorize or focus on content because recently I read the physical copy of The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris and I was amazed by how different it was this time compared to when I listened to it a few months back. It seems to me that bullets, indentation, italics and everything which is structurally emphasized in a paper book is completely lost when I listen to the audio version, so effectively I don’t get the point!

I’m writing about this because I missed the point Ferris is making in his book the first time around. Well at least the point which I think is the most interesting and useful and that is his “Dreamline”. It’s basically a three split short term plan, 6 or 12 months, where you are to pick a few things to:

• have
• become
• do

You then figure out the monthly costs of these things or “dreams” to calculate how much it would actually cost you to do what you dream about doing for the next few months. Ferris in fact does a better job of explaining on his website, and even better in his book. I have my 6 month dreamline hanging on the fridge and am actively pursuing each task, it’s really fun! You should try it.

Other books I’d like to recommend are;

• Rework by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
• Your Brain at Work by David Rock

Especially Your Brain at Work as it is a really interesting read about the workings of your brain. The author David Rock does a fantastic job of explaining how your brain works by uncovering it’s limitations and by understanding the limits you’ll be able to use it much more effectively, at least it may help explain why you sometimes do some things you do. This one is definitely one of my favorites.

Mekong no 43 – Khao Phad Gai

Back in the day a worn down Thai diner called Mekong was located in a mini industrial district in Soltun, Reykjavik next to an automated car wash. It was famous for two things, being extremely filthy and serving dirty cheap but excellent food, which created such an attraction that each day during lunch hours it was cramped with people.

I remember a friend of mine, which was studying biology at the time, talking about taking a swipe of the cashiers numpad. The numpad which was originally white had become dark brown everywhere with dirt except where the cashiers fingers struck the keys. She decided not to, because she was afraid that she wouldn’t want to go there anymore after seeing the result from the swipe. I don’t blame her but it would have been very interesting to see the results! But as I said before, the food was fantastic which was all that mattered.

My absolute favourite dish was no 43 on the menu, fried rice with chicken or Khao Phad Gai, in fact Malla and I often talked about how great it was which got me started on trying to recreate this dish even though there are approximatelly 8 years since I tasted it last. Evidently time doesn’t matter because I’ve been experementing with Khao Phad Gai – Mekong style several times this past month and I believe that the receipe has been perfected!

Please try this at home and let me know what you think, especially if you’ve tasted the original! Enjoy!

Khao Phad Gai – Mekong style

Suitable for 2-4

Ingredients

• 400 g Jasime rice, steamed and cooled
• 200 g Chicken, chooped in small pieces (I prefer 400 g)
• 3-4 pcs Eggs
• 2 pcs Tomatoes, diced
• 1 pcs Carrot, 4 cm thin strips
• 1 pcs Lemon
• 3 pcs Garlic cloves, minced
• 3 pcs Onions, chooped
• 2 tbsp Fish sauce
• 6 tbsp Soya sauce
• Red chili sauce

Preparation

1. Heat cooking oil in a wok, add eggs and stir until cooked, remove from wok (I like to have my eggs in medium sized bits).
2. Heat cooking oil in a wok, add meat and stir fry until half done.
3. Add garlic, onions and carrot while stirring continuously and frying.
4. Add tomatoes and prepared eggs while stirring.
5. Add rice while stirring.
6. Season with fish, soya and red chili sauce.
7. Serve with 1/4 of a lemon on the side.

Master ?

How hard is to find a suitable masters project ? Let me tell you what I think: Holy cow! its hard!

I’ve been in contact with several Icelandic companies and come up with up to 10 ideas for a masters project within my field but somehow I can’t convince myself to pick one or the other. I think that I’m interested in too many things which is preventing me to focus on one specific project and it sucks big time. I also find it hard to be studying in Denmark with no company/contact network which would certainly open doors to local projects and perhaps with an opportunity of a job afterwards. I certainly can’t consider myself a master at decision making right now.

Why isn’t there an online service offering lots of potential projects for people like me ?