Movie vs. Book

A common discussion amongst my friends and I is whether or not to read the book first, or watch the movie first. This has become even more prevalent now that it seems there are no original ideas, (not for a long time) and more and more books are becoming movies. I have found myself falling in to the minority in this opinion because I feel that watching the movie first is always the better bet.

By watching the movie first not only do you get a quicker glimpse in to whether or not you will like the book (which is a much longer commitment) but you can then more easily navigate the book much easier by being more familiar with the plot. For my generation of people with short attention spans, this is valuable time not wasted.

One of the major points that “Book-First” believers have is that the book has more detail than the films. This is true and is another reason why the movie should come first. The added detail from reading the book after the movie will only better illuminate the themes of the movie. Also, by watching the movie first I am not upset by the lack of detail included in the movie because I am unaware. (Ignorance is bliss.)

For example, take the book-movie combo, The Rum Diary written by Hunter S. Thompson. The book is one of the first books that HST had written as a young author. The book is a great place to really see how his writing evolved and grew as he did. However, the film did not do the book justice. There were scenes left out, details misplaced, and people miscast. The “movie” that I had created in my head was what I so dearly wanted out of the actual movie, but it failed to deliver.

This outcome has to happen 9 time out of 10. Even films like the Harry Potter series, although critically acclaimed, get backlash from the loyal fans for leaving stuff out. I don’t blame the filmmakers in this either. it is extremely difficult to convert a book to movie because there are time limitations. They turned 7 Harry Potter books in to 8, 2.5 hour films and that still was not enough time to fully capture the details that satisfied everyone.

Which leads me to another point, within each book there are details that meaningful to readers in a subjective way. People remember details differently than each reader which makes reading a very personal experience. Movies are consumed within mass culture and it would be impossible for filmmakers to include each detail that meant something to each reader (although maybe that is the future? Personalized filmmaking?)

I want to know what people think? Book or Movie first and why?

The Rules to being a gentleman.

Source: katereece.tumblr.com via Nick on Pinterest

Paleo Diet Struggles

It has been a few days so far and already the Paleo diet has been a struggle. I have been sticking to it but it is amazing how much food is not paleo until you cut it out. 

During my long work days, and with grad school at night, it is so easy to get off track. I think my biggest issue with Paleo is the lack of easy, satisfying snacks. I have been researching recipes to try and make things easier, but Paleo is definitely not an on the go diet.

There is really nothing easier than slapping some protein, and some veggies in between 2 pieces of bread. The sandwich is the perfect food for a busy lifestyle, and they are one of my favorite things. It is tough to go with out it.

There are also just so many tempting things in my area that do not align with my paleo ambitions. One in particular, beer. If you are doing the paleo diet as a crash diet, then cheating will not be helpful. However, if you are trying to convert to a paleo lifestyle, allowing yourself cheat meals is a great way to indulge, healthily, without getting too off track. For me, I was eating too many grains in general. The change to paleo was more about trying to fix my eating habits, than getting off of grains completely. So now if I cheat and have a sandwich, I make sure that I am strictly paleo the rest of the day. This has helped me stay on track without driving me crazy about having an indulgent meal.

Although its been a struggle, it has been rewarding. I am feeling better and maintaining my goal weight range. Allowing a cheat meal here or there, or even just a cheat ingredient (Cheese anyone?) I have allowed my self to maintain the paleo diet longer than if it was a crash course. In this way it has been a success.

Sweet and Sour Chili Shrimp with Kale, Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Carrots

I had an exam tonight so I needed an easy, filling, and hot dinner for when I got home.

I quickly defrosted some raw frozen shrimp in the sink and added those to a hot pan. My first mistake was not drying the shrimp off, the pan quickly became “wet” and made it difficult to get the shrimp fried up in the olive oil. Instead they ended up a little rubbery.

In a large cast iron (my pan of choice) I threw in a bag of frozen veggies. I like using the frozen veggies because its easier on my budget, and once they are fried up they taste delicious.

I am often guilty of adding too many seasonings. I enjoy really deeply flavored meals, and I get carried away with the spice rack. It is something I am working on.

A little garlic salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper topped with the fresh rough chopped kale join the veggies in the cast iron and are covered so that they cook down.

So far the meal is very healthy. I only used a couple tablespoons of olive oil, and vegetables. All within the Paleo realm.

Before the cooking is finished I combine the shrimp and veggies and add the sweet chili sauce and a little soy sauce. the problem with the sweet chili sauce is that it has a lot of sugar in order to get that sweetness. Not paleo. however, i only used a little, and like i said, its my own variation on the paleo diet.

The other problem with this dish I think was that it had a good amount of salt. It wasn’t salty, it just had a lot of salt and sodium added to the dish.

All in all this dish was a good change of pace from the chicken I have been eating, and it was hot and filling after a long day and a cold night. It is definitely healthy and light and was 2 pan dish.

Nutritional lifestyle

Taking care of yourself is important in order to live a happy life. Staying active is key, but what you put in your body makes all the difference.

I have been a proponent of the Paleo Diet for a while. I have definitely had my time off from the diet, but whenever I am trying to cleanse and get back on my nutritional track this is the diet (lifestyle) that I choose.

The main idea of Paleo is eating what a cave man would have eaten. This includes non processed foods, and primarily meat and veggies. Although stirfry is a staple for me when I eat Paleo, it is amazing to find a multitude of recipes that can be substituted for everyone’s favorite meal.

I am planning on sharing my successes and failures as follow my variation of Paleo diet. For me this is less of a diet and more of a nutritional lifestyle. Making it fit my life is key to keeping me on track and motivated.

I will share my thoughts and tips on what I think works and things I find difficult. And I will share recipes and pictures along the way.

Ambition.

No matter your degree, or what you think you are entitled to, when you are starting out in a new industry, you have to start from the beginning. Paraphrasing a Chris Rock joke, “I dropped out of school in 10th grade. If you are going to do that you might as well drop out in 2nd grade, because you qualify for the exact same jobs. In fact dropping out in the second grade is better because at least then you would 8 years of work experience.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGKd1lX1088

Experience is everything, especially, in the hyper-competitive job market today. I have a Bachelors degree and I will be finishing my MBA in May. Although I have learned a lot  from my experiences and my education, and I have no regrets, I do not expect to be handed a job when i graduate. I will need to earn it. I have to earn it. Hands-on industry work experience is everything. Eventually there comes a time when the book has to go and you just have to get in their and make mistakes and learn from them.

Internships are a great place to start. They provide me with the experience that I desire, while also allow me to experience things that a normal entry level position might never have the chance to experience.

Starting from the bottom provides me with the experience of the industry from all levels. As I move up the ranks, and gain more experience, I will have a better understand of how decisions effect the entire company because I will have felt those effects.

Be ambitions and don’t be afraid to start from the beginning. Looking up at the success of those above you will only drive me to work harder to prove my worth to whoever is lucky enough to have me.

Personal Days

In the constantly connected world we live in, its difficult to “log off” for even an hour, never mind a day. It has become important to take some time and disconnected from the internet and your work and take some time with yourself and the ones you love.

Being able to work on my projects ahead of the deadline allowed me to free up time later on to relax and enjoy a day. For some, who try to shove too much in to there schedule and wait until the last minute, this is a luxury that they cannot afford.

Today I took a day to go on a photo safari with my girlfriend. We got outside, and walked along the beach trying to find good photo opportunities. One, this was a great chance for us to get outside and enjoy the weather. Two, we were walking, which was great exercise. Three, it was a creative project that will provide us with stuff to decorate our new apartment with. All of these made it a great chance to do something fun together, without being “connected” to the internet, or worried about deadlines.

Taking a personal day really rejuvenates me to work hard on my projects the next day. It’s a recharge to my batteries, and gives me the chance to start fresh the next day with a clean head and a more relaxed perspective.

It also helps to take consistent breaks during my work day to prevent burning out. I try to go for a walk during the 2pm wall and that allows me to power through on my 10am-10pm days. Coffee also helps.

Related articles

• Take Time For Yourself: Plan a Relaxing Day of “Me” Time (massageenvy.com)

Always, Be, Closing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCf46yHIzSo

The importance of networking cannot be stressed enough. It today’s job market it is the only way for a post graduate to find a job. Networking does not need to happen in the traditional, professional environments.

Much like that scene in Glengarry Glen Ross where Alec Baldwin is focusing the salesman to ABC: Always be closing. Baldwin was referring to the sale of cars, but the determination and basis of his point are relevant through all aspects of business, even if you are just trying to get in to a business.

Applying for jobs today often feels like you are throwing mud at a wall and hoping something sticks. The internet today has made it easier to apply, and harder to get the job. We are always on display now. Even when we aren’t interviewing, we are on display for anyone that is willing to look. That is why it is important to ABC. Always be aware that you could be talking to your next boss. Always be aware that anything that happens online is in ink and is easily searchable. Always be presentable, always be ready for the interview, always be ready to prove it.

In the meantime, its important to grow, learn, refine, enhance, always be working towards your goals, and dress for the job you want.

Keep it to yourself

I am so glad the election is finally over. For 1 month a year, every one on my Facebook or twitter becomes a political pundit. Whatever happened to not discussing politics or religion with people? I thought that was public decency 101.

The problem with both political and religious views is that they are purely egotistical. People enjoy talking about their beliefs with likeminded people because they are going to reaffirm their own beliefs in something. Discussing religion or politics with someone with a different perspective will always result in the same outcome, “You are wrong and you don’t know what you are talking about.”

The truth is, no one knows what they are talking about. Even professional pundits are full of shit. Unfortunately our society as created a perfect storm where people with the opportunity to discuss their opinions over very public forums.

Today, everything is permanent and people are validated by their followers, or their supporters, or the number of likes they get. This isn’t validation, this is vanity, this is ego. It is okay to believe in something, its what makes America, America. We have the freedom to believe whatever we want. However, when Americans begin attacking the beliefs of our comrades, it is destroying the very fabric that America was founded on.

Motivations

For some reason I was feeling slow moving this morning. I slept in (7:30am is late for me) and I just could’t get started on any of my work. I had made a plan the previous night to stay home later in the morning so I could be productive before I went to work, but that was not the case today. Luckily for me, I always try to stay ahead of my deadlines so that I don’t put undo pressure on myself. Either way I think I am on vacation already.

Today was a cheat day for my Paleo diet. Ive been good but today I just needed a burrito.

I was definitely lacking motivation today which seems to happen when I sleep in. In my down time I spent it idly on the internet. I need to put for some effort to be more productive even in my down time. I want to begin doing more free reading and writing (like right now).

I need to be better at chipping away at my longer term goals on a more consistent basis. I am ahead of my deadlines, but they will creep up if I don’t attend to them.

I was able to accomplish my daily goals for the day but when those were over it was slow moving.

It is possible that I just have a lot on my mind: traveling home, finding a job/internship, my interview tomorrow with Disneyland, I think my mental capacity is much full.

All thats left to do is relax and start again in the morning. Cheers.