Steve Jobs

My world has been forever changed by one man. I cannot and will not even begin to attempt to express the sadness I feel over his loss.

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.

Commencement address delivered by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, on June 12, 2005.

 

A German September

The trip through Germany and Austria is winding down with only a few days to go. A month in the land of my heritage has really been an amazing adventure. Pix will be up in the gallery when I get a chance to sort through everything upon my return to Singapore. I hope to write some more short entries about my impressions in the various wonderful cities we’ve visited, if only to relive the experience.

Back to the Fatherland

After a few days back in Singapore, I arrived in Frankfurt today. The Lufthansa flight was really great. Or, maybe it wasn’t? I have no idea because for one of the first times in memory I pretty much fell asleep upon boarding and woke up in Germany! The Holiday Inn Express here is quite a few train transfers away from the airport, though, and we later found out that they way we walked there was specifically known as the way not to walk there. I had no doubt that Frankfurt must have a red-light district, but never expected to walk through needles, refuse, police, and whores so immediately and directly on the path from the hauptbahnhof.  My memories of the punctiliously clean (or at least sanitary) Germany may never be the same again.