I Booked an Airbnb in Kharkiv

I booked 5 nights at an Airbnb in Kharkiv, a heavily bombed city by Russians.

I went to multiple times Kyiv and one time Kharkiv. It’s a (was) beautiful city. Today, also learned all the radio & TV broadcasts knocked by Russian military strikes.

Obviously, I’m not going. It’s strange to book an apartment in a war zone. But, at least you feel part of the resistance and supporting the Ukrainian people.

I’m sharing my contribution because Airbnb is waiving all the booking fees, and the money directly goes to the host.

There is no better or worse. It’s different  

It’s good to remember this. What if I have this or that question that doesn’t help us unless we can change our current situation right now. 

What we are wanting or seeing the other side is not the best. That’s their life. This is our life. We can’t compare apples vs. bananas because they are different.

Why do we compare each other anyway? 

Wait

Wait…

Why?

Because you have done what you are supposed to do.

Now, their job started.

Don’t interrupt it.

Don’t force it

Guide them with patience.

Good idea & Resistance

If your idea is so good that it changes your dynamic enough to where you need them less or, God forbid, the market needs them less, then they’re going to resist your idea every chance they can. Again, that’s human nature. – Ignore Everybody- Hugh MacLeod

Good reminder for me again don’t waste your time & energy to convince others. Do it for your own sake.

You can’t live others’ life. But you can invite them to yours if they want to join.

Which way

You are stuck with your decision. Both outcomes make sense.

Then which way?

You don’t know. You can’t figure it out.

Stuck on something makes you comfortable.

State of mind is much more important than whatever results will come or not…

1Q84, Drive My Car & Tony Takitani by Haruki Murakami

I purchased 1Q84 on October 5, 2021, and today I finished reading the entire book (March 2, 2022). I rarely read fiction and rarely finished cover to cover any type of book except Haruki Murakami’s short stories. This is my first novel by Haruki Murakami.

My rate: 4.7/5

I read 1Q84 mostly before and after sleep. It was my kind of movie or TV series except I was reading. I literally imagined every page like a movie scene. That’s why I believe relaxing your mind and inspiring yourself to read fiction is excellent. But, it’s hard to find good and easy to read fiction. So, if you are thinking of starting Marukumi, start with his short stories.

My next Murakami Novel is: Kafka on the Shore.

Harukumi Murakami Story to Movie Adaptations

I already saw “Drive my car” one of my favorite Marukumi short stories, in selected movie theaters and HBO Max now. (Japan’s Oscar-nominated) My other favorite short story is “Tony Takitani.” (I didn’t watch it yet). They made a movie in 2004 for that story too.

Maybe we will see 1Q84’s movie adaptation in near soon?

When things are going well

When things are going well, we ignore lots of bad things. This is because we don’t want “that guy” who finds something to be improved.

When you are that guy and not just talk also try to execute -They say things take time. Enjoy this moment.

When you say how about the future? – They say we’ll think about when the future comes

When you show them how to do it, -They say we are different; these best practices will not work for us.

What you need to do:

-Just get rid of those passengers who enjoy the ride with you. They have no intention to drive when things are going wrong, or you are tired.

A Leisurely Ride by Nainsukh

Nainsukh is the first Indian painter I’ve heard. He lived in the late 18th Century. His work was influenced by Mughal Empire in India and local Indian custom/cast structure.

It is definitely a leisurely ride. Impressed by the details of the work he did. Definitely going to order a replica of this if I can find it. Short Story about the picture: Ruler of Village went on a countryside ride with his musicians, dancer, hookah boy and was ready for the falcon show. More about here

Thanks to the book I’m reading –The Anarchy: The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire by William Dalrymple. Learned ton about Muslim-Turkic/Mongol Empire and 17th century British Business Life so far.