The astrologer and me: Day 1/335

I recently visited an astrologer—someone who also happens to be a close friend of my dad’s.

Over the years, I’ve come to trust him deeply. His advice has almost always pointed me in the right direction, and many of his predictions have come true in ways that are hard to ignore. He’s someone who blends solid understanding of math and science with astrology, which makes his insights feel both grounded and powerful.

This time, he said something that really struck me. He told me that the next 11 months (till 2 June 2026) could be truly transformative for me—that this period holds the potential for big, positive shifts in my life. But, he added, it all depends on how I choose to use this time—especially if I find ways to monetize my efforts wisely.

That conversation left me thinking. What if he’s right again? What if this is a rare window of opportunity?

So, I’ve decided to take this seriously. I want to make the next 335 days count—treat them as a personal project, a reset, or even a launchpad. I want to give it my all and see how far I can go if I fully commit to building something meaningful and positive.

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Day 1/335

As I begin this journey, I want to be honest about where I’m starting from. My career lately has left me feeling stuck and unmotivated. 

The work has become increasingly repetitive and, frankly, uninspiring. Even when I get to share ideas in meetings, there’s rarely a chance to apply creativity or learn something new.

I’ve tried to take on new projects, but they too end up feeling monotonous, taking up a lot of my time without much personal growth.

Still, I don’t want to ignore the positives. I’ve gained experience, learned valuable lessons, and I’m grateful for those.

But I know I can’t keep going like this. It’s time to realign my career with what really matters to me. I want to build a path that’s more rewarding, meaningful, and creative—somewhere I can truly thrive.

As a first step, I’m going to rework my resume and portfolio and share them publicly so people can see what I have to offer. I’ll also be working on the portfolio page on my blog.

 This is just the start, but I’m committed to making these next 335 days count.

Notepad and emojis

As an avid problem solver, I find joy in discovering and implementing my own solutions. One persistent challenge has been finding the perfect notetaking and task management app that truly meets my needs.

Let me tell you about my frustrating journey to find the right app for keeping track of my thoughts and to-dos.

I've tried most of the apps available readily.

Google Keep seemed okay at first.

Microsoft To-Do looked promising.

Trello was great for big projects, but too complicated for daily use.

Then I discovered Obsidian, which looked amazing but felt like trying to use a rocket ship just to drive to the grocery store.

...

What do I really want? Something super simple.

I need an app that:

• Opens quickly
• Let's me add notes in seconds
• Doesn't require a manual to understand
• Works like I think

Imagine a digital notebook that just... works.

No fancy bells and whistles. Just a clean, fast way to capture ideas, tasks, and random thoughts.

My dream app would be like a best friend for my brain. Always ready, never complicated. Just pure, simple note-taking that feels natural.

Currently, MS Notepad has become my go-to solution. Its simplicity is its strength:

Note Taking:

I have simple and straightforward approach to note-taking.

• I use bullet points to capture information

• I document everything, including details from images

• For images I can't describe, I take screenshots and add reference names

• Notepad's infinite writing space eliminates concerns about structure or formatting

• Windows 11's Co-Pilot integration adds extra functionality

• I use it for work notes, class notes, internet discoveries, and link storage

The beauty is in the simplicity. No fancy apps, no complicated systems. Just pure, unfiltered information capture.

To-Do Management:

• I plan tasks using a weekly sprint approach (Monday to Friday)
• I use an emoji-based status tracking system

It sometimes requires only the simplest tools to achieve the most effective output. By leveraging Notepad's basic functionality and creating a personalized system, I've developed a flexible, no-frills method of managing tasks and notes that works perfectly for my workflow.

Of course, it's quite hard to manage the notes and file. But I put them in designated folders on my drive and computer so that I can find them easily. It does take time, but once the effort is put, I can easily segregate the file and retrieve them when needed at ease.

Crafting simpler patterns

Thinking in simple terms in a complex world isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible either.

Most people, events, and things appear complex because that’s how we perceive them. Complexity often lies not in the object itself, but in how our mind processes it.

But what if we could see the simplicity behind it all?

What if we broke down complexity into smaller, understandable parts? What if we trained our minds to spot patterns, to connect dots, and to approach problems with curiosity rather than fear?

It’s a matter of perception and introspection. The more we observe, question, and reflect, the more we begin to see that even the most complicated things have simple foundations.

By training our minds to think divergently to explore multiple angles and possibilities, we start recognizing simple structures hidden inside seemingly complex ideas.

And when that happens, the complex no longer feels intimidating. It becomes something we can understand, engage with, and even enjoy.

Simplicity isn’t the lack of complexity, but a way of seeing. Train your mind to perceive the simple truth behind what appears complex.

In the end, it’s all about building a habit, teaching our minds to consistently seek the simple within the complex. With time and practice, simplicity becomes not just a way of thinking, but a way of living.

Writing habit

I write my blogs at midnight. In recent times, it has become a calming, end-of-the-day ritual.

Once the daily chaos ends and dinner is done, I can finally focus on just one mission: to write. Midnight brings clarity. I often get more ideas then than I do during the rest of the day.

As I begin to write, I see endless possibilities forming around me. I build a cloud of ideas and pick the ones that feel most alive. Then I start writing. Through a few iterations, I usually arrive at a version that satisfies me.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on my writing habits, not to catch typos or grammar mistakes, but to examine the storytelling itself. Does the piece flow? Does it hold the reader’s attention? Is there continuity?

Consistency—in the act of writing and within the written piece—is difficult. It takes time, structure, and a lot of patience.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that writing isn’t just about having the confidence to create, but also the courage to delete. If something feels off-topic or doesn't serve the story, I strike it off.

Because in the end, it’s not just about writing more. It’s about writing well and engaging the reader.

My sincere desire to be a Writer

I want to be a writer.

Not just any writer—but a well-known, financially stable one.

It has been my dream for the past five to six years.

But the truth is, I haven’t created anything substantial that proves I’m a writer. Most of my work consists of a few scattered blog posts and some personal, often melancholic reflections. Yes, I’ve written documentation, user manuals, countless emails, exam answers, and even published a journal article with Sage.

Still, I often wonder: with this limited body of work, can I truly call myself a writer? I see so many others writing brilliantly—sharing stories that resonate, inspire, and linger long after you’ve read them.

Most of my writing is read by just a few people—close friends, or colleagues who read my work documentation.

And yet, I do consider myself a writer. Because I write.

I may not be famous or financially successful—at least not yet—but I’m still writing.

Is that enough? Of course not.

What’s stopping me from writing more—better—isn’t lack of talent or ideas. It’s mostly laziness. And anxiety.

Every time I start writing, I feel an urge to make it short—get to the point, wrap it up quickly. I love reading short, crisp content. I want to feel connected fast, and I want it to make sense instantly. So I write that way too.

But maybe, just maybe, it’s time to explore beyond that comfort.

To stretch a little.

To write more.

Because that’s the only way to become the writer I dream of being.

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One of my favourite quote for a long time has been:

The only person stopping you from being best at something is yourself.

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Laziness, for me, isn’t just a bottleneck to growth, it’s more like a massive hurdle in my lifestyle, one that has quietly but deeply impacted my physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

I’m not lazy every day. Instead, it comes in cycles. On most days, I work hard and manage to meet my daily goals. But distractions creep in and when they do, they often feed my laziness, acting like fertilizer to a part of me I don’t want to grow. Slowly, the productive version of me gets overshadowed by the one that avoids, delays, and escapes.

This pattern has created frequent pauses and slowdowns in whatever I’ve tried to pursue in life. The only reason I’ve still been able to achieve anything is because I’ve always had an external push, whether from my family, mentors, teachers, colleagues, or friends.

Over time, I realized that a lack of motivation was one of the root causes of my laziness. But here's the paradox: I do receive a good amount of motivation from the people around me, yet I still struggle to act on it. That led me to ask: What’s really missing?

And the answer hit me.

I’ve always had short-term goals, but no clear long-term target. No guiding star. I lack focus and patience. I chase bursts of inspiration but lose steam quickly because there’s nothing grounding me.

I’ve come to see that a lack of focus leads to a lack of meaningful motivation and that, in turn, feeds laziness.

Writing in the age of AI is easy. But establishing your own voice is the hard part.

I’m currently trying to build my own system of writing in this AI-driven world. I’m also working to overcome laziness. I see AI not as a threat, but as a support system. It helps me write better and more consistently.

AI helps me fix grammar. It improves the structure of my sentences and even helps me analyze the quality of my writing. It also gives me feedback on tone. It tells me whether what I intended to say is actually being understood by the reader.

But now, a bigger question stands before me:

Is AI making me lazier? Or is it helping me overcome my laziness?

Honestly, I don’t have the answer yet. It’s still too early to tell.

But when I look back at the past year of blogging, I can say this much. AI has been a helpful companion. It hasn’t replaced my effort. But it has made my writing sharper and helped me move forward when I felt stuck.

Maybe the real challenge isn’t about whether AI helps or hinders. It’s about how I choose to use it.

I may not have all the answers yet: about laziness, motivation, or how AI will shape my future as a writer. But I’ve begun asking the right questions. And that matters to me.

What I do know is this: I want to write. 

I want to keep writing. 

Not just when I feel inspired, but especially when I don’t. I want to build discipline, find my voice, and create work that feels true—whether ten people read it or ten thousand. And the only way forward is to show up, word by word, day by day.

Career journey - so far.

It's been a year since I embarked on the journey to find the "perfect" career path. Reflecting on my journey, I realize how different my career has turned out compared to my expectations as a fresh graduate in engineering back in 2019.

My first official job was as a Graduate Engineering Trainee at Saint Gobain. Unfortunately, I had to leave that position after just four to six months due to health issues. However, I consider my true first job to be at Varuntech, where I worked alongside my father.

He was the one who truly taught me what it means to be an engineer. His guidance opened my eyes to the essence of engineering as a discipline—it's about being a real problem solver. Although he has since transitioned from engineering to pursue his passion as a temple priest, at his core, he remains an engineer, embodying the spirit of innovation and creativity that defines the profession.

I began my journey as an Associate in 2D content design at Byju's, marking my first foray into the world of content creation. From there, I transitioned to a Development Editor role at Packt, where I specialized in technical books for professionals.

My time at Packt was a pivotal moment in my career, as it introduced me to the publishing industry. I gained invaluable insights into the entire publishing process, from conception to completion, and learned how digitalization transforms raw content into polished works that can inspire thought and action, whether in print or digital formats.

Following this, I seized an opportunity at Cengage Group, where I took on the role of Associate Project Manager for their digital products. In this position, I oversee the technical aspects of our offerings, ensuring that the content is delivered in the best possible way.

Throughout my journey, I have acquired a wealth of skills and technologies, and the learning never stops. Each experience has been a building block, contributing to my growth and shaping my professional identity.

For a long time, I found myself dwelling on the negatives of my experiences, often questioning my path. However, a new perspective has emerged within me, illuminating the truth that every step I’ve taken has been for a greater purpose.

I now recognize that each challenge and triumph has played a vital role in my development. The skills I've gained and the lessons I've learned are not just milestones; they are the threads that weave together the fabric of my career. This realization has sparked a renewed sense of optimism and excitement for the future.

Embracing this mindset, I am eager to continue my journey, knowing that every experience—good or bad—contributes to my growth and prepares me for the opportunities that lie ahead. The road may be winding, but I am committed to moving forward, one step at a time, with a heart full of hope and a mind open to endless possibilities. 

Longer nights, shorter sleep

These nights are getting way too long, that I am not able to close my eyes and sleep properly.

Random thoughts and anxiety of future fills in as soon as I try to close my close. It seems like the darkness is being swallowed by the light of anxiety.

May be these shorter sleep cycles are due to the uncertainty of my life or some habit changes in recent times. My eyes swollen on most days. Dark circles have started appearing. Hairloss is more.

I have been recently facing difficulty to fall asleep at night. I do sleep, but for a shorter period of time–fall asleep by 1:30 or 2am and wake up by 7:00am. This accounts for 5 hours of sleep.

I do get sleepy in the afternoon, by 3:30 and the power nap extend till 4:00PM. After which I wake up.

I do feel tired, but by having good food, I am able to drive my body and mind and endorse my energy levels. I keep myself hydrated too. 

I hope it's gets better, in coming days and I get better sleep at night. 

The only thing that drives me is that I am able to have some good food at home.

Crafting concise conversations: the power of short, focused questions

The other day, I was chatting with a colleague about something simple but tricky—should we ask questions as short notes or go into detail?

For me, the answer is always clear: keep it short.

But simple doesn’t always mean easy.

Short questions have a unique power. They grab attention, create clarity, and invite richer, more thoughtful responses. 

When I ask a concise, focused question, I leave space for the other person to think, reflect, and elaborate. 

It shifts the conversation from me explaining everything to them revealing more.

If the question isn’t understood right away, I don’t rush to rephrase it. Instead, I offer a bit of relevant context—still keeping it brief. The goal is to guide, not overwhelm.

This approach works best when it's intentional. Here’s a structure I often follow:

1. Ask a short, crisp question

2. Add minimal, relevant context

3. Mention a related challenge or pain point

4. Let them speak. Step in only if they contradict or derail the topic.

5. Offer your own answer or point of view

6. Include actionable insights or next steps

7. Wrap up with gratitude or a thoughtful follow-up

This method helps keep conversations focused, efficient, and engaging. Each element builds on the last without dragging the dialogue down. 

It’s a rhythm: 

Short questions spark deep thinking.

Short context gives direction.

Short takeaways drive clarity.

Conversations don’t need to be long to be meaningful. They just need to be well-crafted.

Vibe blogging: new media philosophy

It's hard to say, what I am up to these days. I just resumed to my work after my one week of heavy exams.

The week was not just about exams but rather family responsibilities as well. Basically, it was heavy lifting and uncertain life. But I embraced it and lived through it.

Heavy lifting in life is often looked down by many and goes unrecognized by many, even closely associated and the partner. But the core is to embrase it at least to yourself.

To calm myself, I just started to browse some of the blogs I follow and started reading. Most of them have a niche they write in, like space, lifestyle, personal stuff etc. 

But I dont follow a particular niche, at times I write on sudoku, then the next day I write about self-goals, another day about IndieWeb etc. This confuses many onto why they should even read my blog. 

I went to Chat GPT, my new assistant to search out stuff, and asked it, what niche of blogging I am doing.

To my surprise I found that it's called Vibe Blogging.

Here is what ChatGPT had to say:

What is Vibe Blogging?

Vibe blogging is a relaxed, spontaneous way of blogging focused on capturing feelings, thoughts, or moments—without worrying about structure or perfection.

Key Traits:

• Unfiltered expression: Write like you talk. Minimal editing. Raw and real.

• No pressure to be “useful”: It’s more like a public diary than a content strategy.

• Mood-driven: You post when you feel like it, about whatever’s on your mind.

• Any format goes: Two lines or two pages. No rules.

• Connection over content: Readers come for you, not just what you write.

Why it matters:

In a world chasing polish and productivity, vibe blogging is a quiet, authentic rebellion.

---

I believe I can conclude that this blog genre is vibe blogging: just jotting down whatever is coming in my mind. 

My vibes are that I like to think, annotate and describe a particular idea or thing in different perspectives it has. It's not just about jotting some random ideas in a random way, rather a structured the write up. This allows me to add more depth to my thought process, and deeper meaning to my writings. 

I have always considered critical thinking as my core skill. I dont overthink and have a divergent process of structuring my thoughts. I conduct thought experiments and formulate hypothesis for different possible scenarios, its outcomes and trade-offs. I get stuck at decision making though, which is a hard part for me. (But thanks to my wife who saves me at these critical points who is good at decision making.) 

I am now learning how to make better and wise decisions. Decision making is an art that can be learned. It always has a risk factor as the outcomes are always futuristic. 

These hypotheses I formulate help me to understand and analyse if my thinking is rightly directed or not. The result of these hypothesis is always a time dependent. My major concern is to reduce its risk.

I train my brain to lift heavy stuff and challenge itself. Mental health is my primary goal. Mental control and brain health is important to me. To be on-the-grounds of a safe mental health, I do blog. This is not a bitching blog, but it's more like a thought experiment or a commonplace digital notebook.

---

The next question I pondered upon was whether Vibe Blogging is all about blogging using AI.

The name is very similar to Vibe Coding, where people code using English language to build some digital products or tools. 

Basically, from what I understand I like to describe vibe blogging as a philosophy of blogging which more of a relaxed, raw, emotion-driven, spontaneous way of putting thoughts on a digital paper—no pressure.

GPT (or any AI) can help with vibe blogging (e.g., use it to brainstorm or clean up the writings), but it's not a requirement—it's a tool.

Vibe blogging is all about sitting down and typing whatever’s on my mind, without overthinking grammar, SEO, structure, or even for that matter how well the blog is going to perform.

I may ask GPT to help me fix typos, grammatically accurate, check the syntax and suggest some ideas. Here I am using GPT to support vibe blogging, but the vibe is purely mine.

Vibe blogging comes from the heart 💓, not from the tool you use.

Navigating stress in adulthood

It's exam season, and the stress is real.

My second semester MBA exams have started and are being held continuously over this week. There is nothing more tiring than a weeklong series of exams held in the early morning.

I have to travel about 20+ kilometers to write my exams and then travel back home during rush hour, only to prepare for the exam scheduled for the next day.

Along with the seven subjects of the MBA second semester, I also have a carryover from my first semester, which I missed writing due to a lack of preparation time.

Every day, I feel so dizzy in the exam hall. The three-hour exams are so boring, and I need to keep writing answers in the 44-page answer booklet.

I wake up at 6:00 AM to revise the subject and quickly skim over the key points. At about 8:00 AM, I take a quick shower and eat my breakfast. By the time I finish my breakfast, I tend to start forgetting most of the concepts I learned, and the stress slowly begins to build. By 8:45 AM, I pack my bag to travel to the exam center.

The exam is at 10:00 AM. When the invigilator hands over the question paper, I forget everything.

At this moment, I can closely relate to Mr. Bean when he went to take his exam.

The struggle to attempt exams is real, especially in adulthood, and it can bring a sense of lower confidence and self-doubt.

But I don't give up. My goal is not to be a top scorer but to acquire as much knowledge as possible and pass the exam. 

Some measures I take to control the stress:

1. drink ample amount of water
2. use a clickable pen, this will allow to keep pressing on the back of the pen during a stress condition, which allows to relax due to fiddling [change of focus].
3. pause for a moment when stuck and take a deep breath (in and out).
4. sit near a window or a well-ventilated space comfortably and allow cold air to flow near and around (both while studying as well as, if possible, for the exam).
5. use time wisely.

[These are my personal ways to control stress. I am not sure if it's a scientific method or not, but this has worked out for me]

Happy 2nd Wedding Anniversary to Us!

 

Yesterday, May 21st, marked my second wedding anniversary. I couldn't believe that we have already completed two wonderful years—here's to many more days filled with love!

My wife surprised me with a beautiful custom-made caramel cake.

She went all out to create a delightful design on top featuring Tom and Jerry—I absolutely loved it. Her intention was to capture the strong and vibrant relationship we share.

It was a truly blessed and happy day to cherish. Thank you, Vinu—I love you!

Some stuff on blogging: IndieWeb, POSSE and Blogroll

I have been craving to write about the independent web and how I have started being a part of this culture. This post is gonna be quite a long one, 'cause it's a personal + technical one and an open writing.

The Beginning

I started my journey with the IndieWeb in 2023 when I first created a webpage on GitHub using HTML and CSS. I didn’t use any templates, rather hand coded everything from ground zero — for my love to code in HTML and CSS. 

I’m not a fan of JavaScript or other fancy webstuff, as I don’t feel comfortable with them (not my cup of tea). 

Though I have coded some basic coding in JavaScript and have a good knowledge of data structures, unfortunately, I don’t enjoy the process.

My main motive to maintain a blog is to embrace my love to write but present them in the most suitable way, correlating with the mood I want to set for my writings. On my research and learning about designing and CSS frameworks, I realized that the blog required a minimalist look, which allowed readers to engage with the post directly.

I planned out my layout and designed a static page with posts in simple HTML. I used my ASCII art skills to create landing image on the top. May be more on this story in other blog.

My exposure to IndieWeb

As I started to look into how others create blogs or websites for writing, I came across a group who appreciated a different approach, called IndieWeb. 

IndieWeb is a movement that promoted having an independent web, rather than relying on social media to publish our work—be it writing, photography, poetry, videos, drawings and sketches, etc.

The concept was all about owning the content and not falling for SEO and the algorithms of social media while publishing content. You probably know that I don’t have a niche. I blog random topics from a list of interest areas that I like to read or write about—basically, whatever strikes an interest in me.

I came to the realisation that social media algorithms are controlled by some random dude who cares nothing for the creator. I used to blog on Tumblr and Instagram, and I saw very little engagement due to the algorithm being selective about what it displays. Social media is not social anymore—rather, it’s psycho media, based purely on psychological behavior trends of its users.

You check out some random reel of a cat today, and you’ll see mostly cat reels piled up on your dashboard or homepage the next minute. The app just wants someone to be specific. I created multiple Instagram pages—one for my personal blog, another for my abstract art, one for my typography art, one for my poetry, and one for my write-ups. This became a big nightmare as I had to post regularly on all of them, and it was hard.

I was not able to post what I wanted, nor show my work properly. My posts were not even displayed on the home page/dashboard of my close friends who used to like my feed before.

This made me rethink and shift to the independent web: IndieWeb.

In short, maintaining an IndieWeb helps its users retain full ownership of their content and present it exactly as they want. No algorithm would judge the content or determine its fate; that is left to the humans reading it.

Since I started writing on my blog, I started reading and learning more about such concepts. I got exposed to concepts like POSSE and Blogroll.

What is POSSE? 

POSSE stands for Publish (on your) Own Site, Syndicate Elsewhere.

So basically, POSSE is a principle in which the independent creators on web, first publish their content on their own websites. This content will be later reshared on other social media platforms using a link alone or CTA story followed by the link to their original write up on the website.

I started writing all my write-ups and publish them first on my own site, and then I share it (fully or partially) on other platforms like:

• Twitter

• LinkedIn

• Medium

• Instagram

• Facebook

• Newsletters, etc.

This is called syndication. Syndicating your content helps you maintain ownership, as your site remains the original source. By posting across different social platforms, you increase the chances of visibility and discovery among various audiences.

So now I have a single face on my social media as a "blogger". I publish just a brief on the story and link to the post on my blog. The original post is published on my website (unless I write for someone else).

The core idea of POSSE is:

1. You control your content (since it lives on your site).

2. You reach your audience where they are (by syndicating it).

3. You retain a canonical version of your work on your domain, which helps with longevity, archiving, and SEO.

Blogroll

A blogroll is a list of links to other blogs or websites that a blogger recommends. It's usually found on the side or bottom of a blog. The purpose of a blogroll is to share favorite sites with readers, helping them discover new content that the blogger enjoys or finds useful.

I got a blogroll running through my 😎 Cool Bloggers page.

Today I have also become a part of a very successfully running Blogroll:

Screenshot from the https://blogroll.org/

This way being on a blogroll, can help others interested to know about my blog and may be get converted to regular readers.

Relying on a self-made blog, though the blog is hosted on Blogger and domain registered on Squarespace, brings in a couple of advantages:

• Being part of a worldwide Blog lovers
• Being part of a movement
• Own your writing and content

Joining the IndieWeb has changed my writing journey for the better. It allows me to own my content and share it freely without worrying about social media algorithms. With the POSSE approach, I can publish my work on my own site and still share it on other platforms, helping me connect with more readers.

Being part of a blogroll has also helped me meet other bloggers and grow my audience. This community supports each other and makes sharing our work more enjoyable.

As I continue on this path, I look forward to exploring new ideas and connecting with others. I encourage everyone to consider the IndieWeb, where you can express yourself freely and share your unique voice with the world.

You’ve been wrong about sudoku all along!

Hey buddy, quick question, where do you think Sudoku actually comes from?

Thats an easy question. Japan, right?

I mean, it’s a Japanese puzzle! Who doesn't know that. 

You’d think so! 

Yes OfCourse! What do you mean, that it's not Japanese?

Sudoku is not originally Japanese. Shocking, huh? It's actually a French game.

Are you kidding me? But the word is Japanese! How can it not be from Japan?

I know, it’s confusing. The name “Sudoku” is Japanese, sure, but the puzzle itself has a much older, international history. It actually traces back to 19th-century France.

France?! No way. How did it end up there?

So, there was this French mathematician, Édouard Lucas. He invented something called “Latin Squares”.

What is that?

It's basically grids where each number or symbol appears only once per row and column. That’s basically the DNA of Sudoku.

Huh, Latin Squares... sounds fancy but kinda boring compared to Sudoku.

True, it’s more abstract math stuff. 

So, is that what evolved to Sudoku?

Not exactly. Fast forward to the 1970s, an American architect named Howard Garns took that concept and created the first puzzle that looks exactly like modern Sudoku. He called it “Number Place.”

An architect? Designing puzzles? That’s unexpected!

Right! He wasn’t just sketching buildings instead he was building brain teasers. Then, this puzzle traveled to Japan in the 1980s, where it exploded in popularity. The Japanese publishers gave it the name “Sudoku,” meaning “single number,” and boom! It became a cultural phenomenon.

So, Japan basically gave it a catchy name and made it famous worldwide. That’s some serious rebranding power.

Exactly! It’s a brilliant example of how ideas evolve, and they’re never truly owned by one place. Sudoku’s journey from French math to Japanese bestseller is a global adventure.

That actually makes playing Sudoku feel cooler, like you’re part of a puzzle with a secret international backstory.

Totally! Next time someone brags about Sudoku being Japanese, you can school them with the real story.

Now I want to try “Number Place” puzzles next.

Reference:  Math Games:Sudoku Variations

Jenga of Life

Life often feels like a game of Jenga.

We start with a steady base, which often depends on our upbringing, our early experiences and the people who shape us.

As we grow, we begin stacking over the existing base: new jobs, relationships, lessons learned, goals, failures, wins. 

Each move we make is built on what came before. Just like in Jenga.

We’re always try to balance between and within the existing situations and happening in life: pulling from here, shifting there, trying to keep things upright while still making progress.

Sometimes, a piece falls. 

A plan doesn’t work out. 

We lose something or someone. 

We’re left staring at the mess, wondering what to do next. But just like in the game, we don’t throw the tower away. 

We rebuild. 

We learn. 

We use what’s left to create something new, maybe even stronger than before.

Success doesn’t come from never making mistakes. It comes from having a solid foundation and the ability to adjust when things get shaky. It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence. Being aware. Staying calm. Making thoughtful moves when it matters.

And most of all, remembering it’s just a game. One to be played with curiosity, courage, and a little bit of fun.

Just continue to play, no matter the times you fall. If the base is not strong, build reinforcement and try to support.

Take risk and "build again" if it falls.

Take risk and "build again" if it stands.

Take risk and build again, to be in the game.

Life is like Jenga: built on experience, shaped by change.

Milestone Achieved: Celebrating Our First 1,000 Visitors!

It has been a constant effort to attract readers to my website organically. I have been using Blogger for the past two and a half months and am just beginning to learn about how to use SEO on Blogger.

My goal was to reach at least 1,000 views within three months. Given my small circle of friends, I had little hope of achieving it. However, I’m excited to share that I finally hit 1,000 views last night at midnight!

My Journey So Far

My first post was published on March 8, 2025, and it was about my favorite game: Sudoku. Since then, I have published 15 posts on various topics. I’m thrilled to have reached this milestone, especially on days when my site received up to 100 views!

This achievement has motivated me to create and share even more content for my dear readers.

Upcoming Content Ideas

In the next three months, I have some exciting new ideas that I can’t wait to share:

1. A new series on the history of puzzles and arcade games.
   
   I plan to research and write about the history of puzzles and arcade games. As someone who has enjoyed playing and solving puzzles for a long time, I’m eager to explore their cultural significance and evolution.
   
   
2. Publishing my poetry and haiku
   
   I write Haiku, a form of short poetry that conveys deep meaning, often using metaphors related to nature and animals. I intend to publish my Haiku as a digital collection on my blog, and if they resonate well, I may compile them into a book in the future.
   
   
3. Participating in IndieWeb blog chains, carnival and online challenges
   
   I’m looking forward to engaging with the blogging community through various challenges and collaborations.

Looking Ahead

My next milestone is to reach 2,000 views and maintain a consistent daily readership of 50 or more.

Join the Journey!

I would love to hear from you! What topics would you like to see covered in my upcoming posts? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. Your feedback and support mean the world to me as I continue this journey. Thank you for being a part of my blogging adventure!

AI and me

As you know, I have been upskilling myself through an intense four-week course at GrowthX. I am learning growth strategies to scale a company and assist a startup with its growth. 

[For those who are new to my blog, here is the context: I am currently participating in an intensive four-week course at GrowthX, where I am focused on developing growth strategies to help scale companies and support startups in their growth journey. This program is designed to equip me with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive business expansion and foster innovation in emerging ventures.]

Two Saturdays ago, I submitted my onboarding assignment and received peer-reviewed feedback from a team member. He expressed that he felt the assignment was written by AI. He claimed that he ran it over an AI tester, and it showed 80% AI written. The comment left me feeling disheartened.  

My inner voice at that moment: Why did he even use AI in the first place to evaluate my assignment? I don’t understand how an AI tester can actually determine if a piece of writing is authored by AI or by a human. I often use en dashes and em dashes in my writing, and even when I used to edit manuscripts, because they are created to be used at necessity.

I had used an AI tool to fix grammar and make my points more concise. The core idea is mine, and I don’t think that using AI as a tool to improve your existing write-up or compression is a mistake.

Since this tool is available and free to use, I believe it’s not a bad or wrong thing to utilize it. In fact, it would be a missed opportunity not to take advantage of such resources.

As a writer who has been consistently honing my craft for the past three to four years, I have witnessed the evolution of technology in the writing space. For instance, Grammarly, which initially lacked AI capabilities, sparked fears among editors about job security. However, it became clear that editors were still essential for structuring thoughts and providing nuanced insights.

Many believed that Grammarly would replace editors, but it never did. Instead, it served as a tool that helped writers produce drafts with fewer spelling and grammatical errors. It remains just that a tool.

Today, we have AI that claims to generate original content based on vast amounts of data available on the web. AI has become an integral part of nearly every application; almost everyone in the digital world uses it, or their applications are powered by AI, or at the very least, their data contributes to AI systems.

I was working as a development editor during the rise of the AI revolution, particularly with tools like ChatGPT becoming commonplace. The fear was real, seeing and experiencing its capabilities. It has surprised me and amazed me with the speed at which it can produce something, even if its mediocre piece. Its revolutionary and its already there.

This shift has transformed the landscape of writing and editing, making it essential for writers and editors alike to adapt and embrace these advancements.

I strongly am AI positive, and it should be used by writers, editors and other content producers to enhance the content game. 

I still use AI to compose my thought and perform a first-hand analysis. It has though me so much, about structuring, priming with hooks and even bring some first principal thoughts on writing. 

My process of writing is quite simple; I open either my blogger post editor or a notepad on my laptop and start to write. If the write up requires some sort of research, I google them, at times I use ChatGPT to find references on topics.

Once the idea is formed, I jot down my thoughts and make a clear structure on the editor. At times I even add links and references. Not all posts are completed quickly. Some take time. I have about 5 to 6 draft write ups currently on my Post tabs, which are incomplete.

Some topics remain so close like this one which I try to complete ideation, research, writing my draft, fixing errors, syntax and structure, and finalise the draft in 30 mins. You may read my other blog [How I write in 30 mins?] to know more.

This process of writing varies based on the topics and requirements. 

It’s clear that embracing AI has not only enhanced my craft but also opened up new avenues for creativity and expression. 

While some may fear that technology could overshadow the human touch, I believe that when used thoughtfully, AI can serve as a powerful tool that complements our unique voices rather than replaces them. By integrating these advancements into my writing process, I’ve been able to streamline my workflow, refine my ideas, and ultimately produce content that resonates with my audience. 

As we continue to navigate this technological revolution, I believe that the heart of writing is in our ability to connect, inspire, and share our stories—something that no machine can replicate. 

Understanding ceasefire: a path to peace

In the midst of conflict, a ceasefire can serve as a beacon of hope, offering a chance for healing and resolution.

As the sounds of gunfire fade, the possibility of dialogue emerges, allowing warring factions to pause their hostilities and reconsider their paths to peace.

In a world often overshadowed by violence, ceasefires remind us that even in the darkest times, there is an opportunity for understanding, compassion, and a collective effort toward a brighter future.

So, what exactly means a ceasefire?

Ceasefire is a military order to cease (come to an end) firing. 

It's generally described when a military temporarily stops the war, and both the sides mutually agree to stop their agressive actions.

It is an agreement between conflicting parties to stop hostilities, often as a precursor to negotiations or peace talks. 

Sometimes the agreement can be permanent as well, depending on the circumstances and the willingness of the parties involved to reach a resolution. 

Why are ceasefires initiated?

The conflicting parties come to an agreement to:

a) Stabilize environment for humanitarian aid: 

During armed conflicts, access to affected areas is often severely restricted. It becomes extremely difficult for the humanitarian organizations/team to deliver food, medical supplies, and other essential services to the effected zones. 

A ceasefire allows these organizations and teams to operate without the immediate threat of violence, enabling them to reach those in need. This can help alleviate suffering, prevent famine, and address health crises that arise during conflicts.

b) Facilitates safe evacuation of civilians:

Armed conflicts often put civilians at great risk, leading to casualties and displacement. A ceasefire can establish safe corridors or designated times for civilians to evacuate conflict zones. 

This not only protects lives but also allows people to seek refuge in safer areas, reducing the overall humanitarian impact of the conflict. It can also help prevent situations where civilians are caught in crossfire or used as human shields.

c) Opens opportunities for dialogue: 

Ceasefires can create a pause in war/conflict that allows conflicting parties to engage in dialogue and negotiations. 

This acts a crucial step for addressing the root causes of the conflict and finding a sustainable resolution. With a temporary halt in fighting, both sides may be more willing to come to the negotiating table, discuss their grievances, and explore potential compromises. This dialogue can lead to peace agreements, reconciliation efforts, and long-term stability.

In a way to peace, ceasefires play a vital role in mitigating the impacts of war, facilitating humanitarian aid, protecting civilians, and fostering dialogue for lasting peace.

How I write a blog in 30 minutes?

 I think 30 mins as a long enough time, to write something. Consider 30mins in seconds.

1 min = 60 sec

30 min = (30 x 60) sec = 1800 sec

1800 sec is a long time. Wondering how?

I assume I can write at least one character per second. That means I can write around 1,800 characters in 30 minutes. On average, I use about six characters per word—that adds up to roughly 300 words in 30 minutes.

With practice, this speed can increase. But for now, 300 words is a good enough count to share an idea or a thought.

Basically, I begin by setting a timer. I use the Clock app on my laptop and set it to 30 minutes. Once the timer starts, I begin writing.

Beforehand, I usually have a rough idea of what I want to write about. This makes thinking and planning easier once the timer is running.

I follow a top-down approach. I begin with the topic header—that is, the title.

The title helps me anchor my thoughts. I try to focus on the nuances and intricacies of the theme and communicate the idea clearly.

I start writing right away. I don’t worry too much about typos or sentence structure. What matters most is not interrupting the flow of thought.

I let myself write continuously, pausing only to think more deeply about the topic. Of course, I occasionally glance at the time left.

Once the initial draft on the topic is done, I do a basic grammar check using Grammarly or AI tools. I also analyze my content using GPT-4 to see if there's any inconsistency or if a section needs improvement.

The idea behind writing for 30 minutes straight is:

• To stay committed
• To develop focus
• To challenge myself to write consistently

If I get stuck somewhere, I either browse internet to other blogs or forums to see what others think of the topic.

It’s not about writing perfectly—it's about showing up, exploring ideas, and building a habit of reflection.

Once I’m satisfied with the write-up, I run a content analysis using GPT-4.0. This helps me identify pain points, uncover any gaps, and gain insights on how I can improve next time. It’s a simple step, but it makes a big difference in refining my style and becoming a more thoughtful writer over time.

This simple 30-minute routine has helped me become more disciplined and self-aware as a writer. Over time, it’s not just the words that improve—but also the way I think and express myself.

Try it out—set a timer, pick a topic, and just write. You might surprise yourself.