My books

Now that I have some free time, and after downloading lots of software into my iPAQ, I thought about posting something about books. I must confess I am not an avid reader. I'm more into music (I hear in average one new cd every day). And into movies (one or two per week). But I guess that every blogger has to write something about his preferred books! :-) So, here are my 2 cents. Music and movies will come on other posts.

Sci-fi. That's what I like. More than 90% of the books I read are sci-fi. Recently, I have been making an effort to read other "normal" books, like: The Road to Serfdom, by F.A. Hayek (boring and too radical); Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell (nice one. I'm not into self-help books, but his one is very interesting. It's about instinct, first glance, gut feelings.... cool), Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand (currently reading it and and enjoying it. If you have delusions of grandeur, like me, you'll like it :-) ). And next on my reading list are The Wisdom of Crowds, by James Surowiecki and The Blank Slate, by Steven Pinker.

And now.... for the ones I reaaally like, here they are, some of my favourite sci-fi books!

- The Demolished Man, by Alfred Bester: written in 1953 (!!!), it was the first-ever Hugo Award winner for Best Novel. I read somewhere that is was the Neuromancer of its day, and I totally agree. It has one of the most fantastic story endings I've ever read.
- The Stars my Destination, also by Alfred Bester: according to Amazon, "Bester's second novel is a fast-moving pyrotechnic extravaganza with enough bloodshed for Tarantino and enough social analysis for Marx". I couldn't have said it better. Very fast-paced.
- Hyperion, by Dan Simmons: Amazing story! I recommend all books of this saga! I would like to see this one on film. This book also won Hugo Award, for Science Fiction, in 1990.
- Ender's Game (The Ender Saga), by Orson Scott Card: another great saga! Some time ago I read that a movie was being filmed about these books. I don't know if and when it will be finished, though. But it's a perfect book for a movie!
- Dune, by Frank Herbert: A masterpiece. "Arrakis... Dune... Desert planet" :-) Hugo and Nebula award winner. In the words of Arthur C. Clarke "I know nothing comparable to it except The Lord of the Rings". Amen!
- Lots of William Gibson, like All Tomorrow's Parties, Idoru and, of course, Neuromancer (the birth of cyperpunk, winner of the Hugo, Nebula and Philip K. Dick awards).
- Almost everything by Philip K. Dick! Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (which was used for my favourite movie off all time, Blade Runner), Ubik, A Scanner Darkly, The Man in the High Castle (fantastic story about how it would have been if Germany had won the 2nd world war... and what a fantastic cover!!!).
- Flowers for Algerion, by Daniel Keyes: Another Nebula award, about a retarded man, Charlie, who is selected for an inteligence enhancement experience. The entire book consists excerpts from the journal he writes. Particularly interesting when Charlie realizes they way he was treated when a retarded, and the power he has after the experience.
- The Forever War, by Joe Haldeman: Interesting story about a soldier, a war-hero named William Mandela ;-), who, because of relativity effects, whenever returns to Earth, centuries have gone by, making him ever more isolated from the world whose future he was fighting for. Another Hugo and Nebula winner.
- I am Legend, by Richard Matheson: Very dark science fiction novel about vampires. Enough said ;-) Oh... it was written in 1954!!
- Behold the Man, by Michael Moorcock: Extremely interesting story about a man, who decided to time travel to Roman-ruled Judea of AD28, and meets Jesus, a retarded drooling kid. Without knowing it, he slowly starts assuming Jesus role in history, as we know (?) it today.

and finally...

- Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R.Tolkien: No comments... except that this is THE book!

PS: one of the MBA2006 guys at LBS is a sci-fi writer. How cool is that!? I have to meet him.

What's happening to London??

I was shocked when I new that there have been more terrorist attacks in London, yesterday!!Apparently, four more explosions but fortunately, no one was killed.

And this morning, someone was shot dead near Stockwell station! The police shot a suspect of causing some of the bombings yesterday. According to some witnesses of this morning event, the suspect was wearing a "bomb belt with wires coming out". God!! Is London becoming the capital of fear?

It feels so good!!

Today I got my ISIC card. Besides the fact that I can use it for discounts everywhere (movies, flights, london underground, etc.) .... I am officially a student! Again!! Aaahhh! If feels goooood! Where's the party tonight? :-)

PS: Never mind that I'm almost 30!

So many things!

Where should I start?

Ok.... first.... HSBC loan. I sent today my reapplication. I am not being greedy anymore, so I applied only for the full tuition loan. Living expenses will be up to me to support. Which means that, if I want to take full advantage of the full MBA experience (parties, travels, tournament, nights-out, concerts, etc) I must look for a cheaper flat. Oh man... comparing with the £425 pw duplex flat I had when I lived in London, this means a biiiiiig change!! Talking about being a student again!

Second, I ordered yesterday my pocket-pc. After comparing three or four I liked, I chose the HP iPAQ hx4700. I believe I found a website that is selling this thingy for a very nice price (200 Euros cheaper than in a famous portuguese store). I can't wait to receive it!!!

Third, holidays! Ahhhhhhh!!!! How I enjoy this 'dolce fare niente'... And now, when the weather is so amazing, I just can't leave the beach. I will miss the sea... and the sun.

Fourth, I am taking care of other things before moving to London. First, I left my apartment today. Which means I am back to Porto. Living with my parents... Yeah, strange ;-) And I hope to sell my car this week. I am already feeling nostalgic!! How can someone (should I say, 'a man'?) be so attached to a car!!! I had it only for 2 years, but I will miss this toy...

Fifth, the games have started! I received recently some emails from the MBA Programme Management office. It seems that we have already tasks to do! There's like 4 or 5 forms to fill out for some core courses. One of them will be sent to my previous supervisor and three peers. And we already received some terms and exams dates. Can't wait for my iPAQ to put these dates in it! ;-)

Finally, the London bombings. What can I say which hasn't been said before? Sad? Yes. Horrible? Yes. Expected? Unfortunately, yes. When I moved to London, back in 2001, it was only 2 weeks after 9/11. Now, I am going again to London, a few weeks after this schocking event. Talking about coincidences... However, in 2001 I kept saying to my family and friends that I didn't know why, but i really felt safe in London. And I keep feeling the same way.

What a day!

Wow! Talking about mixed emotions on the same day!

On one hand, this was my last day at work. Everyone was congratulating me and wishing good luck. In fact, I am just preparing myself for a farewell dinner and after-party (which will be the best part, of course...).

On the other hand, I received today an email from LBS regarding my HSBC loan application. It was rejected. Damn!!!! Well... I guess I was being to greedy. Now I'm going for some cost-cutting exercises, mainly regarding living expenses (I was budgeting for a montlhy rent which certainly can be reduced). Also, I was expecting to use like 50% or 60% of my own savings. Now I will have to use more of them. And finally, there's always my all-mighty and wonderful parents to help me with something which may be necessary.

What worries me is that now it will take another 4 weeks to get their 2nd decision!

Pray with me, please...