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Thu 07/21 13:06 JST
Quality - not QuantityQuality, not Quantity
I was looking for information on using CSS instead of tables (as one does) and for some reason came across the Death Test which I know you will take for just for a laugh. According to my test results, I am going to die at 80 ( and got this rather naff icon).
I could be wrong but I guess that most people think that they are going to live to a similar age. Until the beginning of this year, I used to think that living until an old age was important. But what I learnt was that the duration of being alive is not important. What is important is the "quality" of ones life. An example: if you could have one of the following two for free, which would you choose?
1. A bowl of the worlds finest purest caviar.
2. Five Tons of the worlds finest caviar infested with maggots mixed in poodle poop with a sprinkle of dried baboon saliva.

I watched an extremely moving documentary about a girl who had a particular condition (cant remember the name) where her body aged 13 times faster than a "normal" human being. There are said to be only 8 or so known people on this planet with this condition. A person with the condition normally dies at the age of 13. She just had her 14th birthday and she knew that she was going to die any day. She said that she was prepared to die and that she had lead a great life up until now - it was all about her experiences, the friends she was able to meet and generally being happy. Living a longer life was not important.

We watch the news and see people dying left right and center - people being stabbed, run over or just plain dying in everyday accidents. I also think that many of us think "well that's not going to happen to me", and most probably most people who we see dying are amongst those who thought the same thing.
I was talking to my estate agent at the time we purchased our house - I asked him how I should go about writing my will - he looked at me as if I started to grow horns and said that people don't usually write their will until they are about 60. I was thinking to myself "apart from being a lair, this estate agent is an idiot too - bafoon."
This may seem the obvious but the thing is, none of us have been given a guarantee that we are going to live until we are golden. One could live in the "safest" part of the world, be healthy and still die from whatever.

Meaning
There is not a single day that goes by without me thinking about what I should be doing to get to my destination and I have been like this for the past few years. Being like this has enabled me to improve my quality of life and generally do anything that I have wanted to do based on my current monetary situation.
Thinking about the meaning of life is important because it helps you to discover your destination - without a destination, we would just be driving around in circles - occasionally going beyond that circle.

Worms exist to be eaten by Birds, Birds exist to be eaten by Cats and Humans exist to eat Cats - well only if you are in to that kind of thing. But you know what I mean. I have obviously simplified this idea (because Worms are actually Earth Warriors who protect the stratosphere from evil Space Spiders) but there is nothing around to eat Humans (not yet anyway). There must be a reason as to why humans exist - apart from polluting, destroying and in general being greedy (perfect description of a politician there).
I decided after many years of thinking that there *is* no reason as to why we are here and that we have to make the reason/the meaning ourselves.
I came to the conclusion that my meaning in life was to make our (her indoors and me) lives as pleasant and comfortable as possible - at the same time live how we want to live, buy what we want to buy, go where we want to go and eat what we want to eat.

Money Matters
Many people say that money cant buy happiness - but in our case, we think it can. No matter how you slice it - money is a fact of life. Maybe it should not be that way but the sad truth is that it is.
I came to Japan with two suitcases and with about 500 quid in the bank - 5 years on, my total income is about 15 times more that it was before we came and now own a chunk of land in Tokyo and most importantly - I am able to purchase Gundams and gadgets without being beaten up by the wife (well only sometimes). I account my mid term success to being constantly focused on my destination. Being in a state of focus is something that any of us can acheive but may be difficult without a destination or realizing what ones purpose in life is.
As for whether I will live to see my destination - that's another matter but at least I will die with piece of mind knowing that I tried to get there.
My wife was reading this as I was writing up this post and said people may think that I am bragging. Indeed - there is actually nothing to brag about - there are a ton of people who are doing much better than I am who earn in a blink of an eye what I earn in a year. All I want to do is to share my thoughts and hope that my thoughts serve as food for some of you.

So what are the takeaways for this post? Well for me its...
1. Make as much money as I can while I am alive so that I can...
2. Do what I want to do while I am alive.
3. Buy what I want to buy while I am alive because....
4. I could die tomorrow - don't know how much time I have remaining but use time well and enjoy it while I still have some left. Which is why its important for me to....
5. Gain as much skills and knowledge as possible - especially skills and knowledge which contribute to generating money.
6. Stay Focused. Losing focus means that I get lazy, forget about my destination and end up thinking that I have all the time in the world and "work on it tomorrow." Next toy
Above: One of my goals is to have one of these - I am not sure which one to get but I like the propeller bi-wing type. But I also want my own runway too. Nobody is going to give one to me for free and I probably wont get far by stealing one. Stealing a runway would be tough too.

I used to be a stand-in and was a member of Richard Starnowski studios back in the UK. We were filming a documentary about fireworks in the countryside. T'was a beautiful evening. During the middle of a break, the owner of the land that we were filming on flew his propelled plane at a low speed and altitude around us - it was an amazing site that I would remember to this day. I felt something ignite inside of me. There was a sense of exhilaration and a feeling that I could take on the world. It left me with a giddy tingling feeling that this poor student was going to make it somehow.
If dannychoo.com goes down for more than a month - it means that I have died and did not get to my destination or buy one of these planes - if I don't die before then however - watch this space for pics of my new toy :-)
Categories
Kurt in Seattle
The survey says that I will die at 40...
(ID #33245) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:11
Carl Visagie in Cape Town, South Africa
WHAAAAAA :( I gonna die younger than you...at 75...*sniff*, looks like I gotta get me some new gundams FAST!
(ID #33316) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:11
San in Copenhagen
When I first read your profile, I thought you seem like someone who just wants to brag about how much money he makes and being overly proud about what he has accomplished. But as I kept on reading, you seem to have some pretty good ideas about how to live life and I find it to be a very motivating and inpiring read. And yeah, Japan seems like one hellava place to stay or at least just to pay a visit... Hopefully this is gonna be my next travel destination.

San
(ID #33451) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:11
Victor Wang in Shanghai
When I first read your theory on money and life, it came as quite a shock to me...I mean, I thought I was the only one who thought about things like that. I actually think that living to around 50 is enough...based on how my life is going at the moment...haha~! Anyway, this is cool. Good luck getting your plane as soon as possible~
(ID #33459) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:11
Johnny Nguyen in USA
I'm nearing 15 years of age and completely understand where you are coming from. I've been in almost the exact same state of mind ever since I left middle school. I honestly think at my age, its quite impossible to seek the kind of destination that you speak of. BUT in return it has let me live a much better life. I took time to reflect on my life and not take things for granted (most things) and I think it's good. People my age don't seem to understand how certain actions determine their lives and live a trendy lifestyle. To me that is completely immature and unnecessary. I'm glad you posted this. Thanks alot.  
(ID #34266) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:11
Electric in Auckland, New Zealand
Very interesting read, I do agree with you about most statements although you never said anything about any religious    beliefs. I myself is an almost 15 year old Christian, so that kind of guides my life principles. 
(ID #34360) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:11
Aaron in New York
Hey i read your ideas, and they part of them make sense to me. I found it very inspiring. and yes right now i'm living a lazy life, just thinking that i can do things tomorrow =/ but I was wondering.. what happens after you get to your 'destination' I mean do you get another one?... and after that one.. another one? and just keep getting tired of them when you get there. I mean that's a problem with many rich people. just a while ago, the manager of a country club i was working in killed himself for no reason. I mean he had acomplished so much. and there's so much people commiting suicide.... I think that, as you said, we have to enjoy life, do what we want to do most. and although, having a destination keeps you motivated.. i'm not really sure about it.  I don't think that you believe in life after death. but I do, why? cause I have been dead.. kinda. I felt dead. and I survived, i felt alive again, somehow. eh.. well in the end, every person has their own believes and ideals. I sort of shared mine a little. thank you. 
(ID #35099) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:11
Gallen in Hertfordshire, UK
You inspire me every in every word. I can't help being lazy yet work hard too. I accomplished my first goal. which is to get to uni. My life have been going up and downs. I've been working on my future too...but i was required in another ones dreams to succeed. From what he said seems so real yet its a dream that he seems to lose. I'm lost in life at the moment. yet I try to accomplish things daily. Danny, your a great man to be remembered.

v~post from below~v
ee. I agree, people suicide with many reasons. either that there path to there dreams deceased or that they know that they cannot accomplish anymore.
People seek new interests and desires where then some produce more. I guess we want to be creative yet also want to accomplish goals and rise above others. people pass down to the new generation with greed, ideas, hobbies, knowledge etc. People will never want to be alone.

oh ... one said to me that. people who were born in march was generally smarter. I think it was funny how he thought it was true. I said (eventually lead him down yet laughing) that if people use their time (like every minute in studying) you learn new skills and pack in more knowledge to help reach your goal then you more likely to look professional in your area of interests. Yeah, main thing in life. Choose your interest of study. do it for yourself. not like my brother who just chose a route for making a business and earn cash for goodies. I don't wanna work in a environment that i dont like. working in a environment you like will boost your experience and quality in life! We all put a meaning in life.

Religious? does that come in handy in life? Maybe. I'm not a religous person so i don't know what goes on withing your heads. Makes think how Science clash with believes tho.
Like posthumans running a Simulation of us...deos that mean god is a posthuman watching how we develop in a super computer?
(ID #35350) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:11
VPAM in KL,Malaysia
Salute!!..

You' are living my dream .. as i am still chasing  one....
(ID #42437) Posted on 2007/01/02 01:11
DRAGUN in Arizona, USA
Design Consultant
Registered on 2007/08/23 04:32
Thank you for your words of inspiration, I know you wrote this a long time ago, but even though I think about it every day, this helps me to re-focus on my goals. Im sure that I wont live to be 80 (even though most men in my family live past that), but I really want to die knowing I didnt miss anything. I guess a trip to Japan is in order then.
(ID #60419) Posted on 2007/10/21 04:53
Maya in Out there, Somewhere out there.
Being human/Student
Registered on 2007/06/21 16:12
Although you've written this post a few years ago, I would still like to comment if you don't mind. 
I really liked what you wrote, and I kind of envy you...Well I guess not 'kind of', but REALLY envy you. Because you've got a goal, and you strive to do your best, me on the other hand...I KNOW that I need to strive my best, and I KNOW that if I don't I will get nothing done and when my time comes to leave this hell I will dissapointed by what I've done, and what I haven't, and I also know that I can and probably WILL any day now, but for some reason it just doesn't get me going anywhere...just sitting here and letting time float by. Hah hah! Wow, it sounds like i'm telling my life story. That's kinda sad. Well, i'll just leave now. =) 
     It's good o have a goal in life
(ID #61453) Posted on 2007/10/30 03:08
lostandfound in your brain... WAHAHAHA!
Human being. Really, I'm not joking!
Registered on 2007/10/22 01:58
Aww man... Mine says I'll die at the age of 74... And I'm younger than you LOL~
(ID #68428) Posted on 2008/01/01 17:31
osaka.chi in Mexico
Otaku
Registered on 2007/11/16 09:21
Danny, I would really like to say your experiences are really inspiring, you are living the dream of a lot of people here, and still you try to teach us and try to make us grow, or so I feel. Keep up the good work, hope I meet you in person someday ^^....
(ID #69571) Posted on 2008/01/13 19:34
osaka.chi in Mexico
Otaku
Registered on 2007/11/16 09:21
Oh I forgot to say that I also got that I shall die at the age of 80 :O
(ID #69572) Posted on 2008/01/13 20:17
voxie in London
Big Pink Robot
Registered on 2008/01/22 12:06
Woo, I got 90, that was surprise!

Danny, I liked reading this article very much, and the other one on "destination" also. I'm 25 and my sight of destination is apparent, however still blurred. I know what I want to do, I know what I am capable of, but it is not exact. For the last few years, I have felt peace in simply "feeling" my way through life, using my intellect and capabilities at hand, or sometimes not. Once you know what you can do and like, you can do it, but I find when trying to become an artist, there are so many ways of going about it. I'm still not entirely sure what *kind* of artist I want to be, I just know that I'm good at it. I also like to write, but I had not been entirely sure what to write until lately. I'm following that feeling now, and it feels good, but I still don't know exactly where I'm headed. But I do feel like I could make a good future from what's contained inside me. It's not clear, but it's a warm feeling.

To put it short, (if you're an artist) I think the motto is not to see the destination, but to feel it. If it feels uncomfortable, not in your heart, try something else.
(ID #70423) Posted on 2008/01/23 05:22
ornehx in Penang, Malaysia
dannychoo.com no aidokusha
Registered on 2007/12/25 22:50
way to go danny.
let us all put all of our strength and determination to get to our destinations.
danny, you better show me those picture of YOUR plane and i know you will
(ID #71215) Posted on 2008/02/01 16:01
lazerbeak in Germany
System Administrator
Registered on 2008/01/21 19:56
I think that everything someone can tell you about with passion inspires people. This article sure did inspire me. Actually i've read a lot of  similar "stoys" as of late. You always hear to make small goals to accomplish a much larger goal. That may be the path i'm on right now. For me until recently it was always, complete that school, complete that exam, complete that job apprenticeship..now that i'm through with it and work a 9to5 job i feel kind of lost. It's storys and everyday posts like yours that helps one to re-focus on what is (or what you want to be)important if you want to accomplish a higher goal.
I may have plans made up, but the uncertainty, which job to work to get the rent paid, it's hard to come by with making harsh decisions.
Just wanted to let you know that your positive energy re-ignited some of my determination to become what i 'm looking for. Keep up the good work!
(ID #72144) Posted on 2008/02/12 17:08
J in Manila
IT
Registered on 2007/10/03 18:55
If only we have a choice.. that our warranties won't expire. Everytime an individual dies a whole library vanishes. ..puff!   Technological advancements are too delayed to counter this at the moment. But remember a time when no human can fly and soar the skies, look back to now, hoards of us are flying...

Come to think of it, there's nanomachines on the way, cyberization as an option (a la Raiden MGS4)  I'm waiting for my Raiden RAH to arrive though. It symbolizes possibilities to me... http://www.functionalisminaction.com/2007/05/ethic    
and Cloning is just around the corner. Hopefully before our warranties expire immortality is going to be a real option. For now, I reminisce what Naomi said to Snake at the end of MGS1   "...you must live Snake..." 
(ID #72390) Posted on 2008/02/15 21:58
J in Manila
IT
Registered on 2007/10/03 18:55
jatyap in Inuyama, Japan
Software Engineer
Registered on 2008/02/18 11:45
If dannychoo.com goes down for more than a month - it means that I have died and did not get to my destination or buy one of these planes -


Or perhaps you did get to buy one, but maybe crash and burned on the first test flight? :D

Just kidding... I hope nothing like that happens to you Danny!
(ID #72653) Posted on 2008/02/19 02:49
Kurt in Seattle
The survey says that I will die at 40...
(ID #75249) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:00
Carl Visagie in Cape Town, South Africa
WHAAAAAA :( I gonna die younger than you...at 75...*sniff*, looks like I gotta get me some new gundams FAST!
(ID #75320) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:00
San in Copenhagen
When I first read your profile, I thought you seem like someone who just wants to brag about how much money he makes and being overly proud about what he has accomplished. But as I kept on reading, you seem to have some pretty good ideas about how to live life and I find it to be a very motivating and inpiring read. And yeah, Japan seems like one hellava place to stay or at least just to pay a visit... Hopefully this is gonna be my next travel destination.

San
(ID #75455) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:00
Victor Wang in Shanghai
When I first read your theory on money and life, it came as quite a shock to me...I mean, I thought I was the only one who thought about things like that. I actually think that living to around 50 is enough...based on how my life is going at the moment...haha~! Anyway, this is cool. Good luck getting your plane as soon as possible~
(ID #75463) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:00
Johnny Nguyen in USA
I'm nearing 15 years of age and completely understand where you are coming from. I've been in almost the exact same state of mind ever since I left middle school. I honestly think at my age, its quite impossible to seek the kind of destination that you speak of. BUT in return it has let me live a much better life. I took time to reflect on my life and not take things for granted (most things) and I think it's good. People my age don't seem to understand how certain actions determine their lives and live a trendy lifestyle. To me that is completely immature and unnecessary. I'm glad you posted this. Thanks alot.  
(ID #76270) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:00
Electric in Auckland, New Zealand
Very interesting read, I do agree with you about most statements although you never said anything about any religious    beliefs. I myself is an almost 15 year old Christian, so that kind of guides my life principles. 
(ID #76364) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:00
Aaron in New York
Hey i read your ideas, and they part of them make sense to me. I found it very inspiring. and yes right now i'm living a lazy life, just thinking that i can do things tomorrow =/ but I was wondering.. what happens after you get to your 'destination' I mean do you get another one?... and after that one.. another one? and just keep getting tired of them when you get there. I mean that's a problem with many rich people. just a while ago, the manager of a country club i was working in killed himself for no reason. I mean he had acomplished so much. and there's so much people commiting suicide.... I think that, as you said, we have to enjoy life, do what we want to do most. and although, having a destination keeps you motivated.. i'm not really sure about it.  I don't think that you believe in life after death. but I do, why? cause I have been dead.. kinda. I felt dead. and I survived, i felt alive again, somehow. eh.. well in the end, every person has their own believes and ideals. I sort of shared mine a little. thank you. 
(ID #77103) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:00
Gallen in Hertfordshire, UK
You inspire me every in every word. I can't help being lazy yet work hard too. I accomplished my first goal. which is to get to uni. My life have been going up and downs. I've been working on my future too...but i was required in another ones dreams to succeed. From what he said seems so real yet its a dream that he seems to lose. I'm lost in life at the moment. yet I try to accomplish things daily. Danny, your a great man to be remembered.

v~post from below~v
ee. I agree, people suicide with many reasons. either that there path to there dreams deceased or that they know that they cannot accomplish anymore.
People seek new interests and desires where then some produce more. I guess we want to be creative yet also want to accomplish goals and rise above others. people pass down to the new generation with greed, ideas, hobbies, knowledge etc. People will never want to be alone.

oh ... one said to me that. people who were born in march was generally smarter. I think it was funny how he thought it was true. I said (eventually lead him down yet laughing) that if people use their time (like every minute in studying) you learn new skills and pack in more knowledge to help reach your goal then you more likely to look professional in your area of interests. Yeah, main thing in life. Choose your interest of study. do it for yourself. not like my brother who just chose a route for making a business and earn cash for goodies. I don't wanna work in a environment that i dont like. working in a environment you like will boost your experience and quality in life! We all put a meaning in life.

Religious? does that come in handy in life? Maybe. I'm not a religous person so i don't know what goes on withing your heads. Makes think how Science clash with believes tho.
Like posthumans running a Simulation of us...deos that mean god is a posthuman watching how we develop in a super computer?
(ID #77354) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:00
VPAM in KL,Malaysia
Salute!!..

You' are living my dream .. as i am still chasing  one....
(ID #84441) Posted on 1999/11/30 14:00
TomGnome in USA
Digital animation
Registered on 2008/02/15 17:44
I always appreciate hearing different peoples views on this type of subject. Ever since I first started coming to this site regularly, Ive found myself envious of your lifestyle, and have thought to myself "What are the principles, and beliefs that drive this guy to such a successful point, without sacrificing modesty and happiness?" Im really glad you wrote this article, it's pretty inspiring.
(ID #158018) Posted on 2008/03/18 13:19
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