Links to some of neat stuff

Here are links to some neat stuff

Category

1. Books
    Sky diving - Jump Fun and Easy
    Sky Diving Manual-Parachuting skydivers Manual
    ACE Personal trainer manual- 4th Edition
    ACE Personal trainer manual-3rd Edition
    B2B Strategic brand management
    
2. Internet & Stuff
   
3. Electronics and Media
    Logitech webcam- c270

4. Health and stuff

6. Others
    Ifly dubai

The best part

The best part of the day is when I read her work. 

The writings of a poet and an author enthusiast. 

Close to perfection, close to crossing that threshold line that makes one different from the other millions who blog. 

She will reach there. Her work has a different style. 

I promised to be her toughest critic to push her in bringing out her best. 

I know she is on the line.

Her poems leave a great taste to those have read and know a two of poetry. I relish the feel of the author she will become writing those stories. 

Her shortcomings will only be history in some time to come. 

I shall make her into an author first and a poet later on.

I am waiting to read her next work while the budding artist sits by my side. Or better yet, to pick her work off the shelf in a book store. 

 

And I

You think your good and you are beaten by someone you have come to appreciate.

You were looking for someone with whom you can have great conversations, and that someone came looking for you. 

For the first time I am totally feeling the need for the right word and I just cant seem to get it. I guess I need a short break from blogging.

Empty day!

Everytime I drive past a public park in the neighborhood or cubbon park in B'lore, I notice people sitting on benches and talking to others or just staring into space. I wonder what they actually started out to do and what made them decide to relax and take shade of the nearby tree in the park @ 1130Am on a weekday?!!!

There are so many more interesting things one can do to while away time if thats the main objective. Even govt., officials have lesser time in their hands considering they have a whole life time to complete the given task. Even joblessness involves more work for the candidate in despair. This empty day thought or imagination is by far the most saddest state I've come across.  

Why?

When one is really happy and content with himself/herself, is it necessary to party every day or regularly?

If one's work is the best thing that has happened to the person, does that person really need a break ever so often?

If one has come to terms with the things that have happened in his past, is it necessary for that person to keep brooding over old stuff?

If one is genuinely happy with his family members especially his parents, is it necessary to live separately just because the present age cosmopolitan culture finds it too sad! ?

Does one really have to be frugal when he/she can afford comfort but aren't greedy?

Is traveling abroad the only best way to have fun? is Traveling the only way to relieve stress?

Is the 'best friend' always defined by the timeliness of the birthday greeting?

There are many more questions (rhetoric) I generally have in mind. I have the answers to all these, and I am well aware they are right (according to me). Just wondering why so many ppl ( I have known) have a different view on this. While it does make it interesting to handle this difference in opinion in discussions, I am getting to believe the rebuttal to my questions/opinions/statements is about the coolness factor involved.

Striking beauty

I always wanted to blog about this day.

Way back in July/2011, few days ahead of my b'day, I had been to the movies to catch up with my friend as well as watch the most controversial flick running in then. 

It was my friend's idea of watching this film and very briefly just mentioned that another friend of his would be joining us. Our conversation in the car about our gym and fitness came about and we reached the venue on time.

As usual, I was carrying very less cash on me, so my friend had to pitch in. While we both waited for the doors to open (for us to enter the movie hall), there came the third friend. This was when I stopped talking. 

Every person on earth and every guy on this planet has his own experience when he sees the most beautiful girl standing right in front of him. So here is mine :-)

I wouldn't like to mention her name so I will keep it off this post. And as the title of this post says - 'Striking Beauty', she was just that. Now I have never been a fan of mere looks as I sincerely believe its not good enough for a life time or for anything substantial. I mean what difference would it make if my friend is super good looking or normal or not good looking? so no argument on that. Smart personality is what I did believe in and will always believe in and have never let some one's looks impact my judgement or decision on any count. This person is no exception, but she is by far the most beautiful girl I have ever come across. I do find some actresses in the film industry (home and international) very good looking like all people do, but this lady was something extra-ordinary.

She defined beauty and her facial features were so perfect. She does not belong to the sexy or 'hot' category, but would belong to category specially made for her. 

I totally enjoyed the movie. I am sure you would be thinking 'ya sure!!', but on that account as well. :-). My friend wanted to pick up something for someone's birthday so we three went to the nearby shopping mall to help him choose the right gift. I did get to know more about her and 2 great things that I did get to know were that 1. She shared my birthday-13/July. So I am sure she will never forget me :-).. and the second, 2. She is from the same city and shared the same ethnic background with me too, so we spoke in the local language at times. 

What happened next! Well! that's a different story.. :-)

It was a great day altogether!

  

For the first time, and for the very very first time, Alex & me actually agreed on something. I have know this guy for about 9 yrs or so I guess and we just don't see eye to eye on any issue, subject or topic that we talk about over the table. Our discussions have always been on trying to prove a point in someway or the other, until finally we realized we had the same opinion actually a super strong opinion on something we were discussing on our trip to Delhi.

Every 3rd person who is working and earning a decent compensation pack, within 18months of his/her work life will end up buying a brand new D-SLR camera after having realized the beauty of the art. Well photography no doubt is a fantastic art, but one that needs only a fair level of theoretical knowledge and a decent budget to start getting trigger happy.

I am in no way undermining the skill required and used by the photographer to take the lovely snaps that he/she showcases and shares on his/her blog/Fb and website, its just that I wonder whether the art has been taken for granted. You cant paint a decent portrait picture or sketch a decent profile without 3-4 years of rigorous practice and everyone knows this. Taking a decent snap which would get few likes from your friends and overall appreciation from colleagues requires a good camera, a 10 day photography workshop, 200-300 days of practice. Some more practice, few more workshops, will increase the skill level which would reflect on the snaps in a span of few additional days. So well, why not photography, its an easier start than theatre, dancing, singing, playing the guitar. For god sakes, it takes 8 months to dish out a tune close to recognition on the guitar not forgetting the bleeding finger tips. If you don't have the musical ear, your hobby and interest in music stagnates after 2-3 years (ask me I know). 3 years to get your act right in theater, nothing less in animation and other types of art (performing and non-performing)

When too many people start walking around with SLRs and D-SLRs hanging around their neck or shoulder, the art looses its specialty and exclusivity in a way and instead makes it feel easy and cheap. This is not a trend, its a fad. When the blend between photography and poetry known as Visual poetry brings out the best in the artist, I think its the breaking point when the artist gains maturity in this skill, so does his work.

Dedicated to all the fitness enthusiasts

About 2 years ago, I took up fitness very seriously. I decided that I would reach a level of fitness that would make me feel great inside. It was a very tough endevour in the beginning considering my health was average at the age of 26. 

My fitness level then (somewhere around Nov/2009) can be described in the following way:

a. Body Weight: 78 Kg

b. Food intake: Heavy Veg., Non-Veg (Chicken only), Loads of Deserts and sweets almost every day.

c. Stamina: 1.5km of jogging took me 10mins. Very sluggish. 

d. Water intake: 1 liter per day.

e. Sleep: More than 10 hrs. Included late night sleep-in

f.  Alcohol intake: Twice a week.

I quit my fancy gym to join a small and simple yet serious gym owned by a martial artist and his student. Being trained by them for Kickboxing (KB) in their Dojo (Martial arts training school/place under the guidance of a Shidoshi or a sensei) was pretty exciting but very very rigorous.

It was their passion and knowledge in Health, fitness and martial arts that encouraged me to pursue KB seriously. It was a great experience since the Dojo was equipped with few boxing bags, pads but the best equipment was the Sensei's experience and sound knowledge in the art itself. 

I used to attend the KB sessions every alternate days and the Gym (at the same center) the remaining days. I used to try my best to attend 6 days a week. And I was serious in ensuring consistency. Come rain or shine, I used to be at the gym. It was in the evenings and I used to finish my work by 630pm to be there on time and give my self about an hour-and-a-half daily to bring my health back to shape. It really paid off. 

There were few consequences. I lost out on social life, time with my family but I gained great health, excellent rapport with my sensei, some good friends and the best thing is the knowledge on fitness and how the body reacts as well. :-) So I am not complaining.

Our bodies are a reflection of our inner health, peace and personality. A well maintained body indicates the will power of a person, the attitude and fitness level. Can be presumed that the health is good as inner health is a function of many other factors as well. 

The saying which inspired me deeply was this 'We forge our bodies in the fire of our will' 

Today, in Nov/2011 @ the age of 28+ when I take a look at my self in the mirror, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction for the hard work, commitment and perseverance that I invested to achieve a healthy looking physique.

Some of the things I learnt, changed in myself to achieve this level of fitness is as follows. I shall detail my diet and workout in the next section.

1. Diet means = TO EAT (but to eat the right things and avoid the wrong things). Its the attitude of the body. You mess up with the diet, your body will not respond. Even if one goes for a walk in the morning for about 2-3km daily, but follows a poor diet, the effects are average.
2. Consistency is everything. The best gym/training center is of no use if a person is not consistent in his fitness and health program. Morning walk or even brisk walking will not have an effect if one is not consistent.
3. Health and fitness programmes DON'T work on short term basis. Its not an investment program like shares or mutual funds which have a short term and long term perspective. Health and fitness don't work that way. After working for 9-10 months, you can assess something but after about 18-24 months, results start showing.  Note: The first three months are the toughest in any fitness program. Don't lose faith.
4. No Pain, No gain. Pain is like weakness leaving the body. I heard this somewhere and its really true. If you don't experience pain while working out, it means you are not pushing yourself to achieve greater and effective levels of fitness.
5. Simple Program: follow a simple workout program and follow it consistently. Results will show.
6. Water and sleep. Lots of water, Good sleep (not excess) is essential.
7. For your diet and fitness program, consult your doctor and or your fitness trainer to see if your cholesterol, Triglycerides, BP and your back (lower-back especially) is OK. The endocrine system (hormone producing system) should be in order. 

As mentioned, I will be sharing my exercise workout and my diet. Here they are:

Exercise Workout:

Days: Mon, Wed & Fridays (alternate days) - Weight training 

Style: Advanced (Pyramids and Drop structure essential for boxing-Lean body)

• Monday: Chest and Triceps
• Wednesdays: Back (upper and lower) and biceps
• Fridays: Legs and Shoulders

For details of excises (nos. of repetitions and sets), it would require another post. I shall do so.

Days: Tue, Thur & Saturdays (alternate days) - Kick Boxing

Style: Stage II, Intermediate 

The following is spread over 3 days.

• Stretches
• Bag work-1: Forward (front) Kick, Round-house, Side-kick (front and side), Turn back kick. 
• Shadow Boxing: Forward (front) Kick, Round-house, Side-kick (front and side), Turn back kick, Punches, Jabs, Hooks, Upper-cut, Elbows. Recovery-Push-ups, Side-sit-ups (basic and advanced), Jumps, Bar-pees.
• Punching and kicking pad: forward (front) Kick, Round-house, Side-kick (front and side), Turn back kick.
• Bag Work-2: Combination Punches, Combination kicks, Kick and punch combos.
• Bag Work-3: Shin Kicks- lower and upper. Bag weight: 120kgs hard.
• Abs: Core, Obliques
• Closing formalities with Sensei.

Home Fitness: Regular or Days when gymming and KB is not possible

• Skipping: 2000 repetitions
• Jogging: 2 km
• Meditation: 20-30 mins with breathing exercises.

My DIET (and suggestions)

Its all about eating. And eating the right thing and drinking loads of water.

I have the benefit of eating home-food. So it is easier for me and I understand that everyone may not have this comfort. 

Breakfast: Vegetarian, Regular South Indian style + 2 Glasses of water.

   Avoid- Excess chutney, deep fried Wada, oily masala dosa, Kesari bath  strong filter Coffee

12 PM: Odd hour hunger pangs: Eat salads, fruits or Veg. or fruit juices +1 bottle of water.

Lunch: Vegetarian. 1 cup of curry, 1 cup dal ( or sambar/rasam)

                              2 pulkas, 1 cup plain curds.

4:30-5pm: Odd hour hunger pangs: Eat salads, fruits or Veg. 

                250ml of Whey protein (under the guidence of my trainer) and 1-1/2 bottles of water.

 

   Avoid- Excess chutney, deep fried Wada, oily masala dosa, Kesari bath  strong filter Coffee, NO-BAKERY FOOD AT ALL

630pm: Small cup or corn flakes, wheat flakes or any cereal with cold milk.

Dinner:  @ 9pm after my workout

                            1 cup of curry, 1 cup dal ( or sambar/rasam)

                              2 pulkas, 1 cup plain curds.

                      2 Bottles of Water.

Diet Cheat Day: Saturday evening to Sundays... Eat all tasty stuff and down some beer if you'd like.

NOTE: Please avoid Bakery food. Puffs and other masala buns, deep friend snacks and pastries on weekdays and keep them for the cheat day-Sundays if you'd like.

We lead a sendentry life and our diets have to be modified to adjust to that. We need to eat. but eat proportionately to suit our physical activity. Feeling young is different from actually being young and having a young body. Dont underestimate the way the body reacts. It will surprise you if you ignore it.

It may seem very difficult to follow a exercise pattern daily and be diet conscoius, but if you start, you will realize how easy it is to stay fit. 

You cant beat the feeling of having great health. Its better than the high of drinking the best quality of scotch whisky. Trust me, I have tried both. :-)