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TIPS ON WALKING

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TIPS ON WALKING – Part I

What do i know about Walking. Here is some resource I’ve collected.

It reduces blood pressure, lowers bad cholesterol,” LDL ” , tones up your muscles and strengthens bones. An excellent form of exercise for persons who wish to lose weight, or improve level through low impact and low intensity exercise.

Requiring only simple equipment, and being able to be performed by almost anyone anywhere and at any time, walking should be promoted more for good health.

Brisk walking is an ideal way to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. A recent study found that men who take regular brisk walks have less than half the rate of heart disease and heart attacks than those that do not.

How you can train without realizing it.

* Build a walk into your journey to work, walk to the train / park away from the office.

* Aim to walk to the shops, or any other short journeys.

* Enjoy the fresh air and countryside, take the family for long steady walks.

* Take time in the morning/evening @ any near by parks or wodded area

TIPS FOR WALKING FASTER

1. Use good posture. Walk tall, look forward, (not at the ground) gazing about 20 feet ahead. Your chin should be level and your head up.

2. Keep your chest raised, and shoulders relaxed (shoulders down, back and relaxed).

3. Bend your arms in slightly less than a 90 degree angle. Cup your hands gently. Swing arms front to back (not side to side – arms should not cross your body.) Do not swing elbows higher than your sternum (breast bone). Swing your arms faster and your feet will follow.

4. Tighten your abs and buttocks.. Flatten your back and tilt your pelvis slightly forward.

5. Pretend you are walking along a straight line. Resist the urge to elongate your steps. To go faster — take smaller, faster steps.

6. Push off with your toes. Concentrate on landing on your heel, rolling through the step and pushing off with your toes. Use the natural spring of your calf muscles to propel you forward.

7. Breathe naturally. As you walk, take deep, rhythmic breaths, to get the maximum amount of oxygen through your system. Walk fast enough that your breathing is increased yet you are not out of breath.

to be continued….

BANGALORE EXP : Trivandrum – Bangalore

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After a long time gap I got to travel in the sleeper class by train from Trivandrum to Bangalore. It is the relatively new train, “Kochuveli Bangalore train, “BANGALORE EXP”. From the two trips I made from Tvm, it has maintained very good timings, reaching K.R puram by 8:30.

My love for train travel, the convenient timing, comfort, the travel cost all much more prompted me to take talkal ticket.

So, why are folks like me fetish over traveling by train? Well each one would fall in for some form of idiocy and I too have my share of fancies for this heavy metal engine- is it heavy clanking sound, the big size. There is a personal side, for it a good way to meet and see a cross section of travelers and strangers. Well, who know when you get a warm seat and a promised exciting trip!!. Well such things happen in reel life and not in real life.

Traveling by bus from B’lore to Trivandrum takes more than 15 hrs. There is only one dinner break + loo break at one of that lousy, overcharged hotel. Adding to the agony, one has to sit tight in that small space all through the humpty-dumpty ride. Sometimes, I wonder why these hotels can’t maintain a basic clean toilet, or why the money fleecing pvt bus operators suggest them to do so. Answer could be that we Indian’s don’t bother abt these basic amenities or just all folks like me grumble and forget about it when the trip is over.

B’lore- Trivandrum bus fare is hitting the roof. For Volvo its Rs 800 and going proposed petrol price hike, this is even to pinch more travelers. But just compare with the train rate. It’s around Rs 320 odd for the second sleeper and only Rs 850 odd for the Second A/c. Though I haven’t traveled by A/C in train, now I feel it a thousand times better than traveling in these buses where I’m forced to sit through those lousy movies and glaring speakers shouting over my head.

Another major convenience for rail travel is the online booking facility. This trip was booked by my lady and I just had to flash an Id card with the print out of the ticket to the TTR.

But again, train tickets are always booked well in advance and lazy fellow like me hardly stand a chance to reserve my seats in advance. Another drawback with the train is the timing. Only this train comes close to the bus timing, but what about the regular Island Express. It takes an atrociously long time to reach Trivandrum. Once u board the train by night by 9:30, it takes the most part of the following day to reach out. Sadly so, its like Hobson’s choice to go with the bus and go through the long ordeal of controlled eating and tight seating.

Finally, with no steering wheel to hold onto, no pedals to jam to the floor, what can I think of and do while in my long overnight trip. Can u give me some thoughts to work on my idle mind ……….

6316: KOCHUVELI(KCVL) – BANGALORE CANT(BNC) – BANGALORE EXP

Station stops from Trivandrum

KCVL KOCHUVELI – 16:00

QLN KOLLAM JN 17:05 17:10

ALLP ALLEPPEY 18:42 18:45

ERS ERANAKULAM JN 20:25 20:35

TCR THRISUR 22:00 22:05

PGT PALAKKAD 23:40 23:45

CBE COIMBATORE JN 00:55 01:00

ED ERODE JN 02:40 02:45

SA SALEM JN 03:35 03:40

SBC BANGALORE CY JN 08:35 –

Men wanted: SAFE RETURN DOUBTFUL

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Shackleton and Crew ( Expedition)


“MEN WANTED: FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY. SMALL WAGES, BITTER COLD, LONG MONTHS OF COMPLETE DARKNESS, CONSTANT DANGER, SAFE RETURN DOUBTFUL. HONOUR AND RECOGNITION IN CASE OF SUCCESS. SIR ERNEST SHACKLETON”

This is the copy of the ad that appeared in a London newspaper in 1914 for a Trans Antarctic expedition… Ad place by Shackleton, an explorer, adventurer.


This ad which I had come across few years back sparked a fancied interest. I had always thought of having a boat to sail through labyrinth of rivers and backwaters of Kerala. I hope this year, I take up new projects which will give me the fuel to float the dreams.

What kind of similar projects do you fancy?

Share it in the comments box or feel free to share it over a cup of coffee.

Now that years has passed, my passion and dream still remains intact in the deep recess of my memory, only to be fluttered and brought out by similar images and content ..

The shadow knows – Who Knows What Evil Lurks in the Heart of Men?

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Who Knows What Evil Lurks in the Heart of Men?

Mad comics and I should thank two fellas who inducted me to the addictive piece of humor.

One Mad feature, by Sergio Aragones: “The Shadow Knows”, a simple cartoon of all sorts of common folks from daily situations. It showed the shadows projected (literally) behind them. Shadows spoke the real intentions and true emotions from what we see beyond the real thing. Funny isn’t..

Often I see scenes in my daily life, and I quickly relate with the “shadows Knows”.

For instance my favorite “shadow knows” shows a man by the sidewalk meeting a known young mom with a small kid cuddled in her arms . Real picture, as we see, shows the man pat the young lad in the Mothers arm, but the Shadow on the wall reflect another tale. He is more curious with the cute mom and less interested with the young toddler, a greater truth in many cases we see around in our lives… : )

Old two snippets …

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From my old quote book, scribbled by Hari, AG’s .. long back

“Life is nothin but a funeral procession winding towards the grave,
Its small joy the flowers of funeral wreaths”

“Dawn breaks , sorrow reappears
Addressing me in the morning light
But the cock’s shrill crow”

“There is more in life than
Coffees & cigarette’s
and sprouting MARXIAN THOUGHTS ALOUD,
Somewhere ahead there is a darker road waiting,
Another pair of jeans in the crowd…

Alone on a weekend

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Election day for Karnataka. As I left the house for my usual walk, I failed to see much frenzy as I could have seen on a election day in Kerala. Pre election campaigns too had been a low key affair. No fiery speeches and no big public pronouncements, probably b’cos, it was never crossed to see what’ happening with the politics in here or elsewhere.

After a quick walk at the park near C.M.H road, I went and bought fish ( Parava) and Idli from the lady who does biz near Polo Bar. (abt the enterprising Idli lady, it’s another small tale).

At home, I cleaned the fish and applied generous masala ( Chilli, turmeric and pepper and lastly some salt ). Surprisingly in B’lore, Parava cost very close to the red fish, “Nagara “and the common “Ayila’s price too is similarly priced. Naturally being a fish enthusiast or for anyone who knows Paravas cost in Trivandrum, going with Parava. Is an obvious choice.

Giving some time for the marinating process to sink, I fried all of it with little oil and soon enough I was over the idli and fish … Well, after 4 idlies and 4 pieces of fish, I was too full to go out. But, I dragged myself to have a hair cut.

Went to the usual Saloon on the Sai Baba temple road, and waited for my turn. Out of the four guys who does hair cut, my regular chap had his turn on my hair styling. Oh, nothing much to do with my style, the same old style and he asks if I want short or medium cut. I go for short and get takes on his job.

No soon his hands and scissors go over my head, I close my head for a quite reverie in that saloon chair. With fish and idly still intact in me, my nap was even sweeter. The occasional turn he gives to my head adds to my sleep and I enjoyed all of it… and then came the best part of the hair cut. The HEAD MASSAGE.

Oh, and yet again I just enjoyed his hands going rhythmically over my drooping head. He did all sorts of things, beating and banging on the head, and some acts were too violent that I told to leave it out. My shoulder muscles, back and even my eyebrows got a good twist with his young experienced hands….. oh, la la… and while he was closing in FM Radio played the Titanic song and again it music drained in me and the old thoughts came flooded in

Ask me the price of this lovely hair cut and head massage. Oh, I was told 70 bucks, 30 for hair cut and 40 for massage. Great price paid, for a great weekend. Again happily gave the chap 10 bucks tips and waked out to a world full of hope and fun.

Today’s Joke: Driving Styles

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Today’s Joke: Driving Styles
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One hand on steering wheel, one hand out of window.

– Sydney

One hand on steering wheel, one hand on horn

– Japan

One hand on steering wheel, one hand on newspaper, foot solidly on accelerator…

– Boston

Both hands on steering wheel, eyes shut, both feet on brake, quivering in terror

– New York

Both hands in air, gesturing, both feet on accelerator, head turned to talk to someone in back seat

– Italy

One hand on horn,
one hand greeting,
one ear on cell phone,
one ear listening to loud music,
foot on accelerator,
eyes on female pedestrians,
conversation with someone in the car

– Welcome to India

Enigma – Child in us

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I used to listen to this song frequently during my work time and during when I used to stay back at my work… And now when I hear it again, it takes me back to those days @ e-city life and work.

I liked the sanskrit rendition and the sound of the female singer. Wonder who sang it. would like to listen to her other songs… anyone got a clue?

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“The Child In Us”

prasanna vadanaaM saubhaagyadaaM bhaagyadaaM
hastaabhyaaM abhayapradaaM maNigaNair-
naanaavidhair-bhuushhitaaM who is of smiling face, bestower of all fortunes,
whose hands are ready to rescue anyone from fear,
who is adorned by various ornaments with precious stones
Puer natus est nobis,
et filius datus est nobis:
cujus emperium super humerum…
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given:
and the government will be upon his shoulder..
Some day you came
And I knew you were the one
You were the rain, you were the sun
But I needed both, cause I needed you
You were the one
I was dreaming of all my life
When it is dark you are my light
But don’t forget
Who’s always our guide
It is the child in us

Sanskrit chant translation

(translation:
Who is of smiling face, bestower of all fortunes,
Whose hands are ready to rescue anyone from fear,
Who is adorned by various ornaments with precious stones )

Puer natus est nobis,
Et filius datus est nobis:
Cujus emperium super humerum… for to us a child is born,
To us a son is given:
And the government will be upon his
Shoulder..

Some day you came
And I knew you were the one
You were the rain, you were the sun
But I needed both, cause I needed you
.
You were the one
I was dreaming of all my life
When it is dark you are my light
But don’t forget
Who’s always our guide
.
It is the child in us

wine – A new taste and a new way of life

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Life is all about discovering newfound tastes and love. For me in 2007, I got introduced with a newfound taste. The taste of “WINE”.

It all came by way of a present my friend Suja gave for my marriage. The bottle of wine she presented was something I had never fancied as a gift and I rightly placed it along with other ardent drinks. Rightly so, it stayed still for many months.

Later in one of our get-together, that bottle was opened and I got the taste of real Wine. Till then, the wine I had tasted bordered around grape juice and dash of spirits. It is a normal practice to give wine and Cake at marriages in Trivandrum, Kerala and those were mostly prepared just a week before it is used!

It’s 2008 and I’m experimenting new labels and new types of wine. Red, White, Rose ….and I Many of the weekends I take pride to share a cup with my partner.

The new taste I have gotten is something that is being seen around India. The sale and consumption of wine has gone drastically up. Newspaper society pages and T.V programs increasingly feature the clink of red red wine. Lapping with the new taste, Indian liquor brands like Kingfisher have bought to its kitty, a French wine company, Bouvet-Ladubay and other acquisition plans are in the foray.

So, what it all takes to. Are we lapping up more Westernized values and this is just a part of the whole saga of change. Well, may be, for we are in a global village where no one owns anything and every thing is for sale.

Cheers…