Suryanamaskar - Do something important for yourself today

Suryanamaskar is a set of yogasanas with many benefits - the most important being that, you immediately feel good about having invested that time in yourself. This exercise helps you engage every major group of muscles in your body, simultaneously linking your breathing to your postures - and maximizing the benefits of the exercise, and ensuring that you execute the exercise safely. (Please read more here -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surya_Namaskara and do note precautions to be taken by amateurs)

I have personally been practicing the Suryanamaskar, which I picked up from this video on YouTube below, and can vouch for its benefits. Having started with a few a day, I now complete at least 12 suryanamaskars a day, and if possible more. Its a quick, low sweat way (with my long hair, I cannot afford to wash it everyday, so this is definitely another benefit!), to stretch and get the most out of your routine, within a limited time.

The music in the video above, however, is not quite to my taste (although, the mantras/chants are the ones that are meant to be used along with the suryanamaksar). Now that I know the set of asanas, I don't play the video above anymore to exercise. Instead, while exercising, I play one of these other YouTube videos, shared below, for the music. One of them is the Gayatri mantra which in itself is propounded to have many benefits, when recited everyday. The other has chanting combined with very soulful music.

Enjoy your mornings!!

Logical Laxmi vs. Red Lobster

My 8 yr old comes up with these observations, which can only be characterized in only one single way - LOGICAL. Thus she's earned the nickname  'Logical Laxmi' at home.

She had an opinion on Red Lobster's ad below which touts "Endless" shrimp for a "Limited" time. Logical Laxmi's retort to that  "Now that doesn't make sense.  If it's endless, how can it be limited?"

What do you say Red Lobster?

Shimmering Sunsets

A few beautiful evenings captured on my camera

Self-deception - The marketer's delight!

People believe what they want to believe. This episode from Jimmy Kimmel's show demonstrates how basic human psychology is wired to allow people to manipulate themselves.  See it for yourself.

As for Apple, no wonder they're laughing their way into the money.  As stated by one of my ex-bosses, in a tone that was only half-jocular,  if Apple were to scoop up some crap and put their logo on it, some consumers are now ready to lap it up as iPoop.



 

NYC - Memories of 9/11

NASA released this picture of New York City, as seen from space on 9/11.  The smoke is seen spreading all the way from New York to New Jersey.    




Memories of 9/11

Every year, this day becomes a sad reminder that all's not well with the world. Hatred is clearly not working.   Thoughts and prayers go out to all the slain heroes. RIP. 

 

A few animal shots - some of them in my backyard!

 

... more at this link ..

 

https://plus.google.com/photos/105675830211739179514/albums/5785985738557396753

 

 

Confusing Global Indians

Attempt at "Payphone"  by the Crooning Desi Cousins and the story behind it.  

Press: So what’s the story behind this video?
AmanDiya:  We like singing, and when our cousin uploaded a video on FB she inspired us to make our own version.

Press: You say you’re from the USA, now you don’t look that part.

AmanDiya: What do you mean Dude.. we are Americans  Do you want to see our passports? 

Press: Ok, Ok, no offense, no need to show your passports either  – I mean like, where are you from, originally that is?

AmanDiya: Well we’re from India, originally. So we're basically American Indians or maybe its called Indian Americans  - we're  confused.. anyway, basically at this point we have American passports.

Press: And now you live in the US?

AmanDiya: Yes, yes we do.

Press: Who’s that other chick in the video, she’s got a strange accent.

AmanDiya: She’s our cousin.

Press: Oh, from India.

AmanDiya: Yes.

Press: Oh, so where in India does she live? What’s with her accent?

AmanDiya: She does not live in India.

Press: Ok.. Does she live in the US too then?

AmanDiya: No, she lives in Australia.

Press: Oh, she must be Australian then?

AmanDiya: No she’s a NewZealander.

Press: Ok. Now, I’m totally confused – so she's a New Zealander from India, living in  Australia  -- ok that explains  her accent. And she's your cousin and you guys are American, from India originally.

AmanDiya: Not bad, you got it right. Did you want to know about another cousin of ours, Ally?

Press: No. Never mind. Are all Indian families this complicated?

AmanDiya:  At this point, basically, I think the answer would be a yes.

Back to School .. Back to Cleaning? Thank you OfficeMax

So the kids are back to the first almost full week of school.

They're out the door, I take a deep breath, power on my laptop. Sipping on my coffee, I'm now browsing FB (without the kids hanging on my shoulders, trying to check what I'm checking). Done with that, and I switch to catching up with some news, before getting to work.  News site 1 done, news site 2 done and I have a feeling I'm being watched.  I notice this "ad" following me from site to site. I stop for a second to take a look. It says "Back 2 School" deals and there is the picture of Janitorial "Breakroom & Cleaning" equipment with FREE SHIPPING.

What's the message OfficeMax?  Is this the best you could offer to me after a summer? I'd have preferred a mani/pedi you see. Sheesh, isn't it time your ad guys got the algorithms right?  I think they could do with some "cleaning" of those algorithms.   As for me, I'm not buying, thank you.