Katablogism

Moving a blog can be possibly one of the biggest pain in the rear existent for webkind. But It’s 90% complete (couple of glitches here and there). I’ve moved my domain-hosting plan from Netfirms to 3ix.com. I had no issues with Netfirms (they were quite prompt with the support email replies), in fact I think they are just swell, it’s just that for such a popular blog like this one. Netfirms can be a tad bit costly (120$ a year). I mean seriously no freaking way can I shell that much. So I moved to this awesome domain hosting plan with 3ix.com called Expert scheme, courtesy my big bro. Their support live chat feature has been amazing. Moreover it’s perfect for my requirement of hosting 3 independent websites.

Oh yes, did i forget to mention my “glog” a.k.a Geek Log has been made a tad bit more professional and moved to TechCroon.com. The theme hasn’t been setup, but most of my posts from glog.kaushikgopal.com have been imported there. Please feel free to step there and comment to your heart’s glory.

I was swept of my feet with this movie(get it :P). It has this typical-frustratingly-awesome ending of concealing what really happens. Check out my review of The Wrestler at reelsuave.com. If you’re a film buff, you’ll LOVE the site…. has loads of hot-stuff, content and updates. I plan on doing all my movie reviews(1 and counting :P) there, Feel free to contribute and comment!

A similar movie I wrote about once which has this indefinite story-telling pattern is No Country for Old Men. Also two movies that taught me to appreciate the Romance genre: Before Sunrise, Before Sunset.

I usually don’t go about brazenly posting pictures of myself but If I am to serve, as any minor authority or a credible voice regarding the matter, these pictures should stand me some good stead.

After completing my board exams back in 2006, I was a whooping 100kg. My immediate chair-bound sitcom-loving life in college didn’t help one bit. I’m a decent 73 today. I’ve done a tonne of research regarding the matter and continue to research ways on getting fitter. The following series of posts is what worked, what didn’t, what I needed to know and what could have been done differently. Most of this is a compilation and largely taken from reliable sources. That being said, you have to understand there are quite a few areas where contradictions are plenty. I have tried my level best to resolve such matters and make the most sense out of it all.

I plan to split this into a series of posts on fitness cause one jurassic post with all the information would serve no purpose, there are tonnes of them out there already. I want these posts to serve as both inspiration and proof that getting fit and in shape is both possible and more importantly realistic. I plan to split my posts as follows (I’ll link to the posts from here as and when they’re complete):

• Fitness 101 – “De Equation”

  I gave a toastmaster’s speech once, regarding this topic and after researching/drafting/pruning my speech to the 6 minute time-limit, it boiled down to 3 things:

  1. Diet
  2. Exercise
  3. Attitude

  But since I have the luxury of space on my blog, I’m penning everything that I’ve learnt through the journey. So brace yourself for sporadic spews of self-help make-yourself-feel-better stuff as well as concrete scientific evidence to proven techniques/tips.

• Fitness 102 – Know your terms

  As always it pays to research what your up against and that is precisely what I had to do. For the benefit of the world and the lazy few who would like a single go-to location for all the terms and information, I’ve posted most of the stuff you’ll need to know to burn ‘em jigglin wigglies.Oh yes lot of Science Stuff here :P.

• Fitness 103 – Round up/Post its

  This is the must-read post if you just want a cheatsheet for the “learnings” of all previous steps. This is basically a round up of what you should/shouldn’t do. Take a print out of this and pin it up on your door until you have this ingrained.

• Fitness 104 – Sample Workout Routines

  This is just a compilation of the workout/routines that celebrities, health-coaches and others have posted.

• Fitness 105 – Action Plan (TFT style)

  I was successfull with my previous regime(check Fitness 103) in drastically shaving off the blubber, but I recently noticed, that while I look fairly thin, my body fat percentage seems relatively high. I’m a 23 year old male who’s 5′11 and weighs 73 kg (as on 28th January 2009). The BMI charts say my weight is perfect. I did a couple of rudimentary Body fat tests though and found it to be between 20% and 22%. The handheld-electric-current-through-fat device thingy gave a reading of 21.7% and the tape-measurement method yielded 22%. Another test came up with around 20.5%. The accuracy/inaccuracy of these tests aside, it’s pretty clear my body fat levels (what I should REALLY be worrying about) is a little on the higher side (I blame my mother’s unconditional love and ridiculously tasty dishes). Anyways quite clearly a major revamp in my diet/exercise-regime is in order (again).
  Even if I had to do it all over from the blubber-stage, this would probably be the better way to have approached it. I’ll post exactly how I intend to approach my diet/regime here TFT style. This is probably the best post to read if you too are looking into reducing your belt-clamp-size intelligently.

When I was a kid, Republic day only meant “one more holiday in School”. Adolescence and immaturity taken into account, I could probably excuse myself then.
I’ve been an NRI for a large part of my life, and many of my friends from college days have strongly criticized me for being hypocritical in my patriotism for India, (citing my NRI-status). Boy are you fellows mistaken. How NRIs contribute to India is reserved solely for a different post, but what you have to realize is, this physical distance from the nation merely strengthens the link. I know how it is not freely roam the streets of a mother-land. I know how it is to not be able to criticize the government and voice your opinions freely. Before you retort with any accusations let me remind you what Mark Twain has said on Patriotism, “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” I will always be able to appreciate the freedom we so royally take for granted in our nation. Something I doubt you few who haven’t had the fortune of staying/visiting abroad will be able to revel in.

I’ve stated elsewhere, I will never forgo my Indian passport and have every intention to have my ashes buried in my motherland. Call it a superstitious hope of being re-born only as an Indian. And to make sure I don’t end this joyous occasion on a depressing note, a quote from Churchill: “When I am abroad, I always make it a rule never to criticize or attack the government of my own country. I make up for lost time when I come home.”

Happy Republic Day and Jai Hind brothers !

P.S: Many ask what the difference is between Independence day and Republic Day? After attaining independence on August 15 1947, a Constituent Assembly was set up to draft a constitution for India. This constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950.

Headless Horseman stage

So we had the Obamaugration yesterday and I sat glued till 1 a.m KST (Kuwait-Standard-Time) today… following which I was inspired to read “Dreams from my father“…following which I saw my brother play a couple of warcraft games….following which I was inspired to read Kasparov’s book “How Life Imitates Chess“… following which I realized it was 4 freaking a.m and I had to sleep…..following which I realized I would never get sleep if i thought I had to get sleep…….following which I decided to tire myself out physically by doing 30 push-ups in a row….following which I dropped dead on the bed…..my mind kept racing(was Obama really going to achieve what his hope audaciously claims to? How awesome would it be to work on the team of Story-writing for Blizzard? Was Kasparov after all just a simple man with absolute focus and dedication? how should I tailor my workout to get the body of a Governor who can never become President?) ….. which is finally when I dosed off…..It’s 5.45 and my iPhone promptly irritates the hell out of me with the blues tone…..I realize the whole point of setting my alarm with the blue tones is for this purpose…. purpose achieved…… I’ve essentially slept for 1 hour and successfully completed stage 1 of Sleepy Hollow.

Sleepy stage

I’m debating whether to get up and brush my teeth or sleep for those precious “5 more minutes”. I drag myself off the bed and flop straight on the ground crawling to the bathroom. I finish my ablutions which unfortunately includes a bath. Enter Hollow stage!

Hollow stage

That “refreshing” bath just yanked my ass off sleepy stage and into the most dreadful stage of SH. Nations can fall or prosper depending on the one’s actions in this stage. I decided this is all bollocks and thought of going back to sleep blissfully allowing Rome to burn. But you see that’s when my mom came and smacked Nero some, which essentially shoved me into the Undead stage.

Undead stage

I drive to office. There’s this retard Kuwaiti driver on the road shouting at me for going at 80kmph on an 80kmph road. Really what was I thinking! But you see in the undead stage it doesn’t matter, you’re oblivious to whats happening around you (I presume this is how one feels when high, only much much lower). I enter my office sit in my cube and furiously start typing away. I’ve submitted a report to my boss and I’m not yet fired…. I’m assuming my sub-conscious has taken over. He tells me something and I nod blankly looking at the pretty angels dancing on the tip of his pen. My god how many really are there?

Shutdown phase

The exact description of what happens thereafter, can never clearly be documented, because at some point during the undead stage, your body just doesn’t take any more and you’re literally doused with sleep.

The problem with Sleepy-Hollow is that you’re seduced into the Headless horseman stage without actually realizing it. Once drawn in, you’re doomed to follow the stages!