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Brighter side of web - August 2006
Yoga Bear was the pioneer of the modern form of Yoga. Originating in Yellowstone National Park, USA. Yoga and his little friend Boga, practiced Yoga at 7am every morning, much to the dismay of the park ranger, the evil Shogi. Shogi took revenge by stealing all of the park visitor's pic-a-nic baskets and framing Yoga and Boga and having them banished from the park forever.
The two amigos then began a crusade and travelled across the world, practicing their mystical excercises and attracting a band of followers that increased exponentially.
Yoga Bear lived to be 99 years and 364 days old, when, while on his way to pick up his telegram from the British Queen, he was squashed by a tomato while he was crossing the road - an event he had feared for 50 years.
Meanwhile, the malevolent Shogi lives on, hoping to end yoga, once and for all.
Will he succeed? Or will Yoga Bear's legacy live on? Who knows?
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- from: Wikipedia Yoga
- from: Wikipedia Yoga
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Are you going to come quietly, or do I have to use earplugs?
~
"The boy stood on the burning deck, whence all but he had fled. Twit"
~
"I can't see the sense in it really. It makes me a Commander of the British Empire.
They might as well make me a Commander of Milton Keynes - at least that exists."
* upon receiving his Knighthood
More Spike Milligan Quotes
Today, 28th August is the birthday of my father. Happy Birthday
Your present is in the post...
_______________________________
Yesterday was the 75th birthday of my Spiritual Teacher. Sri Chinmoy
Birthday celebrations included a new Guiness World Record for Ashrita Furman who helped organise the worlds biggest cake made out of popcorn.
It was 24 feet high and was a very impressive cake
Photos to follow soon.
Not for the faint hearted to say the least: article on: Tendai Marathon Monks
"...What makes all these distances even more amazing is the manner and the conditions in which the monks run. These runs are usually begun at night and are over mountain paths that are uneven and poorly marked. During the winter months the low temperatures and snow are a great hindrance to the runners. These monks do not wear the latest in footwear and clothing, but run in straw sandals, an all-white outfit and a straw hat. They also run on a diet of vegetables, tofu and miso soup, which modern athletes and nutritionists would deem to be unsuitable for endurance events...."
After finishing my degree In PPE (Politics, Philosophy and Economics) * at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University. I made (a not very common) career choice and got a job as a gardener in my own college. At the time I flirted with become a professional gardener and when revising for my final exams I used to intersperse bit of Keynes and Friedman with memorising Latin names for plants.
View: Pictures from my garden
I have another blog about Self Transcendence. It includes features from the 3100 Mile Self Transcendence Race and some of Ashrita's world records.
As well as encompassing physical feats "Self Transcendence "also embodies a spiritual concept of transcending the ego. I came across a site with some interviews of different people's views on what self transcendence means. The blog entry is here "What is Self Transcendence"
I was pleased to see an Oxford don taking part and also Karen Armstrong who has written many informative books on spirituality and religion.
Sri Chinmoy places great importance to self transcendence and it is an integral part of his own philosophy. I will be leaving for New York tomorrow to take part in Sri Chinmoy's 75th Birthday celebrations.
On the 25th I will be one of the leading cyclists in the Self Transcendence Marathon.
(This by the way is the best way to take part in a marathon)
With so many doping scandals in athletics and cycling it is not easy to find many sportsman who you can really look up to and admire for their genuine athletic achievement. Graeme Obree is one of the few "amateur" cyclists to break into the upper echelons of professional cycling. Riding a bike he designed and built himself Graham Obree broke the famous World Hour Record. His lifestory is about more than just cycling. His life has now been made into a film. "The Flying Scotsman" starring Jonny Lee Miller.
(Graeme Obree on his "Superman" position)
The film is being premiered at Edinburgh International Film Festival, although I believe the company behind it has been experiencing financial difficulties and there is a dispute over pay. Early reviews suggest it has done a good job. Interview Graeme Obree
Time Stands Still
When our heart flies Towards Heaven,
Time stands still.
It does not interfere.
Poem and Photo featured at
Poetseers Poem of the Day
photo by me 19th August 2006
Flower is a penstemon - a relative of the foxglove
Firstly learn to spell Blog
At Vasudeva Server we are using a Plone Blogging tool called Easy Blog. It has a few rough edges but is generally easy to work with.
I have written a short guide to using Easy Blog. Also advice on writing blogs in general
I have never seen The Goodies until the other evening I saw a highlight programme. I loved their anarchic humour and unique approach
It was written by a trio of British comedians (Graeme Garden, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Bill Oddie), combining sketches and situation comedy.
The picture with Zeebedee (or whatever its called) is about a sketch when Britain is taken over by a "puppet" government.
The pupets including Bungle and Zeebeded and others. The puppets take over Britain and wreek havoc.
The Goodies also produced a hit record called Funky GIbbon. In a question of good taste I shall put the picture hidden in the More section. Suffice to say it makes my fathers tastes in jumpers look rather good....
BOSTON—You may not know him by name, but Eric Greeley is one of a new breed of Americans making a difference. While most employees at John Hancock Security and Financial Services just use the photocopier and walk away, Greeley considers it his duty to do the right thing: to make sure the machine is stocked and ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Though he’d never say it himself, that’s just what a hero does.
"I like to think that anyone in my position would do the same thing," said Greeley. "In the end, it’s such a small sacrifice for a far greater good. All you have to do is go get the paper, pop out the input tray, fill it to exactly the right level, and slide the tray carefully back in. I’m doing my part to make the world a little better, one ream at a time."
What do you mean, an African or European Swallow?
...
It’s a simple question of weight ratios
...
In order to maintain airspeed velocity, a swallow needs to beat its wings forty-three times every second, right?
and there's more here
An excerpt from Monty Python and the Holy Grail
It Was Not Death
by Emily Dickinson
It was not death, for I stood up,
And all the dead lie down.
It was not night, for all the bells
Put out their tongues for noon.
It was not frost, for on my flesh
I felt siroccos crawl,
Nor fire, for just my marble feet
Could keep a chancel cool.
And yet it tasted like them all,
The figures I have seen
Set orderly for burial
Reminded me of mine,
Photo by: Pranlobha
Sri Chinmoy Centre gallery
" The butterfly counts not months but moments,
and has time enough."
Ashrita Furman has always had a fascination with Guinness World Records. As a young boy he used to spend many hours reading the book. However it was his spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy who encouraged him to actually break records back in the 1970s. Since then Ashrita has been able to find many diverse and unique ways to practise self transcendence getting his own Guinness World Records for holding the most records.
Guiness Record for Largest Hula Hoop
I have been fortunate to see Ashrita attempt many records. I was once walking through Queens past Ashrita's house to see him attempting a record to balance the most number of pint glasses on his chin. He didn't actually break that record (although he did break many pint glasses...) However it illustrates how he is always thinking and attempting new records.
This year has been a particularly good year. I think he has broken at least 14 records. Including 3 in the same Hour! See Video of 3 records in one hour
Including this record of Juggling on a Pogo Stick
- On Saturday came 2nd in 10 mile TT at Bentley: Time = 21.00 av Speed 28.5 mph (New P.B)
- On Sunday came 2nd (I think) in 25 mile TT at Marlow 55.55 AvS = 26.5 mph
- Results for 2006
- 2005 results
I am enjoying watching the 1980s BBC comedy series Yes Minister. It is about how politicians get frustrated by clever civil servants. It is a clever satire on the political life. Even though the civil service are scheming you have to admire their cleverness. Apparently Mrs Thatcher ( PM in 1980s) was a big fan.
Quotes - Yes Minister
"Politicians must be allowed to panic. They need activity. It is their substitute for achievement."
"Civil Service language: 'Sometimes one is forced to consider the possibility that affairs are being conducted in a manner which, all things being considered and making all possible allowances is, not to put too fine a point on it, perhaps not entirely straightforward.
Translation: 'You are lying'."
Bernard Woolley: "Minister, allow me to present Sir Humphrey Appleby, Permanent Under Secretary of State and head of the DAA."
Jim Hacker: "Hello, Sir Humphrey."
Sir Humphrey: "Hello and welcome."
Bernard Woolley: "I believe you know each other."
Sir Humphrey: "Yes, we did cross swords when the Minister gave me a grilling over the estimates in the Public Accounts Committee."
Jim Hacker: "I wouldn't say that."
Sir Humphrey: "You came up with all of the questions I hoped nobody would ask."
Jim Hacker: "Well, opposition is about asking awkward questions."
Sir Humphrey: "And government is about not answering them."
Jim Hacker: "Well, you answered all mine anyway."
Sir Humphrey: "I'm glad you thought so, Minister."
THere is a very good video on the World Harmony Run which is currently passing through the north west of America.
Some great images and music. See video of World Harmony Run.
The World Harmony Run is inspired by Sri Chinmoy and has been going since 1985. It shall be coming through Oxford later in the year
Bolton Abbey in the Spring (Yorkshire)
"Tuesday is Yorkshire Day, when men and women from across this historic county gather to celebrate their... well, Yorkshireness - leaving outsiders baffled about why they have such a high opinion of themselves."
Visit to Lake District
- Check out new Cycling Blog at Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team
- Big hello to Gail (my other sister)
Thursday
Like my blog Floyd Landis has seen his tour chances resurrected in spectacular style. i made the mistake of turning eurosport for a 5 min break from marking to "check the tour" 3 hours later i had watched one of the most remarkable breakaways in tour history.
comment Friday (o dear another doping scandal in cycling) THis means this year all the winners of the big 3 tours have been implicated in drugs scandals )
Race results from Monday are up at Sri Chinmoy Races
Start of Blog
I can't get my blog software to work so I shall improvise.
My sister kindly offered some words of encouragement.
re: no blog
"You're one of my range of distractions from work. To be honest, you're
not no 1 in terms of entertainment value of all the websties I look at,
but you are my brother and its good to know what goes on in your life.
( i hope you don't mind lynne author of this bestseller )
Cycling
- won 2 races one on Saturday 10 mile TT 22.15
- one at Weston on the Green airfield 23.04 10 mile TT
- (pics to follow)
Tour de France 2006
Is exciting this year.Lead has changed hands many times. Who would have predicted Oscar Perrerio to be leading and in yellow at this stage?
Floyd Landis looked so pale when he finished, after loosing 9 mins to micheal Rasmusen.
Maybe this tour is the most drug free tour.
- Interesting point 7 out of 10 of the top 10 from the 2002 have since been heavily implicated in doping scandals. (that doesn't include L.A)
