Tasty updates are here!

“Saturday-Pentacle”

Saturday-Pentacle – Week 7 – 2017

Greetings my internet friends,

Here are some popular links, thoughts, and articles for today’s “Saturday-Pentacle” e-mail newsletter. This is a free newsletter and goes out every Saturday only for my subscribed readers.

Enjoy! 

Post of the week – Well! This one is a poem written by me about 4 years ago.

Rosetta stone!

This poem re-emphasizes my belief that sometimes you don’t write a poem (or any work of art, for that matter), it gets written through you.

My most popular Instagram post recently — Margarita

A good Margarita is a result of mixing in the well-diversified spirits and shaking it for quite a long time in a small Cask. Same is life; when you want something great, you put all the right ingredients, put all the hard work. You’ll get the Margarita you would want.

Article I’m enjoying (and pondering) — An interesting perspective on College by Tyler Curtis

Is College Even Worth It? There’s Every Reason for Doubt

For a non-engineering but more critical student, the answer is abundantly clear: It’s a big ‘No’. What they need to know can be taught more effectively at a lower cost by some other means. Good article.

What I’m reading/watching/listening to —Tony Robbins: I’m not your Guru

This is an overwhelming documentary on Tony Robbins. Just see how he accumulates his energy before delivering a powerful blasting, on stage entry, it might blow your mind. How he understands and feels the psychology of a fellow human is unbelievable. This documentary is definitely worth a watch if you are looking for even a slight bit of motivation.

Casablanca Movie Review from my last post-

If you want to see emotions depicted perfectly by a man, see Humphrey Bogart’s performance in this Movie. Just flawless. If you want to see the beauty in pure simplicity, watch Ingrid Bergman in this movie. She’s a delight to watch. This movie, in the end, might feel like a lot of emotions, a little hint of post-war life and a graceful sacrifice for love and of love. I would give this movie a 9.5 out of a 10. I cut .5 to not glorifying the killing shot in climax.

A Quote I’m pondering on lately – This is a quote I wrote, inspired by a picture of a girl with freckles.

“There is a beauty in the dark spots as well, just you need to sprinkle a hint of light.”

― Himanshu Sachdeva

Until Next Saturday!

Thanks for reading.

– Himanshu

Another picture from my upcoming video log of recent travel to Odisha (India).

Would you like to get a very short pentacle (5 items) e-mail from me every Saturday with the five coolest things I’ve found that week?

It might include books, music, articles, new hacks/tricks, photographs and last but not the least people.

These “Saturday-Pentacle” emails are only available if you subscribe to my e-mail newsletter. They will not be on the blog or anywhere else. This post is just a teaser to entice you to sign up.

Try it out for a week! Unsubscribing is easy, and there’s great stuff coming next Saturday.

Just submit your email address in the below form or right here –  and you’re set.

No spam, ever. Only great stuff.

Quick endnote – as a few of you guys have told me that emails are not delivering in the Gmail primary inbox and going to promotions tab in your Gmail. I suggest below two pro tips to get my email in your Primary inbox from next time.

• Add my From email address ([email protected]) to your Google Contacts list.
  Emails from your Google Contacts always go to their Primary inbox. So go ahead and add me to your contact list.
• Move your emails to the Primary tab.
  You can teach Gmail where to deliver your messages. When you move one of my emails from Promotions tab to the Primary tab, Gmail asks whether it should always deliver my emails in your primary inbox. So please do that. You can also read more about these Gmail Help instructions.

The valentine’s week is reaching the finale. Did you wish your loved one? Did you do anything creative in the process of doing so? Please let me know in the comments below.

Not happy with this post coming on a Monday instead of a Saturday, but better late than sorry. Life happens in between the writing of these blog posts, you know. Anyway!

For now, let’s get to this past week’s updates.

“Saturday-Pentacle”

Saturday-Pentacle – Week 6 – 2017

Greetings my internet friends,

Here are some popular links, thoughts, and articles for today’s “Saturday-Pentacle” e-mail newsletter. This is a free newsletter and goes out every Saturday only for my subscribed readers.

Enjoy! 

Post of the week – Sharing an older post for today, as I was travelling and experiencing new things this past weekend. Nonetheless, the fresh post will come this week. Don’t be surprised if there are two!

Story of my first Half Marathon.

I wrote it in 2015. But whenever I’m off the track from my fitness regime, I open this post and read, it fires me up again to get back on course. So today I saw it again, yeah you guessed it right. Beast mode will be on now for next few months, as my little cheat vacation is over.

My most popular Instagram post recently — 3 monks

I clicked this picture in Sarnath, which is said to be the place where Buddha gave his first teaching after attaining enlightenment. This picture is special to me, whenever I’m troubled with the hustle of the multiple lives we live, I look at it and it calms me down.

Article I’m enjoying (and pondering) — What Is Disruptive Innovation?

Interesting Harvard Business Review article refreshing us on the theory given by Harvard professor Clayton M. Christensen on Disruptive Innovation. I was recently introduced to this theory in a management session I attended. I will unfold a whole new perspective if you try to read it comprehensively. Highly recommended for young entrepreneurs or anyone trying to solve a world problem. The original piece can be found here from January 1995.

What I’m reading/watching/listening to —Casablanca

This is a classic black & white movie from 1942! I’ve heard the name of this movie a lot of times before, but never cared to watch. Today while I was en-route to Bombay, I read about this movie in an on flight Magazine. This one is a favourite of many people. So I thought to watch it. It’s a classical drama, based on military, emotions and a tinge of world war 2. For storyline, I’m half way through it, so far so good. Can’t believe they could produce such videography (even if it’s B/W) back in 1942! Such great effort. Will provide you detailed review in next post.

A Quote I’m pondering on lately – Got the reference of the below quote from a great trainer from a recent session I attended.

“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”

― Christopher McDougall, Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

Until Next Saturday!

Thanks for reading.

– Himanshu

P.S.: Did you enter the giveaway from the last week’s post? We are giving away hand crafted Lifestyle Architecture Lab souvenir, to the winner of this contest. There are responses coming. Don’t forget to become a part of this giveaway. Enter on our Facebook Page.

I’m already running late with my SCMM 2017 vlog, but I’ve been working on another 2 vlogs, which will be published in this month only, so stay tuned. A picture credential from my recent travel. Feeling excited?

Would you like to get a very short pentacle (5 items) e-mail from me every Saturday with the five coolest things I’ve found that week?

It might include books, music, articles, new hacks/tricks, photographs and last but not the least people.

These “Saturday-Pentacle” emails are only available if you subscribe to my e-mail newsletter. They will not be on the blog or anywhere else. This post is just a teaser to entice you to sign up.

Try it out for a week! Unsubscribing is easy, and there’s great stuff coming next Saturday.

Just submit your email address in the below form or right here –  and you’re set.

No spam, ever. Only great stuff.

Quick endnote – as a few of you guys have told me that emails are not delivering in the Gmail primary inbox and going to promotions tab in your Gmail. I suggest below two pro tips to get my email in your Primary inbox from next time.

• Add my From email address ([email protected]) to your Google Contacts list.
  Emails from your Google Contacts always go to their Primary inbox. So go ahead and add me to your contact list.
• Move your emails to the Primary tab.
  You can teach Gmail where to deliver your messages. When you move one of my emails from Promotions tab to the Primary tab, Gmail asks whether it should always deliver my emails in your primary inbox. So please do that. You can also read more about these Gmail Help instructions.

The month of love is here. How are you doing my friends? I got some fresh stuff for your wandering brains.

Let’s get to it.

“Saturday-Pentacle”

Saturday-Pentacle – Week 5 – 2017

Greetings my internet friends,

Here are some popular links, thoughts, and articles for today’s “Saturday-Pentacle” e-mail newsletter. This is a free newsletter and goes out every Saturday only for my subscribed readers.

Enjoy! 

Post of the week – Evernote 8 iOS review – 5 things that make it useful again – In this episode of my podcast show, I share my brief review on the new major Evernote iOS app update (Evernote 8). The 5 things which make this great app, useful and awesome again.

My most popular Instagram post recently — The Cyclist

India doesn’t lack on the cyclists but bike lanes, I share a little perspective on that in this Insta post.

Article I’m enjoying (and pondering) — The Case for Wearing Just One Style of Sock

At first, it seemed funny, but when I went deep, it was a lesson for a minimalistic lifestyle hidden inside. A good quick read.

What I’m reading/watching/listening to —YouTube – 8 Camera HACKS in 90 SECONDS!!

I know, I know, I’m sharing the same guy’s stuff again. But man! Peter McKinnon, he has earned it. If you are an aspiring photographer, watch this video and thank me later.

A Quote I’m pondering on lately – 

“Inches make champions.”

– Vince Lombardi

Until Next Saturday!

Thanks for reading.

– Himanshu

Look at the photo below. Looks like a painting right? It isn’t. Any guesses which is this place?

Would you like to get a very short pentacle (5 items) e-mail from me every Saturday with the five coolest things I’ve found that week?

It might include books, music, articles, new hacks/tricks, photographs and last but not the least people.

These “Saturday-Pentacle” emails are only available if you subscribe to my e-mail newsletter. They will not be on the blog or anywhere else. This post is just a teaser to entice you to sign up.

Try it out for a week! Unsubscribing is easy, and there’s great stuff coming next Saturday.

Just submit your email address in the below form or right here –  and you’re set.

No spam, ever. Only great stuff.

Quick endnote – as a few of you guys have told me that emails are not delivering in the Gmail primary inbox and going to promotions tab in your Gmail. I suggest below two pro tips to get my email in your Primary inbox from next time.

• Add my From email address ([email protected]) to your Google Contacts list.
  Emails from your Google Contacts always go to their Primary inbox. So go ahead and add me to your contact list.
• Move your emails to the Primary tab.
  You can teach Gmail where to deliver your messages. When you move one of my emails from Promotions tab to the Primary tab, Gmail asks whether it should always deliver my emails in your primary inbox. So please do that. You can also read more about these Gmail Help instructions.

Finally, the first month of the New year 2017 has come to an end. It was a balanced and fulfilling month.

Ok, so let’s get on with this week’s updates.

“Saturday-Pentacle”

Saturday-Pentacle – Week 4 – 2017

Greetings my internet friends,

Here are some popular links, thoughts, and articles for today’s “Saturday-Pentacle” e-mail newsletter. This is a free newsletter and goes out every Saturday only for my subscribed readers.

Enjoy! 

Post of the week – My Morning Routine – 6 Things for an awesome Day – In this episode of my podcast show, I share my morning routine. The 6 things which make my day awesome and productive. Hope you find it useful.

My most popular Instagram post recently — My #rrunn goodie bag is here.

I got my Unived rrunn goodie bag last week after winning their SCMM 2017 selfie contest. Check out my winning selfie at the end of this post.

Article I’m enjoying (and pondering) — If You Want A Fulfilling Life, You Need Impulse Control

I love reading on Medium and Jon Westenberg is one of my favourite writers on this platform. Because he churns out great articles on a regular basis. His writing style is a little goofy at times but mostly straight in the face. You will dig this one. Go check it out.

What I’m reading/watching/listening to —YouTube – CHEAP LIGHTING SETUP on a Budget! – DIY

If you are a YouTuber or a Video/Film Maker, this video will make a lot of sense to you. Peter McKinnon, does provide his insights on the home lightening setup for a shoot in a really quirky way.

A Quote I’m pondering on lately – 

“A man’s best treasure is a thrifty tongue.”

– Poet Hesiod

Until Next Saturday!

Thanks for reading.

– Himanshu

So here is my Selfie which won the ‘SCMM 2017 selfie contest by Unived‘.

Would you like to get a very short pentacle (5 items) e-mail from me every Saturday with the five coolest things I’ve found that week?

It might include books, music, articles, new hacks/tricks, photographs and last but not the least people.

These “Saturday-Pentacle” emails are only available if you subscribe to my e-mail newsletter. They will not be on the blog or anywhere else. This post is just a teaser to entice you to sign up.

Try it out for a week! Unsubscribing is easy, and there’s great stuff coming next Saturday.

Just submit your email address in the below form or right here –  and you’re set.

No spam, ever. Only great stuff.

Quick endnote – as a few of you guys have told me that emails are not delivering in the Gmail primary inbox and going to promotions tab in your Gmail. I suggest below two pro tips to get my email in your Primary inbox from next time.

• Add my From email address ([email protected]) to your Google Contacts list.
  Emails from your Google Contacts always go to their Primary inbox. So go ahead and add me to your contact list.
• Move your emails to the Primary tab.
  You can teach Gmail where to deliver your messages. When you move one of my emails from Promotions tab to the Primary tab, Gmail asks whether it should always deliver my emails in your primary inbox. So please do that. You can also read more about these Gmail Help instructions.

The first month of 2017 is heading to an end. This past week was glorious. I finished the SCMM Marathon and had some good family time.

Let’s get on this week’s updates.

“Saturday-Pentacle”

Saturday-Pentacle – Week 3 – 2017

Greetings my internet friends,

Here are some popular links, thoughts, and articles for today’s “Saturday-Pentacle” e-mail newsletter. This is a free newsletter and goes out every Saturday only for my subscribed readers.

Enjoy! 

Post of the week – Vlog (video log) no. 2. “SCMM – 2017 | Expo Vlog”

Marathon Expo’s are always fun. I enjoyed this small expedition to Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2017 – Mirchi Expo. Hope you enjoy it too!

My most popular Instagram post recently — Finally, a Selfie on the Sea Link. Well! I couldn’t get it last year. This year I did and it also won me a winning spot in a contest by Unived. Check it out here.

Article I’m enjoying (and pondering) — Evernote 8.0: Organization Made Simple.

I love Evernote. It literally is the workspace of my life, though I was not very happy with their iOS apps. Finally, they have listened and Evernote 8 is here. It’s a completely redone app from the ground up. Notes take the centre stage now, which I always wanted. There are a lot of improvements. This article is a brief summary of the design changes and the functionality.

What I’m reading/watching/listening to — The Fundamentals of Caring.

I watched this movie a few days back, it wasn’t something extraordinary, but it was special. This movie will cheer you up in any scenario. Great performance by Craig Roberts.

A Quote I’m pondering on lately – 

“For centuries, people have focused on the individual drivers of success: passion, hard work and sheer will. But things have changed. Success is increasingly dependent on how we interact with others and how much we give them.”

— Meiko Patton

Until Next Saturday!

Thanks for reading.

– Himanshu

SCMM 2017 Race day vlog and report coming up next. I finished my second Full Marathon this year. Here is a picture of myself on the finish line.

Would you like to get a very short pentacle (5 items) e-mail from me every Saturday with the five coolest things I’ve found that week?

It might include books, music, articles, new hacks/tricks, photographs and last but not the least people.

These “Saturday-Pentacle” emails are only available if you subscribe to my e-mail newsletter. They will not be on the blog or anywhere else. This post is just a teaser to entice you to sign up.

Try it out for a week! Unsubscribing is easy, and there’s great stuff coming next Saturday.

Just submit your email address in the below form or right here –  and you’re set.

No spam, ever. Only great stuff.

Quick endnote – as a few of you guys have told me that emails are not delivering in the Gmail primary inbox and going to promotions tab in your Gmail. I suggest below two pro tips to get my email in your Primary inbox from next time.

• Add my From email address ([email protected]) to your Google Contacts list.
  Emails from your Google Contacts always go to their Primary inbox. So go ahead and add me to your contact list.
• Move your emails to the Primary tab.
  You can teach Gmail where to deliver your messages. When you move one of my emails from Promotions tab to the Primary tab, Gmail asks whether it should always deliver my emails in your primary inbox. So please do that. You can also read more about these Gmail Help instructions.

Tasty email updates are here.

“Saturday-Pentacle”

Saturday-Pentacle – Week 51 – 2016

Greetings my internet friends,

Here are some popular links, thoughts, and articles for today’s “Saturday-Pentacle” e-mail newsletter. This is a free newsletter and goes out every Saturday only for my subscribed readers.

Enjoy! 

Post of the week – Benares! Day – 4

This is the day 4 from my Benares travelogue post. This one is special. Cause it’s all about the most special thing of Benares. Subha-e-Benares! (The morning of Benares) and the Sunrise. Some spectacular shots to treat your senses.

My most popular Instagram post recently — The snake boy! Even though this is neither the ‘most’ popular post nor from ‘past week’ but it’s relevant because of this week’s post of the week above, which is Benares! Day – 4 travelogue post.

Article I’m enjoying (and pondering) — I love the works of James Clear, here is another gem from his fact-based writing – The Akrasia Effect: Why We Don’t Follow Through on What We Set Out to Do and What to Do About It.

What I’m reading/watching/listening to —

• On the Christmas eve, I want to share this amazing video by Casey Neistat –HUMAN FLYING DRONEThis video blew my mind in the most amazing way. It’s like Santa Clause coming through the sky but instead of a reindeer ride, the vehicle is a Hexadecacopter drone. Click the link above and be blown.
• Seafret! I’m loving the refreshingly new songs of this artist duo Band. Here is the link to the playlist (on YouTube) which I listened to, throughout this past week.
• Third, I finally purchased the kindle edition of the new book of Tim Ferriss – Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers
  Even though this book is more or less based on the podcasts from Tim’s podcast – ‘The Tim Ferriss Show’, but as I’ve started to indulge in this book, it is starting to feel more than just a book, it feels like a toolkit of life instead.Looking forward towards finishing this one. May post a detailed review on this book shortly.P.S.: The book links are affiliated.

A Quote I’m pondering on lately – 

“On a moment-to-moment basis, being in the middle of doing the work is usually less painful than being in the middle of procrastinating.”

-Eliezer Yudkowsky

Until Next Saturday!

Thanks for reading.

– Himanshu

As we approach the end of this amazing year 2016 and the festivity begins, this is Christmas eve.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Would you like to get a very short pentacle (5 items) e-mail from me every Saturday with the five coolest things I’ve found that week?

It might include books, music, articles, new hacks/tricks, photograph and last but not the least people.

These “Saturday-Pentacle” emails are only available if you subscribe to my e-mail newsletter. They will not be on the blog or anywhere else. This post is just a teaser to entice you to sign up.

Try it out for a week! Unsubscribing is easy, and there’s great stuff coming next Saturday.

Just submit your email address in the below form or right here –  and you’re set.

No spam, ever. Only great stuff.

Quick endnote – as a few of you guys have told me that emails are not delivering in the Gmail primary inbox and going to promotions tab in your Gmail. I suggest below two pro tips to get my email in your Primary inbox from next time.

• Add my From email address ([email protected]) to your Google Contacts list.
  Emails from your Google Contacts always go to their Primary inbox. So go ahead and add me to your contact list.
• Move your emails to the Primary tab.
  You can teach Gmail where to deliver your messages. When you move one of my emails from Promotions tab to the Primary tab, Gmail asks whether it should always deliver my emails in your primary inbox. So please do that. You can also read more about these Gmail Help instructions.

Tasty email updates are here.

“Saturday-Pentacle”

Saturday-Pentacle – Week 50 – 2016

Greetings my internet friends,

Here are some popular links, thoughts, and articles for today’s “Saturday-Pentacle” e-mail newsletter. This is a free newsletter and goes out every Saturday only for my subscribed readers.

Enjoy! 

Post of the week – How this amazing medium helped me read more than 9 hours a week?

This is a post from last year which got some traction recently, as people in India have also started moving towards this awesome medium of content consumption. Hope you enjoy the post and it’s helpful to you in a great way.

My most popular Instagram post recently — 3 Monks! This is one of the most popular posts on my instagram. I took this shot in Sarnath (Uttar-Pradesh, India) in March 2016.

Article I’m enjoying (and pondering) — Recently i’ve been really keen towards the shopify platform due to the value it creates for the e-commerce clients. This article inspired me a lot – The Story of Ugmonk: From Side Project to Lifestyle Product Empire.

Another awesome article i’m pondering over again – 5 Things to Do Before Bed That Will Jump Start Tomorrow.

What I’m Watching/listening to — From past few weeks i’m listen to this amazing Audio Book – We Learn Nothing: Essays by Tim Kreider. This book is like comedy wrapped in dark sarcasm. I love the narrative style of Tim. Go for this (UNABRIDGED) audio book if you want a great non-fiction listen. You may get some “Holy! Shit, i didn’t even think about it that way” type of life lessons in this book. Click the link of the book to get this audiobook, plus any one other audiobook out of the millions of audiobooks for free*.

A Quote I’m pondering on lately – 

“Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can’t see from the center. Big, undreamed-of things—the people on the edge see them first.”

-Kurt Vonnegut

Until Next Saturday!

Thanks for reading.

– Himanshu

I’m in love with Hyperlapse (from Instagram). Here is one of the good hyperlapes i shot while on my way to Vasai Virar Marathon 2016. Enjoy

• Travel Hyperlapse

Would you like to get a very short pentacle (5 items) e-mail from me every Saturday with the five coolest things I’ve found that week?

It might include books, music, articles, new hacks/tricks, photograph and last but not the least people.

These “Saturday-Pentacle” emails are only available if you subscribe to my e-mail newsletter. They will not be on the blog or anywhere else. This post is just a teaser to entice you to sign up.

Try it out for a week! Unsubscribing is easy, and there’s great stuff coming next Saturday.

Just submit your email address in the below form or right here –  and you’re set.

No spam, ever. Only great stuff.

Quick endnote – as a few of you guys have told me that emails are not delivering in the Gmail primary inbox and going to promotions tab in your Gmail. I suggest below two pro tips to get my email in your Primary inbox from next time.

• Add my From email address ([email protected]) to your Google Contacts list.
  Emails from a your Google Contacts always go to their Primary inbox. So go ahead and add me in your contact list.
• Move your emails to the Primary tab.
  You can teach Gmail where to deliver your messages. When you move one of my emails from Promotions tab to the Primary tab, Gmail asks whether it should always deliver my emails in your primary inbox. So please do that. You can also read more about these Gmail Help instructions.

(Disclaimer) * – This is an amazon affiliate link, if you use it and take a trial you’ll get 2 audiobooks for free and post that you can cancel it. Please take advantage of it, it will also help me out in getting some referral incentives.