Invisible Shoes

For anyone who has been into running, and has had to grapple with small or big injuries induced by running, and has spent a good deal of time picking appropriate/perfect running shoes, this is a must watch/read. And for those who are interested in marketing and communication of any sort, this is a must must watch/read.

The oxymoron called INVISIBLE SHOES. And this is a positive note (I mean no contempt coz of it's oxymoronity). Click on the link and check. You'll see 'shoes' like these.

Shoes, these are shoes? And invisible, we are saying?

These are huaraches. (This isn't news, these are already quite popular.) If you were asked to wear huaraches by a Mexican tribesman, you would've frowned. A flaunty burly inebriated guy might have even kicked that tribesman with his Nike pairs :).

In the context of running and shoes-obsessed runners, the way to cut through was take a relative position. Compared to the stuffy big running shoes, of course they can be said to be 'invisible'. They are sandals but for guys wanting 'shoes', the way to make them look at this option is to call it a 'shoe'. And to charge whatever they are charging (which isn't a big deal), the prices of current crop of shoes is a good benchmark.

I might get one of these soon enough :).

What do you need for a new business model?

A new routine. A set of new habits. A new way to relate to the world. A new kind of persistence. A new form of compassion. A new level of tolerance. A new way of reading. A new way of buying. A new way of spending. A new way of analogizing. A new way of working. A new way of dressing. A new way of smiling. A new way of expressing gratitude. A new way of respecting.

Inadvertent disrespect, is it?

Early morning I called up Justdial to get in touch with some guys who offer injection-moulding services. Out of the few results I received via SMS, I picked one which was nearest to my place and dialed the number.

After an exchange of hellos and explaining how I got his number, I asked, "Do you offer injection-moulding services?"

Guy says, "Yes."

I try to explain to my requirement, "I want to get a box made in transparent plastic material..."

He doesn't let me complete. Blurts out, "Time nahi hai!"

Taken aback, I respond, "Kya matlab time nahi hai?!"

"Matlab ki spare capacity nahi hai."

"Oh, ok!" I hang up.

One of the most amazing things about entrepreneurship is bearing and negotiating your way through numerous such conversations as you are trying to set things up.

Politeness isn't just being nice on the face (and talking whatever behind the back). Politeness is a face of the respect one holds deep within for just being human and for appreciating humanness. Business or no business is at best a consequence, to which politeness, along with many other factors, contributes.

The Kaaju Effect

Just had a couple of samosas from Gwalia. I had to carefully extricate the kaaju pieces from the samosas.

On other occasions, I've found kaajus in pav-bhaaji at Honest too. I won't be surprised if someone somewhere has introduced kaajus in burgers and pizzas too.

I haven't found kaaju to add in any manner whatsoever to the taste in such preparations. At best, it has only destroyed my enjoyment from such food.

Am sure Gwalia or Honest charge a good deal coz they use kaaju and sort of show that they make high-quality food. And guess majority of the foodies also find it like that coz this has been going on for long now.

No butt

Everytime (and I've done that many many times), in response to what the other person has said, I've started my point/argument with a 'no' or 'but', it hasn't quite worked out.

I can't recall specific instances coz there are many instances. I've observed others also do the same with great frequency. Starting talks with 'no' or 'but'.

'No' and 'but' are immediate refusals. In being refusals, they are also tools of verbal aggression. As instinctive as we all are, the other person's shields also come up as quickly as the utterance of those words.

The alternative ways might be long-winded. They might take a little more time. But they might work faster and more congenially than 'no's  and 'but's.

Barefoot Running Shoes in India (Post # 4)

Shoe-mania that I have, especially for the ones meant for running and workout, I've been trying the barefoot types from various brands.

I received the FILA Skeletoes just a couple of days back. They look similar to Vibrams FiveFingers. And the quality is also good. Haven't gone running yet but they feel good and sturdy.

I use the red VivoBarefoot for running often and they don't disappoint. Very light and airy.

The Vibrams pair was the first in the series of barefoot shoes I've tried. My experience in these has been the best so far. Vivo has softer soles than the Vibrams. When on the ground, I like the slightly harder soles better. For general purposes softer soles are fine but while running, Vibrams feel better.

In each of the above-tried shoes I have one and the same problem. Since I sweat rather profusely, obviously the shoes start emitting an unpleasant smell. So I have to wash them rather frequently. Let's say after every second run.

So, in my search for the perfect (where I feel closest to the ground, in which the soles feel fairly sturdy and in which I can wear socks) barefoot shoes, I came across Merrell. Since this is the normal age-old shoe shape, wearing socks is easy. I found out that Merrell shoes use the same tough Vibrams barefoot soles. But the disappointing part is, like Vibrams FiveFingers and Fila Skeletoes, Merrell Gloves (yes, they call these shoes Gloves) are not available in India!

So I reckon when I get a chance, I'll get these. Most likely, my search for the perfect barefoot running shoes might be answered for some time at least.

BHK - Residential Architecture thinking

Check the letters highlight by the red circle above. Says 3BHK. B stands for bedroom, H for Hall, K for kitchen. That's what typical residential projects highlight.

How much space does an individual typically get in this country? Parks and tracks are very limited to say the least. Either hopelessly maintained or crowded to the brim.

And the specific space which is always available to a common man, is called bedroom. That's right. That word has 'bed' embedded. And since it's a bedroom, the central element of the room is bed. So what is a person likely to do? Hit the bed and laze or sleep.

I reckon, instead of calling it bedroom, if it were called personal-room, it would be far better. The emphasis would move from 'bed' to the person and how he would use the available space.

Also perhaps, the space might not necessarily be filled with bed. It could just as well be free for this person to do whatever. Bed could be spread or unfolded when needed.

Having personal space could be the biggest factor in cultivating habits that lead to fit and healthy bodies.