Vane Sun

Like this image. It is so appealing to look at. Caught my eye instantly. It's from Standford University's Solar Center site. There's nothing fantastic about the image. It just looks good.

Circular Pyramid

Also on C2C is this image of a circular pyramid. I knew there were pyramids in other parts of the world besides Egypt, but I don't remember seeing circular ones. It's a great photo taken from a vacationer. I've seen other images of this pyramid and this easily is the best. The location and view and the richness of the color make it exceptional.

Circular Pyriamid
at the archeological site called Guachimontones,
in the town of Teuchitlan

This site is about an hour away from the town of Tequila, which is known for the spirit of the same name. Tequila is made from blue agave. What's less known is that blue agave is also the source of the newly discovered natural sweetener called agave or agave syrup.

I've not tried this stuff yet, but I'm a fan of it because it comes in a very natural form, meaning very little processing, unlike refined sugar. It's healthier because it has a lower glycemic index rating than sugar, and it's sweeter which allows you to use 25% less for the same flavor. It's expensive right now, but I hope it catches on and becomes the new standard over that bleached out junk that is all over in the U.S.

In this image, you can see why it's called 'blue' agave. Close up it seems greener, but a field of them seen from a distance shows the 'blueness' which more readily.

It is the heart of the agave plant, the piña, that is the source of the nectar. Here you can see it's size in relation to a person. It looks like a giant pineapple with the stem cut off.


Here are cut blue agave ready for transport. See the field of them growing in the background.

Blue Sun

Rare Atmospheric Event: Blue Sun @ Giza

This was pointed out at C2C. It comes from a site called PyramidCam Live which updates a live images of the Giza pyramids every 30 seconds. The blueness is said to come from smoke in the air.

There's also a time lapse sunset over Giza there.

A Reminder of Where Our Strengths Lie

I came upon this site a while ago and then lost touch with it. This is something good to revisit regularly. Part of the Daily Dups.

Well, I came across the older Blogger version of the site. I found a revealing study of body language that compares two photos:

"Body language is another of those right brain languages that we can learn to improve our intuition. This young woman works for Hooters, an extablishment which makes a point of eye cand and the illusion of easy women.

But take another look. Could her body possibly be more closed off? Both arms and legs are crossed and arms are crossed over the crucial area. (Also, her eyes reveal that her smile is inauthentic.)

Now look at the young woman sitting in the backseat of the car.

Arms and legs wide open, arm draped askance across leg. This woman is a much easier approach. Now combine this with your own knowledge of facial expressions. The Hooters lady's face says "yes but no". The lady to the left is actually exhibiting classic signs of female "aggression", meaning "come get me".

To learn more about body language from an intuitive place, I have a series of articles you can browse HERE. These pages are especially good for picking up dating cues."

More noteworthy is a comment at the end of one post that spoke of a new TV show that showcases introvert qualities in its heroes. They are FBI profilers who are skilled into tapping into criminal minds to anticipate what they will do next so they can be caught before they do it.

"Not the best written show on tv by any means, yet it is interesting to see the importance given to the inner world. This is our forte as introverts and sure enough, a cast full of them!"

Introverts are naturally gifted in understanding the inner worlds of folk. We live in their own inner world much of the time. And we have great empathy, so we can comprehend what it's like for others easily.

The last part of the post is a great reminder to me said in a humorous way, which makes it even easier to keep in mind.

It reminds me that most folk I will run into will be extroverted. Because of this, they will not be as perceptive, sensitive, subtle, or emphatic.

I've had many personal experiences that exemplify this reality. Experiences where folk could not give me the understanding that I gave them time after time. Instances of mean and cruel treatment for no reason. I did not do anything to these people. They just find being this way amusing and don't have the capacity to feel for how it effects the other person.

But what about them? Can't them they comprehend this when it is done to them? No. They are so outwardly focused that they can't even comprehend it when it happens to them. They don't feel so deeply. They don't sense so acutely.

"This show is a reminder of where our strengths lie. If you can get into someone else's mind you sure aren't an extrovert. They can't even get into their own minds :-)"

Payne Park

I served as a juror yesterday. While being sequestered in a back room, the seven of us (one alternate which ended up being me) made small talk in this unnatural setting of being unable to talk about what was most on our minds: the present situation which brought us together.

A large window gave view of a large number of tennis courts. The most I've seen in Sarasota. We talked small, so to speak, about whether it was public or private, or maybe part of the nearby high school. There was a track behind it that was distinguishable by its orange-colored surface. I wanted to find out more about this and made a mental note to look it up later. I knew that Payne Park was in this area and looked that up first. Sure enough, there had been recent renovations and among the additions were tennis courts and a track made of a very cushiony surface.

I was happy to find a track that was open to the public. It's a half-mile long with mild curves and seems to even vary in grade a bit. I plan to make a visit some time soon. If it is what it appears from a distance, I plan to make it a regular place to visit for the Bubblin Fizz. I hope to find other surprises like maybe a place to do Nups & Lollies, and various surfaces and obstacles to try some Hakbang Moomin.

Once again, developments arise as I progress. The opportunity comes as I am ready for it.

Body Language

Yahoo! had an article called Three Nonverbal Keys to Negotiation. It is basically about body language. Nothing new, but the reminding is good. I'm recollecting the parts I found useful and want to keep in mind. These have been recommended to use while negotiating, but can be used all time.

The first is called the power stance. It is a stance that reflects authority. It is common sense. Keep both feet planted, about shoulder width apart. That looks solid because it is a stable stance. Aikido and other Asian Arts takes it one step further by having one foot forward with the other back. This gives fore and aft stability. In this position, you can keep better balanced if pushed from the front or behind, and you can lean more forward or back.

Another part of the stance is to keep the shoulders high and back while keeping relaxed. Another obvious way to express sureness and project authority. If you overdo it, thought, you look like you're trying too hard or you're overly self-involved and cocky. Cocky is a good word for this; it is so much like a rooster.

Also, hold the head high with the neck directly underneath. This is also recommended in Feldenkrais. Keeping the head and neck (and the rest of the body for that matter) in a balanced, neutral position puts the least stress and wear on the body, conserves your energy, and allows you to relax more easily. And as this article states, it also projects authority. I see a lot of people with this flaw in posture. It really does make them look unsure and timid. It is so revealing. I've seen guys who are large and muscular and tall with their heads bent forward. It negates the authority of their size. A lot of tall people do this. Along with slumped shoulders. Especially gals. You can gather that it's probably they feel awkward being taller than a lot of guys. And insecure tall people, in general, don't like the way their height draws attention to themselves.

The last two parts are stomach in and arms relaxed at sides. Relaxed arms shows a calm confidence. And stomach in displays a stable core. They should add a slightly arched back. Core stability comes from all directions. The key is to keep a neutral position. This is where balance gives you effortless power. You can hold up you body easily in this position. Being relaxed this way lets you use your energy for other things.

A good tip in the article is to not lean against anything. You think it's more restful, but even better is to stand and sit straight in a neutral position. It's the most relaxed way to be still in space.

They also remind to sit with feet planted, too, instead of crossing the legs or sliding feet under you. I've been very conscious of how the legs look better this way while sitting.

Another good tip that body language source all talk about is the effect of leaning forward or back. They say one exudes energy and the other expresses relaxedness. Good to use in negotiation, I see. If you want to dominate and get attention and express more authority, lean forward. If you do it while listening, the other feels like you upped your interest in what they're saying. The other really feels like you are listening. If you want to appear unfazed and confident and unshaken, lean back. While listening, though, thus makes it look like you lost interest or just don't care at all.

A quick reminder: Crossing arms communicates that you want to put a barrier between you and the other person. It can betray your feelings; that you are feeling vulnerable and defensive. In can be used to your advantage, too. You can communicate that you are not in agreement with the other by crossing your arms and shaking your head, No. Is also useful when reading other people's body language.

What I got about hands is to refrain from touching in most cases. This includes yourself: Don't touch your face. I've been observing this for a while now since I read that rubbing the side of the nose or scratching the ear or side of the face is a sign of a deceptive comment. Sometimes the person is lying. Sometimes the person is unsure or uncomfortable with the comment. I saw it a lot on TV when a celebrity was being interviewed and is asked an awkward, personal, or revealing question.

Another good hand tip is that any kind of gripping with the hands is a sign of discomfort. It might reveal that you are uneasy, intimidated, or unsure.

It was a good reminder that people's feelings are revealed most in their eyes. Making eye contact is well-known. Making eye contact with everyone involved is a good detail. Another good reminder is that an authentic smile involves the eyes. Also, that dilating pupils reveals excitement. They say it reveals interest, but I think it might reveal fear as well.

Negative actions with the eyes are to blink often and to look away when someone is talking to you. They say the more a person blinks, the less trusted that person is. Looking away obviously reads as a lack of interest or more interest in other things.



Well, this has gone on too long. Here are the key points I want to remember:

• You can project authority with your stance and stride. The easiest and most natural way to do this is to find a balanced position.
• Don't lean against a wall or anything else. It is more restful to stand on your own in a balanced neutral position.
  
• What you do with your arms and hands reveals a lot about how you feel and what you're thinking. Touching your face for no reason is an example.
• Leaning forward shows interest. Leaning back shows you are calm and relaxed.
• Eye contact (and lack of it) has a powerful effect.
• Gripping with your hands reveals tension.
• The more you blink, the less you are trusted. So they say.
• Watch for those dilating pupils!
  
• Observe other people when interacting with them. Instead of being self-conscious and nervous, put your attention on what they are revealing to you. You will be a much better communicator in all kinds of interactions.