Carving the Cards, Diving into the Childhood!

I’m blogging my #ColgateMagicalstories at BlogAdda in association with Colgate.

We all have a child in ourselves. It fades away with time. Recently, Colgate India introduced an incredible theme which can let your mind recollect your old memories (not so old). Yes, you will feel nostalgic if you complete the task they asked for.

It’s just the matter of doing it with fun. You have a scissor in your home, right? Well, then go on. In fact, I did it with my nephew Vivaan who is 9 years old. He solely took the charge to do it on his own. Combining the thoughts he expressed, here is something what he said to me while he was carving the cards.

“I managed to make it somehow and while I was cutting down the cards, I was automatically coming up with a fantasy, relating the characters and the ‘Fictional-Me’. I felt like I am the hero in the space, with all the planets and the sun accompanying me. I was immersed into the curves of the Saturn and the Sun wearing Goggles. Sun must feel so hot in itself. Haha.”

I felt glad and surprised after listening to this explanation. Really, he seemed to have enjoyed doing this puzzle. He also added,”I want to play more of this. Get me more of this.”

Many of us have an ”inner child” who has not been heard, seen, or treated in a healthy nurturing way. As a result, whether it is an inner child, adolescent, or younger adult, feelings of being ignored, abandoned, or not loved may be retained. In this digital age where smartphones have dominated our lives, we should do the silliest tangible but terrible thing. The memories of these feelings are carried into our adult life and often stored till the last cell of the brain decays.

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We all love to see the hero doing action. In our fantasy, we see ourselves as them, saving the world from the enemies. Relating the most practical part of this fun activity, I realised that we are the notorious, and chilled human who doesn’t care for the society but himself/herself.
“Let us liberate ourselves from any form of control. Let us focus at the inner drum, where the rhythm aligns with that of our heart. The measure of responsibility, equals to the need for evolution. Just listen, the inner child, let it whisper in your ear.”
― Grigoris Deoudis
colgateIndia Contest

As one famous author has said, “Imagination is our inner-child and creativity, its playground.” When we let ourselves do the innermost thing, our conscience shows us the potential and vulnerabilities within us that eventually tells us about ‘Real Us’. Isn’t it strange? It so does.

Note- I am the jumping guy in the rectangle shaped card who is the leader of the solar system, beating Sun’s Hotness with my Warm Welcoming Style of Showing Gratitude to all the Shinning Stars of the Space.

“Do you ever plan to grow up, Vivaan?” I asked.

“Not if I can avoid it, no.”

[Tips and Tricks] Photography: Learn and Do It the Professional Way

Photoshop is an extremely useful tool with myriads of features for image manipulation, and with every new version, more useful options are added. However, just because it has numerous capabilities, it doesn’t mean that anyone can tap into its full potential. Today, anyone who is running an online business, or an online store, relies heavily on Photoshop, since product images need to be enhanced and altered in a way so that they can be more attractive. Also, movie posters, book covers, album covers, etc. require Photoshop skills, if we want to see a quality product.

Unfortunately, a great Photoshop job requires a wide range of skills, and even though you can learn some of them online, it will still take an immense amount of time. In other words, mastering Photoshop is an extremely time consuming and tiresome endeavor.

In the following article, we will share some Photoshop tricks and techniques to help you out. These are not tutorials since, as mentioned, it is not something you can master easily. These are Photoshop premium actions or effects that can transform a whole image in a few clicks.

25 HDR Photo FX V.2Photoshop Trick

HDR stands for High-Dynamic Range Photography. It is an amazing technique which can help you create powerful imagery. It is a Photoshop package that includes 25 different effects that you can use to adjust images. There are also four sharpness levels, and as a bonus action, you can get a starburst generator which will allow you to create some impressive images.

Realistic Painting Effect V2Photoshop Tricks

This is one of the best effects that you can have for your pictures. It looks really cool, and the best thing about this painting action is that you can easily apply it to any image. This feature allows you to simulate the look of traditional oil paintings. You are going to have 15 different colors sets, layers that are fully editable and everything else you will need to express your creative side. If you want this type of graphic design that resembles a painting, this is the best Photoshop action for you.

90 Premium Actions SetPhotoshop Techniques

If you need numerous different actions or wider ranges of versatility, you should definitely go for the 90 Premium Action Set. Much like its name suggests you get 90 different looks that you can use to customize and edit photos. This allows you to create a wide spectrum of professional photos that can have a retro-vintage effect, or stunning black filters, and many others.

These will be useful if you are trying to create an online store and need to enhance the photos of your fashion accessories. With so many different actions, you can easily offer Photoshop services on freelancer platforms and successfully complete many Photoshop jobs.

Dimension PhotoshopPhotoshop Technique

Dimension Photoshop can give your photo an incredible fracture like effect, and it is an awesome action package for many purposes. You can use it to create more alluring fitness photos; you can use the effect for an awesome album or book covers, you can use it to express different emotions in the picture, etc. The package itself features eight different glass patterns as well as ten color options which can be mixed to create even more verity for images. The effect looks really good and, when you think that it only takes a few clicks to achieve, it makes this package only more alluring.

Fury Photoshop ActionPhotoshopTricks

If you need to create images that symbolize energy and power, then you have to try Fury Photoshop service. You are going to be really impressed. You can Photoshop athletes, action heroes, comic book characters, and all of them will look awesome. The effect is applied easy; all you need to do is brush over the era where you want to see fire-like colors and shapes, and press play, it is that simple. Once you download the action package, you will have access to additional instructional materials, and you will fully master this effect as a true Photoshop pro.

Advanced Double ExposurePhotoshopTechniques

If you need a package that is trendy nowadays, then you can’t go wrong with Advanced Double Exposure Photoshop Action. Merging two different photos and achieving an awe-inspiring effect was never easier, and with Advance Double Exposure, you will open up a whole world of new possibilities. This is an advanced level of manipulation made much more accessible and with 18 different colors; you will be able to pull off some amazing feats.

Noire PhotoshopPhotoshop Tricks Techniques

Lastly, in case you want to achieve a cinematic photo effect, or change images so that they are more glamorous and movie-like, then Noire Photoshop Action is the answer to your prayers. There are 12 different actions within the package, and you will also be provided with quality instructions, as well as fully adjustable effects.

As you can see, there are different ways to use Photoshop even if you lack the necessary experience to edit photos. In case you need more concrete or more specific options, then it would be best to find Photoshop services and outsource these jobs. Even though we can all successfully create beautiful pictures, there are some things that only a true Photoshop pro can do.

Playing With Etymology: The Irony Behind Every ‘Word’

1.Dentist:

One who is skilled in and licensed to practice the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, injuries, and malformations of the teeth, jaws, and mouth and who makes and inserts false teeth.

Seriously Humorous: A magician who puts metal into your mouth, and pulls a coin out of your pocket.

Read Round-2 here

2. Martyrdom:

The death that is imposed because of the person’s adherence of a religious faith or cause.

Creative Answer: The only way a man can become famous without ability.

3. Pilot:

A person who flies or is qualified to fly an aircraft or spacecraft.

Creative Answer: A person who spend most of the day looking out of the window.

4. Marketing Manager:

The marketing manager is a person who plans about how to promote products, services or brands and oversee all marketing activity.

Unmanageable Answer: Marketing manager is a person who thinks he can deliver a baby even if no man and woman are available.

5. Psychologist:

Someone who studies the human mind, human emotions and behavior, and how different situations have an effect on people.

Unattractive Answer: A man who watches everyone else when a beautiful girl enters the room.

6. Professor:

A teacher of the highest academic rank in a college or university, who has been awarded the title ‘Professor’ in a particular branch of learning.

Professing: Someone who talks in someone else’s sleep.

7. Economist:

A person who studies or has a special knowledge of economics.

Economic Answer: A person who knows more about money than the people who have it.

8. Gynecologist:

A physician who specializes in treating diseases of the female reproductive organs and providing well-woman health care that focuses primarily on the reproductive organs.

Plenty of answers: A gynecologist is a dentist for the downstairs mouth.
Who is authoritative to see others can’t/other dreams about.
A pervert with a medical degree.

9. Secretary:

A person employed by an individual or in an office to assist with correspondence, make appointments and carry out administrative tasks.

Creative Answer: Housewife for the office.

10. Hacker:

A hacker is any highly skilled computer expert capable of breaking into computer systems and networks using bugs and exploits.

Lazy Answer: A lazy person who by chance loves ‘all-computer’ and is happy that he now need not move from a place to earn money.

11. Archaeologist:

A person who studies human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains.

Ruined Answer: Man whose career lies in ruins.

12. Politician:

A person who is professionally involved in politics, especially as a holder of an elected office.

Selling Answer: Salespeople who sell voter’s dreams but deliver only nightmares.

13. Statistician:

A statistician is a math expert who uses huge amounts of data to figure out how likely it is that something will happen, like your chances of winning the lottery.

Statistical Answer: Someone who is good with numbers but lacks the personality to be an accountant.

14. Lawyer:

One whose profession is to give legal advice and assistance to clients and represent them in court or in other legal matters.

Argued Answer: One who takes a simple two-way promise and turn it into several complicated one-way promises which neither side can understand or hope to fulfill.

15. Editor:

A person who is in charge of and determines the final content of a newspaper, magazine, or multi-author book.

Edited Answer: A person employed on a newspaper whose business is to separate the wheat from chaff, and to see that the chaff is printed.

16. Diplomat:

A person appointed by a national government to conduct official negotiations and maintain political, economic, and social relations with another country or countries.

Diplomatic Answer: A person who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you actually look forward to the trip.

17. Consultant:

A consultant is a professional who provides expert advice in a particular area.

Simple Answer: Someone who borrows your watch, tells you the time and then charges you for the privilege.

18. Committee:

A person or group of persons elected or appointed to perform some service or function, as to investigate, report on, or act upon a particular matter.

Committed Answer: A group of people who keep minutes and waste hours.

19. Broker:

A broker is an individual or firm that charges a fee or commission for executing buy and sell orders submitted by an investor.

Brokerage: A broker is a person whose first five letters spells broke, more debts are spelled as a broker.

20. Barrister:

A person called to the bar and entitled to practice as an advocate, particularly in the higher courts.

Creative Answer: English derivation of the French term for the bastard.

21. Teacher:

A teacher is a person who helps others to acquire knowledge, competencies or values. In simple words, a person who teaches, especially in a school.

Manipulated Answer: A person who helps you solve problems you’d never have without them.

22. Doctor:

A person with a medical degree whose job is to treat people who are ill or hurt.

Godly-Human Answer: Someone who saves a life by chance.

23. Scientist:

A person who is studying or has expert knowledge of one or more of the natural or physical sciences.

Scientific Answer: Someone very confused, one who hasn’t yet found a specialization and refers himself by this general term.

24. Biologist:

A biologist is a scientist who focuses on living organisms, including plants and animals.

Biological Answer: Someone who doesn’t know how to classify what’s living and what’s non-living as yet.

25. Engineer:

A person, whose job is to design or build machines, engines, or electrical equipment, or things such as roads, railways, or bridges, using scientific principles.

Engineered: Someone who is not creative and considers creativity as not their domain.

26. Manager:

An individual who is in charge of a certain group of task, or a certain subset of a company.

Manageable Answer: Someone who takes credit for what delegates do and points finger at the delegates for something wrong he does.

27. Client:

A person or group that uses the professional advice or services of a lawyer, accountant, advertising agency, architect, etc.

Hilarious Answer: Client is the one who doesn’t know why he wants a baby.

28. Dancer:

A person who dances or whose profession is dancing.

Hip Hop Answer: Someone whose brain doesn’t move as quickly as the body.

29. Historian:

An expert in or student of history, especially that of a particular period, geographical region, or social phenomenon.

Just an Answer: Someone with a serious ‘Math Phobia’ at high school level.

30. HR Manager:

The individual within an organization responsible for hiring new employees, supervising employee evaluations, meditation between employees and bosses as necessary, and general overseeing of the personnel department.

Human Resourced Answer: Person who thinks that… a Donkey can deliver a Human Baby – if given 9 Months.

31. Quality Auditor:

An independent third party who carries out the quality audit.

Audited Answer: Person who is never happy with a delivered baby.

32. Civil Engineer:

An engineer who designs and maintains roads, bridges, dams, and similar structures.

Civil Answer: Draw up plans for something that will not be built according to those plans.

Original Source: BuzzFeed

Awesome Benefits of Automated Call Extensions in Mobile Ads

If you are a tech savvy then you must be well aware that the Google is going to launch automated call extensions for mobile ads which would start on Feb 6th, 2017. The automated feature that would be added to the call extensions would automatically fetch the phone numbers mentioned on the landing pages.

As the call extensions make it easy for the customers to contact you using your phone number, the automated call extensions will automatically enable the call extensions for your business along with the location extensions. Through this launch, Google has changed the way the mobile ads used to appear and it is going to impact the businesses which are dependent on the calls.

However, a question that arises in every business owner’s mind is how this update will benefit his business. Well, let us tell you the benefits that businesses would get from the automated call extension.

  • The automated call extensions will add to the value of the ads by making them more noticeable. Not only the CTR (Click Through Rate) for the ads will be improved but it will make it easier for the users to contact you.

  • The detailed report for the automated call extensions will include the call start time, call end time, call duration, call area code and the status of the call (i.e. whether the call was connected or not). Thus, you would be able to know the most effective part of your campaign.

  • The major benefit of the automated call extensions will go to the local businesses which are using call extensions. It will help them reach out the customers who are looking for the services in the particular area and in the proximity.

  • It will increase the relevance of the local businesses as only local phone numbers will be shown for the local searches. In the case someone is using dynamic phone numbers with the local address, that number will not be shown in the search.

In addition, the searchers are also going to be benefited as they will get only relevant results for their search.

Though this update is going to bring significant changes in the local search but the advertisers would need to pay for it. Those, who don’t want the call extensions for the phone numbers mentioned on their landing pages, can opt out of the automated extensions before Feb 6th. This can be done by opening “Automated extension options” in the “Ad extensions” tab under AdWords and then, checking the “Do not use specific automated extensions for this account”

This article is originally published here.

10 Must Visit Places in India for Food Lovers [Curated]

If there ever was such a thing as a food paradise, it is right here on Indian soil. The warmth and love of Indian hospitality can truly be felt with the heartwarming food that is made in its kitchens. The magic that is spun from the hands of India is sure to make every foodie’s mouth water. If you live to eat, head on over to any of these food havens in India and discover the joy of eating.

Hyderabad

Photo by Dheerajk88, CC BY-SA 4.0

The city of Nizams, Hyderabad is every food lover’s dream. The city is a delicious salad of Mughal, Turkish and Andhra cuisine giving the most delectable choices to everyone’s palate. The city’s name is almost synonymous to biryani with the Hyderabadi dum biryani a favorite in every part of the country. Other delicious choices offered by this cuty are Dum Pukht, Boti kebab, Malai korma and Maghaz masala (spicy and fried lamb’s brain.) 1

Delhi

Photo by Alpha, CC BY-SA 2.0

Let the (food) capital of India entice your taste buds with its spicy and flavorsome street foods. Savor in the North Indian cuisine with some lip-smacking paranthas from Paranthe waali gali in Chandni Chowk, the chaats from the street food shops, and some mouthwatering jalebis and gajar ka halwa to celebrate your happy moments.2

Lucknow

Photo by Kaveh, CC BY 2.0

Staying true to its regal past, the city of Nawabs has the best in store to satisfy your hunger. Relish the aromatic Galoti kebabs and Nahara kulcha. The Lucknow biryani is also a must try for its beautiful taste and fragrance. Eat like the Nawabs in this city offering legendary food for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.3

Kolkata

Photo by Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0

You can count on the Bengalis to prepare succulent and appetizing cuisine for you to devour. Try the puchkas and yummy rolls from the street corners or enjoy the various varieties of hearty fish curies. Other delicacies to try in this food heaven include Alu Posto and Sorshe Ilish (Ilish fish cooked with mustard paste.) Satisfy your sweet tooth by indulging in misti doi, Kaalakand and the evergreen Rasogulla.4

Darjeeling

Photo by Tavallai, CC BY-ND 2.0

Get captivated by the colonial charm of Darjeeling’s food. If you want to have a bite of the most authentic Mediterranean food, head on over to this quaint hill station. Indulge in some soft waffles, yummy pancakes and bacon, all with a North-East Indian twist.5

Amritsar

Photo by jasleen_kaur, CC BY-SA 2.0

The birthplace of dhabas and ghee-laden paranthas, Amritsar’s spicy, heavy and thoroughly tasteful delicacies are sure to linger on your taste buds long after your trip. The huge kulchas with the famous Amritsari chole, Amritsari fish, and Paneer Bhurji are going to make every kilo you gain absolutely worth it.6

Goa

Photo by Extempore, CC BY-ND 2.0

Goa, the perfect combination of revitalizing beaches and delectable seafood, is a must-visit for those whose love for food is bigger than their stomachs. Be sure to treat yourself to varieties of prawn, crab, squid and fish preparations. Accompany your seafood platter composed of Crab XecXec Curry and Ambot Tik Sour with the famous Feni, a strong, aromatic alcoholic drink.7

Kochi

The potpourri of flavors offered by Kerala are and will remain unmatched with the world. Kochi is sure to offer you a variety of choices in terms of authentic South Indian food, including the wholesome Kerala beef roast. Dive into the aromatic flavors of Kochi and eat monstrously to your heart’s content!8

Photo by Challiyil Eswaramangalath, CC BY-SA 2.0

Pondicherry

Photo by SEN, CC BY-SA 2.09

Pondicherry invites you to the exquisite blend of French and Indian cuisine. The little France of India serves not only the very best of the world-famous French cuisine but also some great traditional dishes. Transport yourself to a little French café and savor Salad Niçoise, Quiche and Coq au vin. The traditional delicacies at Auroville Asharam would bring you back to the Indian soil.

Kashmir

Photo by Colin Tsoi, CC BY-ND 2.010

India’s own heaven, Kashmir is gorgeous not just for its picturesque landscapes but also for its divine dishes. The unique flavors of Kashmiri dum aloo, Gogji Nadir and haakh are going to make you savor every ounce of these preparations. And if you’re in the mood for some royal treatment, enjoy the multi-course Kashmiri cuisine called Wazwan.

With so many varieties to choose from, your thirst for food is never going to run out of options in India. At every nook and corner, be sure to make your taste buds dance on a different rhythm at these 10 food hubs.