mAnIaC !

Feddie or Rafa ?

2012-01-26T16:20:00.002+05:30

Clash of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at today’s Australian Open, is giving me goose bumps!

These great legends have their own set of fan following. Its not that the fans dislike or disrespect the other person, but it’s just there.Why these two groups exist? Well, deep down, we all know…

Nadal, on one hand, is composed, aggressive, deterministic and has sheer passion to play to win. Federer, on the other hand, is cool, calm, serene, and is pure class! I assume that It is these characteristics that people get influenced from, see in them, that inspires them.. motivates them!

This got me thinking, on the lines of these charactersitics… Who am I? Is it Fedex or Rafa? Or Rather, what charactersitics would I like to imbibe? I would say – a little bit of both! I would like to be cool and calm, but aggressive sometimes; discover some passion, and behave as a pure class! I would not only like to play my part effortlessly, but also play some part which defies the logic! That’s been Federed v/s Nadal for me since ages!

When I see such exhibits of inspiration, it motivates me and for a while, it feels that I’ve got it all figured out. But then, again I lose some focus, and await another exhibit of the same kind, and I start all over again! This has been on going with me for quite a while now, but it seems alright for now, and I’ll keep looking! Such doses are necessary I guess, to move ahead!

So, yeah, I've it all figured out ;). I would've looked out for me if I were you.. :)

After a long pause...

2011-12-28T15:18:00.002+05:30

Whoaaaa! My hands are trembling, while attempting this piece of writing!

Its been long. One year ago, was my last post! Not that I was away from writing; however, did take up a different kind of writing for a while! It was nice, and fruitful. So, don't feel the disconnect!
And yes, getting married can keep the blogging away!

So, milte hai break ke baad.... is affirmative! Its cool to be back!

Cricket World Cup, as I saw it!

2011-04-03T00:44:00.005+05:30

02-April-2011, just before the 2pm match, I put my Facebook post (Yes, Facebook had taken over the normal blogging then, if you are reading this blog after several years!):

Just Imagine... You play, and make your nation proud; some say you are the greatest batsman in the world; a very few like you, as the rest worship you - they call you the GOD of cricket. But you think there is yet, one unaccomplished goal - to bring THE CUP home ! No matter what the result, With all due respect, hats-off to you, Sachin! (The entire nation bows!)

Really, it was a moment when Sachin was called THE greatest batsman Cricket would have ever seen, who had already scored 99 centuries then, was in top form, scoring maximum runs already in the World Cup 2011 tournament! Needless to say, people did have expectations from GOD, expectations that 1983 would again return after 28 odd years, as GOD was playing our side, may be for the last time for the World Cup!

I was just wondering the whole day, what would be going on in Sachin's mind. Fragment of my imagination:

As a lad, I wanted to play good Cricket, and of course WIN the CUP for my NATION! Now that I am a good sportsman who has done pretty well, people have dearest of expectations from me; some even go on the verge of referring me as GOD of CRICKET. But am I , really the GOD? If I fail today, I would be referred to as GOD, who could not WIN his dream, could not win the WORLD CUP!

However, after the spectacular clash between the Indians and Lankans, WE DID IT! We were the CHAMPIONS! The CUP was OURS!

What I would like to cherish is not the game itself, but the sentiments that followed.

Yes. The feeling was indescribableJ. I pinched myself as I doubted myself:

“Is this really happening? Did I just watch each and every ball of the match where my India took the WORLD CUP? WE ARE the WOLD CHAMPIONS? The Master got what he once wanted? ” Pinch! Pinch! “Did I just view HISTORY being created in front of my eyes?”

What better way for Sachin to play great batsman’s innings through life, and what better way for the entire team to payback the gratitude, by winning him the world cup!

What followed immediately, was a scream; a scream so loud out of my window expressing the mixed feelings of love, anger, desperation, happiness, pride, and contentedness. Something made us all back home, feel fuller and good for being a part of the nation; your own nation!

The very next thing I recollect is putting several Facebook wall posts, ALL IN CAPS! Seems to be funny now, but would like to cherish those posts, those words which flew seamlessly, boundlessly:

DONE DONE DONE!

I LOST MY VOICE SCREAMING!!!

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT SINCE 1983!

I AM PROUD TO BE VIEWING EACH AND EVERY BALL OF THE WORLD CUP, WHICH WE WON SINCE I WAS BORN!!!! SOMETHING FOR SURE, TO TELL TO THE GENERATION TO COME!!!

BRAVO!! BRAVO!!! BRAVO!!!

THIS PHASE OF MY LIFE IS CALLED - EVEN SEEING THE GOD PLAY, CRY AND WIN!!!! NOW, HE CAN ACCEPT WHAT PEOPLE CALL HIM - GOD !!!

Just watched GOD shake hands even with the security person on the field! That's how down to earth you should be! That's why he is GOD!

HE HAS CARRIED THE BURDEN FOR THE NATION FOR 21 YEARS. IT IS NOW TIME TO CARRY IT ON OUR SHOULDERS. - VIRAT KOHLI!!

IT IS THE PROUDEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE. ---SACHIN!!!

What followed were celebrations on the roads accompanied by several hundred cries, bikes, cars, loud music of dhol, jam packed traffic and what nots – everything NOT UNDER CONTROL!

When I look back now, I still get the Goosebumps. But what I cannot make up my mind still is: Was I happy because India won the world cup? Or was I happy because India won the world cup with Sachin on the squad!

Taking the Plunge

2010-12-19T00:04:00.006+05:30

I am seeing a simple, sweet, innocent girl with a lovely charismatic face. And it all comes back to me, and it all comes back to me...

Ever wondered, why certain things that happened, did happen? You cannot tell why something happened today, but you join the dots only connecting backwards!

Life progresses and the little baby grows into a child, and the child into a boy. As he reaches puberty, his thinking matures as the life advances. The materialistic world gets him, and the responsibilities start piling up. He makes many friends on the way, but even good friends move on. He wonders, why the good times with friends can't stay forever. He makes new acquaintances, which leads him to the acquaintances of those acquaintances, and then...

Sees an adoloscent innocent face with her hair reacting to the gushing cool breeze coming from the nearby window. The Mumbai - Pune train travel, never felt so much soothing. Only, if you could see that smile on the face.. !! You introduce yourself, and immediately realize that you have made a stupid impression! You talk, talk and talk! Talk about nothing, Talk about something and talk about everything. And she listens, and listens.

You sit in the garden for a long time, just to be with her. Just to listen to her, Just to talk to her, Just to see that smile of hers. You discuss about the beauty of the moon, which otherwise never attracted your slightest attention before. You visit the coffee house again and again, watch countless movies together, try all different cuisines, and may be even watch that CIRCUS show.
You meet her, then you want to meet her, then you need to meet her, and then may be only for a while, she goes away. Now, you die to meet her.

When she is back, you hold her hand, and she places her head on your shoulders, and your head falls on her. You have your cute little fights on who missed whom more. You also know that she is the one, and she knows it too... but still no one would express the three little words!

You then gather some courage, and invite her to a quite little place for two. The magnificient roof top ambience with very old romantic live music, is wooing her. She knows what might happen. You excuse yourself for a bathroom break. And when you are back, you arrive wearing a suit, and holding on to a red rose. Then you utter the three magical words... and you are relieved that you did it. You finally did it. She then holds your hand, and that is all the answer that you need. That is all, the answer that you need.

You now plan, on what next, and the dilemma of convincing the society haunts you both. Will they agree, or won't they, makes your nights sleepless. You finally risk it, and to your surprise, things readily fall into place. You cannot believe yourself.

What dots of life it has been, and how they marvellously connect. Holding the ring this christmas eve, my eye meet yours and ...

I am seeing a simple, sweet, innocent girl with a lovely charismatic face. And it all comes back to me, and it all comes back to me.

Shopping in the narrow gullies of Mumbai...

2010-11-06T22:40:00.003+05:30

To start with, I am not a GUCCI or PRADA guy, even if I would be found frequently hanging around a MALL, buying some cheap stuff that I don't really need :). Frankly, I very much HATE the MALL culture, but choose to live with it.

I am not very sure about others, but if you are a GUJARATI person living in Mumbai, and would like to do some feminine shopping in bulk, you do not hit a MALL, but you head to south Mumbai, into the narrow streets of Zaveri Bazaar (for Jewellery), Hanumaan Gali and Bhuleshwar(for clothes), and other adjacent streets, for anything and everything.

These streets are really old, narrow, and not-so-clean. Buying stuff from the stalls, would give the first time spectator a feeling that you are buying some cheap stuff off the road, as the shop would not be equipped with four walls an air-conditioner, or even a fan for that matter. But only if someone were to tell you that these wholesale dealers are the same people who deliver the goods in the elite shopping malls of Andheri or Bandra, would he/she really belive it? No, you may not! But then I wondered why I didn't otherwise see any manufacturing factory, of say, Sala Liketan.

We surpassed some utensils shop, which was really of insignificant size and shape and it looked like the owner might be just smart to make his two ends meet. But he actually turned out to be the sponsor for all the benches, and related furniture for all the municipal schools in vicinity. Great, ain't he? We had a look at where the very famous garment owner (name witheld), who would earn in crores, lived! It was really just a shanty place.

We then visited an atleast 50years old UDIPI place, which was again a very shabby place. But only if you would have had his wada, dosa, and especially chutney (coconut, and morogapuddi), you would have exclaimed it ONE OF THE BEST SOUTH INDIAN CUISINE you would have ever had!

All such historic places and its importance, made me wonder - do the best of businesses flourish in such quiet/shanty/shabby places? And would you, as a consumer rather sweat and buy something off the unclean roads? Or would the MALL culture eventually take you over?

P.S.:
Well, I also happened to see the hangout places, where my parents used to meet during their pre-married days ;)

Today, after a long time, I had the privilege to walk through the narrow streets of Mumbai again. We covered Davaa Bazaar, Zaveri Bazaar, Hanumaan Gali, Panjra Pol, CP Tank and a few other narrow gullies, which I do not remember, and I simply loved it :) If you've been in and around in Mumbai, and still have not paid a visit to these places, I am sorry, but you are YET to SEE Mumbai! This is not an overstatement, it very much remains a fact!

On being Four

2010-08-15T14:10:00.002+05:30

On Aug 14, I completed 4 years of my professional life. So, kudos to me and my friends!
For all those do not know, I completed 4 years of my IT (software) job in the same company, which I code-name in my posts as Nirvana! And what 4 years these have been! Wow!!! Fresh from college, we were a part of this organization, and we've definitely come a long way!

I still remember the tinkle in my Dad's eyes, when I told him that I got this job! He was happy to know that my first paycheck would outweigh his salary of his 28th year! Man, I could never forget that day, that moment!

Hmm.. so how do I feel, what do I think, what did I learn, where do I stand, and most importnatly - what next? Too many questions for me to answer. Here are a few thoughts:

Foreword:

We were a bunch (8, to be precise) of fresh graduates put together, to be labeled as Project team for the Indian wing.
So, it was just another college for us (lets call it Niravana), with just one exception - we were paid!

Coherent Feelings - Then and Now!

When we came here, we shared a thought - I am here to work, for this organization. Now, I think - This is my organization. First we tried to abide by the rules, now we lay our own rules.. now that's a rocking feeling!

On a lighter side...

However, there is another thought we shared back then - This is my cubicle, my another home. Now, we think - This is company's cubicle, and I want to go home :P !!! Just kidding!

What did I learn/realize

There is hell lot of difference when it comes to work for an organization, than what you actually perceive. Back then, we wanted to be the best - best programmers, for instance. However, now we think that there is more than to being the best! Its to know what you are NOT best at! Yes, to know your weakenesses! That does help.
I tried my best to share my knowledge, my thoughts.. The best part is when your mentee becomes a mentor, and you are proud that you once shared something with him!
Be open - discuss and resolve. There is nothing more important than talking... talking honestly, talking practically!
Do not settle, look out for a better solution. Of course, constraint matters!
The most difficult parts of projects are achieved by taking small & simple, yet effective steps.
Admit and accept your mistakes. If you did it wrong, come forward and admit/accept the same. It helps you grow.
Do not panic come-what-may. This is where experience comes in handy. Consider the problem, to be half-solved if you can still keep your head cool during crisis situations!
Also, am thankful, for all the overseas opportunities (14 in number) which I got, which helped me to learn a lot, just by interacting with the people across the globe! The key in understanding them, and delivering them with the best, lies in being simple. Now, being simple is usually really difficult to achieve!

What is it that I wish to achieve

What I wish to achieve from here on is to BUILD A CULTURE.

Build a culture, where in all the people, whether big or small, new or old, would come in and contribute.
If you know some good technical stuff - share! Do not hesitate, just share as much as you know. Never mind if you are not the master of that domain. Just come and share.
Always think - Which are the top-of-the-stack things around me which I would like to change? Now, work on the top 3 to make it happen!
Plan out for some activity - like playing/partying/some outing! Just plan, and drag all those are around. It helps in the longer run. A combination of (Work+Play) is unbeatable!
Try NOT to follow the process, but be optimistic, so as to improvise on it! Improvise, innovate, and be open to it.

What next?

Read a big fat question mark here. I really need a few pointers here, to be able to figure out my immediate next goals to work on.

Well, the whole post, went a bit corporate/nerdy... however, the bottom line is - I do not regret my past four years - I enjoyed every bit, I learned every moment; but in the coming years, I still need to explore what I really want from life. The hunt is still on.. and I will not settle... will keep looking for what would I really like to do!

Me and my worse situations

2010-08-06T06:13:00.005+05:30

Funny, Jolly, Laughing at your worst of moments kind of guy that you might be, you still would have passed those 's***ty' situations! Shit, it happens. Yes, it does!

"Accept it. Don't look back, Forget it, and MOVE ON" are the super words, that you will hear, even from the usual not-at-all-philosophers around. And you want to get pass it, and you manage to go few miles too, almost forgetting about those situations.. yes, almost!

The worst part of the shitty situation is that, even if you manage to forget it, it WILL (note caps) be remembered! And REMINDED! Not by you, but by your so-called loved ones around! Somehow, they derive pure immense pleasure, and leave no tables unturned in going down your memory lanes, and bringing it all back! And history keeps repeating, every few miles.. in an infinite loop! And then, it takes a wile for you to be back to the present, and again re-iterating the forget-and-move-on process.

Looking on how to get a permanent fix here? Doesn't seem quite. Just forming a re-iteration process flow here:

Close your eyes, and tell yourself.. you've got through this before, you can do it for one more time.
Always remind yourself - You are a good person. That is the only thing true.
SMILE, and try to give it a laugh, though falsified.
Try to detach your conscious from the obvious. A good memory should help.
A quick nap could do wonders.
Get up, and tell yourself in the mirror - "Idiot. Its OK. Get Going."

And if nothing works, just give a firm tight slap to you, and greet yourself morning, for a new day!

Its a ladder!

2010-05-16T16:07:00.000+05:30

I’ve realized a few things:

· Life is Great.

· God is Great.

· Nothing is as consistent as change and transformation.

There was a time, when we spent Rs. 2 per day (Re. 1 on both sides, by bus). Then, we spent a couple of bucks, every Thursday for Puja Malai Gola. Every Saturday, got us a slice of Monginis Slice Cake (Worth Rs. 3/-), and banana wafers for the half day at school.

Then, we bought MTNL telephone. And then a brand new Television. How can I even forget the AKAI Music Cassete Player! Then a high class bulky VCD Player. Then a washing machine. And Bengali Sweets everytime, our results arrived. And a hit movie together for the family every 5-6months! All in all, a happy family of 4, enjoying life as it comes.

Then something happened. Threatened, as we were, we kept together. I managed to get a job, and we took off yet again. We got our house renovated, our furniture in place, a nice marble temple, a nice furnished bedroom; an Air Conditioner; nice flooring. Laptop and Digital camera soon followed. So did 5-6 mobile phones, 2 bikes, a bigger television, a new showcase, and a few negligible things not worth mentioning today (auto travels only, Twice a week @ Puja Malai Gola, Sweets and Cakes all around, New phones, etc).

The whole point is, it has been like a perfect ladder, the climbing one. You still remember where you came from, how you rose, and where you stand today. This amazes me, when I connect the previous dots of my life, looking back. And so, I still wish to be the same person, who existed in the childhood, aka so called “down to earth” person, always ready to live/survive as we did a few years back! I always fear to fall down the ladder, and lose it all. Well, let it come some day, but that day is not today! What the heck, I fly Kingfisher today!!!

P.S.: The Kingfisher experience somehow completes and complements my last 12 international travels. There is a definite adrenaline rush I am feeling, while entering the Kingfisher aircraft!

P.S.2: A few hormonal imbalances, are making me write sentimental posts. I’ll very soon be back to being myself!

Me, Mobile and the superpowers

2010-05-16T09:35:00.003+05:30

I am growing a lot superstitious, these days, thanks to the events around me exhibiting a paranormal behavior.

The time was 1st Week of October 2006, and I got my Sony Ericsson W700i mobile, with which I lived happily ever after, until a couple of hours back! An amazing phone, with some real thinking put in its making, I am too tired explaining its features to all around me.

Getting back on the superstitions. The actors involve one friend who disliked my cell phone as it reminded someone of the someone, the other friend who didn't like my liking for the phone, and one more person, who wanted to gift me a cell phone. All three of them, had one thing in common - Yup! Ladies! The third person being my mom.

Anyways, the first friend raised a strong urge to talk me out to buy a new cell, which I readily declined. The second friend supported her, and I turned deaf. This happened for a few days, until my mom came up with an idea to gift me - a cell! C'mon! How did she know??? They never communicated. And I never needed one!

How could 3 people living at 3 different places, come up with a common purpose.

To all the three PowerPuff Ladies - When I don't pick up the phone, its because 'I' am @ fault, not my cell!

Eventually, I succumbed to the pressure, cash flew in, sky thundered, and I ended up buying a new cell! Life is very much above science!

Blog Checkpoint

2010-05-05T18:05:00.002+05:30

"Have a look @ your old posts! Analyze Yourself! Draw out conclusions!" - that was one of the items on my list for today.

I am happy to see that in approx last 3.5 years, I covered a varieties of topics, ranging from humor, to office politics, to covering entire events, self-made theories, a lot of annoying crying posts, travel posts, new ideas posts, a few adventurous posts!

However, what was surprising, is that I expected my posts to be novice, at the start, and growing/maturing in the end. This didn't happen! Except for a few buzz words here or there, seems that, I still write the same. No regrets.

Also, going by the no. of posts (6 posts through Oct 2006, to just 3 posts in the entire 2007, 16 Posts in 2008, 24 Posts in 2009), I took off well, only exception being just 3 posts in the entire 2007! Seems someone was working way too hard those days!

And I managed just 7 followers until now, which is too low a number, given that blogging would be the only thing, I wish to do post-retirement.

In the end, I managed to float a few old blog posts, to people concerned, and it was fun re-connecting. Worth blogging.

My Day

2010-05-05T10:30:00.003+05:30

A new day has come. I always wanted to do this; by 'this' I mean enjoying my sick leave. After "I trust you :)" message from my manager, as against my severe neck-pain, here I am, sitting on my bed, totally clueless, what to do today. There is just one goal - to enjoy my sickness. How could I ever find some company in doing such crazy things? So, I am left with myself, for the rest of the day. Or am I gonna be lucky? Nevertheless, A new day has come.

Just going by the last read HBR article, I'll spend next 18min, planning on what to do today (am poor with the chronological order):

Blog.
Enjoy the water sprinkler in my garden.
Make my favorite Baingan Bharta.
Rest (High Hopes!)
Maggi (Its been long. It is time).
Finish "Sherlock Homes", the movie, today being 7th day in a row, with last 30min remaining.
Go somewhere out, else, I'll be all the more sick.
Blog.

Unlikely, as it sounds, but am loving this day! Truly worth it. A well deserved break, indeed. And you've got to do, what you love most: Nothing! That's how, I am gonna sum it - Nothing!

Publishing this post has a cipher in it, explanation of which, should go right away to my secret blog.

.

2010-04-28T20:17:00.001+05:30

[.]

Borivali ke favorite food places

2010-03-22T20:27:00.004+05:30

Prat, my dear good old friend, is going to be back in Mumbai for a month's time, from Amricaa. And I've composed a list of eat out places for him! Need to check out, who wins - his doctoriate profession, or his mumbaiya taste! The challenge is that doctor should not fall sick, after he has all the below, in a single day!

The best food, as all of the Mumbaitees know, is served on the streets!
Good, clean, optimum quality, and most importantly it is finger licking and tasty! If you stay around Borivali, you will surely fall for, the below:

Vada paav @ Mangesh Vada Paav (Near Babhai)
Shri Raam snacks and Sweets (Saibaba Nagar, Mahavir Nagar)
Mambadevi - Serves only Jalebis! (Mahavir Nagar)
Mam Mam - Paav Bhaji (Milap)
Naraayan - Sev Puri (Now, this one's hidden, near Himalya high school)
Jain ka Pani puri (Kandivali Stn)
Patis Paav - Apna Chaar Rasta (Saibaba Nagar Chowk)
Ghanta Wala paan - Borivali (Chandavarkar Road)
SooryaVanshi Paan wala - Serves PAAN with PAAN-ICE (Goregaon Link Road)
Puja Malai Gola (Chandavarkar Road)
Sanjay Kulfi (Milap and Mahavir Nagar)

Thanks Priyank for the following more! I had, indeed missed it:

Bhagwati - Pav Bhaji & pulav with roasted Papad (Speciality: Open until 2/3 in the morning)
Dwarka - Aloo Paratha
Raju's Chinese - station
Chotu's chinese - chamunda circle
Dosa place - LT road near D.K.Stores
Sandwich - Raju bhai sandwich near shimpoli/s.v.road signal..cheese chilli toast aur side mein "lasan chatni".
Veg cheese franky - outside Thakkar mall (Borivali Stn)

Definitely, more places exist, but the above are my local favorites.
Any one wishes to add?

Aiport of Dreams

2010-03-19T16:48:00.004+05:30

Ok.. I still have 7mins left, for my flight to depart from Singapore. I have now been here, almost everytime just for transit purposes though (just exception being once, for a few hours out in the city)... may be 8,9,10... err.. forget it, don't know how many times! However, I conclude that, if I had to ever live on an airport as Tom Hanks does, in the movie THE TERMINAL, Singapore airport would be my take.

There are several reasons that let me conclude this:

It has amazing ambience, to start with.
Free Internet, everyone's desire!
Clean, unlike my room.
Asian food everywhere. Just had my Masala Dosa (though wasn't wort for S$10).
A fern Garden. Whoa! The fishes look so awesome, in the pond.
2 Theateres, one plays HBO, and the other I think plays STAR MOVIES.
It has an OPEN SUNFLOWER Garden. However, couldn't enjoy it this time, due to the rainy weather!
Televisions everywhere, each television catering to different needs of the people. Some play Sports, some movies, some documentaries, some news as usual!
A fountain garden.
A gymnasium (not a member of the business class though).
Sauna, Massages, everywhere.
A formula one car, on display, for now.
Helpful, and beautiful people.
Beautiful people.

And my time's out! Here, I go! Wanna be back though, just for one more time.

My thoughts - dying out!

2010-03-11T23:45:00.002+05:30

Phew! Its been long since I've written a post!

I wonder, the best time, when we twit, check facebook or write a post are when we are (moderately) busy. Its not fun, when you've nothing more to do, than keep clicking on that refresh button, to check if anyone has yet replied to your post. Or, its not fun, when you are so damn busy, that your gmail count reaches to several hundreds, or facebook loads with new applications, if you haven't signed in for a long time.

Lately, I find that my thoughts, my observations, my humor, is slowly dying out. Now, may be that is becuase, I am entangled into a lot of work, with an idle mind! Ironical, isn't it?

These days, it would be my last weekend here, but everyday was like going on a critical mission. You wake up, have exactly the same breakfast - a sandwich, cereals and that juice, then head on the same street, and walk for exactly 3 minutes, reach the office gate, get your bag assessed by the same security guy, go to the 9th floor, and enter your digit code - 6057#!

Then, some one comes with a Mona Lisa smile and curses you, for all the cruel services, and you start co-ordinating with everyone around. You have to keep all of them happy, just because, you would be let out tonight by 9pm.

In this process, I am void of any social thoughts that I might have. I still try connecting to the close friends, and keep asking the same monotonous 'wassup' everyday, but something is missing!

So, here I lay in the bed, struggling to write, to empty my mind... Waiting for the next Friday to come, when they would finally deport me back, and I will be back to my normal self, fooling around.

All Shook Up...

2010-02-14T23:54:00.005+05:30

There are things, you want to do... There are times when you want to do... There are plans you have to do the things you want to do... but there are times, too, when you are all shook up!

Am totally confused, and puzzled all over, where the life heads from here!

I really want to *LEAD* in real sense, the initiatives I am taking at the Nirvanas... but not happening!
I really want to read many books, and know many things; want to really *read* stuff, but just can't...
I really want to decide, whether its going to be a techie mAnIaC, or a managerial mAnIaC, but just can't make up...
Want to enjoy life to the fullest (by playing, know swimming, going long drives, may be trekking), but just not up to it...
Want to be someone important, and not just another IT guy, but again... not happening...
Want to really concentrate on the work, but just can't...
Terror attacks, Uddhav and Raj stories, Rajdeep's rage makes me all boiled up...
Friends not acknowledging, just being a nobody makes me mad, as hell...
Idea of people thinking me as a crazy, and just a lucky lad... worst feeling!
Mirror told me "Hello Mr. Nobody" this morning, and literally shattered to pieces... TERM_SIGNAL!!!
Encountering failures, one by one, in various competitive stuff, makes me wonder, was I always so dumb?

Was writing this post, and battery drains down, in exactly 3 minutes. And Damn! When I click this orange "PUBLISH POST" icon, you will want me to BUZZ OFF!

I ended my post here last night; however, read the tragic death of my two company mates this morning in newspaper, and realized.. Hey, these girls had just started with their life... and it had to end so soon!

Whereas, I still have the means, motives and opportunity (crime lingo, eh?) to strike off and change all the "wanna be" to "been there, done that"... That's what I wanna do... gonna do... A new day has come!

BuZZ Test!

2010-02-11T14:31:00.001+05:30

I am posting this via blogspot. Did it show up on Google Buzz?

Travel Bag Contains

2010-01-21T01:57:00.004+05:30

After a few travels, thanks to Nirvana, the company which pays me, I have come up with several DOs and DONTs when it comes to what (not) to carry when you are traveling. The list is composed, by and for me, but might come in handy, if you are like me, like a Desi!

So, bhaiyon and behno, here it is:

DOs:

Buy a really good quality Winter Jacket. This comes in handy when you are on the flight; it might get really chilly. I used to be brave and didn't use to carry one, until I was on the ariport grounds at Paris, where I was transiting, and had to walk several meters at -7degrees.
Buy a leather pouch for your passport. Always keep this in the Winter Jacket, you just bought. This will surely, help you to not lose your passport at the innumerable security Checks.
Buy an Universal Adapter, so that you can stay connected to your IPOD, no matter where you go.
Being a desi, it never hurts to carry - Peanuts, Pickle, Papad, Soups, Upma Mix, and Maggi Noodles. Use the above only as side items, and do not survive on "Maggi", please.
Carry a medicine pouch, along with a prescription. May you never use it, but always does helps.
Carry a pair of slippers. Walking to the breakfast table, in shorts and formal shoes, don't match up!
Buy a 25ft (7.6m approx) long ehternet cable. This cable is to connect your laptop to the wall socket, located several meters away. Chatting with friends, never felt better when you are still, on the bed.
Load your laptop with a lot of Hindi Movies and Songs. I was never a big fan, but when you are on a trip for several days, these movies and songs, make you feel at home. This is the first thing I do, before I even install all my softwares.
Carry a big empty back pack in your check-in baggage. This ensures that, if you get on a shopping spree, it will carry the stuff for you, without having you to buy a new bag.
Wear loose clothing, while traveling on the plane. If you are comfortable in your jogging track-suit, go for it! Doesn't matter. I met this guy in his 3/4ths and a loose t-shirt wearing slippers.
The most important of all - 7 underpants and socks! They smell!

DONTs:

MTR, Aashirwaad Ready to Eats taste really bad, they are pathetic. Never carried them after my first trip. Instead buy milk, juice, bread and chocolate, after reaching your destination.
Never Carry Oil/Butter/Ghee or any semi-liquid stuff for that matter. It will spill, and will be a nightmare, when you could smell the Desi Ghee on each of your shirts! Happened with one of my colleague though.
Never carry TOWELS. There are plently out there in any hotel room, where you stay!

I am halfway, and still want to enhance this post, but its time for my office, so I'd better leave! You could always.... bbye tc gn sd.

All but 3 Idiots!

2010-01-13T04:59:00.002+05:30

"3 Idiots: India's biggest hit. Rs. 315 crores in 18 days. "
The film's success comes at a time when the middle class is tightening due to food prices. Last week, when the movie shattered all records, food inflation was on a 11-year high.

Source: Hindustan Times.

Have you tried buying vegetables? Or Dal? Its really expensive these days. I don't bother much about fruits, as they seem to be a luxury already! Even the daily vada-paav costs 8 bucks already!
And then, I read the above news!

What's the trend with the "Spending Power" of the public? Has it increased over the recent years? Rs. 450/- for the 3 Idiots (just referring to the movie name; stop getting judgemental)?

Help me with the delusional statements below. I am still recovering, from the after sh0cks.

I think watching a movie today, is not enough! Where you watched the movie, and where you had the dinner after the movie, is equally important. Yeah, the dinner; if you watched a MATINEE show, you are a moron.
This comes at a time, when Piracy is at its peak. Every movie, is available on the internet, on the very second day. A good quality pirated DVDRip, is available, probably in the next week. But, could we ever wait, that long?
"All our arithmetic, all our calculations have been proved wrong" said veteran trade analyst Taran Adarsh. All such researchers, are going jobless, very soon! The Math is all random now.
We could really use up some money off the Rs. 315 crore mark, to fight off the 11-year high food inflation. If people get food today, they'll live more, and they'll go to more films, and eventually pay back to the film fraternity. Vicious circle, eh?
From last what I've heard, Bipasha Basu got Rs. 13.5 lakh per minute, to dance on the new year's eve. If she probably danced for 5 minutes, hey, she could buy a flat in Bandra! Which, if I happen to buy, will spend my entire life paying the loan back.
This movie, is generating Rs. 315 crore, when the 22 of India's top hockey players have rejected to play for the Asian Games, lined up next month, due to lack of incentives that they get. "Its a struggle for survival" says Balbir Singh, who got a bronze in the 1968 Mexican Olympics.
I wonder, what will happen to the economists today, as they cannot add up any numbers! They have the dilemma of reviving the dead economy, while watching getting Bips paid several crores for a few minutes, and Indian International Hockey team getting dissolved, due to lack of funds!

Well, I reckon that there are only a few family-watchable-worthful films, and if you've spent Rs. 450/- per head already watching the 3 Idiots, may be its a (read PAUSE) thing... but please stop calling them the "3 Idiots" !

Interesting Things That I did in 2010

2010-01-04T14:17:00.005+05:30

Hi All,

This post is dedicated to all the interesting things, that I am, and would be doing in the new year - 2010. So, this post will keep updating itself, over the course of the year!

Dividing this post into two parts - Wish List Things and Been There, Done That things.

Wish List Things

- Eat at following places in Pune:

Panchavati - Bhandarkar Road
Sukanta - Deccan
Rasoi - Shanivaar Peth
Shreayas - Apte Road (DONE)
Mathura - J M Road (DONE)
Krishna Dining Hall - Law College Road
Baadshai - Tilak Road
Girija - Tilak Road (DONE)

- Learn well to drive a four wheeler (am currently good at two-wheeler).
- Learn well to swim.
- Cover a few trek points.
- Grow socially, and perform a few social activities.
- Want to visit the race course at Pune.

Been There, Done That things

Jan 01 - Food@Shreyas, Apte Road (near JM Road), Pune

Want to have some authentic Maharashtrian thali? Well this is it! It is a great place, to have a thali, with your veggie friends and family! The ambience is quite good, and cleanliness is maintained really well. Be ready to spend around Rs. 150/- on a weekday, and be really hungry!

Jan 04 - Pune to Sinhagad biked

One fine morning, just get up early, pack your bags, and get going! I hate to ask friends around, and keep co-ordinating, to plan out an event! On-the-spot plans are always a hit. So, there I was, alone, on my Unicorn, on the way to Sinhagad Fort (Yes, you can really go on the top, with your bike).
Start Time: 06:30 hrs (from Magarpatta, Pune)
End Time: 11:30 hrs (to Magarpatta, Pune).
Round Trip: 80kms
My breakfast@ Sinhagad: The Bhakris, Vaangi Bharit (brinjal curry), Kaanda Bhajji (onion pakodas), Taak (buttermilk). The best spicy food I've had in months!!! Only for the food factor, I would like to go there, all over again.

Jan 24 - Skiing at Snoqualmie Pass, Seattle.

Well, Ski(ied) for the first time, and it was real fun. 80$, was ofcourse, heavy on the pockets, but was definitely worth it. Was really surprised, to see Snoqualmie, a place fully covered in snow, with my hotel, barely 20 miles away, to be so dry! Fell for innumerable times, but got my basics right, in the end. Now, this is a tiring sport!

Other Events... Coming Soon!

Dreamz!

2009-12-08T06:12:00.011+05:30

P.S.: *No, its not magical. Others, were much much better.
* I rate, this post, as my best, till date.

*Foreword: Not a funny post. May represent my narrow/shallow mindset. Advertising to close friends only; unless someone accidentally visits here!

1.2 billion people... 28 different states... innumerable religions... how many of 'em you think know the name of the countries, that exist? Vietnam? Indonesia? Ireland? Cyprus, ever heard of it? But there's a country which the entire population would know... could relate with... people would dream of, just being there one day... which is synonymous to 'phoren'... whose people are called as "foreigners"... popularly known as the land of "Amricaa..."!

So, this is a story of one such fellow, who felt that way...

A middle class boy, studying in a school, dreamed to earn Rs. 1000 per day, and calculated all the riches in the world he could get, with that money! He wondered, until his college days, why people would travel into an auto, or car, for that matter, when bus/train was comparatively so cheap? He wondered, why people bought Air Conditioners, when fan is enough to cool down? He even looked up the word 'passport' in Oxfords, dreamed of sitting onto an aeroplane one day... yes, that was his dream! And he dreamed big, well, at least he thought so!

That is how life is! If you are small, your dreams are small too! If you are big, you've got big plans in life.

With those dreams, the boy gets into the college - Science Stream, as he liked Science more than Economics ... and that too in a college, when he could 've got better colleges... well, again, he dreamed of being there! Whilst in 11th Std, he sees his dear friend using a computer, clicking and navigating through the folders so quickly, that he starts believing his friend, is a true genius! And in 12th Std, he starts by "ASDFGF ;LKJHJ" at a friends place.He chooses Computer Engineering, just because he doesn't possess a computer! Finally, finds a computer lab to hang on in his Engineering days, starting his day with - #include.

The frightened, low self-esteemed guy, changes to a more confident person, the next year... reaches late, but is never disallowed in... does not write assignments but submits them first... lets say, his luck gets him through! Last year arrives, and he gets a campus recruitment at *at*i (well, ITians will surely decode it), and thinks that his dream is fulfilled, with Rs. 1.8l p.a. As he is asked to join late, within a gap of 3 months... gets a few offers, and finally selects the company - Nirvana (an imaginary name, which I just love), for the simple reason, that he might get to finally conquer his quest of an airplane travel, doesn't mind if he flies to somewhere within India, but deep inside, he wishes, again he dreams, that he lands in phoren... in Amricaa!

Within a few months, he finally steps up on an international plane... surprisingly looks at people around, on what to do, how to behave, buckles up this seat belt, and takes off! Phew, only if it could be a country, which his people could tell!!

3 years, 3months and 19days later... a book is wide opened in front of the reader, but his mind is somewhere else, his eyes calm and fearless, he rests on a bench, waiting; thinking about the past... his childhood days, his dreams then... of how he looked in his school days... about, the fun he had in the farewell party... the butterflies in his stomach, on the first day of his college... the canteen's masala-paav... the first day of workshop at his engineering college... his assignment of completing his assignments, to others... the fullstop at the last engineering paper... the joy, in his dad's eyes, when he got the job... first day at his office... the cubicle... the first Pseudo code that he wrote... the day finally he stepped on the plane... the first day, that he met the customer... the first production at the site... the first appreciation he got... the project trips that he planned... the opportunities that he got... the 7 countries that he visited... it was, indeed, a marvelous journey!
Today, things have changed, he is more confident... he has high aspirations... the wrongs are rights... he is more practical... he is a transformed man!

But deep, deep inside, he...err... I, still am the same little boy, that I once was... waiting impatiently, with my fingers crossed... am having goosebumps... am excited, after all, I am waiting for the Boeing 747... for my very first trip, to the magical land of Amricaa!

Re-living good old days!

2009-11-24T23:56:00.003+05:30

Well, folks! Just yesterday, I took a vacation of 10 days from the IT life... so... Hooray! However, with no outing plans, am back to the city of Mumbai! So, am experimenting a bit, and would like to live, as I used to... 3.5 years back!!!

This experiment, lasts until Thursday, December 3, which marks the end of my vacation era! Why Dec 3? Well, its a honor to re-join your office on a Friday!

The experiment includes cutting down on many things:

Cutting down on the use of internet!!! Damn! Believe me, the most difficult part! Used to work with DIAL-UP of MTNL - 56kbps and was patient enough for web to respond! This means:

- No logging into facebook (Today was Day no. 1, and I failed. But I just went there to post my experiment status on my activity :) Ok, no excuses! No facebook from now on).
- No blog hovering (God, please please please help me).
- No facebook (I left Orkutting ages ago; Twits don't interest me)
- No commenting on any of the forums.

No TV at all, and no sleeping in the afternoons. It is only later, that I started to doze off, in the afternoon.
Cooking (Not that I used to do it that frequently 3.5years back, but hey, should have something to do atleast). Girls, yes, I can cook! And I can cook, really well.
Wise spending on food. That means Cutting down on Restaurants, and thriving on roadside food. And believe me, I am loving it. Mangesh Vada Paav, Aarey Lassi, Shri Raam Snacks, Chaar raste ka patis paav, Naarayan ka sev-puri; the list is endless.
Just read something physical (news paper, book, etc) until the clock strikes 17:00 hrs, look at my mom, smile, and run out of my house to wander somewhere... Yeah! 17:00-19:30hrs, that's the time, I am waiting for while I write this post.
Hmm... Studying, while we used to do it in our PL (Preparatory leave) days... can't do this, can we, after 3.5 long years?
Poinsur Gymkhana - The best hangout place during the 4 years of engineering. Have to get my Table Tennis bat out of the rugs. Yeah, its really lying there. And I just met my (our) MENTOR there today. Need to defeat him, now that he's 68!!!
Sit on my computer (located in the hall), with headphones in my ears! But my mom, has lately stopped watching all those K-Serials!
Re-live those days, when I used to write my thoughts/experiences NOT on a blog, but on a notebook, with a pencil! And draw cartoons, that should come naturally; after all, am practicing it in all the boring meetings, from last 3 years :)
Meet/Talk_to many old friends.
Watching movies, should be on the list. But cannot do it, with not many friends around.

Will I be able to do it? Hmm... that's why i call it an experiment, of Re-Living Good Old Days!

The Knight Riders' Diwali 2009

2009-10-19T18:24:00.004+05:30

*Foreword: The post is to be enriched by pictures. It can be done only when the virus on our group photographers' computer, will decide to migrate! Currently, the virus is enjoying the Diwali, but sending out 'Happy Valentine's day' to all.

17th Oct 2009... 23:00hrs... It was time to leave from 'Albela', a local Chinese outlet, when we observed that Ravi is blessed with a baby bike (Honda Unicorn - 150 cc - Jet Black color). My Pulsar and his Unicorn, both black, were going side by side, and the photographer (a.k.a. Aarti Iyer, in the real world) exclaimed - "It just seems like an excerpt from the Goa Trip".

My crazy head spun at this remark, and I said (while we are still on 45kmph speed - well thats what Ravi's bike limit is, for the first 1000km) - "You know what. This will be a crazy thing, that you'll remember we'd done together. Lets go to Juhu Beach". At this remark, the bike speed decreased exponentially to 0 mark. After convincing our Jerry (Chin2) [We missed you Tom] to join us, he needed 30minutes to do his needful - eat, after having Diwali snacks, sweets, a cola, and a soup!

30 minutes then, two bikers with plain shorts, two helmets head-on together, and a snap started our celebration. Here was the plan, that we came up with:

Its 00:00hrs already, and we need to find a few fuljharis on the way.
Lets get to Juhu Beach, and celebrate Diwali by lighting the fuljharis.
On our way back, hit Anna's coffee (also known as 'tapri' coffee).

A simple, yet enjoyable plan it turned out to be indeed!

Hitting the highway, within a tolerable limit of 45kmph, we took snaps on the way with a snap that I'd rather delete! Chin2, I am going to kill you! We photographed Amitabh's two bungalows too, which was decorated quite well.

And at 01:00hrs, we found it! Just across the road, lied a fireworks shop. Of all the things that have been invented in the crackers world, we selected the good old fuljharis!

We reached Juhu beach @ around 01:05hrs, and were surprised to learn that it is indeed a crowded place! So, there we stood, in front of the waves, lighting fuljharis against the wind! (Chin2 was the matchbox man or the ignitor, and the matchbox was borrowed from some1, which we didn't return). I don't know whom more to thank, the camera, or the photographer, who made us look simply excellent. God bless them both. The fuljharis motion could be captured, and it will definitely look photoshopped, when I publish them. After several individual pics (one with Ravi's a** on fire), it was time for a group photo. And we were damn scared whom to hand over the precious camera to, and the situation worsened when I recalled an incident where in the street guy fled away with the camera! We finally got a person to do the job. Can you guess who could it be? The most trustworthy person - a lady cop! Yup! She had come us to shooo us away, when we politely handed over the camera, and snap! What a pic it was! Really memorable!

And on our way back, we hit Inorbit Mall at around 02:15hrs (Thank Chin2, the navigator), and we could find our best dinner place! Anna's cycle! Wanna know the menu items, that are sold on a cycle? Here it is:

Idli Chutney
Coffee, Tea, Boost
(Boost + Coffee) --> Customized Menu, which we enjoyed --> We name it "Anna's Moccacino"

And believe me, it was the best food, that we had in months! Awesome taste!
We bade our good-byes, and were off to home..

Well, that's all folks, that was our Diwali 2009! A simple way of celebrating Diwali, in a special way!

Two fuljharis, friends, a nice place to celebrate, that's all we need, to celebrate the festival of light! Go ahead people, celebrate it!

P.S.:
Ajay, we missed you... rather... you missed it!

My trip to Bali!

2009-10-14T21:29:00.002+05:30

Thanks, God!

I got to see Bali, and it was awesome!

I thought, I would roll out a blog on Bali.
So, I created many things:

Bali Travel Guide - Click Here to download it!
If you want to get to Bali, here is the Read me blog - http://culturalbaliblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/cultual-bali-readme-blog.html
Here are the pictures - http://picasaweb.google.com/reachmanav/TripToBaliOct200902#
Some very interesting things I came across are here - http://culturalbaliblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/interesting-things-at-bali.html

Its a paradise to be!

Luwak Coffee

2009-10-10T22:41:00.005+05:30

Foreword:
This blog is dedicated to all those coffee lovers out there, who are just taking another sip of their favorite drink, while reading this blog. All the non-coffee lovers, do not read this blog, while eating/drinking; you might just puke on the screen.

So, where do you think the most expensive coffee comes from? Italian? French? Arabic? Kenyan? Nah... Actually, it comes from Indonesia! And it can cost you as high as $600 for a pound.
And yes, I did manage to buy, a small fraction, of it!

Apart from the cost factor, the interesting part is the source of the coffee.
Non-coffee lovers, just back out right NOW.

Ok.. here's the deal.. just read the attached picture

To your left is the derivation description, the center shows the actual Luwak's coffee-xxxx, and the right shows the bottle, after processing!

And so, you surely have to be a coffee lover, to drink that sip!

Interesting ideas to encourage voting

2009-10-10T11:48:00.002+05:30

The Maharashtra State Assembly Elections are round the corner... and memories from the elections, earlier this year crossed my mind; especially TATA's jaagore.com initiative. It seemed to be a major youth awareness in a long time. But inspite of their sincere efforts, only a few people turned up, and majority, enjoyed it as a holiday.

So, here's my version of as usual, stupid ideas to encourage voting:

Give away 1kg of free sugar, to whoever comes to vote. This will surely encourage many you-know-who.
Make all the theater shows tax-free on the E-day, only after you show your voting mark.
Perform lucky draws on the candidates who come to vote, and give away free vouchers, from the sponsorers. You can do so much to promote our own governmental services. (Free IRCTC Bharat Darshan voucher for family of 4, Khadi Gram Udyog Vouchers, Taj Hotels Spa Voucher, Years supply of Amul products, Detergent supplies, 3 nights and 4 days stay @ wherever, Watches,...)
Lucky draws and the family gets to meet the President/Prime-Minister, gets to see the navy dockyard, or a chance to meet the military.
Organize elections in malls (or open grounds), as everyone's found here, on a holiday.
Organize elections in open grounds and lets re-create and re-live, that mela like culture again. Giant Wheel, flavored ice, and Candy Floss...
Show only Rakhi Sawant shows through out the day on the Television. This will encourage my next point.

All said and done, consider the paradox in my mind...
Now:
People voting - about 40% of the total population
People voting (without any candidate/party research) - 20% (aka Blind votes)
People voting (with minimum candidate/party research) - 10% (includes me)
People voting (who actually eye the correct vision of the candidate/party) - 5%
Also, Probability that the correct candidate is chosen AND he actually does what he's supposed to = 1% (excludes any environmental and econimical breakdowns, which worsens the process)
If:
We have 100% Voting, and if everyone comes to vote, I am quite sure that there will be more BLIND Votes, than the current ratio, which would influence wrong candidate/party coming into power, and... damn!!! I should definitely stop thinking, for a while!

[at] 25 !!!

2009-09-23T22:20:00.002+05:30

Always wanted to do this... Just 25 min to go though ... so ppl please ignore errors, if any... There will be many...

Will be mostly like Rapid Fires:

BEGINning on a serious note...

NULL;

END; /* Just today wrote a PL/SQL block */

Birthdays After joining 'Nirvana':

24-Sep-2006 - In a party with Friends (Also, lost my Nokia 3300, first mobile phone)
24-Sep-2007 - Bday@Jakarta.
24-Sep-2008 - Bday@Vietnam.
24-Sep-2009 - Bday@Jakarta.

What after 25 more years?
Well, if everything goes well, a restaurant @ Mumbai, where I will prepare 'Chef's special' every evening.
Rest of the time, would like to have a small fan club and just blog!!!
That's retirement plan! World's best job, as it is rightly said...

What drives you?
IT humor, and the fact that I actually get paid for doing that.

Whom do I idealize?
Scott Adams (The Dilbert Guy). Follow him blindly. He's our GOD, if you are in IT industry. Read - THE DILBERT PRINCIPLE.

My best slogans: # All are copied from somewhere #

No one knows what I do, until I stop doing it.
Success means, never having to wear a shirt!
IT PREAMBLE
===========
"We the Unwilling, lead by the Unknowing, are doing the Impossible for the Ungrateful. We have done so much for so long, with so little knowledge that we will one day qualify to do anything with knowing Nothing."
Water is good for you. Unless you're at the bottom of the ocean with an anchor tied to your ankle. Teamwork is like that.
Home is where the .bashrc is

A birthday gift you always wanted:
Well, believe or not, I am trying to do this from a long time. Get 7 black plain t-shirts, and get the following printed, one note each:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday :P

But my MOM ain't gonna allow this :)
But I've more than 39 black T-shirts now in my closet!

Dream Sunday, may be 10 years from now?

Get up @ 8.45 am in the morning... Call up 2 of my best friends... Find out the matinee movie being played in the nearby theater; while cursing 'em for being Kumbhkarans... Complete daily chores (includes 'bath'), and walk out of my house, tricking my mom to NOT know that I did not have that glass of milk, wearing shorts (may be the best brand) and a simple T-shirt... riding that lovely bike of mine... may be doing a Swades...

After the movie, discussing the movie, as we used to, a few years back, in the PG, playing Table Tennis...

One Samosa Pav and then the amazing AAREY Lassi (whose taste is the same from last 10 years) ...

And then running back home for lunch... Yeah... You cannot miss this!

A nice Vietnamese Coffee in the evening should conclude it!

Well, did someone exclaim that we would be married?
The trick is to sacrifice our cars for 'em, and ask 'em to what women do best... Shopping!!!

P.S.:

Retirement job (Chef's special and blogging) does not mean the IT industry bores me. I just love the IT world.
Nearby theater means the one having lowest fare, with lowest crowd; where you can actually by pop corn, @ pop corn rates.
Asking them to shop implies that they'll bargain (some peace for our soul).
For all the enthusiasts ( I know there would be none), here's my current contact: +62-87886078609.

There's a surprise waiting for me, back @ home in Mumbai... but no one would tell me, what it would be...

When I look back at any point of my life, I will definitely remember these 25 wonderful years... A toddler just born... who cut his birthday cake with friends, when he was 1... who required help from mom and dad both for oil, tie and shoes... who looked more into the clock than his books for the clock to strike 4:30pm, to play until 7... who then went ahead to use a fountain pen... went to the college, using Mumbai Local trains... who bunked lectures for canteen... loved Mithibai College... who made decision to take up Computer Engineering, just because he may have a computer... to the engineer Don Bosco shaped... learned from DUCS (DBIT Union of Computer Scoiety) ... to an IT fresher... to understand the business processes... who then stepped first time on the plane... who grew into who people call a IT professional... to what I am, commenting on everything the life showed me...

Ten Travels of my professional self

2009-09-12T22:30:00.004+05:30

How ever, one (read 'I' ) may blame one's workplace, I am what I am, and what I am is because of my first and current work place.

Well, I have to confess that I am a lucky lad! While possessing no special *skills* whatsoever, it seems I was the chosen one. Customer Travels, formed an integral part to shape my personality that exists today. I have had the opportunity to travel 10 times (of which 9 were international), the log of which I constantly update and share with Ajay and Nirav (very few {only} of the real names that you'll ever find in my posts. Thanks mates!)

Cities visited (in ASC order of where first visited):
- Jakarta, Indonesia. [Count=3]
- Singapore [only a few hours...]
- Larnaca, Cyprus. [Count=1]
- Hanoi, Vietnam. [Count=2]
- Malaysia [only a few hours...]
- Hyderabad [Count=1] ... Well, I consider this to be international :)
- Dublin, Ireland. [Count=2]
- Pune. [Final_Count=1] ... Local onsite < style="font-style: italic;">Nirvanas (codenamed of course)? How to behave, and whom to talk, were his biggest problems then... he even confused the domestic airport with the international one, for God's sake!

Well, I have just loved every place I have been to. However, Indonesia remains a special one, being my first travel, and Vietnam, the most adventurous of all...

Immense confidence is what I have gained...
Have opened up my mind in real sense...
Have unlearned to learn...
Changed my definition of good and bad...
Adapted... Restructured...Revised...

If you met me three years ago, then hey... its time for a new introduction! From you waiting for an introduction from someone, to you introducing your peers... From a Yes Sir... No Sir... kind to a fundae philospher... From just a plain listener to a strategic dictator (too many exaggerated adjectives, ahem!)... its been an amazing journey!

And why am I writing all this? Coz, a lot of memories are springing back to life... my tenth coincides with my first ... as I am currently *back* to Jakarta!

P.S.:
Next Post - My first travel!

A must read - God's Debris

2009-09-12T22:10:00.002+05:30

Everytime, I find something interesting, I end up promoting it so blindly, that people think I work on commission!

So, in relation to some conversation, I suggested the book - God's Debris, by author Scott Adams (of Dilbert fame), to two people whom I happen to know. Of which, he finished reading 80-pages (the book is just 131 pages), and could read no further.

The preface of the book is most important:
1. This is not a Dilbert book.
2. Might Hurt religious sentiments and understandings.

Its a nice read, which questions God's existence, his omnipotence! One indeed, needs to keep an open mind while reading this book. It took me one flight, and two lazy Saturday afternoons to finish this 135-paged book for the 3rd time.

After all, there is only one Avatar at a time!

August 14, 2006

2009-08-29T10:17:00.005+05:30

A lot of old memories are running through my minds, and so... expect a lot of OLD posts now...

It always starts with those good old childhood days... You are always very excited to visit the workplace... Because you don't work... Your dad does! He brings you in through the office gate, and the watchmen smiles and asks your name... You enter the office, and the chai-walla asks, whether you would like to have a Gold-Spot or a Limca (GoldSpot remains my favorite!) Dad then proudly shows you his work area... A wooden chair, A wooden table laden with paper files, God's and family photos, and an inkpot! Fan-on-top if you work, and an additional table-fan if you get promoted! He then takes you around introducing to all the people in the way, and then to the room for Cold Storage, and you experience that first wave of some device called Air Conditioner, and you adore it! And you wonder, when will I get my room with cool air around me?

And then years pass on... Cafeteria servings become food, Smart people become dudes, Coca-Cola becomes Coke... and you graduate!

It was 14-Aug-2006. With the perception of a normal (government like, where babus sit - with wooden chair&table and fan on top) in mind, I walked inside with pride... (Imagine the musical score from Black, the movie)... and it seems like a dream come true...

Moving from Mumbai to Pune, was then, my worst decision... which turned out to be the best eventually... I even considered going back, just to be with the family, and take up the offer which paid exactly 50% of what this company offered... My roommate then and office colleague now, even suspects tears in my eyes, when I bade my family goodbye on that first day... :)

Coming back to the musical score from Black...
You observe most of the things, that seem ridiculous:

- The floor covered in glossy-reflecting-shining granite, and you have a look at your local-branded shoes!
- (Non-artificial) Plants leaves are wiped clean using water and a napkin
- The intersecting joins within a staircase, being cleaned by a tooth-brush
- Free Food (Includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, fruits, beverages - This surprises some of my friends, even today)
- Free travel services
- The Hotel Accomodation charges bill amounting to Rs.40,000/- for 15 days.
- A separate Table Tennis, Billiards, and a TV room.
- No Dress Code (Wore a shirt exactly twice in 3 years while in office - once when interviewed, other when went to onsite for the first time)
- Tissue Papers everywhere
- Good looking girls (However, either committed or in the neighboring projects!)

After coming over the surprises, you start with your first day at work... but you feel no different... The Induction lecture starts... but you listen this time around...

Few days pass by, and then... your first salary arrives! Nothing seems to match this feeling... you have earned it! Then you go to the ATM, take out your first bill of 100Rupee Note, and laminate it to remember it for the rest of your life...

And this is how it all started... three years back!

Blah! Blah! Blah! [at] a Training

2009-08-11T19:26:00.003+05:30

Phew!!! Back after a long time! Believe me when I tell you that

facebook is actually killing my blogging act! Just kept writing something crazy on my WALL, only to find out that No One's listening! So here it is, for me.

I am currently just loving my 5-day profession. Going as a full-time trainer, for the 3rd time in a row, I would love to make it my profession. For all of you who are reading this, am in the software industry, but out of all the techie work, and just socializing! Socializing, I think, I need to write another blog... woooh! Too much to write!

Anyways, at the training, there are a few interesting things happening:

I wore a shirt! - Yeah! This is top-of-the-list. You'll never ever find me wearing one of those dreaded things!
Background - Something which can be taught in 2-3 days, is to be streched over 5 days.
I have, however, convinced them that 5 days is too less, a time, for getting there.
I say, with full confidence, by looking right in their eyes, that we ought to start exactly @ 9, and I have no problems, whatsoever, in streching beyond the regular hours; but just smile within when they ask me to start by 9.30 and conclude by 5.30. Its a relief!
It's a record, being the closest ever ONSITE opportunity ( <>
More the people, the better it gets! - My philosphy from a trainer's perspective! More the people, there always exists a person, who leaves the meeting room for something; and then you just WAIT!
Carried my personal (and NOT Office) laptop, just because I could get my WINDOWS and ANTIVIRUS definitions updated. (For the geeks - I've never ever installed an IT software, beyond Microsoft Powerpoint till date; It is just meant for games, music, and movies in that order).
Was active on facebook for about 2 hours, while training the peers.
I ended up speaking 70 minutes, for the matter worth, not more than 7 minutes. And it was a master piece!
"All that you require can be CONFIGURED" - The statement I've used at least a hundred times!
Sighed for SWINE-FLU, and for Michael Schumacher, not returning to the FERRARI Grid, for a couple of minutes.
One of the participants is down with COLD and COUGH, and the other participant's room-mate feels feverish and has sore throat. Ever heard those ridiculous symptoms?
Went for a long drive (on my bike), after my quick lunch; but was still the only person to return back to the training.
Had plenty of freshly ground coffee! Something atleast, for my poor soul!

However, exaggerating all this might seem, I truthfully respect the opportunity, and give it a best shot, so as to fulfil all the training needs! Ahem!

Stay tunned... for more updates! I am just loving it.

16th Grand Slam, against Rafa?

2009-07-05T23:17:00.003+05:30

Wimbledon Finals: Roger Federer defeat Andy Roddick

Roger Federer (2)		5	7	7	3	16
Andy Roddick (6)		7	6	6	6	14

Whoooooaaaaaaaaa! What an exquisite final showdown at Wimbledon!

With injured Rafa pulling out of Wimbledon, everyone of us suspected there was no one stopping Federer now... but after running through the finals of Wimbledon 2009, you'll agree when I say, Big things, never come easy... does it ?

There are just too many thoughts haunting me at this time while I write... stay with me! That is, If I tumble, just put me back on the chair!

Star Studded Match
Pete Sampras, her beatiful wife Bridgette Wilson, Bjorn Borg, Woody Allen, designer Ralph Lauren, Russel Crowe... Does it get better?

Through Pete's Mind
Just wonder the thoughts going through Pete's mind... while on court, he grabbed 14 of them. Undoubtedly, the conditions then, and now differ, and need not be compared, and while his records, still hold, people will truely remember him... but here plays a man, who is trying to get over him... onto the 15th... just like erasing your name from the history book, and replacing it with mine... did he really wish him to go past him???

Interesting Statistics
For his 15th Grand Slam, he had to wait for four hours and 15 minutes, and had to go past his 15th set!

Andy and the Killer serves
With Federer unable to find a way pass to correctly break Roddick's serve for the 4 hours of play, many critics would sympathise with Roddick for his loss, in spite of being the better one. True, but then its a crazy game called Tennis, says Roger!

Through Andy's mind
Here I am... this is me... There's no where else on earth I'd rather be?
On serious notes,
Here I am... If I win this one, Pete's record still holds! If I lose, Roger creates history! Today, I am/was the better one... but I've not yet made my mark in the Tennis world! Am I just no one?

Success never never comes easy
With everyone thinking that the 15th Grand Slam would come easy in lieu of Nadal's absence, nooo... it definitely wasn't! I could feel the shiver, quiver, and the chill run down my spine... He was made to wait... and wait... and wait... I asked myself ...

He has given his best for all the previous 14 Grand Slams... he has put in more than 10 years of international tennis.. but still, everything boils down to that last set... 16-14... he had to wait for another 10 sets to get there...
Seemed like God wanted him to wait... true! The victory couldn't taste any sweeter!

Back to World No. 1 Federer
The 15th Grand Slam has brought back his World No. 1 Title, with it! Hail Federer! When asked about his feelings, he expressed this year as fully crazy. He somehow felt funny about winning back his Wimbledon title, and all coming good this year!

Good gift for the new one to come
When asked about his feelings about creating history, he expressed this year as crazy. He somehow felt funny about winning back his Wimbledon title, and all coming good this year! Mirka Vavrinec, Federer's wife's been 8 month pregnant, and what a gift it would be, for them, this year, everything falling correctly in its place.

16th Grand Slam, against Rafa?
Many wanted Federer to create history, against his greatest sought competitor... Rafa! Well, so what he couldn't make 15th against him... 16th isn't far away! What say, folks?

Goa, the place to be!

2009-06-14T20:55:00.005+05:30

I remember my good old childhood days, when we use to plan our vacation to the "Nehru Hatti Garden" (a.k.a. "The last garden" - R.A.M, this is to irritate you!), a place which is not more than 200 metres from our building gate. Everyone of us, will bring in something, which when mixed, will taste like bhel (never mind the ingredients), accompanied by Rasna packets!

Add 15 years to your age then, and after you've got a few bucks, and some1 asks for a vacation venue, one of the favorites will surely be GOA! And that's how we started - myself, Ajay, his sister, his cousin!

Packing the bags dint take more than 15min, and the thrill and excitement of the trip starts right here! With the bus to Goa to leave @ 8.30pm from Gokul Hotel, Borivali, there I was... helplessly trying to call up Ajay @ 7.43pm, to know whether he forgot to pick me up for the trip. But at last, we reached! But nah.. the excitement ain't over...

With Ajay sighting an Arrey Lassi counter, he was just uncontrollable, and hopping badly to get there to quench his thirst for Lassi, sorry.. Arrey Lassi! His sister, was at the doctor's and I doubted her arrival on time. With his cousin wanted to buy specifically "Paragon" Chappals , he started hunting for it right away! Believe me when I tell you that Catching the Bus was least on everybody's mind ...

But all goes well, when the best of friends are around, and there we were, playing with the semi-sleeper seats of Neeta Volvo bus service, on our way to Goa.

Special thanks to:

Ajay's cousin's sister: For making excellent Noodles! Can we have this again, while Ajay heads back to France? Also, for the tempting sheera...
Ajay's Mom: For making jam, and chatni sandwiches (yummmy...)
Ajay's Dad: For chopped cucumber pieces, and buying a knife@ bus stand to cut tomatoes, to make our vegetable sandwich on board
My Mom: For making theplas, which made way into our stomach for the first lunch@Goa.

And after watching 2 Govina movies back to back, we reached there finally... GOA !!!! Ahh.. !!!

Where did we stay?
- Hotel Mellorosa, Arpora, 2kms away from Calangute.

Cost? And how did we bargain?
- Rs. 900/- per day for 4 people.
- Excellent bargaining skills from Ravi, and me, wherein we said to Mr. Jaan, the receptionist:
* We dont want extra matresses. Hum log zameen pe soyenge...
* Swimming pool mein mere badle tu jaa..
* Hum log ek hi light use karenge...
* Hum log paani kam use karenge... in fact... hum naahaenge hi nahi... 2kms petrol waste kar ke Calangute se paani laayenge...
* Hum log students hai... kuch to rehem karo...
* And many more... Ravi pls add it in comments!

Transportation
- We rented one Pulsar, and a Bajaj Avenger for Rs. 250/- per day (petrol charges extra) from Bhushan, the guy next door to the Hotel.
- We enjoyed a 250kms drive throughout the trip.

Places we visited
Day 1 (Evening)
- Calangute
- Wagator, in search for the disc, which disappeared due to the off-season nature.

Day 2
- Arambol (32kms drive from Calangute). Excellent empty roads!!! Ajay and myself enjoyed a nice bike fall, with some minute, but painful injuries.
This was the best secluded beach of Goa. A seemingly trained dog accompanied.. rather lead us to the sweet water lake, which is just adjacent to the beach! "Ahhh..." was our call in unison when our feet touched the sweet cool lake water! Thanks doggy for escorting us here!
- Wagator. Excellent place adjoining the beach, which serves some tasty omlet-paav breakfast. Just buy an Amul Butter, enjoy it with the omlet-paav, and you'll love it. Dip the buttered toast in the chaai, and aahhhh... you'll taste heaven...
- Wagator - Sikrim - Calangute drive. Calangute, if you just go aloof the crowded area, you will see some cleanest water to get drenched! Whoaa.. what a bath, it was!
- Chapora Fort, Wagator! 30min before the sunset spot! Everyone visits in here, but not the adjoining hill connecting it to the Wagator Beach. The hill we climbed, gave an exquisite view of the Wagator Waters! We imagined a lady, a dragon emitting fire, a rat, a rabbit of the clouds. Splendid, it was!
However, Ajay's request to wait for the sunset was denied. Instead, we asked him to take a photograph then, and label it as "30minutes before sunset". What an idea, sirjee!
- Back to Hotel Mellorosa. We'll not forget the amazing dinner served by the hotel staff, minutes after closing the restaurant!

Day 3
- Uff! We're late
With a tiresome last day, everyone was awake late, and we started the day at 10.30am.
- Mayem Lake
55kms away from Calangute, this is an excellent hidden lake, in the center of Goa, which I found the calmest of all. And if you can peddle a boat in the calm and cool water.... man... that's life!
To get here, you have to cross a "Cable Bridge", which is a long streched road, where in you can vroooom your bike easily till 100kmph. Its a bridge, which you should always cross!
- Panjim Market
The trip ended with shopping for family and friends, and with the Kwality Walls ice-creams!

Special finding during the trip was Hotel Vrundavan @ Mapusa Bus stand, which after discovery was our sole place for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. With raising our hand like "Hail Hitler"... the waiter will serve you in no time! Must try - Lassi (which we suspected to be curd plus flavored milk), and surely "Baby Corn Mushroom Tawa Subji"

There were a lot of jokes and fooling around. Devang Patel reminding Aarti of some one, whereas some1 wanted to buy something for someone.
Jhaagda is baat pe hota ki xxxx k piche kaun baithega... does this ring a bell fellow tripmates?
We missed Chin2 and DhanO, our Tom and Jerry, throughout the trip, and imagined situations if they had been here!

The whole of Goa seemed to be shut down during this trip, but the scenic beauty still remains! And if you are a bike fan, the empty roads have never been better! There are 100s of those unexplored places guys, pack your bags, and start hunting now... dont forget to vrrrrooooommmmmmmmmmmm...

P.S:

Let me not forget the mention the fifth character on our trip. When Ajay's sis Aarti wears those numerous sweat jackets, the ZooZoo comes alive, wearing the ZooZoo type shoes too! Will try to publish ZooZoo merchandise pics shortly...

Mumbai to Pune Biked !!!

2009-05-11T11:43:00.002+05:30

"
Inexperienced Biker... Attempting Mumbai to Pune tomorrow morning... Will I make it? Else.. its Good Bye and Good Luck
"
read my status note, the night before...

I was unsure of whether I should transport my bike (which includes removal of mirror, emptying my petrol tank, plus additonal risks), or should I just drive...

So, I chose! With my good friend *om***w**, who was excellent with the driving directions, started our journey from Mumbai on morning of 11th May 2009.

Here, were the statistics:

Start Time: 05:02hrs
End Time: 08:33hrs
Meter Start: 38396
Meter End: 38607

Waiting only twice during the journey, with the never ever tasted before like raaste ki elaichi- coffee.. the journey was a perfect vrrrrrooooommmmmmmm!!!!

With my Mom startled at myself reaching Lonavala, in less than 2hrs, it was indeed a journey to remember!

But the joy and the pride with which I reached Pune, remains vivid. I even carried my helmet to the office desk, to express my feelings.

I've done it man!!! Finally, the moment has come... it did take 2.5years for this goody to come, but definitely worth the wait... so... I have a HONDA UNICORN (2nd hand) at Pune... and just another BAJAJ PULSAR waiting for my weekends @ Mumbai...

Been there, done that!

Voting dilemma !!!

2009-04-29T01:27:00.003+05:30

Jaagore.com was this year's definite resolution... a great empowerment initiative by the youth for one and all... It was a definite hit this season of elections. After the advertisement, I saw mass awakening of people, in getting their voters' card made. But the glitch starts just about here...

I have my voters card ready. Now, do I know who is standing from our constituency? Well, I suppose we have answers too, for this -

http://www.myobv.org/

http://www.myneta.info/

Its a nice website which describes each candidate, and gives a comparison chart describing:
- Financial Assets
- Liabilities
- Criminal Cases
- Action Plan
- Time required to implement
- Expected Impact

Well, this does sound good, to help a citizen decide whom to vote... or does it??? Think again... I recognized 99% as total strangers, and have to select one of them based on the informative data present on the above site.

To choose my candidate, I had to use the technique of "Selection by Refutation"... Yes... Reject other candidates, and narrow your decision. Some hilarious comments, that I came across for this elections:

1. Action Plan
A nice to know word from the contestants; however seemed too vague to me -

"We will fight against corruption and injustice" --> Don't you have anything specific in your mind yet?

"We will raise our voices and make India an economic power" --> Man, this fundaebaazi is real crap! Please elaborate.

2. Implmentation Time
When will you implment this Mr. Contestant?

"As soon as possible" --> Ohhh.. that sounds good :)
"Within six months, if I get elected. Within 1 year after I get promoted to MP, which I will" --> Most hilarious of all!
"Within one week" --> Why not complete this, b4 elections then? :)

3. One contestant says that he will ban helmets, and remove first class compartments. Its a nice statement onto the open though. I am clear as to reject this contestant immediately, as he definitely does not understand the real problems.

4. Top 3 surprises to me being the following:
- Sonia Gandhi does not own a house, as an asset.
- Rajiv Gandhi does not own a car.
- Sharad Pawar does not own a single square foot of land.

5. If you are a criminal, you can stand for elections. However, if you are a criminal AND you are not contesting, you cannot vote. Whoaaaa !!! These are like writing rules, as they come to someone's mind. No justification, whatsoever!

The real dilemma comes to choose the party over the contestant, or vice versa.
eg: To choose a party with a far-sighted vision (with a poor contestant), or to choose a better contestant belonging to party which does not seem to think beyond the local issues.

Nevertheless, in spite of the above mentioned flaws, am specially here to vote... vote for some one... and my vote will surely count... but will my decision be correct, given very limited exposure of the contestants, that I have?

Any comments, to set my thinking alright? I promise free food to everyone, who comments. And a nice trip back to your home too. And a nice gift. Well, there I go again !!! I can do it too!

A Series Of Unfortunate Events !

2009-03-14T23:23:00.002+05:30

I don't know why I am laughing while writing this blog... this is supposed to be painful.
A series of unfortunate events has rolled up my sleeves!

Everything seemed to be going well, until last month, when I thought, as always ... "Man.. This is the take-off time of my life's journey... Everything is going to fall just in place!".

But I have to tell you that Someone's really out there sensing your happiness, ready to play tricks on you!

Summarizing the events, whether good or bad, the way life treats me:

- Health of my family is in jeopardy! Just too many unlucky events surrounding it!
- Someone's job is in trouble. Need to plan something about him, very soon.
- Never shop a long list, even if you think that now you can. No, you cant! It's a rule!
- Finances and other expenses are looking bad, were totally unplanned for.
- No bonus to be expected this year end, and also worried about the next appraisal occurence (if exists).
- Loss incurred of Rs. 40k and expected to be more, for my investment assets until this year end.
- Unable to think and judge what's right or wrong, or really worth it!
- My Television broke! Meaning ( (-ve)20k bucks) in my bank account.
- My 1500 bucks gift (shoes) to my brother, got robbed outside the temple.

What's more in for me, I think!

Nah... not blaming dear God of course!
He was and is going to be with me, while we laugh off my jeopardy, and I am going to tell him - "Don't yet fall off the chair, just wait and watch, there's more!"

News sad, but stupid reasons!

2009-01-26T22:40:00.003+05:30

This news is sad, but the reason is really stupid.

Read this link -
http://www.radionetherlands.nl/news/international/6149088/Nigerian-footballers-in-deadly-bus-crash

If the above link is dead by then, here's in it for you -

"
A bus crash in Nigeria has killed fifteen members of the Adamawa football club. The accident occurred when the team bus collided with a cattle truck in the city of Plateau.

Only one month ago, another bus crash in the same area killed eleven members of a women's football team.
"

Its a tragic death, but in the most stupidest ways possible!!!!
I should mourn, but could not help a hearty laugh, after I read the stupid cause of the death.

The cattle trucks is definitely killing footballers of the country!

Improving Political Tamasha

2009-01-26T12:15:00.000+05:30

Imagined how many TV channels do we have now? I think, after 100, we just stopped counting! Anyways, to improve our political processes, I wish to add one more fish to the pond, by having one more TV channel to do the trick!

Here’s my idea-

We do have our geographical area divided amongst the ruling party’s politicians all around. This means that each zone does have one representative, who needs to pay his duties for good of the people.

I would like to bring each of those representatives, one by one, on this particular channel, broadcasted Prime Time Live, and to give statements about just two things –

i. What was done during the last monthly cycle/quarter?

ii. What is planned for the next month cycle/quarter?

The programs that would be broadcasted here in would comprise of following break-up:

Country Progress Check: (2 days, preferably weekends)

Here, each of the ruling party’s politicians, who represent the country as a whole, would be answering the questions (i) and (ii) mentioned above.
This will help a citizen of India aware of all the decisions being made to project India’s progress at global level.
Representative would include, someone like –

- Prime Minister

- President

- Finance Minister

- Etc…etc...

Individual Zone Check: (4 days)

Here, each of the representative of the zone, would come up, and again answer the above two questions.
This will make the citizen of that particular zone aware of the happenings in his area. So, a citizen of Bandra, will watch this program only, which really affects him.

Watcher’s Grievances: (1 day)

As we have “Reader’s grievances” section in the daily newspaper, I would have Watcher’s grievances, where in you can simply call up, and raise your concerns in case of any mishaps or wrong doings in your area by any one.
Each week, one of the subjects would be chosen and any one can call up, and directly take names of the officer, who might be involved in some corrupt behavior.
Also, a TOLL FREE NUMBER would be given to all the citizens to register complaints against such acts. An action squad would be responsible to sort out the cases, prioritize them, and take suitable action within a maximum period of 2 weeks.
This way, we could keep track of no. of cases solved every month, and thus, surely measure our progress, as a nation.

The fliers of schedule can be distributed, put on the net, or published on the media.

The above mentioned activities will result in following two benefits:

Understanding of the political process, and measure its progress:

Each citizen gets to understand an track the progress meter of the political behavior.

Transparent Political behavior

Each citizen will know how politics is advancing in the nation, and will surely give a clear picture of how things work.

Better Competitions, amongst the politicians themselves, to serve people better:

A citizen now sees, which politician is doing good for his people, and hence, in the next elections, a citizen has a clear picture, on who to elect, as he can select from a group of politicians.

I don’t think, taking an hour off the politician’s time every month (or every quarter), would be that hard. But this idea’s implementation will raise quite a few voices. We should definitely give this a try, for sure!

Many heavy pocketed business iDeAs!!!

2009-01-24T15:10:00.004+05:30

I seem to have a lot of Business iDeas lately. But they seem to have just one problem. All of them are too heavy on my pockets! So, anyways, as these not be implemented by me, there's no risk in leaking 'em out.
Would surely be happy to update this post, as life goes by!

So, here they are -

1. Buy a property in Mumbai Outskirts, and rent it for marriages:
The trend nowadays in Mumbai, is to select the marriage dates, as per the availability of a marriage hall. I wish to somehow, convince my friends Nirav, and Ajay, who i assume will be earning quite well, in a few years to pool in the money, to buy this property.

Implementation Methodology:
During the first six months, just lend the whole of the ground for marriages. Say 30,000 bucks per day basis. No catering, nothing doing, just take this on rent, and give it back to me as you took it. If its not clean enough, I will charge you 5000 bucks extra.
Now, next six months, as I would have developed many contacts, I will give complete marriage arrangements' solution and will provide just about everything - decorations, photographer, catering, even the expensive bride and groom's rang of wardrobes on rent.
Gradually, I will create a 6 floor building altogether, and simultaneously 3 small halls would be available readily (1st, 3rd and 5th floors). 6th floor will be a business meetings suite, and will be given to corporates only. 4th floor will be a store house. On 2nd floor, I will have a "SALE" on every second Sunday of the Month, where in you can come, and sell just about anything!

Now, with so much of money, for sure, will again go, and buy a land, and the cycle would continue.

Surely, this would be it !!!

2. Creating an ICE World in Mumbai (exists in Hyderabad already):

I am really very unsure why don't we have any ice skating grounds around in Mumbai (except Essel World) for now! I know, the maintenance is high, and its not so easy, but there would be some business person somewhere, who surely has the initial capital to host this !!!
Just imagine yourself, entering into a mini-world full of ice. Will have the following for sure in this world -
- Igloo made of Ice
- Will have artificial snow falls.
- Ice Dance (instead of Rain Dance).
- Snow man, for sure.
- Will serve ice-cream (or even hot coffee), in an ice-cup.
- Will have all the chairs and table of the restaurants made in ice.

Simply superb!

To be continued ... chk this out for more!

How do we pass our time in IT?

2009-01-24T00:49:00.004+05:30

One of my dear friends blogged about how we pass our times of our life?
Life's too long to remember. But I surely commented, as usual, about the ever exciting IT life.

Here's my comment for IT to him -

Years 1 - 2
- What is it that is done?
Years 3 - 4
- What is it that is supposed to be done?
Years 5-6
- Why is this thing supposed to be done?
Years 7-8
- Did we understand what is to be done?

In real or 'ideal' life, its supposed to be exactly in the reverse fashion (Read from Years 7-8 and back). Its hilarious!

Wonder, why I did stop at Year 8?

Coz Year 9 and on.. you just stop thinking !

13 Point someone, yet again!!!

2009-01-24T00:47:00.003+05:30

Read this one, before it again disappears!

This time too, no success!!!

But am happy (Grapes are definitely sour), heh heh !!!

Funny Grading Processes, it has been! Its just my 2^nd Grading Process in the IT life, and I’ve lost the top grade’s charm already.

So, what exactly did happen, in my meeting, where I almost lost it? All those typical reasons yet again; I was almost there, but I just couldn’t cross the bridge over; (Well, I am yet to see the bridge which does not exist, leave aside all those special techniques I require to develop to ever cross it).

What I did during this year, which went wrong? Or Rather, What I should have avoided, which the top grader cautiously avoided, to get on the top.

Did spend a bit of time in figuring out something, which was not known by the entire team.
Moved to a great project (a dream project actually), and pulled back (But was very happy to be back, frankly. Grapes definitely not sour, this time).
Imagine yourself given a Task A, while you go onsite. But after a week or two, you are given an additional Task B, which your project strongly requires and you finish it excellently. Due to this, Task A takes a back stand, and you show some loose threads in there. Acceptable? You really think? Nah… The real lesson I got was Task A was actually my primary task, and needed my total ownership.
Could not handle 16 people at once. (Such a shame!)
Debated out my superior (again, a good friend), trying fruitlessly, to prove that he was actually wrong at managing. (This was the most fatal reason, I frankly think).
Provided with real lessons learnt (which are harsh for obvious reasons). Many people did warn me to put the standard lessons which do not raise any eye brows.
Spent my useless effort in being one of the Innovators of the Year 2008. Did my project gain anything out of this? Duh- uh! What a waste!
Shared all what I know, with the entire team. Disastrous! Just imagine you found out something by researching for 13 days, which you share with the entire team in exactly 37 odd minutes. So, if the same task is given to someone else, he completes it in 1 day (i.e. with 13 times more efficiency as compared to me). What a disgrace!
Kept my group active and lively, by sharing some of my foolish remarks.
Provided with some crazy, but good suggestions in possibly all fields:

Business Communications
Business Ideas (Widely accepted).
Cost cutting solutions.
Innovating.

Of course, none of the above earned even a single penny to my project.

Thought that this time at least, since I was an all rounder, had a slight hope of getting the top grade.
This is like doing the same mistake twice in a row now. Boy, will I ever learn from my own mistakes!

So, what are the plans for the New Year? Any changes in me? Well, definitely!

Will I work as a work machine, as expected to which given an input, you get the expected output? Nah... I believe in working logically, not always efficiently! Will ask myself two things –

Which is the correct way (not the faster one) to do this?
Why am I doing this?

For getting the top grade for your employee, they have to fight. I say, why fight ever? I will give no reason for them to fight. It’s a heinous crime, you see!
I will continue with my slow-paced attitude, and sharing all that I understand, and make the entire group efficient, and hence myself lesser efficient.

To hell with the grade! Top graders are chosen round robin anyways!

You want efficient and effective behavior? Well here I hide underneath my desk!!!

* The Usual Disclaimer:

The current top grader is one of my very good friends around, and all my allegations and talks against him are highly exaggerated and baseless; rather thoughtless. Of Course, I cannot think of having any opposition from such good, and powerful top graders too. J. The last line was again a punch back, for which I don’t want to add another disclaimer; Just Go to Label “*The Usual Disclaimer”.

Well, some good news !!!

2009-01-10T23:58:00.003+05:30

After all, some good news for the new year !!

On a lazy Saturday afternoon (or so I have to say so as to emphasize - not during office hours :) ), I thought why not, and why not only if it is just a click away !!!

So, I just sent 2 pics, of my Vietnam Trip, and bang !!! It was the PIC OF THE WEEK !!

I proudly said to my friend today that, well, my name flashed in the newspaper too :)

Clipping:

- 10_Jan_2009 HT Cafe (Mumbai), Page no. 11 --> Parting the waters

It's a no achievement really!!

If something is to be appreciated, its the place itself, and may be my camera; but my pic on the newspaper, makes me feel happy.

Happy for the smallest of my achievements, is all what can be said !

That's too bad !!!

2009-01-10T23:48:00.003+05:30

Well, we do have to accept our failures, and so it goes !!

But, definitely a very poor start for the year 2009, and one of the worst moments -

But, I have definitely not put more than 40min worth effort for the preparation.

Well, was definitely very stupid to give the best management entrance examination, as the first mock !!!

But as *rav*n* says -

"You were half way through already, without any effort ! "

Really, not sure, what I need to do with this thing!

Study for it even more seriously, or find some other easy way out !

Welcome to the New Year!!!

2009-01-01T00:20:00.002+05:30

Wishing you a very happy new year, to all !!!
May this year bring fortunes, and create magic in all your lives!!!

So, one more new year, eh? Its just 15min past the new year, while I started writing this one, and there is hell lot of noise around, in my locality. I have no musical ears, but I can definitely tell, there are at least 10 different songs being played together, and gives you a remix like atmosphere, along with crackers bursting, which gives up some added beats! I have absolutely no idea, what I wanna write, but surely I do want to 'write' with the new year...

New year resolutions???? A lot.. I have decided to do some serious fun this year. Lets see how far can I go .. or how life treats me .. :P

Presenting the Wish List of mAnIaC's life for the year -

1. Learn driving a Car
Yeah... I don't even know how-to. This is a must-must activity to learn.
2. Learn Swimming
I do know swimming; however it would not let me stay alive for more than 2minutes, and hence, again a must-must activity.
3. Read some sensible books
I do read stuff off the net, but most of the reading involves self-improvement activities, like how to avoid stress, by working less and gaining more ;)
4. Developing some managerial skills
Don't know how I would be doing this; may be by not working at all and still surviving on-the-job !!

Wish to get into management soon, but don't know if I should study some management before hand. What do you think?

5. Reading newspaper
I did read the 31st Dec 2008 newspaper though, and it gave back a jolt in terms of the news we get these days!! Surely, need to catch-up!!!

6. Attending all Shaadis
At least 15 people around me are getting married this year! This surely is going to be the wedding year, and wanna make sure that I do visit, and congratulate them on their mistakes :). I don't want to miss their faces, when they are neither bachelors, nor married!!!

Anyways.. other superior wish-list exists too. Don't wanna describe that... as it would be like asking for too much from life -

7. Horse Riding.
8. Revolutionizing company by Innovating
9. 'Working', as my colleagues expect me to.
10. Not commenting in at least one meeting.
11. Sleeping at night, and getting up early in the morning.
12. Reach my office @ 09:15am
13. Revamp my old boots.
14. Making my parents proud.

And No... Losing some weight is definitely not on this year's list due to some critical personal unfavorable conditions (whoaaaa!! what a reason) ... postponing it to 2010.. yeah.. it will be the only activity for the full year then... :P

Slamming it right, and tight!

2008-12-21T16:04:00.004+05:30

This ain't one of those funny posts! But a worth mention, for sure! This post does give a striking remark on all Indians, who just hate India!

This happened while I was on Hyderabad Airport, killing my time standing, and surfing the net. Just next to me is a Tata Indicom telephone service, where you can talk over the phone to anyone dear, anywhere! This Indian lady (only by origin an Indian I consider), walks in with 200% confidence, calls someone, and walks off! The telephone serviceman calls her loud, and asks for the call money. Listen to her response -

"
Where the hell where you, when I wanted to make a phone call? Why d hell you didn't inform me that these calls are charged? You will come only at the end asking for money, and show your typical Indian mentality!
"

I seemed absolutely calm for all but the last three words - "typical Indian mentality"!!! I just couldn't bear it, and hence in a loud sharp voice, in a sarcastic way, I got back at her with -

"You of all the Harvard graduate should definitely know that there is nothing free in this world, and so, as a typical Indian you should look for the signboards, which shouldn't be a hard thing if you could just Read! and oblige"

Well, the above words were fluent stammering, that came out of my vocals, on top of my voice. The last 12 days spent, as a training expert, definitely paid off... paid off really well. After delivering the punch, I just started walking off, just to not let her come back on me again!

I definitely don't understand this thing.
If there is some party in US, or any of the elite countries, people do skip their morning meals, and they too are driven by the word "free". So, how is it different, if my people get stacked over a SALE/DISCOUNT shop???

I totally do not find any differences, whatsoever.
She was an Indian, and thinks some of our acts as 'typical Indian mentality'! Don't know what she was proud of!

P.S: After the slamming, I did get two pats on my back, one from the telephone serviceman, and the other from a fellow passenger, which at least made me feel, that after all, it was definitely worth it :) !

Someone counting on me?

2008-12-15T00:46:00.003+05:30

Not over exaggerating, but some one did mention one evening that I am a nice trainer ... so, after the compliment, I treated myself a grand dinner @ T*j's, and enjoyed a deep sleep ...

But when I woke up the next morning, and saw my face in the mirror in the yellow ambiance, trying to figure out how I describe myself to (not to others of course), following three things popped up within no time -

1. I am very lucky.
2. I don't work.
3. I get paid.

Are there any people who think that there is no place for them in the working world? If you are the one, I am your source of inspiration :)

Apart from the Aug 2006 until Dec 2007 period, I have never ever put any effort in any kind of work, except for the effort that goes into "portraying" the work accomplished.

I am sure, if I would try to do anything stupid like switching job to move ahead in the life, life will surely treat me pretty bad... I finally got the answer to my previous post !!!!

But any time in my life, if I ever write a book, my book will surely start with the above mentioned 3 attributes... !!!

Life treating you ??? eh..???

2008-12-15T00:28:00.002+05:30

I see that these days, there are change in perspective of people. Well, a revolution, you might say... or you may term that as awakening... or maybe modernization...

Well... whatever that might be... my point is that people now have accepted some things exactly the opposite way it used to be thought of... well.. its not making any sense, is it???

I just went through the orkut, and read many scraps asking -

"Hows life treating you??? "

I am just wondering, isn't it the other way round, you treating your life??? It makes no sense, does it? Life treating me... what could my answer possibly be...

I could surely answer how my managers or friends treat me.. but how is life treating me?? Just repeating this phrase over and over... and I am already finding some English violation error in this phrase... not only in the grammar, but even while thinking.

Did people give up totally that they can control their lives all together? I can treat my life in a maybe positive/negative manner... but how can... well forget it!

This phrase is just knocking my brains off! I will not stop thinking about this, until I find an equivalent humorous answer to this thing!!! Any inputs, eh?

An Idiotic Virtual Recruitment Management Methodology!

2008-11-27T19:10:00.002+05:30

I just hope and wish that once for and all, my brain focuses only on the work, I have. I am getting some really crazy ideas for now. Please dont *curse* me for the below idiocity :)

I’ve been pondering around the web and just interacting with other people, and it seems to me that there is a new emerging recruitment methodology being developed.

Let’s name it “Virtual Recruitment Management” for now.

Here’s the concept –

As faced by most of the companies in times of recession, even the best of the people are forced to leave the company.
You will be surprised to know that there are some 170 companies (very small though; many being Korean, Japanese, etc) coming to Mumbai next month, targeting to hire about 15,000 employees.

Here’s the catch. The employments are not effective immediate. They are effective 2 to 4 months from now. And this is how the budgeting would be managed (explaining in terms of How can we Implement).

Normal Scenario:

- Recruit X person, (Budgeted @ Y amount / person). Total Budget: X*Y --> Jan. Give Training.

- Recruit X person, (Budgeted @ Y amount / person). Total Budget: X*Y --> Feb Give Training.

- Recruit X person, (Budgeted @ Y amount / person). Total Budget: X*Y --> Mar Give Training.

Total: 3*XY

Virtual Recruitment Management Programme:

- Assume that you Recruit X person, (Budgeted @ Y amount / person). Total Budget: X*Y --> Jan (Don’t actually recruit/employ; no people; no KT)

[You do not actually recruit, but just that the Budget XY is reserved now. It enters the RESERVED BUDGET POOL. This budget now cannot be claimed back, by the management from our group. So you are taking the required budget that is needed, but you have the liberty of the time, so as when to use it]

- Actually Recruit 3X person, (Budgeted @ Y amount / person). Total Budget: 3X*Y --> Feb

[Total Budget in the RESERVED BUDGET POOL till Feb End: 2X*Y. Still the Remaining ‘XY’ amount, has either to be adjusted (squeezed out), or loaned from the Company Management]

[KT TIME]

- Assume that you Recruit X person, (Budgeted @ Y amount / person). Total Budget: X*Y --> Mar (Don’t actually recruit/employ; no people; no KT)

[Loan payback time :)]

In the month of February, with recruiting 3X*Y people, will be more effective, as someone will take care of efficiently drafting a Training Plan (with some Classroom training).

Now with 10 seniors around, and with a plan in hand, 2hrs per week, by a mentor can be very useful, and effective.

Currently, we have a new comer, *i**l, and I see that no proper training plan is in place. May be, because, for one person, it does not make sense for some overview/classroom training.

If you have 10 people around, you always want them @ one place – the Classroom. :)

The idea is that its only bad for the mentor, but its worst for the new joinee! Half knowledge is fatal :)

*Disclaimer:

However, my idea, I understand are at a very preliminary stage, and I completely agree that it would sound too kiddish to propose/suggest it to higher management.

But just a view, I wished to share.

"Pange" and its consequences ...

2008-10-28T20:19:00.002+05:30

Glossary:
Pange - Hindi term for unnecessary fight with influential people.

Ahh... I never thought that I would be experiencing Office Politics at any point at all... I thought that da "company" is too good to have any!

But damn... there was a mistake in my perception! Politics is not in/within the company, its within the culture !!!

But I must tell you... its a perfect blend of frustration, humiliation and humor!!!
I am loving it !!! *I and only I, da responsible for this politics around me, which I solemnly accept, before you move ahead reading, and wrongly interpreting my lovely superiors for any matter.

Firstly, something about me ...

I am a stupid dumb techie fellow, who knows nothing of technology, except for blabbering in a precise convincing manner... and from my friends' viewpoint, I tend to take my work, a bit too personally!!!

And I've the dumbest habit of providing stupid feedbacks of which I am still hopeful of it being valued and something will change for better.

Anyways.. that should give you a fair idea of my personality!!! Recently, I gave some spicy feedback about my mentor to da boss, knowing that the mentor is da boss' right hand ... and I had the struggle for my life !!!

After accepting that the boos about him were actually my incompetence, the kind of work I am getting it, man.. its just great !!!

My new work involves getting inputs from all da individuals, by going on their respectful tables, one after the other, asking da lords, and documenting. I can go to their tables, but can't disturb 'em by communicating !!! How hilarious, isnt it ?? After I make something stupid out of it and present for review, 70% changes anyways !!! So, when I actually ask the reviewer, what is actually expected ... nah.. oops... sorry.... can't ask that ... coz ... the answer is already known -

"I want what the customer wants"
AND
"I am already 2yrs experienced"
AND
"You are responsible; should surely learn to take initiative"

And the latest in my work stride involves -
"Returning Laptop of my busy teammate to the IT department" ! You know why he's busy??? You will surely love this one... coz... he wants to go on a vacation !!!

So, this Diwali Holiday in Mumbai, I had to take the great Lord's laptop, deliver it to a friend @ Ghatkopar the same day, carry his laptop back from Mumbai to Pune, and submit his laptop as the former Lord's laptop back to the IT department. Confusing, and tedious job, I must say !!!

Ah... man... surely its frustrating and humiliating, but then... its a phase of life, which I surely needed to experience!

But its really good in one sense... someone so rightly said -
"Don't be irreplacable; if you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted!!!"
That's why one of my dear friend is not given customer site travel, coz... if he goes there, who the hell will work here? Man.. surely true !!!

And also.. I am too happy for a friend who is very soon leaving for good... way to go my friend !!!

But again... I surely accept, all stated above is my mistake, and all the blame credits should come to me... for blowing all the smallest of issues which should not matter at all... I now know why the tales tell - THE BOSS IS ALWAYS RIGHT !!!

My Precious

2008-10-09T16:39:00.005+05:30

I finally found her... its a perfect match...

I call her the black beauty...

We met on the festival of Dussera... and it was love @ first sight...

I saw her and was impressed by her sparkling charisma...

I surely could not get a better match !!!

When I am with her, the air that I feel is soo different, simply refreshing !!!

She is really powerful from within ...

Also, she surely goes a long way with me ...

'Simply Magnificient' is what comes to my mind...

I dreamt about her, from the very first day of the college...

And perhaps 'needed' her from the very first day in office...

And the search ends right here ...

And I want to make her appearance public ...

Scroll down for her picture ...

My Precious ...

...

...

...

...

Nah.. Not so easy.. some more scroll work ...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

And here she is ...

Multitasking, a style statement!!!

2008-09-12T15:34:00.004+05:30

Switching on MTV… booting up your computer… talking over your cell phone, while chatting over the internet messenger, with sipping your coffee and thinking about what to write in your daily article “How to improve efficiency”, clearly says it all!!!

Multitasking is on its way. It makes a teenager more productive, and more efficient. But does it, really? For a period, yes!!!

Then, while multitasking, he becomes 3 people, working on 3 different tasks, and so… boss sits on the head of 3 people expecting 3 times the work J

In the software world, many tasks are assigned to a single soul; however, these tasks will not be presented in their pure form as work!

It will be assigned as A Challenge in front of an Engineer, to test his abilities!!!

Now, when one assigns a challenge, to an engineer, he is just not leaving his machine, till he is done.

That’s the corporate way of fooling a engineer’s brain. J

“

You know… you just have to sit late sometimes… it’s a part of our job…

Even we have done multitasking during our times…

This is just a small fragment…

Try to take it as a challenge…

You still need to see a long life ahead…

“

Needless to mention, the above words get delivered by which wise guy!

So, you put your heart and soul in the work, have lunch at night (yup, dinner @ night is for losers), and just think … why the hell you pay rent for the house!

Expecting a pat on your back for the hard work at least, you get all the soothing music to your ears –

“

I didn’t expect this from you at least … (Yup.. every person hears the phrase ‘from you at least’)

Try to take responsibilities… plan… prioritize… execute…

Efficiency… Management skills… Effectiveness… (All the Standard nouns…)

“

And when you raise some risks or await indefinitely for the wise person’s decision on some issue, and have got no clue on what to do next, and speak out – “I was waiting for your decision… “, you have had it, and you will be hearing –

“

You are just not independent enough!!!

“

So, when you finally say “Multitasking isn’t effective…” OR “Multitasking is not for me…”… it is very surprising, because this word was introduced by Oxford ages before, and it’s so hard to believe that some word might have been introduced just for not being effective.

Also, the UNIX originators, have used this word, and slashed the lives of all the engineers living today…

[References]

http://www.contextmag.com/archives/199809/InnerGameOfWork.asp?process=print

http://www.ivillage.co.uk/workcareer/survive/prodskills/articles/0,,156471_167575-2,00.html

P.S:

The Dilbert Solution works for me to avoid multitasking, and yet to be portrayed as multitasking energy source for other’s inspiration!!!

Solution is quite simple –

Start with the easiest of task, send an update of it being started.

Go to the difficult most task, and just take a break of a few hours, and then send an update of a potential risk that you see, due to some awaiting critical information.

Always ask the most critical information during lunch breaks, when they are away.

Ask for 20min of wise man’s precious time, at the EOD, while he is going to board the office lift.

Come back to the easiest task, complete it; however, withheld this progress update for a few days.

While you are being cursed for being ineffective, provide this progress update of the easy task within next 17min.

Due to time unavailability, try to be effective and DISTRIBUTE the task amongst others; learn to share!!!

Distribute ONLY the difficult tasks. Keep simple tasks, inseparable from you, as you own it.

Send e-mails late in the night, after the late night movie.

Always come late to the office, and run helter skelter.

Don’t shave and look undernourished.

Just try once, and you will be entitled for the “Best Employee Recognition Award!!!”

How did you ever think, I got one… :)

Scott Draws His Line <------->

2008-09-09T13:24:00.008+05:30

I am so much impressed by Scott Adams (creator of the comic-strip Dilbert), that I am unbelievably writing a blog about some other person, especially when there is too much work pressure around!

This guy whose book ‘THE DILBERT PRINCIPLE’ I worship more than the bible, is surely a masterpiece. His story gives me inspiration, and reaffirms my faith in my belief which is –

“Any person can do Anything, Anywhere, Anytime in this world, and still be a success!!!”

In our childhood, we are made to believe in a path, which if followed leads to being successful. You study well, become an engineer maybe, join an MNC, go overseas, come back rich, settle down, and die wealthy!!! However, there is no path!!! Many dumb heads I knew, who started their lives as junkies, are now the gurus; NOT in their fields but in places, where even they dint think they would end up in!

It is like having Masters in Pure Physics, and owning Chains Of Business Hotels!

Coming back to the Dilbert guy Mr. Scott, here is his life profile in my words –

He started with being a school valedictorian (student with best grade, an not as valedictorian to know the meaning of the word J) of his high school class, and a National Merit semifinalist, but was rejected by Famous Artist School for Talented Young People, for being young (11) !! How ironical, that is!!

After pursuing his MBA from University of California, he took a job in Crocker National bank in San Francisco, as a bank teller. During this time, his dyslexia showed up when he could not balance his totals! While he was on the verge of being fired, he wrote a letter to his VP regarding ways of improving the institution. VP found his letter hilarious, and instead got him enrolled for management training. This he has described in his works stating –

“The most ineffective workers are systematically moved to the place where they can do the least damage – Management!”

After working there for about 8 years, he joined Pacific bell, when he believed that Hard Work can actually reward a person, and climb the ladder of success! His belief crashed out fast in the cubicle world, when after 2 years of work, which didn’t amount to much, fetched him a “Employee Recognition Award”, wherein he says that his manager created a bogus project, to thank Scott for his contributions.

It was during this time that he started drawing his sketches of Dilbert, and all the characters in here, are inspired from his colleagues. Yeah.. the pointed haired boss too!!! Thus began his double life; he used to start by drawing characters, and strips at 6am, and job from 8am – 5pm.

He was finally downsized in June from Pacific Bell. The truth was, Mr. Adams says, he made a standing offer to his boss that when his costs outweighed his benefits, he would leave.

“People asked me if I'd go soft after I left,'' Mr. Adams says, and laughs. “I just wanted to make a point.''

And he even had focal dystonia (undesirable muscular contraction or twisting), due to which he could no more draw a line. However, he says, during the boring meetings of the corporate world, he'd hold down a pen tip to paper until he felt a shiver, then pick it up quickly and rest his hand before the pain would set in. He did this repeatedly, extending his pen-gripping time bit by bit. Eventually, he said, the problem "just went away."

Also, he lately had spasmodic dysphonia (problem with his vocal chords, vocals functions differently in every speaking context), even on which he can find humor and he says –

“People who have this condition generally can't order a pizza over the telephone but can speak perfectly to their cat. Ironically, the context in which I can speak best is while being interviewed about how I can't speak. So depending on how they edit the piece, I might come off as a fraud with no problem at all.”

Hats off to you, Mr. Adams!!!

About the Business Plan....

2008-08-20T14:37:00.003+05:30

I am a big follower of Scott (of Dilbert fame), when it comes to the corporate reality!
Here is his definition about the Business Plan -

"
Somewhere in between the hallucinations of senior management and cold market reality, there is a concept of creating something called Business Plan.

Following are the steps of Execution when it comes to create/maintain a business plan -
1. Gather Information.
2. Forget It.

"

How true!
I remember my first business trip wherein I was asked if I had come with a business plan! Its absence caused a lot of escalations, and I spent about a few hours wasting to prepare this celestial thing!

But after we prepared a big-bang plan theory, and delivered it to the higher management with "Business Plan" in the subject line of the e-mail, everything and everyone calmed down. I was just moving my mails to backup, when I suddenly realized that THERE WAS NO ATTACHMENT in this mail.

I was just a beginner then, now I know it takes a while for people to learn! I know now how to create Business Plans in a jiffy!

The Most Redundant chat question!

2008-08-14T20:57:00.002+05:30

Every time someone pings you and wishes to initiate the chat, there is a 9999999999999% assurance that he will start the conversation (after the 'hi' lingo trademark ofcourse), with any one of the three questions -

1. howz life...
2. wassup these days.. OR wassup dude!
3. kya haal hai...

These are the only three questions governing the chat universe, by which any conversation can be started, no matter when the person last had a chat with you - be it yesterday, be it yesteryear!

In fact, everyone from a stranger to the person you know most, opens up the conversation this way!

Also, I fail to understand the use of additional periods (or dots - ...) being used after each sentence. Does that specifically represent something? Or are they just for mere emphasis? How is "ok" different from "ok...." anyways?

As an attempt to save some of my time, I saved the following piece of line in a text file, so that my each conversation starts with the same response to the same set of question; and it starts with what I do the best - COPY/PASTE!

"bas chal raha hai job..
aaj thoda kaam hai..
isliye ruka hua hun late..
pak gaye hai kaam se..
blah blah blah!"

The Ending:
=========

I am still working on studying the pattern of this part. However, I seem to have had some success on this part too. On a majority scale, it seems to be the following template -

"Sorry Gotta Go...
// Any Dumb Reason here!
tc..gn..sd..cya..bbye..."

The last line "tc..gn..sd..cya..bbye..." seems to have become a collection of abbreviations, which is in need of an abbreviation itself! I wonder who is responsible for describing the new set of abbreviations.

Can any one help?
OR
Are you of the kind who thinks I need some serious help myself, blogging something as stupid as this?

Idea for the perfect Card!

2008-08-07T15:43:00.004+05:30

With all the friends all around suddenly disappearing/departing from the bachelor community, I am seeing many wedding invitations these days. However, my post does not express these poor people’s pity, or loss of bachelor community, but the focus is on the Wedding Invitation Cards!

So, it all had started with writing with nibs/ink-pots on the leaves, and may be delivering by pigeons.

Then came a Revolution!

Leaves got replaced by Printing press papers, and pigeons by postman J

Ok, I might sound a bit too exaggerating, but at least we had a system, where in we print the invites and personally invite everyone from the community.

Then came another Revolution – Computers and e-mail!

So, the wise pot heads started scanning/creating the wedding invites, and sending them on e-mail to family and friends.
What would be next? Fusion of the past and future, I suppose!

What devilish idea do I have in here, wanna know? No one ever wants to use/implement it, but yet I know everyone around wants to know how childish it sounds J

So here’s the next formula –

It would be interesting to see the couple on a pleasant evening, getting together, and doing something (if not painting) with the colors on the canvas!

This is something authentic, I would say – Couples personally penning down in the brightest colors, to invite you to an occasion which matters them the most!

Now, comes the devilish idea from an ITian jughead –

Scan this original invite, and write a shell-script/program which sends an auto generated mail of this original masterpiece, being delivered at the friends mailbox!

Sounds a bit too nerdy or geeky, but definitely again it’s something different!

-: Hats Off To Spirit Of Mumbai :- (Story of My 26/7)

2008-06-19T11:07:00.002+05:30

Hi Friends,

Found this article in my very old mails... thought would post the story of my 26/7 -

When Sir Amiya Tripathi came and announced the
dismissal of lectures, it seemed a great relief from
the unstoppable, "nothing great", exhaustive DSP
lecture. It was however unknown what would soon
follow.

Bridges were washed away, rail tracks submerged,
telephone lines hit and large areas suffered power
cuts. Among the worst affected areas were Bandra,
Mahim, Matunga, Dadar, Santacruz, Byculla, Kurla,
Ghatkopar, Mulund, Thane and Badlapur. The city's
lifeline, the train services, were paralysed due to
waterlogged tracks and thousands of people camped in
the stations where food stalls were kept open through
the night.

We (Myself, Akshay, PD) started our journey through
rains viewing it as an adventurous, thrilling
experience filled with excitement. However, later when
we found BEST BUS then half dipped in water with lots
of DBITians inside, a wise thought stuck us to return
to college premises; which we did but not all DBITians
turned up to our proposal. So the fellowship(Myself,
Akshay, PD) again made the move to the BEST BUS.
However, we could not make it due to impactful nature
of rains.

Returning to college was like taking a shade under
our own house. Well, we had a great fun filled
experience; who wouldn't have when there are ppl like
Adhwait, Neto, Ravi around!

Strange incidents were all around.
Myself and Akshay went in heavy rains to bring
something to eat for all. We went through the canteen
wala back gate and to our shock, when we turned back
with vada-pavs we found it locked! Then Anna's
Dal-Rice were overheard being appreciated. Atleast
Anna has something in the good books!

Astonishing statements were made by all the profs
around:

"Anyone found on 2nd floor during night would be
directly rusticated."

"Don't even turn your head while you r on the second
floor"

"(At 9'o' clock) Did u guys had your lunch already?"
Still curious to know what was on the second floor!

We played all the games possible out there. Then came
the time to sleep! We struggled here n there on the
chairs to sleep, but in vain. Thanks to Akshay, he
came up with an excellent idea to remove the curtains
and sleep on it. So when our bed was ready, everyone
jumped onto it to grab a place! Sorry Adhwait, as we
could give you just 6cm of the place.

Morning due to cold , we found our throat chocked up,
may be due to cold, laughter, screaming. Even Adhwait
could not sing his Morning Raga. "I can sing only
BASE of the songs properly" in his own words. Anna's
FREE Black tea would have done the trick for our
singer. We were all reloaded then to spend one more
day(may be even night) in college.

It was indeed not a good time for Hygenious (hopefully
correct spelling) Neto around. Neto came on bike the
same day. Neto undefeatedly, patiently trying to call
to his house right from 3 'o' clock made a striking
statement: "Mere ghar ka cell no. yaad nahi re barabar
se." Anish offered a great help by himself trying to
call from his cell atleast 100 times. Neto ended the
first, and started the other day by the same statement
:- "Ae Anish, phone try kar na re!"

Where were the others?

Melvin, Alfrey: Made it to homes on the same day
(Bravo!)
Austin : came to college next day (Spent night in a
gymnasium)
PD: came to college, went to hotel (for food) n never
returned
Rohit J : Spend whole night in Train (Andheri)

I had a good experience at hand and heartously SALUTE
the SPIRIT of Mumbai inspite of being SIX FEET UNDER,
still keeps on going. Mumbai never stops, Mumbai never
sleeps! It has to go on. That's AAMCHI MUMBAI.

Yeh Hain Mumbai Meri Jaan!

My desk

2008-02-25T00:08:00.001+05:30

Adam's law of Compensation Equilibrium

2008-02-14T16:59:00.000+05:30

Working more hours than ever? Thinking that you are unpaid for such hard work? Thinking that the work load on you is increasing?
Not True.

I read an article about this, and came across a term called "Virtual Hourly Compensation". It is the total amount of compensation you receive per hour including -

Salary
Bonuses
Stolen office supplies
Free photocopies, printouts
Internet surfing
Preparing your resume for another venture
Training for your next job

Now Adam's law of Compensation Equilibrium states that an employee's Virtual Hourly Compensation stays constant overtime.

Nature finds a way out to balance your workload with your productive work hours to create equilibrium.

So, true.. isn't it???

Work and its Definition

2008-02-14T16:45:00.002+05:30

work [wurk] Work is defined as anything that you 'd rather not be doing!!!

So, don't think that you are working productively only 8 of the 9 hours expected. It is only for the better. The stock prices of my firm are rising after I joined, I do not want them to go down, by doing something stupid like 'working' !!!

National Theaters - Book of Secrets

2008-01-20T00:40:00.000+05:30

“Manav……Ajay’s Phone… ” yelled my mother and banged the phone on my ear. The clock ticked 9.40am on that Saturday morning, and I was on my bed, sleeping. “Chal.. Movie chalte hai… ” was our way of action. Yes, that’s how we always plan, never plan one! Just get up one fine morning, call the other guy, curse him for sleeping, call him a “Kumbhakaran”, open the newspaper (the other opens famecinemas.com), hunt for one, and bang!!! Run!!! We meet in exactly 15min.

This time, however we decided to go for the movie the good old way. No multiplexes for us! What surprises us is NOT “Om Shanti Om” tickets being sold out at 320 bucks, but it is the people, who buy those!!! So, we decided to go to a local theater. Yeah, it was really local. We chose, Moviegem, Dahisar.

Let me tell you, this theater is hidden. You need to have a TREASURE HUNT map to locate it. Even the people around the theater building have NOT heard the word “THEATER” in years. The small tiny building that appears on the road, transforms into a gigantic theater area, in its backyard. Tickets prices were surprising too – Rs. 30/- for STALL and Rs. 50/- for BALCONY. It was so soothing to hear these two words, which we had long forgotten about, all that we remember now is GOLD/SILVER/PREMIERE seats. Still trying to figure out why they are called GOLD, SILVER seats. But STALL and BALCONY… so much clear and appealing. And we chose, yeah right STALL!

Tickets were not computer generated. They are so boring. But we had this person, who has 3 stamps, who applies them one by one just like a machine; ZAP ZAP ZAP, and done. You have it in your hand, even before you choose seats on the computer in a multiplex. The theater had everything. A guard, who checks your tickets and lets you in. He’ll even help you get in, even if you don’t have one. You are so very happy to see the man with the torch light, who guides you to the correct seat. People who know me well, will surely know what would I really do with a STALL ticket, yes try to sneak into, try a hand at getting BALCONY seats. And am happy to say that, it worked too! So, it was Nicolas Cage starrer “National Treasure – Book of Secrets”. In the interval, to complete the movie experience, we even enjoyed some POPCORN.

Ten on Ten to the movie experience! It is so much very important to preserve old theaters, it’s a national treasure! A boon to countless college people, who have to manage their and theirs’ tickets from their pocket money. Well, where else you will see Tickets been sold in BLACK. When would you be able to say – “Black mein tickets kharid ke dekhi”.

gO gOA!!!

2007-05-25T14:54:00.000+05:30

Caution:

This blog is highly detailed. It may provoke a quick urge to plan a trip to gOA right away!!!

After a wait of 3 longest months, came the day when we would enjoy our project event to gOA! Still remember the time when we were leaving for gOA from our office. Me, all dressed up gOAn style (shorts, cap, etc.), looking perfectly like a cArToOn, with all dear friends, got into cab which would take us to Panvel.

<< In the Cab >>

Well, people who were in our cab (5 of us) had a cOOL time. Well, why not?

-All soft drinks, snacks lay with us.

-We had the privilege of two loud sony ericsson phones to play our kinda music.

-We did not have GL (to boss around, though he usually doesn’t)

-Everyone, excited to pull each other's legs

Piyush just loved the song played by Vyas. He heard it there for the first time, and would surely hear it for life. ;) After a pit stop with Nitin's (mr. GL) crew, and after pulling his leg about his proclaimed Just Married title, came Panvel Station.

<< Pit Stop at Panvel >>

After, a grand dinner at The Kolkers', oh.. arrived the tomato soup, which Piyush had ordered as the starters! After Piyush ordered the starter-cum-desert, we were off to the railway stn which would take us all the way to gOA!

Memories of the railway cricket that we played on the railway station, is very fresh in my mind. Considering, the Station Master's wall, a stump, cricket brought us all together. Every one was just warming up to enjoy the trip!

Ravi, with an inverted cap on his head, a camera pouch around his neck with his handbag, looked perfectly like a typical marriage photographer! Even the station master suspected him, and called him and bashed him up for us playing cricket, and his clicking pics of the railways.

So, what we do? Just switch the platform, and continue with cricket, what else!

<< Inside the Train >>

Inside the train, after we settled, Shalini served us freshly cut apples. Krunal, still believes, eating apples can ward off the sleep. So, if you feeling sleepy while reading the blog, man, have an apple right away!

<< Thivim Effect!!! >>

After getting up, next morning in the train, all sat and we started with what we always do... sInGiNg!!! We have all kind of professionals available -

-Very old songs (Shalini)

-Sad song singers (Ravi, Akshay)

-Happy songs (Krunal)

-Very different love songs, which you wouldnt have heard (Akshay again)

-Pathetic Singer (mAnIaC)

Well, getting off the train wasn’t a normal routine for us, where you get ready an hour before the train reaches the station. While we were still singing, with station to arrive at 10.30am (it was still 9.45am), Krunal just popped his head out of the window, only to realise that Manmad stn had already arrived.

What was next, we did what all Mumbaitees always do.. RUN for LIFE!!! RUN for gOA!!! Trying to pick up all our stuff, we dint find one of our luggage!!!! Naah!!! Aint, a bag, Vyas was missing!!! Of course, he was in some toilet, but which ones??? We banged all the toilets in reach and yelled "Vyas, Vyas!!!" only to find different people coming out of the doors, we banged!!!

Fortunately, he came out of some door, and got down from the train! Phew!!! That was close.

<< First few Steps on gOAn Land >>

Well, you surely would have heard that gOA is a place of beautiful people. Well, we just experienced it! You know, we were not the only one to step on the platform. There was a full bunch of beautiful people (you-know-who) getting down too. Well, it made all the boys' heads turn... and we realised that we just reached gOA!!!

<< Hotel Green Park Cricket Tournament >>

Lunch was pretty good after we reached the hotel and freshened up. With our car, still to arrive, we decided to play cricket on the hotel lawn.

First ball - From Nitin to Manav. Nitin delivered the ball, and guess what!!! It went feets above Manav's head, and landed in the swimming pOOL!!! Easy, Nitin, Easy!!!!! Every ball, after that of Nitin's, everyone was suspicious about him injuring us!!!

Apart from the fact that Nitin's team suffered a loss (4-1), we had just discovered two players -

-Sharanya

-Shalini

Yes!!! These girls were amazing at their debut match!!! Shalini's ball reached the batsman/batswomen in 2 bounces sometimes, but Sharanya, indeed was a great hitter.

Oh.. before i forget to mention. Ravi, was on field, after applying his SPF (Sun Protection Formula) cream on his already dark skin, to prevent any further skin color loss!!!

<< Miramar beach and the Race Winners >>

We were off to the place, where you ought to be, in gOA.. beaches! We identified a checkpoint, and decided to race!!!! Many of us took part in it..

There were some exceptions of course... Ravi gave up racing before he even started; Vyas was confused so as to whether he should run or not.. he use to take brks in between the race :P. Well, guess who was the winner??? Unbelievable, but true!!!! It was me, mAnIaC!!!! Yup!!! I can run fast...

After taking a stroll in the water, it was time for another race... this time with mr. GL. Well, after he lost the matches (cricket), to cheer him up, I came second deliberately. (Naah!!! Nitin's a great runner!)

<< The Cruise >>

We then, went on this cruise, where they had put up some cultural event (dance, songs, etc.). It was the worst thing on the whole trip; well, you cannot get down, coz you are right in the middle of the sea. Though, some people like Krunal enjoyed it.

<< Calangute >>

No one eager to have dinner (in goa, you never are hungry - goan air is enuf), we all sat on the Calangute sand. No one knew, what was gonna come up.

Krunal, initiated this whole Marriage can change your life thing. What better person to ask doubts, then the man, who just got married. This talk was a headache for some people like me, Ravi and for the girls, from whom Krunal drew out answers. While all the serious-talk going on (which went way above my head), I just realised that someone had buried me in the sand!!!!!!! But I felt great! Like having, a sand massage.

<< Anand Restaurant >>

After rising from my burial, when all the stupid talks ended, we could not find a place to have dinner. Only some "Anand Restaurant" was open. This was a unique experience. Look, what we discovered on the menu -

DAL FRY

DAL MAKHANI = DAL FRY (in butter)

Seeing such inventions, i knew what was gonna come next. Roti, was like spiral coming off the plate. We don’t know what we found out amusing.. but our table of four.. Ravi, mAnIaC, Sharanya, Shalini.. there was something wrong with us.. we started laughing for some stupid reasons.. actually.. for no reasons at all..

It was at this time that I realised -

"In Goa, You Do Not Need To Drink, To Get Drunk - Its All In Its Air!!!"

<< The Napolean >>

After returning to the hotel, we played a game of cards - a new game that I had never played - The Napolean. Its a mind game, so.. you can always guess the winner.. me.. who else? After a great game, was the time to take a quick nap, after which we would enjoy even more - this time with Water Sports.

<< The one with Water Sports and Nitin's bargain - Sinquerim >>

This is part of a 30 km stretch of beach coastline along the west coast of Goa by the arabian sea that begins at Fort Aguada continues as Sinquerim beach.

Water sports was what everyone was waiting for... Water rides' cost were sky high.. so this had to be done fully gOAn style.. by bargaining for the water rides.

Starting with bargaining for Banana Ride, which was projected for Rs. 200, Nitin tried it to bargain for Rs. 180, and he thought he did a good job! (when the cost of the ride was not more than 100bucks) Krunal, was the perfect person to handle the bargaining. We enjoyed most of the water sports -

-Banana Ride

-Bumpy Ride

-Motor Ride

-Parasailing

Banana was the mooooooost enjoyable ride ever. While the ride throws us in the waters, Akshaya was all over Krunal, poor fellow.. he cudnt come up.

Also, Vyas was thrown off the Bumpy Ride and the rider was searching him in waters for a while.

Sharanya and Shalini too, enjoyed the most of it.(You need to see their pics!!!)

Ritesh, trying his best to return from the ride, ended up floating with the waves.. he was trying to swim even after he reached the shore.. and could not get up. Me, Ravi had to pull him over.

The best part of this was that... everyone.. i mean everyone.. enjoyed the water sports.. no one could deny.

<< Girls and Pearls >>

This section is dedicated to the girls who helped me pick up some jewellery for my sisters. Well, I couldnt have figured out myself. Its very difficult, you know. ThankYou Sharanya, Shalini for helping me pick up the shells for me off the beach. They lie @ my home in a bowl!!!

<< Vagator >>

After water sports and after lunch, we reached Vagator. Its a very clean beach, with clean water, shacks and foreigners under the same sun. Everyone just jumped into the waters. We were there for about 4-5hours.. and enjoyed a lot. We learned how we should stand against the waves. It was real fun.

<< Ritesh and his denial >>

Ritesh, when asked to join us in the waters, denied!!! Now, can you believe that? A 20kg man, who flies away with wind, floats away with water is denying??? He said 'NO'???? What was next, mAnIaC just picked him up (see pics) and dropped him into the sea.

Thereafter , whenever Ritesh said 'NO' in the trip, someone or the other picked him up. mAnIaC, Krunal, Akshay everyone picked him up. Ravi, your chance will come too, just look out when does he deny next!!!!

<< Ravi, the catching sensation! >>

On Vagator beach, when everyone was playing catch-the-ball contest, Ravi bagged the title. Naah!!! He dint pick-up max catches or something, but went for max no. of catches like a chicken runs and even dropped most of it.

<< The Round table, after midnight >>

After returning from the beach, we had a splendid dinner in the hotel, such that no waiters were available at the end. After enjoying the deserts (vanilla ice-cream, matka kulfi - new to some people), we sat in the lawn of the hotel. This is how the Round Table Conf began.. it was a good game wherein you have to say something good AND bad about each one of us. We came to know about most of our deficiencies and about our strong points, which people believed about us.

We were here discussing till 3.30am nxt morning, Vyas was asleep by the time his chance came (This is soO NOT very surprising!!!). This is what i just LOVE about an outstation trip. There were many people (Shalini, Sharanya) who wanted to go to bed immediately, but you cannot.. coz.. everyone's participation is a must. They can’t give excuses like they have any work or something.

P.S: We even danced on the song '01-SajanjiVaariVaari.mp3' . Akshay was teaching us the dance.

<< St Francis Church >>

What was next, the day when we had to return had come. We visitied St. Francis Church and off to the Railways again.

<< The one with 'Khatiya' >>

Well, Vyas was given some song to enact (Dumb-charades!!!) and he's hearing the word - 'Khatiya' for his first time in his life. Well, he tried to enact marvellously, but we still can't figure out what was he doing!!!!

<< The one where we were in Karnataka >>

While people were playing different games all over, in the train, i had a short nap and had come back on the seats when i asked - "Where are we?". To which, Piyush replied -
"I think... we are in Karnataka!!!". Not knowing about much of the rail-routes, we started laughing and laughing.. and laughing.. but yeah!! the gOA effect was goin off.. we would have to work again.. same old WORK!!!! WORK!!! WORK!!!!!

Pune came.. and The End. But still, when I look back, I will surely cherish it as one of my best memories ever. And besides me lies the cOKe bottle, that was remaining from the trip.. and I am having the last sip NOW... wish me luck.. coz.. the bottle has come from gOA!!!

59 Koregaon Park

2007-05-03T10:21:00.000+05:30

As usual, got up early at 7am in the morning on a holiday! (Never before 8.15am on a normal day!)

After brushing twice, had a shower (first with shampoo with hot water, then with soap, then with water ofcourse!)

Phew!!! Only 7.30am. Here, you have to kill time.

Saw THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND, read a few pages of the book, had a few nuts, but the clock still showing 10.30am

To top it all, current goes in my bldg.. What to do now? Again had a bath… and just left the house.. dint know where to go…

What better place than to go other than the MALLS…. Well, there are no other places around! Bought everything from soaps to socks to vicks to hair oil to deo to… black t-shirt!

A whooping 1700bucks. But it dint cost me this. He swiped it twice (yup!! 3400bucks!)

Everything bad enough till now.. but dint knew the time was gonna change.. change for better…

Hopped from one MALL to another ( Big Bazaar, Nucleus, Pune Central, etc. )

Coffee in CCDAY [at] Nucleus was fun, accompanied by POGO and CARTOON N/W. My day had just begun…

just begun to become better.. and better.. and better…

Enjoyed the fresh smell of the soil in the first rain. With bag on my back, as always, was walking down the street with a smile on my face, enjoying the very first rain. Can still feel the aroma coming from the soil. What better way to spend a few hrs by dropping into your pal’s house in the rain… Yup.. that is what I did.. dropped here at my friends place..

**g*a*a and mA*D**s house!

After ringing the wrong bell, finally reached the correct destination to realize they were asleep. It’s a mixed feeling… you don’t want to disturb their sleep.. but surely wake them up.. When I entered the balcony, I just realized that cricket was being played in their own lawn. Couldn’t help whistling to the guys playing downstairs, and sought their permission if I could join ‘em. Just, the other moment, I remember I put my shoes, threw my cell, wallet and ran downstairs.. just like a kid who has just finished his summer exams…

Cricket was cOOL. Though my arm still pains, there’s no beating the fun that I had. My Park ride was cOOL too.. dint like the PARK as much as I liked the bungalows on the way… ya.. the title of the blog is the name of a bungalow on my way!!!

Guess, what next? CCDAY!!!! What a hangout place. Had my favorite food over here, beans! Coffee beans!!! Though, choco-almond-walnut thing was fairly good too. You see many kind of people over here. From red haired Tom Cruise to dark girls with blue nail-polish! Sabhi namune hote hai yahaan…

After having such a good time, quite shamelessly, I yet again invited myself to dinner at their place.

And ya.. I did gave my yogdaan by cutting lowki.. don’t remember the dinner though. It was pretty good, but Seinfeld was great. And they know it really well.

After such a great time…. Will keep waitin… and waitin.. for such times to come and come and come…

My best dinner!

2007-03-25T01:40:00.001+05:30

hmm.. phew!!! Attempting a blog after a lOOOng time. Last blog i wrote was when i had nothing better to do @ Nirvana's! But luckily, i dint enjoy the warmth of bench for long. Ya!!! Started my so called Professional life :P and started using the IT words every where -

-'no issues' -for- 'No problem'
-'m running out of budget' -for- 'got no money left'
-'bugs & fixes' -for- 'problems & solutions'

You surely must be thinking why am i listing all things in a structured manner in my blog. Well, that's d way it goes!!! Ill-effects of official mailing language in IT industry.

Here starts my main blogging topic - Dinner@Frnds' place!
As usual, quite shamefully, i invited myself to the dinner, but at these frnds' place. These frnds are 3 girls -
-*ru**m*
-*eg*a
-*eg*an*
Oh.. no!! Still listing down stuff!!! God, this official-mailing language is so much bugging me!!! Kindly, look into this matter!!! Aaaargggh!!!!! Forget it! Please get used to it. We dint negotiate on the ocassion tho! Whatevr it was.

We started with the pics ceremony! I showed *ru**m* my Afghan pics (with stories ofcourse!) and then she started showing her bachpaan ka pics.... Well her childhood pics were awesome... However, after a bit of evolution, her pics started getting better and bitter, pic by pic!!!! I was rolling on d floor laughing. Pics of *eg*a were quite normal (as they were clickd jst some 3-4yrs back!). However, the other 2 pantars looked like this:
-*ru**m* looked like today's Lola Kutty on MTV (very shy tho! - not even once looked into the camera!)
-*eg*an* looked like a Math/History Prof.
We counted about 9 photos, which *ru**m* is supposed to enlarge and hang it on the walls. If placed on orkut, these photos could prevent her from being unnecessarily added as a friend, inspite she chooses her status to be 'open/single'. Same goes for *eg*an*

Want to know - how they live? Well, they call it 'normal routine', i call it ' pure struggle'!!! Their lives is sOO very difficult (for some1 like me!). Lets take a simplest example.
-Firstly, you bring the milk
-Then empty into vessel
-Watch it boil
-Empty it into glass
-Drink it (without Bournvita? Cant even imagine this!)
-Clean the milk vessel.

Above procedure would be followed for each event!

My simple solution to above problem: Go to baniya ka store, and drink Amul Kool.

Getting back to dinner... We then started with cutting d vegetables. Cauliflower & tomatoes. Well, i did win the competition of cutting Cauliflower faster (and better ofcourse!) but i really pitied what *ru**m* did with tomatoes! I did put some raw cauliflower into hot tomato gravy! (which ofcourse.. i was not supposed to do.. I do it all the time when my Mom's cooking!) *eg*an* is an excellent roti-maker! You get perfectly round chapatis and tasty too(jst like my Mom!) *eg*a made vigorous noises (as always) as if torturing the vegetable in the pan. But, as always, the end-product was sOO tasty!

Then, i had the previlige of watching KBC tritaya (with Shahrukh Khan) for the first time. There, i observed some changes -
- 'freeze' kar diya jaaye
-'biwi k bulane ka time aa gaya' (show got over!)
These ppl were huge Shahrukh fans it seemed. And kind enough, to not kill me even after they knew he was not at all on my list of fav heroes.

Dinner procedure was normal. I just dint understand one thing. When i was full, and got up, these ppl made me sit and gave me some more sabzi inspite of my refusing to the same (seemed to me as a punishment of inviting myself @ their house :)) but these same girls later told me "forcefully mat kha".... i mean ... what was that.... dint understand that.. any answers?

What better way 2 end a fabulous dinner watching Gags!!! and Mr. Bean (courtesy of Pogo Entertainment Channel).

So..winding up.. thankyou for all the lovely dinner... sorry for the inconvenience caused (if any, i dnt think so)... sorry for everything.. but neways, i'll still b back someday!!! Even if invitation doesnt come, i'll be there..

venue: ur place
cook: Subjected to change
ocassion: Well, who needs it..

Anti-Baabul Campaign!!!

2006-12-12T19:40:00.000+05:30

Hi,

After BLACK, my family dint c ny film 2gethr. Some1 suggested BAABUL…. I knew I wud not like d film but…. Since whole family wud b goin, I readily agreed.

Let me tell you this film is one of its kind…. Each dialogue in this film is a typical Hindi-Film Type dialogue… The dialog writer has really wrkd hard.. He wud hav wtchd atleast 1600 films b4 making this one…

This movie is fast…. Real fast….

Whenever u wud expect some drama… u r always wrong…

This film has it all->

Beta videsh se aaya, so…
Song of welcome
Baap Bete ko apne office ke chair pe bithata hai… same old drama….
He goes nd plays golf with his dad.. whn Rani (heroine) enters…
A song again
Then he (salman) falls for her, so…
A song again
Then comes… John Abraham… I thot… ok.. so its gonna b tough competition… but u r wrong….
John loves Rani but Rani loves sallu… so… it is implied that John sacrifices…
So a sad song.. for john
They decide 2 marry… sallu comes 2 rani’s house 4 marriage talks.. u think now.. that rani’s dad wud disagree… but nope…..
A song yet again…
A song again for marriage…
A song again for vidayee… after marriage…
Now… after few days… rani pregnant… ok so u think now this kid will die and story wud continue…..
Nope… he is born…. Now u think d kid wud hav some probs… but u again wrong…
How can u 4get 2 do a song with d kid in it??? So, a song again…
Now… sallu goes 4 a business meeting…. Nd when he is gonna come back,,,,….
A welcome song again being played…. So?????? Yup u wud b right!!!!!
A typical Car accident… sallu dies….
A sad song for him…..
Now his dad thinks Rani shud marry again…. So… who’s around… hey.. where did john go???? He was d only hero left…
Now john relocated 2 singapore and started singing sad love songs there… that was his job!!!!
So when his dad goes 4 singapore,….. a song yet again…. Only song which u can hear!!!
Now, convince john… ok.. he’s ready…
Come back 2 india…. Rani says no no… dunno y? But then agrees…
THE END

Phew!!!! What a film!

All d dialogues said, u hav already heard it atleast 1334323 times… a perfect torture…

I told my brother 2 wake me up whn d song ends… nd I remember sleeping abt more than half d movie….

Also, ther was som1 who wishd 2 leave in the interval… but the door of theater was closed… nd ther was no1 2 entertain u…

Nope… its not BaaghBaan Part2… this was a pathetic movie.. but it now seems a masterpiece 2 me after seeing BaaBul…

Dunno.. y was it named Baabul… may b coz at the end of d movie.. rani had 3mothers and 2fathers… may b dats y..

P.S: Pt. 28. A song 2 end d film…..

This was a Hindi Film I watched after BLACK and Lage Raho… nd this is what these films do 2 me… god pls save me…

So, I take an oath… I’ll never see these films until evry1 around me drags me 2 c the film…

Till then… I’ll b fine with my English/Cartoon/Animated films…

wELL, tHaTs ME!

2006-10-26T19:13:00.000+05:30

Well, I am writing this stupid post, coz i m stupid(duh!)

Reality check:
----------------------
-I dont get up early
-I get up only when my room-mate is all ready, wearing his shoes.
-We catch the office bus
-That office bus is the last one!

Well, one fine morning, this girl called **AL*N* sees 3 of us(my room-mates) running after the bus and finally ! -- catching it. She laughs. So, i dedicate this post to her ...

My Tight Schedule
================

Well, I never get up first. Its only when my room-mate *AU***H is all dressed up ready for office and really furious and screaming all over me, i open my eyes; and theN ----

Go back 2 sleep,of course! (last 2 min plz wala sleep)

But when i open my eyes --->

GRISH! GRISH! GRISH! (Says my toothbrush) Well, I am really carefull in selecting the TOOTHPASTE and not the SHAVING CREAM from once when I accidentally used it. [Both the tubes look soooo similar, life becomes really complex!]

After you know which daily chore, I then again come back to bed and start chatting with my room-mates, when they push me in the bathroom and ask me to make it fast!

I am really fast and the whole transformation process FROM BRUSH to WEARING SHOES takes juz 15minutes. Surprised? Arent You?

You heard it right buddy, I said WEARING SHOES and not otherwise; While they are busy locking the room, I am still wearing my T-SHIRT outside in my staircase!

While we walk towards the road to catch the bus, I COMB my HAIR!

And then we run, and we run and run, yes run! run! run! and finally catch the bus.

Finally, in the bus, I tie my SHOE LACES.

And when I get down from the bus, HEY! nOT even a single person can figure out THE METHODOLOGY OF MYSELF GETTING READY. Howzatt?

mY diWALi

2006-10-26T19:03:00.000+05:30

Well, before describing my celebrations about diwali, a little talk about what i missed...

I missed the LAXMIPOOJAN on 19th October'06 which is an essential PUJA which marks beginning of Diwali. Well, due to office, i could not attend it and thus I asked my bro to take good pics of the same(he's with my SONY ERICSSON W700i nd not willing to return it; but i will get it!)
Well here's a pic of the same. Well apart from all the coins of god(a treasure!), there's my DHAN. Ya! The 100 rupee note that you see on the left side with GANDHI BAPU on it, is THE FIRST NOTE that came out of MY FIRST SALARY ATM MACHINE. Yes, i have laminated and preserved the same. Well, its again a great treasure!

However, apart from that note i dont have any salary notes left (fully fulltoo Kangal!)

Departure or Arrival?
============================

Now, coming on the departure day from my office on FRIDAY, i lost my ID CARD and didnt knew where the heck it was, i asked **AL*N* to collect it wherever she could possibly!
What's in a card? Well, leaving early for diwali celebrations is more important nd so fled away without thinking much about it.

Got a bus (I never ever like buses) nd finally arrived apunka Mumbai. Had a good long chat with all my friends who were ready to burst crackers in the building compound.

Well, it wasnt a departure from company, but arrival to home.

Diwali
======

Well, this is my building!
A nice lightning tree near my place.

Wanted to wish each and evry1 a very happy diwali, nd decided to reach out to as many people as i cud.

Bombay life is sooooooooo very different from Pune. Here, I had to literally run and run like a mAnIaC to reach out to people. I started taking ricks to reach out to relatives/friends who live just to adjacent streets.

New Year Day
==============

Well, this day is soooooo very different. My mom and my bro, against my will forcefully dressed me in an attire you would never see again. Yup! In a SHIRT; Well T-Shirts are for me; One of the reasons I joined my company was because casual wears were allowed

So, company folks! You may never ever be able to see me like this ever! (until the company kicks me off, ofcourse!)

Then I was asked by a friend, "When would I return? Wednesday evening or Thursday morning directly 2 work?"

Well, your guess is as good as mine. FULTOO VASOOL your vacation, your celebration, your madness!

I'll B BACK AGAIN
===================

After 5 days of celebration, my mom, dad went senti on THU morning.

My reply: "Arre, I am going today(THU) and returning tomorrow(FRI). Juz dropping my luggage and coming!" Well, thats me!

The TAVERA Ride

2006-10-19T19:54:00.000+05:30

You know what? I was back, back to my cubicle, all training over. So, after the usual exercise thing regarding work, I decided to stay back and just surf the net till 8:30pm (8:25pm actually, then have to catch a bus, after running after it, ofcourse!)

Its 08:24pm. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I met my friend codenamed "npscars" online. He's a real buddy, and we are best of friends. He's off to USA for his masters. We infact met after a long time. I asked him, how long he would be online when to my surprise, he replied "1 HOUR"! I thought, why not wait here at office itself. So had a nice strong chat with him for quite some time till I realized that it was 10:30pm already. And am still sitting in front of my PC!

Then what! Just pic up the bag, and RUN! Rushed to the basement in hope of getting a drop to my place. Here, comes a new brand RED TAVERA in front of me and stops!

"Where would you like to go?" asks SAMEER, driver of the car. "BIG BAZAAR", I reply. I get into the car, back seat!

Nice old songs are being played in the car! AC is on. What an atmosphere! WooooooH! Mazaa aa gaya. When no one arrived, I was alone. SAMEER started the car.

I stopped him and said, "No one there?". I was all alone. I just got out and came at the front seat with SAMEER. Now, just see how humble this fellow was.

Sameer: "Saab. Piche aaram se baitho"
mAnIaC: "Abbe nahi yaar, mein Saab thode hi hoon. Neither the owner."
S:"Par main to driver hi hoon"
m:"Abbe. Itna respect mat do yaar. Abhi abhi join kiya hai."

After some talk, we are out. What a ride! Sooooo very comfortable! Good music, good air, smooth ride. Man! This is life!

So, I have decided. After due struggle in life, man I will own a car one day!

To my utmost surprise, he dropped me not near my house, but till the gate of my house. I thanked him for the ride and now, I think. Some people are really very good! Why? Never seem to answer that though!

mY Free Ride!

2006-10-19T19:31:00.000+05:30

Soon after the cubicle news, down came the bad news yet again! We would not start working immediately; a training would be scheduled; and the building of the training would be changed with the new location being atleast 15min away from the cubicle building!

So, only 6 of us(proj group) would be out there, away from friends, away from the so lively classroom atmosphere out here. We would definitely miss our favorite hangout place---- our CAFETERIA!

But life goes on. First day, new building:-

Arrived@9:30a.m. As usual, for having breakfast, went out at a place where it is served. Hmmm... What happened next?

No breakfast! It got over. We were said that we were late. Training was purely 'oRkUtting' time! Then came lunch time@1.30pm. What did we miss? Well, a long list I should say:-

1. Good Crowd
2. Crowd (evry1 finished before we entered)
3. Sweet Dish
4. Salad
5. Continental food
6. Cold drinks
7. Friends

The only thing good about the cafeteria out there is that you can listen 2 FM while you eat not forgetting the 'SAUNF' which acted not simply as a mouth freshener, but a savior when there is nothing edible!

1 thing I said 2 myself:- I am not gonna eat here again!

"GOD IS GREAT" and he really is to listen to me. My classmate, a girl (*H**AN**) from 2nd day started bringing KINETIC! Nervously, I approached her and asked if she would give me a lift till my original workplace. I said her that I had some work out there(No money, had to use ATM + some other work[wanted 2 have lunch with all out there]).

And then, as luck favored me, she readily agreed. 2nd day was a day 2 be remembered. A day, when I felt so happy to be back! Thankyou, *H**AN**!

Told my story of mY Free Ride to all. So, ofcourse everyone laughed! But this is the way, I am. Ride liya, to liya. So, what?

Another classmate(*EG**) was interested in taking a pic of mine with *H**AN** giving me a lift. She said it would like LAUREL & HARDY travelling on a poor bike! But unfortunately, she couldnt take it as she was busy(U know busy with what, i believe). So *EG**, poor girl, you missed the show! Well, a blank image alongside is dedicated to you, if you manage to take a snap of the same!

What was next? Shamelessly, I kept insisting on the ride, which I got and enjoyed it soooo very much! That was mY Free Ride; ready for the next!

--
The trouble with being punctual is that nobody's there to appreciate it.

So, i am always there, but you know when!

my very own cubicle

2006-10-05T20:02:00.000+05:30

Normal day. Normal phase of my life. Got work [at] Amdocs. Training going on. With announcement of break, everyone's back to life!

"Abbe, apne ko cubicle mil gaya hai. Saath mein 750$ ka computer bhi mil raha hai, cubicle ke liye", said Ravi, my group member for the RM PRM project. Great! Got a cubicle? with very own comp? Rushed to the corridor where I checked my Mail to know where's the location of the cubicle. Ok. so, its on XXfloor. North wing. No. XXX. Great!

We then all rushed to the floor to see the location. Its very near to the pantry, so a great place. Saw only a small box, only 2 realize that it was AMD Athlon 64bit 3500+ processor with 1GB RAM and with my very own name written on it. But the enthusiasm soon died away. Now, no training would mean no fun in classrooms, no cracking jokes about the profs, no cafeteria gatherings, no more sleeping, no more asking for breaks coz when I look behind what I did in my Training, i can only remember the cafeteria fun that we had together. I will miss coming late to classrooms, I will miss everyone who caught me for coming late, will miss 'orkutting' and 'chats' that we had during training sessions!

In this state of my mind, went down to the basement to collect the headset. Came back to the class. And Phew! Whats more. Enjoy as much as much as much as you can. Sat on my computer. Instructor looking at me. I switch on my monitor and.......

orkut.com
---------

Fun begins once more. Time pass starts yet again. Enjoyed the rainy break. Completed the session and got to my very first meeting. And just after that .....

Lets assemble our pcs!

Started with joining all the wires. Started it (only after every1 wished me luck ). Downloaded firefox. All possile extensions and themes. And I am writing this blog since then. People wish me luck!