New Beginning

Finding 10 mins in a week does not seem that biggie, but you know how it goes. Deep down I always missed writing, even though I know I am average writer. Writing always gave me joy for some reason unknown.

I think I will give it another try...

Cheers!

Unwritten

Here are some of the posts that went unwritten..

The One With Ginger Garlic Paste
I m not trying here to blame Gaurav..

The King!!
Why does the one who innovates always get

Expectation!!!
Expectation is worst enemy of human being..

Gravity of bad interviews!
I always knew about job search and interviewing process being painstaking...


I would be more than happy to publish the one of your interest..its time to vote!

End of the Days

Yes, I yield...

Sweet Home Alabama!!!

After a hard long 10 months I visited Alabama, which served as home away from home, for more than 2 years. Oh boy..and I could easily feel the difference in the air. That ever green Quad, that frenzy Bryant Denny stadium, those pubs on the strip and those monumental structures on campus where I used to hang out, easily created vibes and made me feel home. It was replenishing to be there and catch up with old buds. And of course, what can be more apt than to see friends taking graduation walk. Trushant, Sarab and Shilpa took walk, this time around. Though not at best of my health during the visit, still had those all night long chit-chats to catch up with the latest happenings, still went for bowling, still enjoyed food at those old hang outs. I still had heck of a time.

But sad part, I missed some of things I so much wanted to do. I was not able to eat sandwich at Schloztsky's Deli (I am sure Mau will able to feel my pain). It was one of my all time favorite in T-town, and I swear, I can easily munch on those sandwiches everyday. I was not able to visit Bryant Denny stadium to see the newly renovated front entrance. Nor was I able to see the extravagant fountain at Ferg. I did not hangout at Black Warrior river and nor did I strolled on the Quad.

But meeting with old pals easily overweights all this out. Vishal and Sarab are now married so was able to meet their better halves, Yogita and Deeksha. I also met my old folks at my office. And I also met Dr. Smith (Graduate Advisor) and it was flattering to still get those kind offers for Phd from his side.

To sum it all up, it was fantastic trip! I am missing Alabama, the home away from home ;)

Sir Dr. William Fendley Jr

This man deserves space on this blogspot more than anyone. This entry should have made its way here long back but sadly I have to write posthumous for him.

Sir Dr. William Fendley was Director of OIRA (Office of Insitutional Research and Assessment) at The University of Alabama. And, I would say I was lucky enough to get in touch with him. He was man of great character. So relaxed yet so responsible, so casual yet so punctual, so prodigious yet so down to earth. I was fortunate enough to have worked under him for more than 2 years.

I would be always thankful to him, to have picked me up as graduate assistant, for the reasons I still don't understand. I can still remember my first meeting with him, dressed casually, carrying measly resume, looking for on-campus job, I met him during lunch time at OIRA lunch room. I can still recall that moon shaped face with green eyes and streaks of gray hairs bouncing out of houndstooth hat, peeking at me through those half moon spectacles. At first meeting itself I was fan of his. And I feel out of words to describe his stature.

But I will always regret for not calling him up before his demise. I made courtesy call to Mike and ended up promising him that I will call up Dr. Fendley. I never called him up. And next thing is, I received call from my friend Priya, who now works at same office about how Dr. Fendley is fatally ill and has been hospitalized. I made call at office to inquire about him, but was told that he is in good health now and should return to office in couples of weeks.

But fate had something bad designed for him, and I receive another call from Priya. Even before picking up the call I could sense something bad coming at me. My blood froze and I was all numb. I was not at all ready for the news coming, and I was not sure how to react.

May his soul rest in peace. Amen!

Catching Up With Lost Time

I have been too lazy to write down for a while and number of posts have reduced considerably, not that I used to write everyday but still. So many entries that affected my life and should have made to this blog space are missing. I have made mind that I am going to catch up with lost time.

Okay, enough of complaints and resolutions, on lighter side, I received an email from one of my friend with following picture -



And with a innocent question as to "Why people blog?"

I surely cannot run my wild imaginations for other people's interest toward blogging, but here are some reasons why i do -

1. It was growing fad. Yes I fell for it ;)
2. I believe, I am a good writer. It's easier for me to put my thoughts into writing.
3. It's one of the best way to let your good friends now what you are up to these days. And the way for them to make sure you are not going insane.
4. Sometimes you feel shortage of audience on topics of your interest, this way you can easily reach friends who you know would surely match your interest.
5. I am not glib talker by nature so writing was the only way to show 'world' my rage on those suckers ;) (Punya you top my list).
6. It was in my "Try Out" list.
7. It would feel so great to read all this 5-6 years down the line and laugh at my current state of mind.
   
8. It somehow gives me feeling of accomplishment.
   
9. It may help me stay put with li'l bit of vocab power that I have. Yes, get me on this one.
10. And of course, blogging is fun..

Yes, I don't need Religion, I have got a Blog!

Current Song: Winds of Change by Scorpions
Current Mood: Inquisitive

Down and Under

Got another Sinus Attack today and I am down with it. Hopefully, would be back on track by tomorrow. Sorry, if I missed your calls and IMs.

Nelson Update: Since I wrote the post, no single day has passed without it.

And, yes, stand-ups are good and hilarious, but going too much personal is sick and filthy.

Peace!

The One With Nelson

It is freaking strange and it has been happening almost everyday for sometime now. Working relentlessly or lying cozily, I try to get hold of my sense's for the Time, and all I see is 'Nelson'. Yes, 'Nelson' made infamous by the famed cricket umpire David Shepherd. 'Nelson' - a score of 111 or multiples thereof is considered as an ill omen. I am baffled as to why is it happening on regular basis that I look at the clock and it is Nelson. Is ill fate awaiting for me in near future? Though I am not a believer of numerology and astrology, but when something like this happens, it kind of shakes your beliefs. And probabilistically, chances of seeing a 'Nelson' on non-military clock are 4/86400 on a given day. You can imagine how disturbing it would be to see such a low-probabilistic number everyday. On the other hand, I think I should say my luck is very strong that I can strike such a chance. What if 'Nelson' does not necessarily bring ill-fate? After all who can prove it is really portent?

And yes, poor Gaurav also gets peck at 'Nelson' once in a while...poor guy! or may be who knows..lucky one!

Pet Names ;)

Eureka! another pet name - "prabhu" and you can surmise how that came. And its contributed by my roomie. And here are some of my other pet names -

1) Lal
2) Chinks
3) Sachya
4) Sachhu
5) Lalu
6) Chinku
7) Lad Sahab
8) Sirjee
9) Chaddi
10) Chinkya
11) Thakur
12) Kaake

I am sure there have been many more but those are the ones I remember. You can contribute if you remember one. And I won't mind you using anyone of these for me ;) Have Balls!!

First Inteview

Neither I am talking about my first ever interview here nor I am planning to change my job. Stop running your wild imaginations. I am going to talk here about my first experience of being on other side of table. Yes, my first job interview as interviewer rather than seeker.

We had open house for USC and I had to interview 5 candidates on-site on a single day. We (our team) had to plan about this well in advance as it is not easy to judge some one within 45 minutes of meeting and it is even more difficult when you have to interview 5 candidates on single day. We planned, all in advance on Who is going to grill on which topics, so that we make sure we do not repeat the questions. I was given responsibilities of chalking out the questions for technical quiz, which I happily accepted. In addition I had to be ready with "good" questions for my share of on-site interviews, I was supposed to test candidates on my favorite topic i.e. Algorithms and Data Structure. Data Structure and C..are you kidding?? I was sure, I was going to have heck of a day!

Well, to say truth I was very disappointed with the quality of students. Oh boy..can you imagine Master's students who are not able to contemplate the idea of Stack and Strings in C. I was shocked to see candidates scrambling when told to write a simple C program to reverse a C string after being told C is their favorite language.

Here are some of the excerpts from my first interview -

Me: Tell me about yourself?
Candidate: Started with usual stuff...and ended with "I have an OCP (Oracle Certified Professional)

Me: Shouldn't you be looking for job as DBA?
Candidate: In short..I am interested in working as Software Engineer.

I followed with some technical question starting from Data Structures, C to OS and XML. None of the answers were acceptable. And then he says "Sir, I would prefer if you don't ask me questions on Algorithms and Data Structures"

Wow..I could not believe myself hearing this and that too from student pursuing his Master's degree in Computer Science on on-site interview!

I thought may be he is more of DB guy as he had Oracle's Certification. So I start asking him DB related question. And then he says something that was incomprehensible

"Sir, actually I would have preferred you not asking me question on Programming and DB. I think there is some kind of confusion. I am not interested in job as software engineer. I would rather like to interview for QA position."

Are you kidding? Do you think we are stupid to allow you to waste valuable time of our colleague? I wanted to say him that rather we would make sure that you do not get chance to waste a second of ours for your lifetime. And all I could do was pity for that guy's father for wasting fat bucks on his fees at USC.

To add it more, I gave thumbs down for each one of candidates I interviewed. Nor was I tough nor did I do that as an aftermath of first interview. It is just that I did not see anyone fit for the job position. And yes, none of them were hired..and I know most of you would agree with me on the outcome ;)


Current Mood: Satisfied
Current Song: Purani Jeans by Ali Haider

The three things

Gossh..it's more than 4 months since my last post, not sure if anyone visits here anymore. I have been too lazy and was trying to avoid Phone Calls, IMs and Orkuting as much possible. Just wanted to have some time for myself, gather my thoughts and contemplate over the aftermath of *too* many changes at my end.

If still don't know, I had to make a urgent trip back home for 3 weeks. But it also means that my name should be at the top of your call list. This trip was so much different as compared to my past trips. My lovely li'l sis is married now and I am still finding it incredibly hard to conceive that. Okay..I should stop this or I would keep on rambling on this.

So I wanted to tell you about the three things I enjoy most while back home in India -
1. Food: Of course this would be the top most item for almost all desi's. And why should it not be? How can anyone get away with those chats, paani-puri, paneer tikkas and what not?
2. Pressure: Believe me after eating all those chatpati cuisines, the pleasure of ultimate pressure at the start of the day is worth everything. I really miss this every morning ;)
3. Freedom: Getting everything at your disposal, be it food or anything else. No pain of doing laundry, cleaning utensils and all...

Mood: Drooling
Music: None

Life's Rolling

Oh boy! It's been almost a month since my last post. Neither am I that busy nor I am that lazy, I think I am losing desire to blog. And I believe culprit is this routine after school life, it seems like everything is at standstill. I don't intend to hint here to be bored. I am kindda liking this era. I like giving all my heart out to one of the passionate thing driving me around, my job. And chilling out on weekends, watching football all day long and to spice up a bit, go bowling, playing pool and movies. Life is rolling!

Lately, I am driven away with my daily calls and intent to be in good touch with my friends. Not sure what is going on their part of world. Hopefully I would catch up with all the missed stories, gossips and fun.

I am already smelling the weekend around, I have gotta big plan for this long weekend. Hopefully everything will turn up as expected. I hate twists and surprises fouling the holdiay mood.

I so much wanted to go home this December. So many of my pals are getting married during that time of the year. I can count at least 10 on top of my head. Damn it! I am going to miss so much of fun and moreover I am going to miss those moments to laugh my balls out watching them merrily lose their freedom. Though sometimes I think, in a way it is good that I am not going, as it would have been real trouble to choose one over the other and it would be doomsday to justify my choice. Whatever happens, happens for good.

It is Thanks Giving..so I would like Thank everyone for ??? (Chose whatever is appropriate but I do realize that I do not really mean it [;)] ) Happy Thanks Giving!!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year People - may this New Year bring prosperity and happiness to all of you.

I was craving to write for so long but I made a 'horrible' mistake in my last post and I am still embarrassed by it. Thanks to mrinalini for pointing me that out. Knowledge is bliss but half knowledge is dangerous...lessons learned!

Yes, it's another diwali and new year away from home. Diwali means lot's of lights, praying, crackers and sweets. Well, neither I am too much of religion follower and nor do I know much about praying and traditions. I celebrated diwali like any another weekends - shopping, lots of football and outside food. And the addition was trip to Lake Cachuma.

Football - that reminds me of Crimson Tide's below average run this season. I am an ardent fan, be it football or cricket. Say it a coincidence or a bad luck but in both of the sports my team showers me with lots of disappointment. Lately, I have been irritated by this, I want to brag about my team, want to be mad fan, like other rival fans, but my hapless team performs below par. Repercussions are that I have already stopped following cricket and I have made my mind soon to stop cheering Crimson Tide. But, I would like to spare another season to this 13 times National Champions.

Had a long talk with one of my good pal last night, three years and I can already see a change of 180 degree in him. A firm believer in god, confident, energetic and intelligent chap is now atheist, dull and gullible. I wonder how much have I changed? I believe I have not.

Many of my past talks ended with people saying 'tu to baada aadmi hain'. The reason that, I am so reckless with the money is not that I want to brag about it, but instead it's same old that, money still does not hold importance in my life. It never did played importance to me in past and it would never in future. All I care for is Family, Friends and Comfort!

Things are going very cool at my workplace. Last Friday my team lead said, she thinks very highly of me and she sees me going very far in my career [:)]. I am all flattered and that does give me boost to tackle coming 2 overly busy weeks.

Mood: Energetic
Music: None

Tids N Bits

Woosh..its 7th, that makes 2 months since I moved to Santa Barbara. Time flies by so fast, it seems like yesterday, my life was about to doom, but here I am, at one of the best place one can desire for, working for a great company. That reminds me of the unique 'Bell Ringing' ceremony that we practice at work place. Every time we have major 'release', a 'bell', which is hung inside company’s corridor, is rung by all employees one by one. Yes, it is the same 'bell' like in Indian temple, which we as a kid used to find lots of fun in hammering it. Yeah, it is weird but very exquisite tradition. Today's bell ringing was special for me as I was part of the release. I had little bit of contribution to the version of product that went out today.

Last couples of weeks were very eventful, I felt like I was back to school life, those late night parties, stupid talks, pubs, drinks and friends to hang out with. I am back to life now and I guess I am going to have balls in long run.

My apartment mate's parents have arrived from India and he is really having a good time. And not to mention the regale I am having with the home made 'motherly' food. That makes me dream and plan for the day when my family would be here. Again not all my family members can be here together at same time. This is the biggest drawback one suffers for being from business family. I cannot recall a single trip with all my family members together, either one of us (dad, bro or me) had to stay back to look after business.

Oops..its bed time now. I am heading early morning with my friend and his parents to Universal Studios at LA.

Music: 'The Unforgiven' by Metallica
Mood: Drowsy

Tech Retreat

I think, almost all Indian kids are brought up with extravagance conveniences. Indian kids are the most spoiled kids, I have ever seen. Parents would do unnecessary night out, if the kid has to study all night long. And even make breakfast and lunch ready for them. In short, all they have to do is study, and in return everything is done or made available for them. They would enjoy the most relaxed life. Well, this post is not about bashing the way Indian kids are brought up. I just wanted to draw similarities the way I spent my last week.

I exploited my last week at ‘Tech Retreat’ held by my company at ‘Alisal Ranch’ in Solvang. And once again, I got the feeling of being spoiled. The resort was awesome, the facilities provided was more than expected. Everything was available at your fingertips and all you had to do was - have fun. Its breakfast or lunch everything was made ready for us. Three days of tech retreat were rejoicing, thrilling and relaxing. And I did got chance to try my hands out at Golfing, Canoeing, Horse back riding, Archery, Hiking and Biking, in addition to having an executive suite to stay, and all expenses incurred were paid off. Also, to double up the delight, I was being paid for having all these three days of ‘fun’. So that’s what I would say bringing up the employee’s as inspired by Indian parents. So, now who would not sweat out for the company like this?

Return from wilderness...

Yeah, finally I got sometime to write. Naah.. I was not ‘so much’ busy and neither was life at stand still, there was so much to offer and so much to hide. Life has been going through so much of changes that I could have easily written one page everyday. I knew that if I had to write, then it would be difficult on my part to be righteous about events to describe. Unresolved on what to opt, time fly by without any posts.

Still unresolved, here is the snapshot of time lost. Last month went by in bollywood style, enduring sense of all the emotions, which human kind knows. Excitement, Thrill, Challenge, Dream, Conundrum, Aloofness, Sentiment, Attitude all box packed into one.

Never imagined life bringing so much of variety in jiffy. And everything has changed in past month - habitat, environment, lifestyle, priorities, people and relations. Never wondered life can spin topsy-turvy so quickly. Yes, I know changes are inevitable, and one has to adapt.

Damn you emotions

How would you define emotions? I think it is the weirdest thing a man kind possesses. Emotions can swing hundred times a day and can drive even the sanest person crazy. It can make a person do something which he can regret all his life. It can make strongest of the person frail with its tantrum. Wonder if there is a way to tame this weirdo? Is this a product of desi soap operas or just a state of perplexed mind? Would man kind continue to suffer due to this untamed one.

Note: Please read 'Disclaimer' before filing any lawsuit.

A time for appreciation..

Something spectacular happened on 17th of July 2oo6. Even the word "Spectacular" seems bleak compared to that. One more step forward towards the 'wants' of life, yes I am talking about the grandest job offer I accepted. This one goes straight up the ladder to second position on my Top 10 Memorable days of my life. I was craving to write so much about it, but I regret being not able to do so. Life has always showered rather unexpected or should I say more than I ever expected. It is time for me to appreciate the love, belief and guidance that kept me driving all the way to here.

First of all I would like to thank 'The Almighty God' (Don't give me those looks..I am not an Atheist) for his constant blessings. My family for being on my side and having a belief that I would succeed (I wonder made them believe that ;) ). And last but not least all my friends for their constant support and time to time guidance.

Some of the words that helped me fight all odds –

Bhai: You are destined to become big and I am sure you are going to have 2-4 great offers to choose from. Don’t worry and just give your best.

Topi: Aache logo ke sath aacha hi hota hain. And tere sath aacha hona hi hain. And never forget – jo hota hain aache ke liye hota hain.

Punnu: Kaise kaise logo ko job milta hain and tu to un logo se kahi uppar hian, tereko aache offers aayenge hi.

Alok: Load mat le, abhi interview calls to aa rahe hain na, buss convert karne ki baat hain, keep on trying.

Sheetal: You always had been smart enough to grab good opportunities in past and I am sure you will do it this time as well. It may take little time but for sure that time is about to come.

Girish: Plunge yourself deeply into it and think that you need to definitely get the best one from the entire lot...

Mau: Tu sahi hain. Mereko pata hian tu kaise na kaise sab jama lenga.

Some of you are not present in the list above but that certainly doesn’t diminish your help and support in any way. I regret not able to put you all up in there.

Thank You All for being there when I was tested by time, when I need you all most. Amen!

A perfect weekend..

I always wondered why there is so much gung-ho about long weekends in America. But I certainly realized longing for those special weekends while interning last summer and fall. During the same long weekend, last calendar year, I was exploring New York City and Niagra Falls with two of my 'chaddis'. Enjoying NYC and Niagra was a treat and that too with some of the close friends was like a double treat - A dream come true. A trip that I won't ever forget. Though the grass was much greener at that time, showering more freedom.

This time around circumstances did not allow me to 'plan something' or much better would be to say 'think something'. I was always invited for some or the other plans, but at that moment even I was not sure about my life next day. Life is turning out to be full of surprises now - some pleasant and some sordid. And one such unpleasant news regarding expiration of my apartment's lease rather landed me with another pleasant oppurtunity to be part of this fantastic Atlanta Trip.

I am sitting here cozily at Mrinal's lavish apartment enjoying every bit of it. What on the earth could one desire for other than delectable food, warm hosts, fantastic city hang around and bunch of buddies to freak out. A perfect break to make me ready and pump up all my cylinders to encounter all odds that would be coming up in next few weeks.

Drift it baby!

I watched today another much hyped movie 'Tokyo Drift' and truly speaking, enjoyed every buck of it. I have special attraction for every movie with speed, cars and race. I would highly recommend every guy with love for any of above mentioned traits to watch it. It also reminded me of those ugly days of mine, street racing hard, driving rash, breaking every rule and every signal that came across. I was even required to change 3 two-wheelers during a course of 4 years. I do realize that it was all unnecessary or rather I should say unintelligent, but I guess during that time of life everyone goes flamboyant and must have done something obtuse one way or the other.

Back to Tokyo Drift, it rejuvenated my spirit for being fast and furious. Old passion driving thru my veins, kicking my adrenaline rocket high, glued me to chair. After coming out of theatre, all I could think of was a chance to replicate a small drift. If I would have taken my car to theatre, I am sure if not drift; I would have been driving fast and furious but with little care. Let’s see how fast I can lose this urge for drifting.

A Harley Davidson or similar bike still tops my wish-list right now. I want to experience that fire, power and pulsating thud generated by those machines. I think i have left that canny touch for furious driving far behind, but I guess it won't take much time for me to regain it all over again.

Until I return with next blog, wish me safe driving!