Jobs and me !

Been a very long time since I scribbled something. Right back from the last working hour of 2.5 month tenure at Hp-Palm, I wanted to make sure the moment is recorded.

Jobs are of two kinds as I see it, one which we do for a living and the other, we call it passion. Honestly, my first job after my under-graduation fell in the first kind, I did try to develop some passion for it but I went no farther than getting skeptical about it.

School days were definitely the best days of my life when I compare it with my college days. But, when given a chance against the monotonous 10AM to 6PM life, I would prefer college. I flew half the globe to get back to college.Fought hard for 1.5 months to secure an assistantship, went on to spam every Prof and even got scolded by a few. When I look back, I have not achieved anything other than fixing some infectious code. For a fact, fixing someone else' code is the most challenging job, it demands more of your patience and your ability to understand what the coder has conveyed.

Meanwhile, there is this weird custom here (America), where even school students do internships, when we were playing bet matches. There went another lackadaisical 5 months with job hunt, just when time was above to give up on me I got one with HP-Palm. It was an enticing offer, I took it up. Amazingly, it turned out to be best days of my life, in terms of my career. I enjoyed every single moment working on the project I was assigned. I had all the freedom to define my restrictions and infinite boundaries to innovate, of-course it was painful and hard to bid good-bye to Palm.

Few weeks before, my manager at Palm, was asking me about my graduation. I was happy for the fact that, I will have no "job hunt" phase in my life again, as I could convert this to a full-time offer. And I was no wrong, my full-time offer was waiting for VP's approval, just then this shocking news came..."HP killing WebOS". I was part of the WebOS family, and the last 2 days I was at dead man's land. Recession at its peak, I could see people worried about their living and jobs. From an employee perspective, I could spit only anger on the management for its reckless announcement and it might have been right form a management perspective.

In-spite of being close to an offer and see it getting slipped, I had something positive and encouraging to take back. "You were phenomenal." went the words of my Snr.Director, it was a feel-good moment ! Well, things will get fine and they should for the wonderful people I worked for.

Oh yeah, the theme for this blog, jobs and me..never it has been an easy travel for me and when things seem easy, they just "seem" :)

Few other things I had experienced and felt good about fighting, at all times, I have had two offers with me and it fell on me to choose the best.

Cheers !

The Train Journey

Roughly, I have spent around 160 sleepless nights in train in the last one year and ten months. I am still counting them, as my leap from Chennai to Bangalore and again from Bangalore to Chennai is not over yet.

Every time I board a train, I expect miracles; well that’s how Tamil cinemas have spoiled me. But being alone, I was just fine with hitting some conversation with some stranger, which will give you the top of the world feel, but nothing significant happened all these days in ma train voyages.

Yesterday was a day with odds I should say. I had no heart to leave home and had even planned to travel by bike to Bangalore. But I had to give up all my adventurous thoughts and unwillingly decided to go by train. There to my dismay, my Waitlisted ticket got confirmed to a berth in side Upper. Imagine a 6 foot well built guy (oh yeah! that’s me [:P] ) getting cramped in 5”5 short berth with no air to breathe. The thought of it, made me terrible and with a long face I went into my compartment and started listening to songs.

Just then, Ragav, a friend of mine came in and we were discussing deeply about foreign current affairs.(seri vidunga..no tension [:P] ) Suddenly a gal with pitch black tops and jeans hit my leg with her big Ryan Bingam bag. Well, its all natural in a crowded place was my feel and as the train started moving, I writhed myself in my berth. I was filled with thoughts, the likes of which are, how come foreign univs are so choosy? What shoule be my next blog about? Where do I derive content for it? Et al.

After setting myself in a position less desirable, I noticed the Ryan Bingam bag gal in the middle berth of the same bay. Well, surprisingly a gal heading to Bangalore was exchanging glances with me. I was reminded of a time when I screwed up the opportunity of interacting with a gal who showed all signs of willingness to open up. But then I slept off [:)]

Within moments, I saw two gals ranting in front of me, one happened to be the Ryan Bingam bag gal. To my surprise, she uttered the following to me
Gal : Excuse me !
Me : (sneaky smile) Yeah !
Gal : Could we xchange our berths, so that myself and ma fren could sit and chat for a while !
Me : Well, Thank you. Right away [:)]
Gal : I hope u got no issues !
Me : Absolutely no probs ! ( sssabbada nu irundhudhu [:P] )

It crossed one o clock at night, I still saw them chatting. Since I turned nocturnal these days, I did not sleep either. Though it was dark, I had a gut feeling if that gal was glancing towards me. Unable to sleep, I took a walk to the door way and after a while, I even noticed the gal was heading towards doorway. There I found her intention, which was same as mine. With many people still awake I found it would be odd, if I also stayed there. So with no hesitation, went back and slept.

My instant realization was “Vada poche”. I strongly felt, I missed yet another opportunity and with the regret dozed off. Few hours’ later, train halted by and we have approached Bangalore Cantonment, I packed my stuffs and with utter disappointment got ready to alight.

Then came the hero, “my mind voice”, which uttered continuously saying, “go, go, and speak some crap! “ The gal was standing near me, and with no hesitation I went on to speak with her.

Me : Majestic ?!? (as if am new to blr [:P] )
Gal : Yeah !!
Me : Btw, how did u gals manage to pack urself up there ?
Gal : oh yeah ! it was kinda tough, btw are u new to Blr ?
Me : (cheeky smile) Oh nope, I have been here for the past 2 years ! Urself?
Gal : am here for 2 and half years..
(2 and half years :O elder gal ahhh !! vidu vidu ..continue..)
Me : Btw Am Akil !!!
Gal : (smile) Am XYZ..and do u work in Blr ?
Me : oh yeah, am with Oracle and u ?
Gal : Juniper Networks, native of chn ? Which coll?
Me : Yup..MIT and u ? (nala vela ava neraya kelvi kaeta )
Gal : PSG...

Train stopped and we got down, she was waiting for her friend, Meanwhile
Me : Waiting for ur fren ? You go by auto?
Gal : yeah..and I got my car !
Me : (dhoda..bunk-a) oh cool. where do u stay in Blr ?
Gal : Indira nagar and u ?
Me : Near ma office (oops !) near forum mall !
Gal : lol
Me : fine, catch ya later..see ya !
(My mind voice spitted on me, kai ettinadhu vaayu ku ettaliyae !?! )
Gal : hmmmmmm..ok !
(I was able to read some disappointment in her face (seri vidunga..i shud support my genuiness la [:P] ), and so)
Me : U got some b-card of urs ?
Gal : Oh yeah (enthusiastically !!)
Me : (dai unaku b-card-ae kedayathu !! oops.. ) Fine gimmie ur mob number!
Gal : XXXXX XXXXX
(Gal’s fren entry)
Me : Chalo, wil buzz u later ! Catch ya !!

With cold breeze blowing at the dawn, I turned on my player to hear “June pona July katrae..”. (What a situation song !! )
For a moment, I felt on top of the world, though it was some petty incident! Except for in Tamil movies, I have not seen friendships blossoming in a train.

Sorry for the long one! Hope u found it interesting [:)]

I wish...

Today after having chosen my path to do my Master’s in Science, I stand perplexed amidst all applications, universities, professors, recommendation letters, useless exams which could be written as many times till we are satisfied with our scores. I can’t look back now to think if am following my passion. I have never dreamt of being one Software Engineer, infact a continuous stare at the monitor will ache my brain. Life is pounding on us with its various plights; it seldom gives us time to ponder on to discover our passions. And with a clustered orthodox network like ours, you are made to realize that you serve for the cause of your community and you got no escape from the bonds unless you accept it whole heartedly “ Yes, It’s my life “. And however, I stand a victim of blame too, because I have supported them all time bowing myself to their decrees. Almost, every talk right on this day among close pals or kins has some mention on monetary concerns. It has become more of a pride to say that my son/daughter is in US, earning dollars. And the current trend is, we voluntarily stand upright in the Line Of Control with a perception that our neighbor would benefit us more than that done by our country. We prepare ourselves to lose what is good today to gain what is extra-ordinary today, eventually the extra-ordinary will turn ordinary tomorrow and leave us yearning for what we won’t get!
I wish, every damn thing on Earth was easier, at least nearer.
I wish, earth had only one King governing a single country
I wish, currency were treated as scribble papers.
I wish, I could have a replica of my family and frens wherever I go!
I wish, we had no emotions or any senses.

At least
I wish, we were monkeys still

Aren't they fresh ??

* Sit comfortably in a foam couch in an air-conditioned room with 5.1 surround sound speakers and a 29" TV with loads of DVD’s (Manirathnam's , Shankar's , few fiction English movies and some other pleasant movies).Get some Real Orange juice to drink and some snacks.

* On a hot Saturday, at 1 o clock in the afternoon, with a relieved happiness coz next day is Sunday, try this -- Switch on the AC, set the temperature of the room to 21 degrees, close windows with dark curtains, lock all doors, no disturbances. Now go for a nap.

* On a rainy day, when the black clouds are gone and winds are blowing gently, take ur love to the beach, remove ur shoes, hold her hand and keep walking in the wet sands admiring the smell of sea and sight of blue waves.

* On a rainy day, be @ home, prepare some good hot masala tea, move ur couch near the windows, open all doors and windows, listen to Illayaraja's and enjoy rain...!!

* On a winter night, when the chill breeze hold you tight, ask call upon your best friends, take them to the terrace have a nice chat gazing vividly at the stars, together teasing each other have a garam chaay in a nearby tea shop at 12 30 in the night..!!

* On a rainy Saturday evening, with the feel of a relief just coz u have a Sunday with you, accompany ur frens to a rocking movie and return back drenched completely in the rain in bikes. Take a halt in a small tea shop and have some hot bajji and tea !!

* A 4 day tour to some hill station where u can smell the eucalyptus, its just u and ur best companions...!!!

Energy – The sine wave we witness!!

I would believe it's all the energy level which keeps us going. Some study even has a scientific intellect associated with it. A human mind in action is an electrical activity sending electrical signal through nerve wires. I have witnessed myself a prey to various energy levels. I would say morale at its highest point is energy unleashed.
It always feels good to win, just because our heart pumps for us, brain says "peace my man!! You have achieved it”, whatever!! And in failures, I have felt a heavy head with sick thought process and lack of movement, squandering around trivial stuffs. A classification best backing up these contrasts would be high and low energy levels. A calm and poised mind can achieve anything. I have heard this rather read this many times. It means lack of no sufferings from failures, no hurting yourself with wrecked past, no feeling bad for what you are, no depressed thought for what you are not more than that it means no jumping off the ground after the sweet success, no flying in skies for what you have achieved, no feeling proud for the precious appraisals you get, no feel of elation, denying to hear to your heart, finally no charms or excitements.
I don’t know how monks or yogis survive without these excitements. At this point it feels like excitements mark our age and satisfies our purpose in here. I was really amazed to read that Yogis rule their body, they easily travel places without their body changing its posture. They fly with wind and shine like the brightest star. The day i read this i was like,’ Bunk up Akil, practice this and soon you can fly and amuse people!!' .Does it makes sense, neither to me !! at least not at 22.So the next day i woke up saying to myself 'Leave off these yogi stuff , try being yourself' Then i went on to read The Alchemist and "SCREW IT LET's DO IT " by Richard Branson.
The Alchemist - really a nice book with almost every line carrying a message in it. May be I will use these as bed time stories to my son/daughter.
Screw it Let's Do It - A small book, with loads of energy in it. Hail the author. The title that best suits the book. Thinking hard about that book, I remember no instances to quote, only stuff that haunted me is optimism and energy in all pages
Many charged electrons started revolving around, wanting to achieve something. I am well aware that all my excitements are transient and doesn't last after my next energy encounter. But i believe some daring move now will take me somewhere. What could be that daring move? Stay firm with the firm or sharpen my skills or think of some investments and many other options. Confused my poor brains!!! And ppl reading plz leave your comments, coz every time I do some crap I keep monitoring it for some results. It’s some sort of energy to me. :P
Cheers,
Akil

Nostalgic Refreshments

No wonder 'memories' are the best stuff 'God' can give us. Before moving to the next phase of life, let me just pause everything for a few minutes and do a quick rewind.
Happiest moment defined will definitely include some part of material possessions. The child in me rather many of us is still very alive. I would see the world with my head up when i wear a new dress.

'Those were the best days in my life' When we used to ride bicycles to school. I was the proud owner of Bazooka cycle(a cycle with shock absorbers and hardly 3 ft from ground )I used to lock it with a chain for the rear wheel and some lock made of rubber for the front wheel :O

Growing taller than the cycle, I got one BSA SLR,slim and a bigger one. I happily drove that to my school, until the D-day when i dashed mine with my school mam's in a terrific cycle race. Though i lost my cycle, i became popular in my school. Teachers used to recognize me as the person who earned good injuries for his hindi teacher. How could i walk to school which is 2 kms from my home :P Yeah, i got one shining silver colored Hercules cycle. It lasted few years until it was replaced by my Dad's Kawasaki. To describe about the bike - It had no headlights, no speedometer and no brakes too. But u could hear it even if u r a kilometer far. The motorized cycle used to carry minimum of three riders (no quadruples yet :P)

Never will i forget Vivek's Topgear cycle,Sunny,scooty and Discover. All of Vivek's were equally ours :P (a few exempted on moral grounds)
Prakash - the man who purchased a license has a red Unicorn and claims to be the 'scorpicon with a unicorn' and finally Charan - He keeps walking and he loves that :P

My ‘mileage beast’ replaced the era of Kawasaki. This particular bike has many style and comfort aspects. Jotting them..
1)Comfort aspect -- You need not hire your friend to carry something for you every time as my mileage beast owns a superb plastic spacious box.
2)Style aspect -- Never wasted my money on remodeling coz 'mileage beast' is modeled to perfection
3)Safety aspect -- No fear for parents on rash driving as you have the ride control set to 40 km/hour .Dont dare to cross 40 in the speedo,you can't :P
4)Economy aspect -- Why need a helmet when such safety measures are observed
5)Trouble free -- Chuck off the problem of losing keys, duplicate keys, rusty locks,etc,reason being 'mileage beast' doesn't have a lock. But you'll have to master some tricks to ignite the beast.( ppl with knowledge of these tricks are requested not to leak them out )
6) The best aspect -- Last but not least 'mileage beast' does not need petrol, it can survive with the smell of petrol.
I'm the proud owner of the first-rate,fanatbulous,regal bike. :)
But in the recent past, owing to my absence in the city mileage beast is not properly nurtured and so my Dad's car superceded my mileage beast.

An idyllic transition witnessed by the same old streets of Nanaganallur !!

Cheers,
Akil

P.S: My mileage beast is not for sale,Plz don't drop in mails regarding the same :P

My 2008

MY 2008, is all about my memorable, scrupulous, joyous, gleeful and crumbled moments which made up my year 2008.

I have a poor memory and I could jot down only few dates which made me feel 'this is not an ordinary day'.

I guess I had enough of my year and if anything could happen, GOD please postpone it to 2009 :P

Feb 6:

It started in the month of June 2007, placements kicked off in our college. I got an offer from Accenture and I was not satisfied with that, as nobody in my college was. We were eligible for two jobs - dream and non dream, categorized based on package the IT giants offer.

I dint feel the heat till the end of 2007, by the time I felt that I have crossed 16+ companies. Till the count was 16 I had a feeling, everything will get fine as I had my friends with me with no dream offers. As days ran, the gang of eight reduced to four then to two and finally one(proud ME).

The glueyness I had with people was loosening up, felt like I was ditched but my 'Never mind' attitude was up. I still remember my dad saying 'u r running behind something big, just don't lose your run and be sincere’, I could just chortle saying 'people say this for consolation' but I continued my hunt.

And at last, I was asked to stop my pursuit. I still remember the day I never told my parents that I was going for placements, made sure they did not guess that and so I dressed myself up in casuals and slippers. I was called in for interview which went for three rounds, ironically I was not there when they my name was called out as the first name. Most rapturous day in my life!!I'm now in Oracle and they offered me the heftiest pay I could ever believe. Thank you GOD!!

Feb 27:

We guys had to fix up stuffs for our School Reunion. This particular day we (I, Charan, Prakash and master) went to book a resort in ECR. We were done with our negotiations and set off from that place. I took the honor of riding the bike. As I managed to rise the steep entrance of the resort and took a right by the time I heard a fulminant voice(Charan’s) saying ‘Stupid take a left!!’ Struck by that I turned left(U turn actually).In no moment, I saw a young guy shaking his hand bars , an old women falling to the ground and a Govt. bus blowing horns badly. We met with an accident and no damage on our part. All I could see is the old woman crying for her son. Thank God!! All were alive in the damn road. Sudden upshots made us feel the worst day of our lives. People started gathering as the woman was hurt, they took our bike keys and in no time the young lad has called in his area members. If not for master,the consequences would have been worst. Myself and Charan ran into a 3 star hotel (definitely not to relax) to hide ourselves. We hired a vehicle (meen body vandi) , placed our bike in that and reached home safely. Lesson: See both sides of the road before u take a turn. :(

March 22:

We had a wonderful school reunion. Felt proud for being one in SVAP :)

May 6 :

We came back from our last college tour. Everyone was trying to wipe their tears off before others noticing it. Free hugs came into play. I felt the best in four years.Of the most Akku’s words were very warm.

June 1:

Its been a long time since i met my frens, so we(Vivek,Prakash,Akku,Raja Vijay,Kd,Satish,Kings,Deepan and myself) dined in my home.

June 2:

Tragic day,Akku met with an accident and died on the spot.Never even dreamt of such a tragic incident,too harsh a reality.

Mach !! U made a very strong impression in me, u know , I could still hear you and picturise ur reactions.U were the best.I love you mach..RIP

June 15 :

My dearest grand pa passed away.Thanks to him for passing his grand son all values he learnt.

June 22 :

First time i'm out of my home, felt like crying.Annaen singamla..publicku munadi oru sottu kaneer kuda vidala :P

June 23 :

My first day @ Oracle.

July 31:

My first salary..I never knew i'm worth 58k in my first take.Happily spent all my money to ppl who mean a lot to me :)

Rest of 2008 :

In my own world of family and friends,I enjoyed my year.

cheers,

Akil