Cool

Couldnt stop myself from posting this one.... just saw it on TV a few days back, and I just chanced to see the lyrics now.

The song has a lot of meaning in it, and I must compliment Gwen Stefani on that. Just another one of those no serious attitudes about life. Be happy with what you have, and dont feel bad about what's passed you by... its all a matter of time, and something better would definitely come by your way...

Gwen Stefani - Cool Lyrics
It's hard to remember how it felt before
Now I found the love of my life...
Passes things get more comfortable
Everything is going right

And after all the obstacles
It's good to see you now with someone else
And it's such a miracle that you and me are still good friends
After all that we've been through
I know we're cool

We used to think it was impossible
Now you call me by my new last name
Memories seem like so long ago
Time always kills the pain

Remember Harbor Boulevard
The dreaming days where the mess was made
Look how all the kids have grown
We have changed but we're still the same
After all that we've been through

I know we're cool
And I'll be happy for you
If you can be happy for me
Circles and triangles, and now we're hangin' out with your new
girlfriend
So far from where we've been
I know we're cool

A Hard Day

Hmmmm.... well, today's been one of those real satisfying times, when you feel you have made a lot of progress at work. There have been occassions when you try real hard, to make a lot of progress at work. And it just wouldnt come. Just to make you feel that no matter how much ever hard you try, unless your right, and put in all your efforts in the wrong directions, you never could achieve it, try as much as you may. Like they say its all a matter of time!!!

The day started off on a bright note, got up with a feeling that I would definitely meet the deadline I had to without much effort. All for the positive thinking, I got ready well before time, and was surprised with what speed and agility, I was completing work.

I had finished coding well by 11:00, considering I started only at 10:00, after checking mails and everything. There wasnt much I could do after that, since the server would not be available for testing till 2 in the afternoon. So went about compiling my code, to see if it had any errors. And only 2, considering the number of files I had changed. Once compiled and all packaged, my code was ready to be tested.

And then suddenly Nuzhath comes up, and asks me how to analyze the SIP stack logs, since the time wasnt specified and the other logs had the date and time specified. So how would she relate the two logs if no time was being specified. Noticed that there was some time being specified but it seemed to me that it was a long version of the time, especially since the SIP stack code is also written in JAVA. To verify the same I wrote a Java program to convert it from long into a String, outputting the date and time. It seemed to work well. Suggested she could write a shell script or a java program to convert the date and time in the file, as per the date and time in the other logs. She first said it wasnt required, and later when I came back from lunch, she asked me to write it myself. So went about writing it, and was done by 2. In the meantime, Phong called back and told me I could use the server now. Tested the Java code and seemed to work fine. Ran it on the log, and it performed well, converted almost 30MB in almost a minute. Now Nuzhath could go about analyzing her logs.

I started testing my code on the server, forgetting that 2:30 there was another meeting. This was the must-fix defects meeting with the team. This went on till 4, and I realised that I had left the server running, before coming for the meeting. Anyways the meeting went on till 4, and I realized that there was only 1 must fix defect, and most of my work had been done. Anyways the logs were filled up, and by the time I came back, I saw the error in the logs. Hmmm... now that's not what I wanted.

Went back to the code, and tried what I thought would be a fix, recompiled, and re-deployed the code, to see if it would work. Voila!!! It seemed too easy to work fine. Well, every dog has its day, and today seemed to be mine. So why complain!!!

It seemed to be around 5, before I had finished all my work, assigned for the day. Picture perfect for a hard day's work, ended by going home and watching 'Office Space'!!!!

Home sweet home

Seem to have mixed feelings on this one... on the one side you seem to be going home, sweet home. Would be great to be back in India, with family and friends. On the other hand, feels bad to be leaving this place, and leaving behind new friends. Well, revived old friendships, and was great to be in touch with old friends, although I couldnt meet up with any of them. There were some who stayed close-by, and some far off, but no excuses for not being able to meet any of them.

This one seems to be funny, was supposed to meet Gandhi and Kiran on the 4th of July, long weekend, but couldn't. I didnt realise that the 2nd was Gandhi's birthday, and that he would definitely be looking forward to this one, more so since the 2nd fell on the same weekend, and that's when I was supposed to reach Austin. In any case, I owe you one for this Gandhi, am so sorry I cudnt make it.... No guessing why I didnt!!!

Well, coming to the other bit, when I had reached the US, didnt know anyone around Malvern. All I knew was Malvern was a part of Philladelphia, and maybe it was just another area, just like Malleshwaram in Bangalore. Hmmmm... sounds funny, but everyone had the confusion when they came here!!!

I owe another one to orkut as well, cos I remember seeing Vidyaangi's profile there, and what striked me immediately, was Philladelphia. So here I was in another part of the world, and there was at least someone I knew... not that I was expecting anything from her, but at least it didnt make me feel lonely ;)

And well, I owe the most to Vidyaangi, who has always been just a call away, and so available. Remember I couldnt even make puliyogare when I came here, and I gave her a call, asking her how to prepare it. She's always been very patient, not only in my case, but with most people I know. But am surprised as to how her patience never ran out, especially with me. In any case, I never did learn to prepare puliyogare, but have learnt many more recipes, and can prepare them really well. For a comment, when I prepare moong dhal, I always get a comment as Maa ki dhal, rather than Moong Dhal ;)

Of what I understood of her, making people happy makes her happy. Guess she's one of the rare gems of friendship to be proud of. She has a great talent for writing, and poetry, which is but obvious from her blogging.

Then there's the funnier side, we keep pulling each other's leg, tho not literally... We always try to make it a point to meet each other, but have never done so, in all the six months that I have spent here. Come to think about it, we are just 30 miles apart, and have still never met!!!! :( Am still scared to meet up with her, she has the complexity as well as simplicity of the girl next door, but would still be glad to meet her... Hope to some day soon, before I leave :).

Now coming back to all the support I got from people here, well Gandhi's been another pillar of strength, who came in later... I remember complaining to him for almost 2 hours over the phone, telling him that there was nothing worth in the USA, except money, of course, and that that wasnt my priority. Well, he's always been there, giving a listening ear, whenever I call him up, even tho most of the time he ends up paying for the phone bill...

Gandhi has developed a lot of interest in photography, and seems to have improved a lot. You could find a lot of good snaps on his Blogs. Keep up the good work Gandhi, and keep shooting... Here's one guy who has a lot of patience to take a good snap, and will go to any limits for one...

Then there's Sachin, remeber having a chat with him, and Vidyaangi joined in. We started conferencing, and well it turned out to be a lot of fun, especially when Sachin got a shock, when I told him that Vidyaangi wasnt a girl, but a boy!!!

Well, Sachin there's nothing much different I could tell about this guy. The only thing different was the bond seems to have strengthened between the two ;) Now dont get ideas here... Sachin is already committed, and he's straight. And so am I... What say guys??? Sachin and Vidyaangi, any comments??

Well, I know am getting a lot too emotional here, but then, its just more than words can say. This little piece is dedicated to you guys... Gandhi, Sachin and Vidyaangi...

Wrong Numbers!!!

Episode A : For TP
Remember this one clearly, was in Eximsoft at that time, and Rashmi, Deepak and me were in office. Moreover it was a Saturday, and none of us in the mood to go home. Deepak asked me for some friendis numbers so that he could call them up and do some TP. Well, finally, gave him a number of a friendi whom I had met while working for Microsoft, during some event management. No mentioning her name, in case, she's reading this...

This guy calls her up, and tells her that he was Mark Mascarenhes speaking from Bangalore Buzz. He also mentioned that they had been to her college, NMKRV respectively, and had short-listed her profile from there, and were looking out for models. There she fell for it!!!

He then went on to say that they were looking out for models, and would she be interested in becoming one? Who wouldnt be? In any case, she mentioned that she wasn't tall enough to be a model, and hence wasn't interested.

Deepak, then went on to say that, she could become an air-hostess, if she didn't wanna be a model. There she fell for the bait. She asked how she could get in touch with him, and then he gave her some made up email-id at Bangalore Buzz. In any case, I dont know what happened, cos I never did get a chance to speak to her after that!!!

Episode B: Our own Kiran!
Rashmi has a very good voice, and especially over the phone, its just what a person would like to hear. Well, it suddenly occured to me, that Kiran was always playing the fool on others, so why not turn the tables on him!! The hunter became the hunted...

Told Rashmi to give him a call. She calls him up and said she was Sister Stella calling from Radio City. She went on to say that he was one of the priviliged people to come down to Radio City for an interview. The topic, as usual, "Discussion on the IT industry".

Not sure if Kiran fell for it, but he asked her, where Radio City was? She mentioned Residency Road!!! Whoa!!! Radio City is not located on Residency Road!!! In any case, Kiran seemed to be reluctant to come down to Radio City. So Rashmi asked him to suggest someone else if he would not be able to make it....

Wonder whom Kiran referred, and whether the guy really made it to Radio City??? In any case, what a flop it turned out to be!!! What say Kiran???

Episode C : Milk Booth
Well, this seemed to be one of my typical boring days at home, and was wondering what to do next... Suddenly the phone rings, and well I picked up the phone expecting it to be a friend asking me to go out somewhere... Didnt turn out that way....

The guy on the other end says, "Is this the Milk Booth in Koramangala?".

Wasnt in the mood to say no, so I bluntly replied "Yes...?"

This guy's like, "I am so and so from so and so, have ordered for a crate of milk, what happened?"

This almost caught me by surprise... What was I upto??? Well, I had to play along, and I had no option, so well I just replied "Keep the money ready, the order is on the way."

Well, looks like I removed all the frustration on the poor guy, and wonder whether he ever got the order or not???

Wrong numbers!!
Episode A - Timepass
Well, remember this one. Was working at that time for a company called EximSoft. Moreover it was a Saturday. Rashmi, Deepak and me were in office. Deepak asked me for a few numbers to call up, posing as wrong numbers. Gave him one of my friend's number, with whom I had worked in Microsoft, doing event management. Unfortunately for her, and fortunately for Deepak, she was at home.

Here's what happened. Deepak told him he was a guy by name, Marc Mascarenhes, and was working for a company called Bangalore Buzz. She was then studying in NMKRV college, Jayanagar. He mentioned that they had received her profile from her college, and that they had shortlisted a few girls for modelling, and would she be interested. Who wouldnt be!!! She replied in the affirmative. He then went on to say that since she was too short (she's just 5' or even less, my guess), would she mind being an air-hostess. The poor girl got so carried away. He asked her to mail her profile to his id at Bangalorebuzz.com, some made up id.

Wonder what happened after that, I never got a chance to speak to her after that again!!!!

We tried the same on Pari, with no luck this time. Pari instantly recognised the voice to be Deepak's.

Episode B : Who else but our own Kiran!!!
Well, Rashmi has a very nice voice over the phone, although its best not to say anything else about her. It suddenly came to my mind, that Kiran was always playing the fool on others, why not try out something on him for a change.The hunter became the hunted!!! I asked Rashmi to give him a call, and try to play the fool on him...

Here's the episode. Rashmi calls him up and says she's Sister Stella speaking from Radio City. Whoa!!! What was she upto??!!!!! She then went on to tell him that she had selected him for an interview to come down to Radio City, and that he was one of the select 'elite' few, to talk about the IT industry. Kiran somehow seemed reluctant, but asked her for the address. She said Radio City was in some plaza on Residency Road. Not true!!! Radio City is located elsewhere!!!

I dont know if Kiran fell for it, but he seemed reluctant for the interview, and Rashmi then went on to ask him if he could suggest someone else for the interview.

What a flop it turned out to be!!! What say Kiran???!!!!

Episode C : Music teacher...
Well, remember this one clearly. I once got a wrong number at home. This guy said he wanted to speak to Poornima, and I said she was sleeping. This guy says, "Music meshtru matadta iradu... ivatu classes ge barala, helbidi...." In pure translation, he just wanted to let Poornima know that he wouldnt be taking the scheduled music classes for the day. I said I would give her the message. The guy didnt even ask for my name, and kept the phone. Well, am surprised how people never bother to confirm if they are indeed talking to the right person or not...

Episode D : Milk Order
Well, this was one interesting episode.
Someone called up and asked, "Milk booth, in Koramangala". Did my house ever seem like a milk booth to anyone???
Well, in any case, was in no mood, so I replied "Yes" to this guy, and he's like,
"Am so and so, calling up from so and so. Had ordered for a crate of milk, what happened???"
Well, now I seemed to be caught. I had no option, but to play along....
So, well I calmly replied, "Well, the delivery is on the way, keep the money ready!" and kept the phone.
Wonder if the guy ever got the order???

Online Shopping

Well, this is in continuation with the New York trip, where I lost my TL's camera. And I had to buy her a new one.... The best way is to search in Google, and was I surprised when I saw this site, which was selling cameras for almost half the price of the actual. So what do I do? Well I chose the costliest of the cheapest ones, because they were not refurbished, but new. I was getting this camera for 170$ inclusive of shipping charges...

Yesterday I just checked my mail to see, if the camera was on the way or not. And what do I see, its backordered. So what did I do? I gave them a call to cancel the order, since the model was not available on any other site. Thought I would order a little higher model, which I did.

Today I was supposed to give them a call, to confirm the order. Was supposed to call this guy called Michael, and when I did call him up, he gave his name as Michael Chut. Said he would transfer me to his supervisor.

Come in supervisor, and he asked me my name. Said it was Jumani, and the guy blurted out Jumanji. Then he's like, "Is your first name monkey?". I was like excuse me, and this guy is like, "Is your first name monkey, fucker?". Boy, was I shocked!! Since when did customer support, start talking like that???!!!

And then he was like, "You would need to buy the other accessories, like battery, charger, etc... ", and I told him, "Hey, listen all I need is a camera, and nothing else..." He's like, "You would have to buy all this, or well, we cancel your order.... You dont need it, ok we will cancel your order..."

And then suddenly it gets transferred back to Michael. That's when I realised, this is a scam!!! It had to be. Otherwise, why would Customer support talk to a customer like that. So what did I do??? The first thing was cancel my credit card, so no more transactions could be carried out. The bank manager also mentioned another guy getting cheated in a similar way, when he ordered a camera.

After I came back from the bank, I gave this guy another call, and it was Michael who picked up. Told him I need to cancel the order, and he's like, you would have to pay 30% cancellation charges, for re-stocking the order. This was the first time I heard someone give me this crap. And this guy was like, we record the conversation, so in case you do cancel the order, you would still have to pay 30% cancellation charges. Didnt realise he was trying to trick me... Well, in any case, he convinced me that the pair of batteries would come in free. When I went back to the site and checked the price of the camera, it had changed from 159$ to 188$, the extra 29$ being the rate of the batteries, he said he was giving me for free. So the camera was now 188$ and the batteries free!!! Boy what a scam this was!!! Am planning to cancel the order tomorrow, by telling him that I need to order a higher end model, let's just hope that this works!!!! Wish me best of luck!!!

Later when I checked google on the site, i.e. flytheskyphoto.com, did I realise, there were many others who had actually been cheated out of their money. But, I finally did learn my lesson, buy stuff from trusted sites, although it may be a little expensive. At least you would have to go through all this agony!!! Now I dont even have my credit card. It would take me another week at least, for the card to arrive, and I need to find someone to order my TL's camera. This time from a trusted site!!!!