Its been 15 odd days since I started working out. And thankfully, most of all to my friend and gym partner Chery, I have been very regular this time around.
And although the results are not too visible (yet), I feel like a totally different person now. I feel more confident, energetic and enthusiastic about everything, and most importantly, these days - I sleep like a baby - instead of tossing and turning around like I used to earlier.
And the best part is - I've become calorie conscious. I never thought I'd see the day when I would end up looking at the caloric value of all the foods I eat and start screening them out or in based on how high or low they are in terms of calories and carb content.
In closure I would like to quote the Mc.Donald's punch line - "I'M LOVING IT!!!"
Friday, May 30, 2008
My TCS - Cochin - Interview
Today (23/05/2008) I had an interview with TCS, Cochin. Working at Oracle for the last 18+ months has been a wonderful experience in terms of the sort of facilities they give + the sort of work culture they follow + the "Zero-Politics" principles they inculcate in each and every employee, etc, etc.
But, on prima facie, I think I will have to give all this up if I want to pursue a career option with TCS, Cochin.
I met an old schoolmate of mine - Vivek - who reacted as follows: "Eda ... Are you fucking crazy to leave Oracle and come work at this shit hole company????" - when I told him I am here for an interview. Another schoolmate of mine - Rohit - who was the one who referred me for this opening also gave a similar feedback, albeit using better words (I think we can accredit that to his preparing really hard for CAT 07)
:-D
And worse still, I think I might even have to give up the fat (ok - not so fat as per current market standards) pay cheque that Oracle gives me!
But, to give them some credit, they haven't quoted their "numbers" yet. As per the HR lady - Ms. Rajashree - at TCS, I will get the know about the offer (if any) latest by Monday end of day.
So, for now, I guess the only thing left to do is - wait for them to mention their "Numbers" per se ...
But, on prima facie, I think I will have to give all this up if I want to pursue a career option with TCS, Cochin.
I met an old schoolmate of mine - Vivek - who reacted as follows: "Eda ... Are you fucking crazy to leave Oracle and come work at this shit hole company????" - when I told him I am here for an interview. Another schoolmate of mine - Rohit - who was the one who referred me for this opening also gave a similar feedback, albeit using better words (I think we can accredit that to his preparing really hard for CAT 07)
:-D
And worse still, I think I might even have to give up the fat (ok - not so fat as per current market standards) pay cheque that Oracle gives me!
But, to give them some credit, they haven't quoted their "numbers" yet. As per the HR lady - Ms. Rajashree - at TCS, I will get the know about the offer (if any) latest by Monday end of day.
So, for now, I guess the only thing left to do is - wait for them to mention their "Numbers" per se ...
My Bro's Gonna Start Working
Finally ... My little brother (Ok ... Not so "little" anymore) is starting to work. And as fate would have it - he's gonna work for the same company as me. So - Same School -> Same College -> Same Company. "Is it a co-incidence?" many people as me. Well - Of late I've been hearing that a lot, and honestly the answer is YES.
Schooling - well you can't blame (or maybe you should) my parents for wanting to educate us in the same institution.
College - He just did extremely well in his entrance exams (just like I did when I appeared for them)
Work - He was super brilliant and Oracle chose him (I was just plain lucky. As they say - at the right place at the right time!)
Anyways ... I just hope he ends up in some other team other than mine. And this I wish for two major reasons:
1. My team is not exactly the most happening team in the company right now.
2. The last thing I want is to compete with my brother, for growth and glory, at the workplace!!!
I guess time is the only thing that will tell if/not he will end up in my team.
But, taking a cue from all the events that's happened so far - I wouldn't be surprised if he did land up in my team!
(Guess - that situation has only one outcome - I'LL QUIT!!!)
Schooling - well you can't blame (or maybe you should) my parents for wanting to educate us in the same institution.
College - He just did extremely well in his entrance exams (just like I did when I appeared for them)
Work - He was super brilliant and Oracle chose him (I was just plain lucky. As they say - at the right place at the right time!)
Anyways ... I just hope he ends up in some other team other than mine. And this I wish for two major reasons:
1. My team is not exactly the most happening team in the company right now.
2. The last thing I want is to compete with my brother, for growth and glory, at the workplace!!!
I guess time is the only thing that will tell if/not he will end up in my team.
But, taking a cue from all the events that's happened so far - I wouldn't be surprised if he did land up in my team!
(Guess - that situation has only one outcome - I'LL QUIT!!!)
Movie Review - Paycheck
I saw the movie Paycheck - starring Ben Affleck and Uma Thurman - on Friday evening (16/05/2008), and I must say - It's definitely and interesting movie.
Hmmmmmmm ... I think I'm not being very fair by making that statement. So, let me rephrase the previous statement to - The movie is mind blowing!!!
(I'm not gonna talk about it here - see the movie if you want to know what its all about. All I can say is - you won't regret it!),
For all those movie buffs who love movies like "Butterfly Effect", "Minority Report", etc - this is a must watch movie.
So, open up those beer cans, pop the popcorn and watch this movie ...
Let me know how it went!!!
Hmmmmmmm ... I think I'm not being very fair by making that statement. So, let me rephrase the previous statement to - The movie is mind blowing!!!
(I'm not gonna talk about it here - see the movie if you want to know what its all about. All I can say is - you won't regret it!),
For all those movie buffs who love movies like "Butterfly Effect", "Minority Report", etc - this is a must watch movie.
So, open up those beer cans, pop the popcorn and watch this movie ...
Let me know how it went!!!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
My Team - A Sinking Galleon
A couple of months into joining Oracle, my team constituted of 6 members - Praveen, Milan, Annapoorani, Ariff, Saravanan, Ali, and Good old Me!
The first member to leave was Praveen. Although I did miss him as a friend, since another member - Milan - was the one chalked out as his replacement, I didn't feel to much of a change in work load.
Then, a couple of months later, Milan abandoned ship. Milan's resignation came as a shock, partly because we only came to know about his quiting somewhere during the last week of his notice period, and partly because - I was chalked out to take on his work load, at least until we hired another person.
But, let me add this, since we are in a "Hiring Freeze" period - I don't see us hiring any new people. At least not anytime soon!
Just as I was beginning to come to reality with this extra work load, another member in the team - Annapoorani - took off for 3 weeks to get married. Initially, she was saying that she WOULD come back to work after marriage etc. But, for the last couple of weeks, she's been saying - "Maybe" she might quit, especially if her husband wants her to do so!
But, thankfully, since she and I work on completely different technology platforms, with any luck - I won't have to take on her workload.
Then, another team member - Ariff - who is the person that'd end up taking on Annapoorani's work load (in the event she's flies the coop i.e.), has started cracking jokes about quiting. Although his comments were supposed to be jocular in nature - I have a gut feeling that he probably means business!!!
And when I thought things couldn't get any worse, the star member of my team - Ali - quits!!!
He's got admit calls from some really prestigious MBA institutes in India and abroad, and ergo wants to pursue a degree there.
(It's what any sane person would do!!!)
Since, I am the only other person in the team working on the same technology stack as Ali, sure as hell - I will have to take on his work load. And trust me when I say - that means a shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit load of extra work!
Thankfully - we got a bakra - Abhiram Nagappa, who, at the moment - is sharing my work load. But, I feel sorry for him as he's gonna get crushed by the workload the second I bail out of this sinking ship!!!
Every time I mention that to him - he cries - "Ravi Bhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaai !!!"
(For those blinking in suspense - Ravi Bhai is Ravi Ramachandran, our ex-colleague, who works at CTS and has been trying - very hard that too - to get us to leave Oracle and join CTS!!!)
:-D
From the looks of it - I guess I'm gonna end up doing 5 times as much work for the same pay. I don't love my company, boss or work that much!!!
The following one word should say what's going on in my mind - "Juranimooooooooooooooooooooooooooo"
The first member to leave was Praveen. Although I did miss him as a friend, since another member - Milan - was the one chalked out as his replacement, I didn't feel to much of a change in work load.
Then, a couple of months later, Milan abandoned ship. Milan's resignation came as a shock, partly because we only came to know about his quiting somewhere during the last week of his notice period, and partly because - I was chalked out to take on his work load, at least until we hired another person.
But, let me add this, since we are in a "Hiring Freeze" period - I don't see us hiring any new people. At least not anytime soon!
Just as I was beginning to come to reality with this extra work load, another member in the team - Annapoorani - took off for 3 weeks to get married. Initially, she was saying that she WOULD come back to work after marriage etc. But, for the last couple of weeks, she's been saying - "Maybe" she might quit, especially if her husband wants her to do so!
But, thankfully, since she and I work on completely different technology platforms, with any luck - I won't have to take on her workload.
Then, another team member - Ariff - who is the person that'd end up taking on Annapoorani's work load (in the event she's flies the coop i.e.), has started cracking jokes about quiting. Although his comments were supposed to be jocular in nature - I have a gut feeling that he probably means business!!!
And when I thought things couldn't get any worse, the star member of my team - Ali - quits!!!
He's got admit calls from some really prestigious MBA institutes in India and abroad, and ergo wants to pursue a degree there.
(It's what any sane person would do!!!)
Since, I am the only other person in the team working on the same technology stack as Ali, sure as hell - I will have to take on his work load. And trust me when I say - that means a shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit load of extra work!
Thankfully - we got a bakra - Abhiram Nagappa, who, at the moment - is sharing my work load. But, I feel sorry for him as he's gonna get crushed by the workload the second I bail out of this sinking ship!!!
Every time I mention that to him - he cries - "Ravi Bhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaai !!!"
(For those blinking in suspense - Ravi Bhai is Ravi Ramachandran, our ex-colleague, who works at CTS and has been trying - very hard that too - to get us to leave Oracle and join CTS!!!)
:-D
From the looks of it - I guess I'm gonna end up doing 5 times as much work for the same pay. I don't love my company, boss or work that much!!!
The following one word should say what's going on in my mind - "Juranimooooooooooooooooooooooooooo"
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Switching to Consulting
My team as it is - is drooping, and now, for real, I too am thinking of fleeing!!!
Not a very loyal, nor for that matter brave, thing to do eh?
But ... Truth be told - I'd put the blame on the following factors:
(1) A spiralling work load.
(2) Poor facilities @ the new office - No more biscuits, No more Soft Drinks or Tetrapack Juices, Pathetic coffee vending machine, No company-organized bus service, No security coverage for personal belongings at the work place, Fear of being robbed/mugged on the way back, etc.
(3) Employees leaving top-bottom-left-and-right is slowly beginning to triger a domino effect amongst the remaining work force.
(4) No replacement hires happening.
(5) Lack of clarity and visibility on when the hike cycles/correction cycles/promotion cycles are going to happen. This leads to a general lack of motivation to push yourself to the extremes.
If I were to put in an lighter shade - If I were to look at it from the point of the "Donkey-And-The-Carrot" story, the Carrot (Hikes/Promotions/Bonuses) is no longer visible, and ergo, the Donkey (We Employees) is not in the least bit enthusiastic about working!
(6) Zero Overseas Opportunities.
(7) Lack of Opportunities to switch roles and responsibilities.
(8) Dissatisfied about my current paystack.
I am in a dilemma as to whether/not talk to my manager about my plans, or just go ahead with my plans and jump organizations!!!
He's been a great guy and an even greater boss so far. That's what makes me want to help him out by giving him a headsup at the very least. But, I know if I go to him with my woes and concerns - he'll give me some pep talk, in the most "managerial" fashion possible, and I'll end up being "brainwashed" to stay!
It's not like I haven't raised my concerns to him earlier, but, like I mentioned earlier, all I have received so far is pep talk and requests to be patient. But, pep talk can only do so much. As, a week later, all your worries come back stronger than before and yet again they begin to taunt you!
Anyways ... For now ... I am just gonna play it low!
Manager Sir'ji - If by any chance you are reading this blog - I'm sorry for not having kept you in the loop about my plans ... Nothing personal about it!!!
N.B: Let me make up for not giving you a headsup by giving you a useful tidbit of news:
The moment I put down my resignation, you can be rest assured that a flurry of resignations will flow in like the wind. I don't want to and neither will I take names - but trust me - this much I can assure you!!!
Not a very loyal, nor for that matter brave, thing to do eh?
But ... Truth be told - I'd put the blame on the following factors:
(1) A spiralling work load.
(2) Poor facilities @ the new office - No more biscuits, No more Soft Drinks or Tetrapack Juices, Pathetic coffee vending machine, No company-organized bus service, No security coverage for personal belongings at the work place, Fear of being robbed/mugged on the way back, etc.
(3) Employees leaving top-bottom-left-and-right is slowly beginning to triger a domino effect amongst the remaining work force.
(4) No replacement hires happening.
(5) Lack of clarity and visibility on when the hike cycles/correction cycles/promotion cycles are going to happen. This leads to a general lack of motivation to push yourself to the extremes.
If I were to put in an lighter shade - If I were to look at it from the point of the "Donkey-And-The-Carrot" story, the Carrot (Hikes/Promotions/Bonuses) is no longer visible, and ergo, the Donkey (We Employees) is not in the least bit enthusiastic about working!
(6) Zero Overseas Opportunities.
(7) Lack of Opportunities to switch roles and responsibilities.
(8) Dissatisfied about my current paystack.
I am in a dilemma as to whether/not talk to my manager about my plans, or just go ahead with my plans and jump organizations!!!
He's been a great guy and an even greater boss so far. That's what makes me want to help him out by giving him a headsup at the very least. But, I know if I go to him with my woes and concerns - he'll give me some pep talk, in the most "managerial" fashion possible, and I'll end up being "brainwashed" to stay!
It's not like I haven't raised my concerns to him earlier, but, like I mentioned earlier, all I have received so far is pep talk and requests to be patient. But, pep talk can only do so much. As, a week later, all your worries come back stronger than before and yet again they begin to taunt you!
Anyways ... For now ... I am just gonna play it low!
Manager Sir'ji - If by any chance you are reading this blog - I'm sorry for not having kept you in the loop about my plans ... Nothing personal about it!!!
N.B: Let me make up for not giving you a headsup by giving you a useful tidbit of news:
The moment I put down my resignation, you can be rest assured that a flurry of resignations will flow in like the wind. I don't want to and neither will I take names - but trust me - this much I can assure you!!!
My New Apartment's Owner
On Friday, I had gone to meet Mrs. Shakuntalama M, the owner of 1 BHK I am shifting to. She lives a good 18 kms from the house in some area called Prashant Nagar. The broker, during our autorikshaw ride to her house, had told me that she was a very rich lady and was giving all sorts of descriptions of how majestic the house in which she resides is.
At that time, I didn't think much of it. As a matter of fact, I even thought he's bullshitting me. But, when I actually got to her house - give the cricket mania going on right now - I believe the right termed to described my feeling right then is "Stumped".
Seriously, the house which was built in a 50 * 80 plot has 10 feet high walls (I ain't joking!!!). It kindda gave it a fortress sort of feel. The gates opened via remote control (Kya Technology Hai!!!)
And the interiors ... Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan !!!
That's what held me spellbound. The house had so much of wooden inlay work - that it'd have taken atleast half a forest to make it!!!
There were these twin teakwood pillars around 10 feet high - which as per my estimate would've cost 1.5 laks a piece. The 54" Sony Home Theatre System added to the sights and sounds of the house.
In short - this house makes all the other BIG houses I have been to, look like a public restroom!!!
On the way back - when I asked the broker, he told me that her husband was a very highely ranked officer in the forestries department. Well, that explains where all the wood came from!!!
:D
I also learned that she has a daughter - and that too - an unmarried one. Also, I am told, that she comes around to collect the rent every month. Let's see if I can somehow seduce her. That way - I get to take a dig at all her mom's wealth.
(How Clever Of Me eh!!!)
Heck - It this isn't motivation enough to hit the gym - Nothing Is!!!
Chisel ... Here I Come!!!
At that time, I didn't think much of it. As a matter of fact, I even thought he's bullshitting me. But, when I actually got to her house - give the cricket mania going on right now - I believe the right termed to described my feeling right then is "Stumped".
Seriously, the house which was built in a 50 * 80 plot has 10 feet high walls (I ain't joking!!!). It kindda gave it a fortress sort of feel. The gates opened via remote control (Kya Technology Hai!!!)
And the interiors ... Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan !!!
That's what held me spellbound. The house had so much of wooden inlay work - that it'd have taken atleast half a forest to make it!!!
There were these twin teakwood pillars around 10 feet high - which as per my estimate would've cost 1.5 laks a piece. The 54" Sony Home Theatre System added to the sights and sounds of the house.
In short - this house makes all the other BIG houses I have been to, look like a public restroom!!!
On the way back - when I asked the broker, he told me that her husband was a very highely ranked officer in the forestries department. Well, that explains where all the wood came from!!!
:D
I also learned that she has a daughter - and that too - an unmarried one. Also, I am told, that she comes around to collect the rent every month. Let's see if I can somehow seduce her. That way - I get to take a dig at all her mom's wealth.
(How Clever Of Me eh!!!)
Heck - It this isn't motivation enough to hit the gym - Nothing Is!!!
Chisel ... Here I Come!!!
Back To The Gym
I've been wanting to hit the gym for a very looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time now, and finally, its going to be a reality. And, I owe it all to my friend Chery!!!
As of now - what I've decided - I'm going to enroll with the health club "Chisel" and work out every morning between 8 am - 9.30 am. Since, Cherry is also hitting the gym at the same time, he has graciously agreed to pick/drop me at my home.
Hopefully, this time around, I'll be regular and won't "Drop Out" for some reason or the other. Anyways - Chery's already given me motivation to not-drop-out-this-time. To quote his exact words - "Bugger ... If you even think of dropping out - I'll kill you you bastard!!!".
Knowing him - he probably will ...
Besides, Chisel charges around 5000 bucks for 3 months. So, as you can guess, it'd be an expensive mistake to pay up and then not turn up for gym class.
Anyways ... I don't know what or why - but this time, I think I'm going to be a regular to the gym.
(Touchwood!!!)
Wish me luck guys (and gals ofcourse)!!!
As of now - what I've decided - I'm going to enroll with the health club "Chisel" and work out every morning between 8 am - 9.30 am. Since, Cherry is also hitting the gym at the same time, he has graciously agreed to pick/drop me at my home.
Hopefully, this time around, I'll be regular and won't "Drop Out" for some reason or the other. Anyways - Chery's already given me motivation to not-drop-out-this-time. To quote his exact words - "Bugger ... If you even think of dropping out - I'll kill you you bastard!!!".
Knowing him - he probably will ...
Besides, Chisel charges around 5000 bucks for 3 months. So, as you can guess, it'd be an expensive mistake to pay up and then not turn up for gym class.
Anyways ... I don't know what or why - but this time, I think I'm going to be a regular to the gym.
(Touchwood!!!)
Wish me luck guys (and gals ofcourse)!!!
Moving Into My 1 BHK
I am planning to move into my new home over this weekend. As a forerunner to that I need to start packing my stuff, need to pay the remainder of the house advance, need to intimate the current owner to come and have a look at the house and work on the final settlement of the rent deposit we gave him, etc, etc, etc.
So, basically, its going to be a very very hectic weekend for me this time around. And you know what - I look forward to it. After all - It's not every time you move into your first "purely-to-myself" 1BHK Apartment.
The way I see it - The effort is really worth each and every bead of sweat!!!
:)
So, basically, its going to be a very very hectic weekend for me this time around. And you know what - I look forward to it. After all - It's not every time you move into your first "purely-to-myself" 1BHK Apartment.
The way I see it - The effort is really worth each and every bead of sweat!!!
:)
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