New Life..New Beginnings

The other titles I had in mind are

Search has Ended
Love of My Life...At Peace..
Hitched ..And In Ishtyle..
Sandwiched..
Online Shootings..A Hit!

Well, forget the last one. It doesn't make sense to me either. If you are smart enough and have been keen enough and if you have known me enough over the last few weeks or know me through someone who has known me through last few weeks, it would be no surprise to what I am hinting at.

Yes,finally its happening. All those filmy targets that I set for myself, all those fiery feelings of 'If I am getting married, I will only marry someone whom I have fallen in love with' or 'My marriage is only going to be via register marriage' or 'What's the hurry with marriage? Let me just chillax and get married around 27 , 28' are swept off my feet. I have now reconciled to the fact that love just happens, you don't plan for it, you don't wait for it, and you have absolutely no control over the nature of things.

The Beginnings -

Anup and I just came back from some movie and got into the only remaining opened decent restaurant in Madhapur - Shanghai Chef. This is a point to be noted as everything nice is fast disappearing and we found ourselves racking our brains to find restaurants in and around Madhapur other than KKD or Shanghai Chef. That's beside the point. While we were waiting for the food to arrive, I keyed in the profile number that nanna had messaged me and waited to see the results. I liked her at the first sight and started seeing few more snaps. I had already been briefed by mom and dad that the shooting would happen not in a regular set-up but at a some designated place where it be more casual. They also did prod me to call someone and take with me to meet her. With all that in my mind, I was quite interested to meet her.

Over the next few days the place and meeting details were getting fixed. Nanna had told me that her father would be calling me and fixing up the place and time around Saturday and asked if I was free. I told him I would be going to office and anytime should do. Saturday came and I was happily watching 'Rockstar' when  the call came. I took the call and told him I was in a movie and would be calling during the break. It set me to thinking what if he is gonna call my dad and tell about how I was at movie when I first called rather than at office that my father must have conveyed. This would then percolate to they perceiving me not being truthful and cancelling out my meeting. Crazy eh? Mind is such a crazy thing when its not under our control. Luckily for me, nothing of that sort had happened.

The Meet - 

It was decided that it was gonna be meeting at Chutneys, Banjara Hills, 4:30 P.M. Even though this was all an informal set up I was nervous like hell, I phoned my mom and dad and told them I would be going to meet her. They were quite busy with their work and wished me luck and let them know. I was expecting a little more reaction than that but I realized I was making this out to be more than it actually was. I phoned Anup to decide if kurtha is a better choice. He said a big NO and asked me to go on with a T-Shirt and jeans. With wardrobe in place, sun glasses, I set out for the restaurant. As I was about to get in after parking the bike I saw her getting into the restaurant along with her father. I thought to myself it would have been better if it was only her. To my luck as our first introductions got over, I got to know he had come only for dropping her.

We got a seat near one corner. Looking at her nearby I could see her smile more clearly and it was much better than what was in the photos. We started off with usual questions about each other bio data of what was in the profile, what was not in the profile, our college times and I was more curious to know about her singing capabilities. Just as the mood was about to set in, I got a call from Deepak. Not wanting to sound rude and knowing some problems at stake, I picked up the call wanting it to cut short.

5 minutes passed and I was sitting there still talking, silently gesturing a sorry to her and continued hearing. It went on little more, so I took her leave, and went away from the table to talk. It was then I realized being a highly dependent candidate is both boon and a bane.The module that was hitting on, noone else knew about it and he was calmly asking me to explain in clear words all the flow! I wrapped up the discussion as fast as I can and told him I would get in touch with him in another 2 hours.

I went back to the seat and apologized profuesly and also told her about the importance of the call. We then talked a little more about food preferences, outings, the idea of marriage, what our expectations are.Meantime, we also ordered a plate of idli each as I had a late lunch. She also seemed impressed that I had actually cooked upma. I sensed I could connect with her as the talks went on. She seemed cool, smart, trendy (she wore a gorgeous dress that day :)) and affectionate. What I loved the most is her passion for music which she has been doing regularly for over 7 years after office/college, her sweet smile and effortless talking, her interests in telugu movies. We decided to call it a day and move on as it was over 30 minutes since we finished our idlis and she was afraid they might shoo us forcibly. It would have been wonderful had it ended there with just enough moments on a first date/shoot/whatever, it didn't

"Sir, Bill"

This has got to go down as the one of the most embarrasing episodes of my life. At the time of the bill, I saw that I had hardly any cash left excepting some 80 bucks and it seemed card wasn't accepted with bill being only 120. She took the cue and paid for it. It was  really complicated back story to why I couldn't draw money but (my PIN wasn't working) and I was living on borrow and carry cash policy. Unfortunately the renewal didn't happen in this case. What a Timing I tell ya! I hoped she understood and I gave her a weak smile. The bill was paid and I also offered her to drop her home just to compensate for the bill payment but she refused and went off.

Everything went good and I needed some time to think, this is what I have told my parents. What happened next ...wait and watch..

My friends this post ends here now with a follow up coming and 'Sir, Bill' story is going to repeat and haunt me for days to come. No complaints though.. :)

Life So Far..Random Ramblings

Every day I am so full of thoughts I just wish I had Siri to note them down for me.

*Siri. What an ingenious beauty Steve has left us with. An intelligent voice response system with which you can send message, do dictation, pick calls, check restaurants, get directions, make to-do lists, set up alarm so on and on. Its endless capabilities are mind numbing. Of course the directions and restaurants thingy is only in US of A. I spent some considerable amount of time pouring through the great things that this is capable of doing and the praise for it is universal. Period. Chitti was telling me the other day when we met that speech recognition softwares usually get almost 50% of them right but Siri stands at 75 percent. That's astonishing. I just want to own the darn thing. Last checked - 16 GB unlocked stands at 31K. Not bad at all.

*When has  the browsers stopped becoming news? Just checked today Firefox has newest version with 7.x, Chrome - 15.x, Opera - 11.3. I am surprised no tech blog is covering it be it Mashable, GigaOm, AllthingsD. Maybe the news of browsers have lost the fizz and people don't care about it anymore. As far as my personal favorite goes its Chrome,  through and  through. I do miss the nifty little feature of Firefox CoolPreview plug-in though.

* I am becoming a terrible sleeper. The last four days I have been sleeping around 3,4, or 5 sometimes and getting up as early as 7 or 9. I am sure some bits of such pattern is responsible for my laziness and lethargic feeling I get every now and then.

* These late nights have first started off with watching 'LOST' or 'Heroes'. Last week though I haven't been seeing them at all. Strangely though I haven't been able to watch the movies that I have downloaded and kept. I have around 10 movies 'yet to see' and the one that tops the list is 'I saw the Devil' a thriller from Korea that's supposed to chill your spine quite literally.

* With lot of gusto I started my morning walks last week. I got up around 6:30, dressed my self and set out to walk up till Hitech city. It took me just 15 minutes of brisk walk one way. Felt refreshed and powered. But then Diwali came up, adding to a holiday and then pattern broke up. I hope to continue from tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

* Of late I have been talking some things that I shouldn't be talking about in the first place. Talking about people on their back feels so terribly wrong and upsetting. I need to make sure I keep my mouth shut and not to crib about people. Its just not worth a conversation. Everyone has something positive to take.

* I got caught lying other day when I told someone that I have checked their website but I didn't. The other person found out as I told what I assumed would be on the site.  That's the first time it struck me small inconsequential things like that, there is no point in lying. Just tell the truth, that you didn't and be done with that.

* Saw this wonderful thing the other day in bus. As the bus arrived, all the people at the stop got in and there were two girls left standing. Within few minutes, two guys got up and offered their seats. They then got down the next stop to take the next company bus. Women are wonderful beings and they need to be respected. It felt  so great seeing that not all have forgotten about manners.

* Talking about bus, every time I start to get down the steps of the bus once it reaches the office, at last step in the foot board I hear this resound thump with every foot stepping on it as people leave. Thup. Thup. Thup. It reminds me of scene in 'August Rush' where the kid hears every single sound that is made naturally or unnaturally. Love that feeling.

* Did kichdi today after a long time after facing many ill omens as if nature is acting against my will to let me cook. I got up today around 9, saw that there ain't potatoes or peas to do my version of green kichdi.
So got my purse and wen to IDBI to draw the money. Says no cash. Then I crossed the road, went to the ICICI, said wrong pin. Deja Vu. I already lost my pin twice, didn't want to screw up again and wait another 15 days for new one. I put my card in again, punched each number carefully one by one. It worked. So got the money, went to Shilpa market and bought peas. There wan't alu. Just as I came up I saw that rice in the packet was minimal. Went down again to super market brought the rice. I cleaned the rice, got the mixture and just as I was about to light up the stove, the matchsticks didn't respond! One strike,two strike, matchbox out. I was in no mood to go down and buy matchsticks. Just as I though there is some mystical being watching me and having fun in seeing to it that I can't stick to my game plan, there it was hidden in some corner of the racks a small matchbox full of sticks.

* Shocker of all the things - I have just finished seeing back to back two awful movies - Beastly and Blue Valentine. Beastly - a modern retake of the the classic 'Beauty and the Beast' with a modern twist. It dragged on midway and then it got predictable. Had some nice intimate moments though. Blue Valentine was outright pathetic. It's such a crappy film about two people's lives alternating between their current constant fights and irritations with each other to the initial romance when they hit upon. Neither of them was appealing and it had hellava skin show which wasn't appealing either. Just when I want to get back to the days of enjoying some really nice off beat movies I end up with this duds. Next on the list are - Cedar Rapids, and 'I saw the Devil'. Hell yeah!

*Have been stuck with the book 'Tigers wife' for what seems like eternity. Need to get over it and get to 'The Glass House'. The book is terrible but again I hate leaving books unfinished.

Started off the posts with points 1,2,3 but then things started popping random. Stuck with stars. 

Online Shootings - Status Call

As expected, my interest has dwindled considerably. There has been so  much pressure at office that I am exhausted thoroughly. There hasn't been any mirch masala action so far excepting seeing some snaps of the prospects that my dad kept sending. I haven't liked them much. I have been in touch with Sravani though through occasional chats. I am getting to know about her interests, likes, her daily routine and then there came work and its almost a week to try and get back on track. 

Random Rants of the day

Yesterday I had decided that I was gonna work only for 8:30 to 6:00 come what may as I saw no point working 12 hours per day. On top of that I want to do my own homework after I get back after proper relaxing. Anyways, it didn't happen and I am really surprised to see my lead tell me "why are trying to rush like a girl?". I need to start setting some protocol upfront and tell him straight things aren't going to work if I am pressurized.

I should also start cutting down on lot of relaxation time especially the time when we enter the office in the morning and the time it takes to settle down and do the tasks. Added to that there is a snack break which is totally avoidable. Let me see if I can start tuning myself to the timings I set for myself.

I read 'Frozen Thoughts' today and I loved the concept of incremental progress and start doing anything any day by treating every day as a new beginning. So here I am today about to read MDX for an hour before hitting the bed.

Turned 5

Today I complete my 5 years experience. Recollecting the post I had written quite long time back about the expectations and the pressures around, its starting to show the effects now. I have gained tremendous insights and had a great exposure in Paris, meeting different people, holding meetings, getting client rapport. Its been a great smooth ride so far. Appraisals this year around put me in the third place. I was little hurt as I believe I deserved a better rating for all the amount of hard work I had put in and the client appreciation I have received. Talking to Chandan on the same day I have got some rationale behind the concept. From management perspective they need to do justice for all and since I had been given an onsite opportunity, it was compensated in this manner. This is what I have gathered from good many people. I can't do anything either excepting that I believe I need to put in lot more effort for the upcoming year to have a speedy scale.

Turning 5

Coming to the matters at hand, I am not really happy with the way things are and it's high time I pick myself up and start taking my life and career seriously. I have always wanted to learn and master the SQL Server Analysis Services, that aspect of SQL server which deals with real intelligence. I am so looking forward to the next 2 weeks when things will heat up considerably and then we are forced to learn and master the technology to be able to meet the deliverable in this new heavy duty project release.One disturbing thing though is that I am being forced to work on SSIS and SQL big time as all our effort is still focused on the first stage of our data transfer that purely deals with this aspect. To make the matters worse, Chandan currently roped in on to our project is going to handle the aspects. I am happy that it helps the overall progress of the project but it bothers me a lot when not being in a position to take up the role myself.

Anyways its just a matter of time now when things will heat considerably and I will be treading on the SSAS once and for all. The larger picture of course is that I need to make myself as strongly proficient as possible and become self independent and to able to master and command all the aspects of SQL Server BI stack. This includes extensive reporting, cube building and MDX querying.

Deviating a little here, I absolutely hate the discussing the topic of salaries or colloquially speaking, remuneration with my colleagues or with anyone for that matter. With my close buddies, especially banda, hari, mote, venky, chitti it feels ok to tell. Again I only them if they ask and never ask in return. For me, what matters the most is my job and how I deal with it. There is one stand out here though - Venky (SwamiNaidu). More than just hearing and occasionally jabbing fun of my incremental progress as others do, this guy just rips the heart out with his candid assessment and makes you feel like a imbecile and stupid. Any other person I wouldn't bother but with this guy it feels like a wake-up call. He tells me on the face of it (over the phone) that I am doing worse than most people among my fellow class mates.

With marriage on the cards, this becomes even more relevant and if I don't do something, I might become just contended with the life and take it as it goes. Without taking names, I indeed feel really low and in the heart of hearts I want to really go out and get into the best leagues out there. I remember during my first shift I was desperately searching for a break and Accenture proved to be the only best thing I could hold on to. Of course, MS plans were also partly responsible. Now the reality is different, and this time around I wan to be the guy calling the shots, with at least 4 to 5 offers in hand and to chose and decide what I want to be in. For this to happen, among many things, I need to get focus and concentration, the kind of passionate learning I was doing during my initial stint at Satyam.

Turning 5 indeed has now hit this point hard and hope to achieve the great heights in future both for my life and my to-be wife. 

Choosing a choice - Darn difficult

Somehow yesterday I just got to thinking about few things that where we need to make a constant upgrades and it ain't easy at all. Here is how they go -

Facebook Profile Pic-

Facebook has so become ubiquitous that it has now become a common practice for everyone to conciously smile and always lookout for that profile pic. It's a huge thing amongst all the folks. Getting that right facebook pic is like a million dollar thing. I have observed this when I was roaming around countries. People literally shriek "Yeah! Got my facebook pic". Once you get it, you then start eagerly looking forward to comments and stuff. Needless to say I fall into this category. Its been ages since I updated my pic but I don't see any good ones yet, so I will let it pass.

Wallpaper-

This is the toughest of all. Ask around any geek folks you will find that the most difficult task of the week is to get a right wallpaper.One keeps searching for that elusive wallpaper that you want to get noticed by at least 2 or more people. This is more to impress others than having something that looks good and again this is the most sought after by Indians. If you start searching google the top most would be santa banta.and the wallpapers there suck big time. I am guy who loves wallpapers of animie or animation or  movie wallpapers and they are darn hard to find. Relentless search for one stop solution for my next best thing literally takes up weeks sometimes and now I have a permanent solution for it - wallbace.cc. This is THE greatest wallpaper site ever much better than the other chincese sounding wall paper site.

Ringtone/Callertune-

Both are difficult choices. I can't believe myself that I have had this ringtone of 'Ninne Pelladutha' for almost a year now. Before that I had the tune for 'Manasa' of Munna movie. I would love to keep one classical sounding music -calm, non disturbing and soothe full to hear.

Well, frankly when I started off I had so many things to write but the week itself was very hectic, so right now I am just wrapping it. Would definitely write a sequel to this.

Online Shooting - A month Later!

Funny how time passes so quickly. It's been a month now since I first started searching for my soul mate, my would be, my should be or my love. So the much awaited "shootings" didn't happen as somehow the Rajhmundry party were not ready for the shooting yet. Sad I just thought I can bank on this first experience to gain in-depth knowledge on what exactly happens in a shooting.

Anyways there are 2 more prospects that are actually offline that my dad has shortlisted. One by the name Sruti and the other girl who Mohan Rao Tatha knows  but are just waiting for the nakshatra match. Quite suddenly yesterday I got a 'Express Interest' from Sravani in Shaadi.com with all the favorable conditions both to my parents and myself. Looks cheerful, sporty, trendy, and one with modern outlook. Currently as per what she said in the profile, she is at US on onsite deputation and is expected anytime soon. She is smart enough to keep her full name with which one can find her easily on Facebook. That gets me to thinking it wouldn't be such a bad idea to keep mine too.  I am now very excited and curious on how to go about now. Should I or should I not become a premium? I am in the same quandary as before. I think she also has kept her profile very recently. Let me have round 2 talks with my folks and based on that I will proceed.

And yes, it turns out I gotta kuja dosham because of timing of birth. Tough luck now with all the mindless people zeroing on that aspect. That's about it. 

Mom's Pleasant Surprise - True Lies

Mom had me completely flummoxed with her ingenious act today and I would remember this for long long time to come. Early this week my parents had called me up and asked me to come to Guntur for weekend for my first debut (the details of which will come soon). Keeping mote's points in view I agreed as food is a major weakness for me. Since mom is staying at Guntur while dad is in Eluru it was decided that both mom and I are going to come to Eluru. Mom, a highly devoted worker, was very much reluctant to take leave on Saturday and top of that Saturday being only half a day, there was no point in taking a holiday.

She told me that she would be coming by Saturday evening. On Friday with all the packing done, I first phoned dad to find out if mom had taken the laptop away to Guntur as I was planning to do some work on it. He said no and that the laptop is still there. I then asked him about what he had for dinner and which movie was coming on t.v. It seems that he had a nice pizza with veg puff for accompaniments and he also told me that he was watching 'True Lies' and then we cut the call.

After 15 minutes I got a call from my mom. As I was really busy packing my stuff I didn't have time to pick up the call and only phoned her after reaching to the pick-up point near Keshav Reddy sweets. I told her about the huge baggage of clothes that I was bringing and also told her that as planned we would be picking her up on her journey mid way back to Eluru at Vijayawada to have a nice wholesome lunch. I again talked to her for 10 more minutes asking her about the dinner plans and what she was doing. She also told me that she was watching 'True Lies'. I immediately quipped "Arre nanna kuda ade chustunnadanta. Manchi movie maa" and I cut the call and told her that I would give a message once the bus starts.

Time moved on, I went from Madhapur to Nampally, pickup point where there is another 1 hour waiting time. During this time nanna called and asked me about where I was and I told him it doesn't look like bus is gonna come anytime soon. He in his usual tones blasted all the private road transport folks for harrassing people and then told me to give him a call once he reaches and he would tell the directions to take by auto. Got in the bus, enjoyed the movie, came to Eluru, got down, came home and cow-a-bunga! - Mom was already Home! Awesome mom! I gave her a tight hug and told her this was one of the best moments I would cherish. Even though it wouldn't have mattered waiting till 5 but I always wished she to be there to spend my 2 whole days. THE best surprise indeed. Now I know the WHOLE meaning of 'True Lies'. 

Big cheers to my mom and dad for playing his role well! 

Fun with Movies on Volvos!

Yesterday I was on the bus from Hyderabad to Eluru. Unlike the regular buses that start as expected and land at the destination as expected these buses are one hellava exception. They first take you from Madhapur to a pick-up point and then your waiting starts. I had waited almost hour and a half. Quite Irritating.

Much before net on the phone, I always used to spend my time reading some novel. They just whisk away the time and make you wonder if there was any waiting at all. Now I have altogether interesting way to do the same by reading the blog posts via the fantastic Google Reader app. Of late I am not having the time I need to read the blogs at office, hence the unread count keeps going on and at certain point you lose it. I can't remember when was the last time I was updated with Mashable/GigaOm posts. If I see any of my friends posts I would of course read it then and there and the same applies to some rare and best blog that I folllow especially Jabberwocky. There I was flicking through the Likaeable Bloggers category and reading all the new ones. I loved reading the one on Sports and one with Xena. So cute.

Once on the bus my thoughts were focused on the movie that was being played. Getting very impatient with the guy blocking my way in the middle who couldn't figure out his seat number and kept asking the driver (emandi seat number 44 ekkadandi?). It was right at the end. I pushed him aside, got my window seat and then got immense unbelievable satisfaction of watching the T.V. on a volvo. It was Allari Naresh movie and good fun too. It looked recent and I was little sad that the movie was in its second half. I unconditionally love all the journeys in the Volvo's for the sole purpose of watching a movie in it. I get so pissed off during those rides when I find that for some mechanical/electrical trouble, movie becomes unavailable. There is something about the journey and luxury of watching a movie alongside that makes the ride so very comfortable. Has anyone felt that? Of course that's not to say every movie they keep is a blockbuster but most of it, even though I might have seen it before, I still enjoy it. I think that's one of the great things here in India. Back at Europe when I was touring between the countries those buses lacked this basic commodity. I used to pity them a lot for missing this out but again they had WC fitted in the bus. That's something we need to catch on. Anyways if I haven't been clear enough so far, I LOVE volvo bus rides with movie in them.

Mom's Action Points and tasks ahead

One of the things about my mom and to lesser extend my dad is that they have certain things to tell and they want it done exactly that way, right away. Mom had two major gripes about me and she has her own way of telling it - like repeating it at least minimum 5 times. In those 5 times the tone first starts patronizingly, and then slowly picks up the speed and at the end I become a useless creature unable to maintain my daily life. Such it goes. I don't know, why don't they just stop with saying it once and hearing my response out. Nope, the show has to go on and you just can't do anything but listen.

First item on the menu is the maid's money. 
How in the world are we agreeing to pay 800 bucks just for cleaning the house, cleaning the utensils (which again I hardly cook, or don't cook at all according to them). Instead why can't we just pay 200 more and get our clothes washed by her? Unnecessarily I am just wastng away money. Frankly I am also not sure if we are paying high/low as I remember back when I was with Nikmo it was somewhere around the same price. Also, did I even think about asking around how much others are giving? It is certain that I am paying exorbitant price just for nothing.
Action Point - Fire the maid, ask around for cheaper options, or pay more and get additional work done (see point below)

Next up is Washing Machine.
Why didn't I get my stupid washing machine fixed even though its been one week since I moved? Why don't I get a plumber and get it fixed rather than watch a stupid movie on Saturday? (Just to be clear here my movie was in the evening and I don't know how these two link up). I am therefore utterly lazy and just don't care about the basic necessities of living. If you haven't figured out yet this and the one above together form a single point. Just for sake of clarity I am splitting into 2 pieces. The wholesome conclusion is that I either fix the machine soon or give little more money and get it done by the maid.
Action Point - Get the machine fixed.


Next is my hair. I have a huge dandruff problem.
Among umpteen ways to tackle it the best way according to my mom is rubbing lemon on my scalp on a daily basis. For some days I did and then I became lazy as I prefer to shampooing every day. When peddiah and peddama had come recently to Hyderabad they suggested some shampoo that they say is highly effective. Being the lazy person I am I didn't note it down which never went unnoticed by mom. This came to the surface again and then she tells me I have completely stopped caring about you. Why should I tell you? It's your problem and you should have written it down. I don't know what will happen of you. That small hair you have also will disappear soon and no one will marry you. Of course the last bit was in slightly humorous tone.
Action Point- As Indrani atha suggested to me I would consult a hair specialist as it is a problem within that cannot be cured by external shampoos or conditioners or whatever. It needs to be attacked on the source. When/Where? yet to be sorted out.

Lastly its the bed.
Suddenly when I am moving all my stuff out of I realized I didn't have a bed to sleep on in the new room This was on Monday and I definitely knew I had no choice but to borrow a bed from there temperorirly till the week ends. The first weekend though whisked away as I spent time getting things needed for the house like mugs, buckets, chair, shampoo, heater rod, etc. Also that was just one weekend where I spent my self fully occupied by going to Aliens Space Station and in the evening to a movie. I wanted to postpone this event to the next week. Only this week I am here in Eluru. Mom is understandably livid with fury as I didn't have the decency to buy new one and return back the old one soon. How did I not think that Avva's house would require beds and Avva would get tensed arranging the beds? Good point actually. As you grow old and knowing my Avva fully, if the guests start pouring in, which is expected sometime soon this month, she would want to arrange beds, linen and everything. With one bed missing she will get upset and starts getting cranky. That effect is seen on Amma and in turn on me.
Action Point- Go to Kurl-on and buy the bed as soon as I can along with a cot. 

Well..that's for now and lot more to come. Man, I enjoy having it written so that I can know where I stand in all these.