State of banking markets

Dear Sirs,

In view of current developments in the banking market, if one of my
checks is returned marked 'insufficient funds', does that refer to me
or to you?

Thanks.

Illusion

‘BN, can you come down here for a minute?’

Usually its not good news when Senior Technical Manager calls you; it would either be some production issues or some useless initiative which he would ask me to lead. This has been the norm for the past 5 years, ever since I joined this company. I have vented my frustrations quite a number of times

‘You want to travel to the US?’ It took me by surprise.

‘Sure, why not? But what is the project and technology?’

‘Well, it’s AMR. Wirelessly you read meter data. Cutting edge! You already have wireless expertise and this is tailored for you. I just want you to go. No one gets a chance like this’

You would rarely see a programmer who gets a chance a chance on technology that he is passionate about. Wireless is my area of expertise and I always loved it.

Thus I came here to the US.

The first day, client gives me an introduction –

‘Well, BN. Welcome aboard.

As per your agreement with your company, you will be taking care of entire Oracle / Solaris based code base. They were written in the late 80’s. Good luck!’

I’m calling my Senior Technical Manager as Senior ‘Marketing’ Manager ever since.

Swimming Pool

We are regularly hitting the swimming pool regularly these days. One intention is to keep fit and its always fun to be in water.

The swimming pool is located in the middle of our apartment complex and maintained beautifully. Lit in the dark and water changed frequently, its a delight to enter the pool very often.

Recently we have received a notice from the leasing office asking us to use the pool little less as it results in loss of revenue. Does it make sense? Not for us though. We decided to check with the office and they said -

'People who have taken pool side apartments are vacating, since they are not paying extra to see three guys swimming !!'

Anything for love!

Just don't miss this short film!

Lady in the reception

“Can you give me the best rates please?”

I ask the receptionist at a well known hotel chain in a well behaved tone. Not sure whether she would oblige. I’m mentally prepared for the clichéd response. ‘Sorry Sir, we already have given you the best rate’.

BUT, to my astonishment, the response was little different.

“ I can take you a 50% off on the room rent, if you stay for a week. Plus no taxes.”

I can’t believe what I just heard. She should be kidding me. 50% off ? I didn’t expect even a 5% . That’s a steal.

“Wow, that sounds great. Yes, I will stay for a week.”

“But I have to tweak the system to give you the rebate, please hold on for a sec”. How kind she is.

Mmhm. Customer friendly. I never expected this to happen. This is a fantastic deal I would ever get. I checked into my room and started browsing the pamphlets. It boasted of Wireless Internet at a one time fee of $10.

I powered up my laptop and hooked on to the Internet. It asked for a password. I called up reception, spoke with my ‘kind’ lady and got the password. I asked about the charges, she told me not to worry about it; she is waiving it for me.

Holy Molly, what’s happening here? It’s as good as I’m staying here for free.

After few hours, I decided to go out for a walk and while leaving, smiled at the receptionist and she waved her hand back. I would definitely stay in this hotel again.

Two days passed. I don’t remember seeing the ‘kind’ lady in the reception again. Third day, I lost patience and decide to check with the lady in the counter. She was then sorting off some issues with a person who is checking out.

After waiting for a while, I approach her desk.

“When I checked in three days ago, there was a different woman at this counter. I don’t see her again, but she has been very helpful when I checked in. Is she on vacation?”

“I believe you are talking about Jennie. She has quit her job. The day you saw her, that was her last day. She screwed up the whole system, by giving some huge discounts to customers and just now I sorted out issues with a customer. All the customers who got discounts have been put back on normal rates. Do you have an issue, Sir? ”

I calmly replied. “No.”

And I decided to check out.

No Foreigners

My Indian friend lives in an apartment complex in Atlanta, GA where majority of the occupants are Indians. That's the prime reason why he chose that apartment. Few friends to talk to.

One evening, he heard someone knock on his door. He opened door to a white American guy , who inquired -

'Does Bill Nash live here?'

Hearing an American name my friend replied-

'No foreigners live here'

Censored or Uncensored?

This news article on Yahoo talks about some scathing remarks against Christians by a popular Emmy award winning artist.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070911/ap_en_tv/tv_emmys_griffin;_ylt=AtkypF3j3vo2jS83e_CIcqJpMhkF

What's weird is - they don't want people to hear this remark, nor read about it. Yahoo quotes her completely and also tells that Church wants E!Tv to censor those remarks when its aired on television.

The purpose is only half solved here. They have already put it on Internet,which means half of the world already knows. With this censorship, it will attract a few more viewers read about this.

In my opinion, if they really want to tackle these kinds of issues - just shut and keep it quiet. Don't sensationalize and make it known to everybody.

Interview Jitters

It’s pretty late in the night I still have my lights on. Burning midnight oil is not something new for me; it’s been with me since my school days and it continues even now, 5 years after school and working.

Mom usually gives a ‘go to bed’ warning during her first or second interruption at sleep, trust me its a general yelling, no matter what the time is. But today, she somehow came to my room, in spite of her being unable to open her eyes. Obviously, my activity would have surprised her. She opened and eyes wide open and looked at what I’m doing.

‘You are studying? I have never seen you studying even during exams, what are you doing now?’

‘Oracle, mom! Got an interview tomorrow.’

‘You are not happy with your current job, why?’

‘No mom. Leave it. Will tell you later’

‘Ok. But it’s something you work daily. Should be easy. Don’t worry about it. Go to bed’.

She wouldn’t sleep even a day without uttering ‘go to bed’.

I still have jitters when it comes to interviews. The best way to be confident is to go prepared. I decided to make a mark this time. I googled for all the possible questions, FAQ’s and didn’t leave anything unturned. I didn’t know when I went to sleep.

I woke up pretty late in the morning and got ready very quickly. Mom wished me good luck - I smiled back at her.

I caught the bus on time and discussed with my colleague about all the possible questions, again while on travel. I don’t remember the last time I did like this. May be during semester exams in school, where I usually skip the last unit and have my roommate narrate a story about that unit.

Well, here I’m - after the interview. I should say that the discussion with my colleague helped me. It went on pretty cool.

I go back home and mom asked me the details about my interview today. How did it go, what is the salary raise etc. and asks that non-stop!

‘Relax mom. I’m not moving out of this company. I was in the interview panel, and took an interview today. ‘

Harris and his own clone

Harris Jeyaraj is known for his notorious copying of his own songs. Lot of his songs have the same beat and rhythm. But he has churned out few jems in the recent past and 'Manjal veyil' from Vettaiyadu vilayadu is one of my all time favorites.

While listening to Bheema, the latest album from Harris, there is a song which is exactly same as one of his previous ones. 'Siru paarvaiyale' is that song which is a blatant copy of 'ottiyanam senju tharen variya' from 'Arul'.

Man, when I listen, I picturize the song in my mind, I can imagine Vikram dancing with Trisha the same steps he did with Jytothika for Arul.

And there is another song -'Mudhal mazhai', whose starting is very similar to many of his older songs - and more like the one in Majnu.

Harris, please - first from Rahman, now you are doing it from yourself. C'mon man, did someone give you the album of 'Arul' labeled as 'Music by ARRehman'? :)

I'm back!

Wow! I'm back to writing blogs. Its been almost an year that left quitting, due to commitments at work and at home, now I feel like I have enough time.

The first thought after making a decision to come back to blogging world was - what should I write? Earlier I used to write only humor, carved out of our daily life or based on my personal experience. I will definitely continue doing that - but what's beyond that?

Film reviews? Well lot of people do that. I have atleast seen about a thousand. Though watching movies is my favourite hobby, I'm not sure I can elevate to a 'critic'. So, I would continue posting what I feel on movies and songs, though it will not be a complete review and not regular.

My daily diary? Not sure. Its my life, and I dont really want to put that in the open.
Comments about whats happening around us? May be. If I get some interesting info, yes...definitely.

Let me see how it goes. Its always easier said than done, so let me stay calm and just post. Instead of writing so much about what I'm going to do.