EA Sports EURO 2008

Ever since I bought my laptop, like around 3 years ago, I have been absolutely hooked on to PC games. They are soooooo addictive that I have played from evenings to mornings on the run. All sorts of games, action, strategy, sports..Currently am hooked on to EA Euro 2008 which I bought a couple of months back.

The Game has awesome graphics and looks fab (on ma roomies comp, cos its got a thing-a-na-jig graphic card from the US-10grand) Its actually for the PS3 though I have a PC version of the same. ITs not that tough to play if you have played the earlier versions of EA sports Soccer. Though the keyboard is not the best equipment you can have. While the basics and scoring is easy on the keyboard, most of the tricks are not possible. The teams are customisable, and while the game has an online mode, u need a pretty fast connection to actually get to play online.

Some other games I have enjoyed over the years have been

1. FIFA 2006

2. FIFA 2007

3. ROME-Total War

4. ROME-Total War Barbarian Expansion

5. Project IGI 1 and 2

6. FAR CRY 

7 NFS Most Wanted

8 NFS Carbon

9 NFS Pro Street (SUcks!)

10 EA Cricket 2007

But I guess thats the end of the road for my PC game adventure, cos ma laptops an old "BUDDA" now. Time for some new high end gadgetry to come in :)

Cheers,

Maddy

I gotta do this

I just walked into a pizza hut on brigade road in bangalore. And have absolutely no idea why, but I just felt I gotta do the following things in a year :) max two years.

1 Learn German, French and Russian

2 Learn to play the guitar

3 Learn to dance


Don't ask me why, I gotta figure it out my self.!!!

 

Til later

cheers

Fun Stuff...great one liners

Thought I'd share some fun stuff with you...

Some fantastic one liners I got on the net and other sources; check it out

1. Familiarity breeds children

2. Life is sexually transmitted

3. We do precision guesswork

4. Justice: A decision in your favor

5. I miss my wife's cooking. . . . as often as I can

6. Multitasking: Screwing up several things at once

7. Take my advice; I don't use it anyway

8. A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a workstation... I wonder if that means...?

9. Coffee. Chocolate. Men. Some things are better rich

10.If you live in a glass house, you should change clothes in basement.

11.Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever.

12.Everyone has a photographic memory. Some people just don't have film.

13.War doesn't determine who's right, just who's left.

14.Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.

15.Our biggest problem is that nobody wants to take responsibility for anything—but don't quote me on that

16.The only substitute for good manners is fast reflexes.

17.Atheism is a non-prophet organization

This one I got one the bumper of a Hyundai Accent in Blore

"Honk if your an idiot" :P

And this is from a friend who saw it on the back of a car 

"Insured by MAFIA. You hit us.We hit you"

Enjoy!!!

Cheers

MadDy!!!

Russel Peters live!!!

Man believe me it was an awesome Saturday,,,we went to watch the Live show of Russel peters in blore..IT was absolutely hilarious..And the guy is much better in person than on you tube.

We reached around in 7.45...the show was at 8.30 And the place looked like a circus..Absolutely crowded. Apart from that they were such a fantastic crowd...there was a mix of all kind off people..the girls were all too good to be true kinda thing..never knew there so many pretty things in blore!!! That too all in one place..We were three guys...with some others joining later

As usual Russel loved it when he got to pick on some chineese and american guys...there were also some african americans from ghana. He also did an oncore on popular demand even after the time was up.

My buddy debi had met russel the last time around and had a snap and autograph. So we three were waiting to meet him...surprisingly we were the only three fans waiting. All of a sudden there he was getting in to the car, and my two buddies were off to the door..the damn security guy stopped me...while I watched in frustation my two buddies got autographs and a fantastic picture (which for pure jealousy am not posting here) lucky guys..That really blew my perfect sat night..

WEll anyways for those of you who missed it there is a show again in blore on 25th..Hope you can catch it. As for me..maybe the next time around, I would be with him in the car rather than waiting for an autograph!!!

cheers!!!

Maddy

Inspiring day!!!

Well the highlight of my day was that I re commenced reading a book I had picked up a couple of months back. The book is written by Jack Welch and is named "Winning". It truly stands up to its name, as the book is fantabulous!!! I was particularly inspired by a page on Leadership.

I have written in brief on the same topic in Business Bubbles. Read more about it here.

Apart from that it was looking great today..Tom being a Sat :) :) :)

Nothing interesting other than that. Lets look up to a fantastic weekend!!!

Cheers!!!

Maddy

Jet Kingfisher V/s Employees

The shocking news of yesterday was that Jet had layed off 1ooo odd employees, citing that they were under loss. This comes as a huge shocker, as this is the first of its kind mass layoff in the aviation industry.

I watched a lot of debate on to aspects of this case. One was the major bailout demand by the Goyalmallya combo. Second was the mass layoff.

Taking the bailout issue, the question is of using tax payers money to help private sector airlines to be able to operate in profit. They are able to make this demand as the goyalmallya combo controls nearly 60 % of the market in aviation, and the aviation industry in India is small and weak. The reduction of flights would in turn hit the aviation industry and the market as a whole. Communists argue that the tax payers money is hard earned money, not some lottery ticket to help private sector mint money. On the other hand pro bail out parties suggest that the aviation industry is a vital component of Indian development, which will in turn affect all the tax payers as well. 

My personal view would be to give a long term credit to these parties, make them share some of their controls and resources with Government Airlines. There is no way that the Government can allow Indian aviation to collapse. At the same time giving a complete bail out sets a bad precedent. Interest should be charged as against a interest free loan that has been demanded.

It remains to be seen as to what the Govt Does.

The second case is of the mass layoff. If the airlines were running under loss why did they hire such a large numbr of trainees and probationary employees? They have no right to protect their interests by compromising on the interests of its employees. Even if the non sacked employees join the layed off guys and show solidarity, the goyal mallya combo would conveniently put this back on the Government to further their cause of bail out.

Its a sad state of affairs that these kind of bad Govt policies and inefficent business practices has affected the dreams and life of the layed off employees. Today its JET AIRWAYS, tommorrow it could be anyone!!!!

BE Airware!!!

Cheers!!!

Weeks ending!! :)

Well though I work a six day week..the anticipation of Saturday can be so uplifting :) I cant help smiling even thinking about it..The whole concept of not working is so enjoyable...Two days to go..

Anyways have a great Friday!!!

Names List!!!

Hey got a crazy idea..thought Id write down all the names of people from my school in Bahrain and India ;P

Justin Nisha Priaynka Deepti Jossy JustinM Hameed Ahmed Abishek Melissa Shailesh James Deepak Divya Manoj Manohar Shivraj Sumangala Seema Vedha Rashmi Ashfaq Ayoob Ayesha JaiGandhi Akansha Brian Briandsa Veena Vinton Pradeep Bridgit Valentino Rovel Sonu Dolly Talal Tariq Chandy Sudesh Ninan Anilp Anilvs Deepak Dhanraj Mithun Kuldeep Pavan Kapil Siju Indresh GirishcL Girsh Mrinal Chakravarthy Suman Akshatha Vineeta Alex Gautham Vickyath Venkatesh Sachin dheeraj Sherin Charu Aiyappa Prashanth Chengappa Arvind Aparna Agneya Subash Jossy Sandhya Nabil Avinash Arvind Jiggs Movin Prajesh Shama Arena Girish Prakash Arun Sunishetty Hamston Ratnakar Peneul Oliver Abhinav Karna Ramnath Raghavendra Santosh Jithesh Vipin Nishka Adithya Devina Omkar Kedar Rashmitha Ranjitha KAran Ganesh James Ganesh Siddharth Kaushik Vignesh Shobitha Pradeep Sharmila Padma Jethesh Arjun Prakyath Sandesh Shine Sunronce Supriya Pavithra 

Well thats about all I can remember..By chance I miss anyone that we have in common do let me know!!!

Cheers

Dedication to my readers

This song is for you guys!!!

Enjoy and take care!!!

Post on Maddylicious!!! :Wordpress v/s Blogger

To my readers...

This post is dedicated to one of the most important elements of my Blog...you!!! my dear readers (Sounds corny you think??!!)

Well over the two months that I have been blogging more seriously, I see some readers have been visiting regularly...Thanks!!! It really encourages me and motivates me to write more truthfully and honestly. Whether the post has been about fun, or someone else, or some event or any crap that I come up with..I know its to early to even start saying thanks, but why keep a good thing waiting? :)

Well I have a lot to say..I started bloggin to write about the tremendous roller coaster rides I have had in my life. The truth is I never had the courage to write about it, as there are many others who would also be a part of it. In the ultimatum, I want to write a book aka chethan Bhagat. 

Well I think the time is nearing that I start this venture. My only problem is I dont know what people think of this blog. SO MY REQUEST..

ANY ONE..VISITING..DO POST COMMENTS..It can be anything..anything at all..I will definitely appreciate it..and perhaps be able to reteriate the same someday..

So do keep coming and commenting!!

Cheers..

Where is my silver lining??!!

Its been just another one of those days when ya feel you shouldnt have bothered waking up from bed. Apart from that just cant understand that how those guys in the commercials wake up fresh and bright in the morning...I havent seen a happy face early in the morning for years, excecpt Jimmy's who loves running into the house from his outdoor kennel..

Come to think of it he seems to be the only one happy in the morning running around licking everyone, pulling bedsheets, jumping up and down, till your awake..and the irony is he goes off and sleeps by the fireplace after his tea. Those are the days and ya think "a dogs life!!!"

Any ways, This years hasnt been particularly great, and its getting worse by the month. Isnt every month supposed to have a silver lining? Am still waiting for th

ose linings, maybe a whole years linings are due. Apart from making me more pessimistic and bored, it also reduces my blog-a-bility! And I just started a third blog!! Talk about timing

Thought this weekend was fun..!a party at home for 14 guys..Drunk and singing songs never felt better!! Some snaps

This is the cans we collected!!!

The second part of the same collection

And to round off an earrrrrrly morning drive!!!

So thats the weekend!!! But 6 days of misery was worth the weekend!!! 

Till next..

Cheers

PS: Post on Maddylicious!!!: Hurray...the dreaded monday is over!

Am on WordpresS!!

Well yes, (dont give me thosse anti wordpress and traitor stares!!!) I have started a blog on Wordpress as well. I am only TEMPORARILY checking out word press. 

Though most of the features look the same, the initial idea is that Wordpress gives you more if you know how to figure out and use it to the max. Again Widgets is much easier on Wordpress, though I have no idea on how to burn a feed.

Guess feedburner will help me on that.

Any way I will be running all three blogs simultaneously, so let me know!!! This is the link to Maddylicious!!!

Tiil then

Adios!!!

Sleepy beginning to a festive month

So far this month hasnt shown me any thing that its most popular for..festivities..The whole society seems to be hit by the US Markets, let alone the NSE/BSE. Nothing seems to be excitng..nothing worthwhile to blog about.,..

This again is the first entry for this month making it one of the late-st entries in the last couple of months. I also see my fellow bloggers slowing down a bit..must be the planets are in non-blogger alinement or something.

I was planning to do big things at this time of the year a year ago!!! When I just started my career..it was like 2008 last quarter will be rocking..contrary to that everything else has happened. My astrology for this month says am gonna change jobs. Supposed to be theee month for moving out. at 20 th onwards I will be slewed with offers!!! Wish that would happen for a change..

PAst few days was going through my ol stuff..found my diary..some photos of ol crushes! Kinda nice and comfy feeling when ya thinka bout the past. Other than that lots of work. Ironically the work is more anticipating huge spendings by my dear consumers( thats YOU!!!) who of course are against de monetarizing their wallets in favor of shopping!

Any ways, enough of the smart talk. Will look out for some interesting stuff to blog about. Actually it did feel good to find some people ask why I havent been bloggin. Sniff sniff!! I was so touched!! ;P

Ok then..till next Ciao!!

Maddy 

what a bad hair day!!!

Really had a tough day...was just back from home in the morning..Somehow the auto guy fleeced me 300bucks!!! Not a guy to argue with auto walas, I was on the verge of a fight today first thing in the morning...

then came the bike..the horn went Kaput..Got fed up trying to correct it and in the process got late for work..

Then came the saliva spitting bus..I overtook a bus and somebdy felt it was the right moment to spit out..while I was checking what the F, the bus vanished and so were my chances of whacking someone. To top it all one of my favorite boss in office had his last day at office today..so there!!!

Some snaps from home at 6.30 in the morning!!! 

Phew..anyway its a brand new month. Have been very active on linked in..catching up on everyone..asking questions and stuff.

Am looking forward to a good month (Puhleeeeeeze GOD!!!)

Till ma nxt...

Cheers!!!

MTV Roadies audition...

Talk about confusion man... MTV Roadies was in Bangalore on sunday..and guess what ? I missed it!!! And the best part was My company was a part of the promotion!! 

Yep Garnier Fructis was there at the audition and ma friend and colleague was there and chatting and all with everyone..Told me it was cool

Was watching the auditions and prelims on MTV today...somehow I am not sure that I could face Raghu..though I can bet I would enjoy it the most. Just thinking of putting up some smart ass performance makes me all enthu about it.. But I know am not hte fun care free cool lazy bugger I was a couple of years ago.

People who know me will tell you that I am at my best in a crowd of friends. otherwise I can be a real pain..REAL pain. I can be hip and crap at the same time..And I have absolutely no Idea why am going on and on about myself. Blah!!!

By the way one of my buddies was expecting this post to be about him and his social life!!! The hype we created around it was really high..Man was he tensed ;) Any way chiil man its not about you!!! 

Fight against Terror

Hi Past few months we have been seeing so many terror attacks, not only in India but also across the globe. We have had blasts in many countries, but one stark contrast is that majority of these blasts have happened in countries where

1. Have adopted the policy "An eye for an eye, makes the whole world blind" so lets talk it out

2. Have adopted the policy "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" so lets give these guys a taste of their own medicine.

Were countries have aadopted policy 1 there has been  comparitively lower powered serial blasts every now and then. Countries adopting policy two have faced superpowerful blasts( like 9/11)

Terror networks arise from weakness and insecure people. They arise because of Some overtly psycopathical religious fundamentalists.

Whenever one individual gets these  S.O.P.R.F (Some overtly psycopathical religious fundamentalists) feelings he picks out his weakest targets. There he drills till he has enough money support to recuit another SOPRF. And so on he has an army of weaklings and insecure people.

Terrorists claim to be strong and brave...bullshit.(willing to kill innocent people by blowing urself is not Bravado) They are weak minded people who dont have the guts to come out and fight in the open against the armed forces. They think and hit and run is brave. Its like mice scurring around.

To a large extent we have created these terrorist armies. How you ask? Well for one majority of these people were from poor backgrounds and with lot of dreams, But we intend to keep these people there and crush their dreams by not opening up to them. They are then motivated and turned anti social, half because of our attitude towrds them and half because of those SOPRF's

Remember every stomach gone hungry, every tear fall, is a cry for help. Its up to us to either help or let SOPRF's help them and brain wash them. And use them against society.

Friends, open your hearts and minds...recognize what you can do to nip these terror network in the bud. Dont wait to be a hero by spotting someone placing a bomb somewhere. Be a hero by doing what it takes to fight terror everyday..

To a safer society..to a safer life..to a happier day in the life if every human..

Cheers!!!

21 Advice to keep cool

Received by mail from a dear friend

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully. 

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.

FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.  

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions. 

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

 

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

 

TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.

My journey so far

Part 1 : Beautiful Bahrain

Was born in Bahrain. Schooling in Asian School and Indian School (5th and 6th), WAs a member of Kannada Sangha. Was more in the category called unkown!!! Lots of Friends from Kannada Sangha. Most are in Bahrain, or in Mangalore(India), Bangalore(India)

Part 2 : Incredible India

Moved down in 1996 to further my education. Was in Little Rock Indain School. (7th to 1oth) The the next large chapter was in Poorna Prajna College, again in Udupi District. Did my PU, Bachelors in business management. I wanted to be an architect but somewhere in between I got frightened of Science. I had a good academic record, but still opted for a comerce degree(Science was the craze back then)

Wrote my CAT exam. Scored a good 83 percentile (93 % in english, 36% in Quants!!!) and ended up in a new MBA college at Udupi..ICFAI National College. I didnt know why I was there after all my mega dreams of being a Brand manager, but somehow managed to bag 5 national awards, and the best intern nationally from the university!!!

Now after a short stint in advertising and in a Marketing company (as a Sales incharge, of all things!!!) Now I work for Loreal( ya it sells cosmetics. No its not an insurance company). Still in search of ma goal in life and a companion too....

fee fi fo fum, hey life here I come!!!

Maddy

Audition sudition Blah!!!

Finally its over...the audition I mean. It was kinda cool..But undoubtedly I was not at my best. Very Very Rusted as per the good old days when we were colleges.

It started of with a video shoot introducing ourselves. Some questions were asked.

Then was the GD. Again as usual a contrversial topic. To Get out our opinions.

Then came the most important question. Who out of the other 7 would you want to take with you on to the show. Followed by who you wouldnt want to take with you..

Some of the qustions I was asked.. And the answers I gave. And the answers I should have given in other circumstances

1. If you got 50,000 to slap a guy, how many slaps would you give the guy?

My Ans: I wouldnt slap at all, I wouldnt harm anyone physically

Should have: I would probably slap him as much s humanely possible, then share the bounty with him, and taken few slaps myself maybe.

2. If you got a bag full of money with an id proof, what would you do?

My Ans: I would take half the money, send the remaining back to th concerned person.

Should have: Take the money, scoot as far as possible. 

3. If you need to give a sexual favor to your boss to get promoted would  you do it?

My Ans: No. It wouldnt last very long. (promotion I mean)

Should have: If my boss was attractive, maybe...;)

4. If your a helpful guy, you should have been doing social service..

My Ans: Once I win the money I will give money and time to any social cause

Should have: Who told you I am not doing social service right now?!!

5. You dont look Physically fit to do any adventure activity like para gliding or tight rope walking

My Ans: Its all in the mind, if your mentally strong, you can do anything.

Should have: You dont look physically fit to wrestle or get into a boxing ring yourself!!!

But Though I would have given the should have answer's in any stress interview in my good ol days, somehow I was very honest in what I have said. I may sound politically correct, thats what I would honestly do. I have given Gold chains back when I found them. I have never hit anyone to save myself!!!

I was trying to emphasise that I am very different from Others, and that I could only prove it in action not in words, however that dint come across I think.

However soneone did say that they would take me along to the show, given a chance, Because that though I appeared silent I was the most different guy among everyone there!!! Phew!! At least someone noticed.

But somehow I am disturbed..I dont think I am the same spontaneous, smart ass kid I was..Very worrying, Any way lets see what the results say. Not that I am expecting anything surprising.

Maybe in the future then...

Cheers

Interesting things to do at Office

Here Goes

 

1. Reach the office half hour late. Remember early bird gets the worm. Believe me you dont want to eat a worm for breakfast

2. As soon as you go, pile up your desk with files, papers, and stationery. Gives the cubicle a "work effect", just in case your boss passes by.

3. Check the coffee machine. Its gotta be working properly. Dont take chances. Have a full cup of coffee to make sure the coffee machine is working properly.

4. Google the word "Iworkatacrappyplace", check out the answers. Mail a copy to all.

5. Take a trip round the office. Check if everyone has arrived and is feeling well. Find out whats happening in Suzy's uncle's house with the new dog coming in.Social networking is very important to feel belonging

6. Check the coffee machine again.

7. Check the pantry too.

8. See if you boss wants to know what a swell guy he is. If he is, tell him so. Use "Fantastic", "leader" and "Phenomenal". Tell everyone the boss is in a bad mood.

9. See if the paper rocket you made out of three different brands of newspaper can actually cross the entire office.

10. Take a lunch break

11. Take your lunch

12. Take a leak

13. Talk to the new girl in the office. Make sure she is comfortable. Help her around. you gotta help your neighbours right?

14. Throw a tantrum on how the people in the office dont value good work, and that they need to work harder.

15. Take a coffee break.

16. Play "pinball" with the "guys"

17. Time to leave early due to work stress. Ask neighbour to cover for you. They should feel privileged.

:)

Audition tommorrow!!!! Aaaghhhh help!!

All of a sudden am getting all jittery about tom audition. I do know what am gonna do. I mean like whts gonna happen and all. I have been to stress interviews before, have been screwed and come out of it too...but hell this is national tv man!!

 

Imagining lil ol me in a sea of youngsters...jumping over each other..fighting to get into a reality show. Frankly I don even know why I applied, apart from the fact that I want to get away from my current boring life..Do something different, challenging. I havent told many that I am even auditioning, maybe 3 4 guys. And I am sure not many are gonna read this blog anyway so no probability any more are gonna know.

 

Hey even MTV Roadies is up in Bangalore for Auditions. Maybe worth a try. I'd love to get into that interview with Raghu!!! But somehow at 23 I feel old already. Maybe I should go in for a brain scan just to see if everythins alright. Bet the CT scan machine would burst!

 

Heard Roadies is gonna be in Australia mate!! Isnt Australia the continent with most of the dangerous animals/reptiles in the world? Like the Black widow spider, the Mamba (snake!!!), lots of sharks and crocs (thanks to Jeff Corwin, may his soul RIP) Am not sure of the mamba, check it out anyway.

 

Phew thats a lot of confusion in ma head...I need some sleep. And a vacation...and a 50% salary hike, maybe a nice car and a flat...

There I go again!!

 

Cheers guys...tom is the big day!!

Maddy!!!

Ganesh Darshan

One of the Ganesh idols I got up and close to was at Raj sir's place today.(I think it was the only one I got to this year!!!)

 

Just a snap

 

 

Saving all my love for you.....

Way back when I was a small kid in Bahrain, the radio was a common music player at 7.30 in the morning. The beautiful songs that used to play back then are so much embedded in my heart and soul that now I am trying to get them on the net. The following is a beautiful song called Saving all my love for you by Whitney Houston...here it goes

A few stolen moments is all that we share

 

You've got your family and they need you there.

Though I try to resist being last your list

 

But no other man's gonna do -

So I'm saving all my love for you.

 

It's not very easy living all alone

 

My friends try to tell me find a man of my own.

Bur each time I try I just break down and cry

 

'Cause I'd rather be home feelin' blue -

So I'm saving all my love for you.

 

You used to tell me we'd run away together

 

Love gives you the right to be free.

You said: be patient

just wait a little longer

 

But that's just an old fantasy.

 

I've got to get ready just a few minutes more

 

Gonna get that old feeling when you walk through that door.

'Cause tonight is the night for a feeling all right

 

We'll be making love the whole night through -

So I'm saving all my love

yes

I'm saving all my love

 

Yes

I'm saving all my love for you.

 

No other woman is gonna love you more

 

'Cause tonight is the night that I'm feeling all right

 

We'll be making love the whole night through -

So I'm saving all my love

yeah

I'm saving all my love

 

Yes

I'm saving all my love for you - for you - for you.

The song itself  here 

Audition For A REALITY SHOW!!!

Hi guys!!!

NEws NEws...The profile I sent for a reality show got selected (I think?!) and I got a mail for an audition on Sunday...hmmmmmmmm

Am all confused now..am I all excited about the show and am I trying to play cool... Or is it that I am cool about it and am trying to look excited. I don know much about the program itself as I got only a  rough idea..Adventure, Hindi, Humor seems to be the key words.

Lets see..Don know what am gonna do there...what if they ask me my most embarassing moment..I never had one..

Or maybe tell me a joke??!!(sounds corny to me)

Sheeesh!!!

I really cant prepare for all these things. Just a go as you are maybe. Like what I am is What you get!!

Chalo, ye be dek lete hain!!

Cheers

MAddy

5 things to do when you wake up on a workday

Ahem.

1. Switch off the mobile as soon as you get up. You dont want people calling you in the morning and asking u stuff that can disturb your inner peace...(people could be bosses, colleagues..etc)

2. Relax. You have just got up. Work can wait. Dont pressurize urself in to waking up if feel like sleeping more.

3. Check if you feel feverish, jaundicish,headacheish etc. Work can only add to these troubles and have long term effects on your companies frontline. (u dont want that to happen,now do you)

4. Take your time to see the good things in life. My favorite is CNN IBN and ESPN.

5. Prepare for your day. Plan out your schedule. Saving time is of utmost importance to catch that 7:15 movie at PVR...

Cheers

Me and ma number 5

Just found out...ma lucky number is 5..and somehow its there all around me!!!

mob numbers: 99**** 1005, 99****5805
Vehicle number 4025
PDA model 527 (also adds up to 5)
house no 25
BDay 14( adds up to 5)
no of awards at a all India level 5
the time is 11:45!!!

gotta search for more now!!!

Whats going on....?!

Just another one of those days...when ya go into deep thought..

Wondering whats going on..some nut cases are blasting nutrons and all..some guys debating why they should be the next president and how best he can attack a few more countries for petroleum.(aka iraq if u dint get that) somewhere in our country some guys are screwing the happiness of both farmers and Tatas..why dont they just say tata anyway..

And then again we come down to a small little art of blore were little ol me sits and rakes his brain on what to type!!! I feel like snails are moving in slow motion in my head..nano slow is more like it. I did watch Phoonk today..man the best movie I ever saw. I mean have your everseen such a comedy horror flick ever? ;)

Lifes gone kaput past few days..don know whats going on..gotta get something soon before i burn out to non active brain!!!

To tommorrow
Cheers!!!

ASUS Experience!!!

Hi, I had recently bough an Asus PDA, in Sangeetha. During the time many of my friends suggested to go for a more popular model, like N series or an HTC. But zara hatke that I am I went ahead buying my ASUS P527 PDA after much research and deep study( Rs 17000 spent had to be bloody well worth it!!!)

Strangely a fortnight ago, the fantastic music headphone went kaput!!! absolutely no sound in the headphone.. I took it to Sangeetha who were prompt enough to direct me to the ASUS service center. But the service center was closed and they had shifted to a new location.

Today I had been to the service center, Man it was an awsome place; unlike your crowded, "we are the best " Nokia centres ( Incidentally I still Love NOKIA!!!) it was very cool, well presented and had a nice couch too. I went ahead and told them the issue, they wrote down the complaint, and in 5 min....

GAVE me a NEW HEADSET!!! in 5 min!!! can you believe that?! It felt really good. most centers would have it sent for checking and all that but this happened so fast, I was really surprised. Man looks like ASUS has got a fan for Life!

ASUS is actually a manufacturer for mother boards of laptops and computers. The mother boards that go into your HP's and compaqs are from ASUS. Now they have come out with Laptops and PDA's. And beleive me they sure do look awesome and worth the money. Am really looking forward to the new launches coming up this month end..with the first 128 MB ram PDA. WOW!!! looks great..lets c what it turns out as!!!

Cheers!!!

Making of the Ganesh Idol

When I had been home, my Dad told me the story of how Ganesh idols used to be made way back...around 35 years ago.

There used to be a old man who used to make the idol in our famil home. He used to come around a month back to our home and stay there. He would collect clay from the nearby forests.This clay would then be immersed in water for a week or so to make it soft. The clay would then be pounded for a number of days using a pestle making the clay soft enough to be moulded.

Over a period of days the idol form would come to shape. This would happen over a number of days where the kids of the house would watch in awe. Once the idol was ready, the colouring took place. For colours, the artist would collect different type of stones, which he would scratch against each other, after making them wet. The entire idol would be painted using colours from different stones. BUT the eyes would never be painted till the last moment.

Just before the pooja, the eyes would be painted in. This would take place to ensure the idol retained its purity till the last moment. Unlike today were the idols are sold on the road without any care about its purpose. Now I am not being a religious purist, but this is just to narrate the process.

The same person would come every year and repeat the same, and this would bring a different feel alltogether to the entire festival. Such Artists are rarely found today. The Artists have shifted to more of look and style rather than the purity. ITs a show more than a festival...OR so It looks to me...

Lets hope we still have these pure artists still, and encourage them if we ever come across them..:)

till then
Cheers!!!

Ganapati Bappa's 108 names

Hi,

Came across this interesting sight of Ganapati Bappa. Check out the link which has all the details of Ganesh...http://ganapati.club.fr/annexe.html

Cheers!!!

"Wholesale GAnesha"!!!

Heeeloooo,

Topic of the season has been around Environmental concern over Ganesh idols and spray paints harming the environoment. Fair enough. But somehow I couldnt help but observing some down trends in the way we celebrate our Ganapa festivals.

Earlier Ganesha Chaturthi used to be a month of family fun and good spirit..the whole family getting together and celebrating with gusto. Cheering loudly, bursting crackers...Kids running around your feet. Elders Discussing family issues..Women folk preparing "chakulis and laddoos" for good ol Ganapa... In all Fun. From the past few years this trend has changed to "one day Chaturthis, with bring the idol, pooja, submerse." Feels like "lets get it overwith" kind of attitude. Many families have either discontinued it (which I think is gonna be a major Ganapa upsetter as per scriptures) or are trying to.. Strange. We never had a ganapa at our home, at least as far as I can remember. But my love for him never ceases. with or without idol.

Why? Hmmmm I don know for sure. But I thnks its got to be with nuclear families coming up, the importance of culture and family values dissapearing. I somehow had this feeling that all these festivals were acctually initiated years ago to keep families together, show them the right way, build inner strength and confidence n peace...Well I don see that happening any more

Surprisingly this year has been the year of Wholesale GAnesha and not wholesale "Loud Cheers of Ganapati Bappa Moraya" I have seen huge number of Ganpas for sale, nut very few processions of Ganeshas. Even back at my village there minimal festivities...Inflation?? I dont think so :)

I wanted to put multiple snaps of all the Ganeshas that I have seen, but Have seen so few that I had to write these comments on the festival. Any way, AM sure Ganesh ji wont mind, he has a big heart after all.
Heres praying for a better world, more common sense for humans, better times for the poor, happiness and love to all...
Oh yeah and more readers for my blogs ;)!!!

GANAPATI BAPPA MORAYA!!!

Am Baaaackkkk!!!

Hey its been a quick trip home and back...back to the same monotonous life in Bangalore!!! Well as promised some beautiful ( I Dare say so!!! ) snaps from back home, were theres so much greenery ud think we were on another planet. So here goes...

Well actualy wanted to put a lot more but the climate was damp and I dint want to catch a cold. Any way will have lots more to say later so will be back with the next post!

Cheers!!!

On ma way ...

After a lazy drive down from bangalore, reached udupi at 8 am in the morning. Luckily there were no rains.

After breakfast with muku at his place, caught up on the latest gossip ;)

Then played snooker and met up with zed and raki. Sumptuos meal with some beer. Zed went home and we three carried on to chandan sirs place. Had a rocking time. Now am on the bus to my home in Nagara (in shimoga district) to celebrate ganesh chaturthi.

Will post some beautiful snaps of the scenery once i getback, cos theres no internet or mobile network at home...meanwhile lets see if mobile blogging is fun..go blOgger!!!

Chèèrs!

Going home !!!!

Hey hey...

Finally the month is ending, time to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi!!! Going home on Saturday an will be back on Thursday with lots of interesting stuff. Also going to try out mobile bloggin till then..lets see if its worth it?!!

Meanwhile,lots of things happening on the professional front. Making up a journal for some 15 entried on ma new blog business bubbles, so that I can have a similar line of content. Of course I will be posting randomly on daily mirror, Thats what its for anyway!

Somehow motivated another roomie to get into blogging. Can check out his blog at www.tenbestmoments.blogspot.com
Lots of intersting stuff going to come up there too!!!

Any way till then

Cheers!!!

Confused...

Thought I'd Just put up a video of what am feeling like today...

Beautiful poem

शर्म कहाँ से होगी

कपड़े हो गए छोटे, शर्म कहाँ से होगी
अनाज हो गए हाय ब्रीद, स्वाद कहाँ से होगा
नेता हो गए कुर्सी के. देश भावना कहाँ से होगी
फूल हो गए प्लास्टिक के, कुश्बू कहाँ से होगी
चेहरे हो गए मके उप के, रूप कहाँ से होगा

खाना हो गया दालदा का, थाक्थ कहाँ से होगी
प्रोग्राम हो गए केबल के, संस्कार कहाँ से होगी
आदमी हो गए पैसे के, दया कहाँ से होगी
भक्त हो गए स्वार्थ के, ईश्वर कहाँ से होगा
व्यापार हो गए हेरा फेरी का, मुनाफा कहाँ से होगा,
व्यवहार हो गए टेलीफोन का, शर्म कहाँ से होगी.


(This beautiful poem was written by Shri Kapur Patel from Rajasthan. I read it ina local Marwadi magazine and had written it down. I do not remember the name of the magazine or the date. It has been reproduced here in original form without any changes)

A tribute to "Randy Pausch"

Prof Randy Pausch was a fantastic idol who showed people through his actions, through his lectures and through sheer dynamism what living a life is all about. I just finished reading his book- "The Last Lecture" which I had picked up a day before.

Prof Randy Pausch had pancreatic cancer. He was a professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and became famous after delivering his famous last lecture on september 17t, 2007. He had planned this lecture after being given 5 to 6 months of good health.

Now the important part. Randy spoke of Achieving your childhood dreams. After reading his book I have realized what optimism and honesty can do to change your life. Many things that we know are right and dont follow make a big difference in life. Randy has tried (and Succeeded .) through this lecture to make us realize what we are doing and what we can do. Its not a to do list for success. Instead its a story of how a man who knows hes got limited time lives his life to the fullest extent and places great faith in seizing the moment. Making your dreams possible and further more helping others achieve their dreams.

In no way is it possible for me to say in text what Randy has actually communicated, but these are the few highlights which I picked straight off the book

1. "When your screwing up and nobody says anything to you anymore it means they have given up on you" (Pg 37-I never made it to the NFL)

2. "The Brick walls are there to stop the people who dont want it badly enough. They're there to stop the other people" ( Pg 73-Romancing the Brick Wall)

3. "Dont Complain, Just work Harder" ( Pg 138-Chapter 32)

4. "Treat the Disease, not the sympton" (Pg 139-chapter 33)

5. " Look for the Best in everybody" ( Pg 145-chapter 36)

6. " Watch what they do, not what they say" ( Pg 145-chapter 37)

7. " Whether you think you can or cant, your right" ( Pg 147- chapter 38)

There are many more beautiful things in the lecture, but I wish and hope that you read the book and experience it. Its all about having fun and making the most of life.

I have never met and did not hear about Randy until a day ago. But somehow I feel that I am greatly touched by Randy and in someway he has changed the direction of my thoughts. It has been an honour and a privelge to know that there was someone like Randy in these times who honestly tried to make a difference. I am Humbled at his selflessness in thinking and sharing with the world when many would have been depressed and in self pity. The impact he has made is unbelivable.

The following excerpt is taken from a May 3rd Wall Street Journal article written by Jeffrey Zaslow about Randy Pausch and his final farewell :"Randy is thrilled that so many people are finding his lecture beneficial, and he hopes the book also will be a meaningful legacy for him. Still, all along, he kept reminding me that he was reaching into his heart, offering his life lessons, mostly to address an audience of three. "I'm attempting to put myself in a bottle that will one day wash up on the beach for my children," he said."

Some useful links

You tube video : http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Pausch

The book : http://www.thelastlecture.com/

CMU Lectures : http://www.cmu.edu/uls/journeys/randy-pausch/index.html

I hope everyone reads this book again and again again and understands the depth of what you can do and how life can change...Its all how you look at it. Thats the picture I started this blog with...

On July 25, 2008, Pausch died from pancreatic cancer at his family's home in Chesapeake, Virginia, having moved there so that his wife and children would be near family after his death.He is survived by his wife Jai, and their three children, Dylan, Logan and Chloe.

This is my tribute to a great Human Being.....Thank you Randy

Modest academic!!!

Well well well...fantastic saturday..met my best sir/friend and mentor in some ways today..met my juniors..some shopping for taking back home. Many things interesting but I will post some touching things tommorrow...

As for Today...we all tend to exagerate our marks by .05, .9 etc..Like when it is 62.5 it becomes 63% or 65 even..Have you ever seen somebody reduce it to 62??

Well yours truly, (smart fellow that I am )have been enlightened today by Chandan Saar that I have been telling everyone( EVERYONE including on my resume) that my CGPA was 6.9/10
When IT ACTUALLY WAS 7.9/10!!!

CAn you believe it...no wonder I wasnt getting any calls from head hunters! We were in coffee day when this gyaan was given to me and we all cheered with a cool blue to celebrate.

Tommorrow will be a new label entry too..entitled "Reviews and tributes" and I hope it would make an interesting read...

Hey do leave your comments...will be looking frward to it..

Cheers

The day it Poured!!!

6:00 am

Wake up. Its Raining. Back to sleep

6:30 am

Its Still Raining. Back to sleep

7:00 am

Door bell rings. OPen door for maid. Sleep on chair.

7:45 am

Close door for maid. Its still raining. Sleep on nearest flat surface.

8:00 am

Alam rings. Throw mobile in nearest pile of clothes.SLeep

8:30 am

Its still raining. REad the newspaper with one eye

8:45 am

Its pouring now. Read paper with both eyes.

9:20 am

start getting ready. Chomp some bread while tying shoe lace and balance laptop.

(This is the part where I leave to work. It absolutelty STOPS RAINING ) what the #$1%^!!!

6:30 pm

Stuck in traffic jam. Plan for movie at 7 with roomies.

6:45 pm

It starts RAINING. Get wet while light turns green at signal.

6:50 pm

PArk the vehicle, run for cover. IT starts POURING.

6:55 pm

Stops raining. Run to the bike. STart. ROARRRRrrrr..

6:59 pm

Catch the sunset on the flyover. take a snap while driving with one hand.

7:10 pm

Sit wet in a cinema hall. Watch movie for three hours. Get cold

10.15 pm

Reach home. CAtch a cold (fever the next day)

sleep till 6 am. Then refer first line!!!

Cheers!!!

Running the rat race

The other day I was just passing by a temple. There was some ceremony going on and there was a huge crowd of people standing in a huge queue to enter the shrine.

On first apperance it looked that the vast majority of people were just localites. But on closer observation it was clear that there were visitors from outside as well. And a BIG difference in the crowd....90% of them looked like your common man, simple guys with small time jobs, families to support on tight budgets..(Hey I could be absolutely wrong) but thats what they did look like.

That brought about a very stark thought. Where were all the Civic/city/accent/corolla guys, ur high flyinf top notch businessmen..Whom by no doubt you would find at the pubs and discos around the citi. I couldnt find a single person who looked like he would be wearing a business suit to work in the morning..(Here again I can be very very wrong).

Anyway the point is, does it point to hw society is changing...how culture is changing..the moment you climb a step in the ladder in the social rat race, your out reaching for the next step..and you do that by aping what others in the upper level are doing..without a thought as to why, what ,etc

Going to pubs and discos isnt a crime..but do you know why are you going there..is it to have a good time or to show others you have a good time? Big difference there..Are you SATISFIED?
Dont run the rat race...live life today!!!

Think about it

Cheers..
MadDy!!!

Basanti and the dancing dogs...

Hi Yaar,

"Basanti ko bolna kuthon ke samne math nachna. Kuthe kat-the hain. " (Ask basanti not to dance in front of the dogs, they bite!) If you got a call at 2 am in the night asking you this , what would you do...I really don know but we had a hilarious time calling all our friends and asking them all sorts of questions...

It was raining and there was no power, very boring, no LPG to cook either...so we thought we would enquire about the general status of the world...with no consideration about the time..the calls went all over INdia...orissa, hydbad,mumbai (we dont discriminate you see)... we did get s ome whath the F's and Ma******s, and all that..but hey we had a rocking time !!!

So next time its raining, theres non power and your bored, pick up that phone and go ahead asking about the welfare of your society!!!
ok then, till next time..

oh just forgot,, dont forget to ask basanthi not to dance with the dogs..they bite!!!

CheErs!!!

Three GEeKs and a Duffer!!!

The title should have read more as three engineers and an MBA. that ees my roomies and me.

We were just out on our usual sunday night dinner, and somewhere something motivated my roomies to start on their c++ languages and escalations and so on... . So not wanting to disturb my fellow "to-be-bill gates-steve jobs-and all" I quietly listened hoping to pick up a few "XML .net scripts to be run timed in production with SCM going thru audit for a major release " Fundas....however very soon the chineese looking waiters started giving us the looks...clearly they were not impressed with our java v/s symbian v/s something else discussion over a delicious peking chicken. And I completley agreed, cos we were there to eat right?

Or so poor ol me thought, my guys were going on about some tom doing something to harry and getting some dick to stay up all night to have a major release?! (Sounds normal rite ;p)

However the chicken started getting bored and I was worried if the fried chicken would walk over to the other table and ask the other customers to eat him, So finally I started eating and soon the food started dissapearing! And worried about the food dissapearing my roomies jump into the food...

So there, My appetite saved the day!! or dinner more appropriately!
Till the next dining escapade...
ADios amigos
MaDdy

Rock ON...!!!

Well whatever i wanna post would only be a repetition of what i have already said...so theres nothing interesting to post..tired of doing the same things...looking forward to having a rocking month..so lets keep rocking...rock on :) !!!

Aaaa Blah blah blah

when ya think its all over, there it goes and starts all over again...man really fed up of working the market!!! Guys who are in sales will tell you hw monontonous the front end line sales is..especially when Indian economy is on a vacation and all companys are seeing the colours of the rainbow in their sales growths!!

The jobs today are becoming so target/number oriented that there hardly is life left...even after work hours, life become target based..come home early=happy wife; get chocolates=kids happy; Buy a necklace=Gf happy for a month Phew!!! The entire fun has gone out of living..no surprise elelment. do this to get that..

I cant beleive I have even saying these things!! I gotta get outta here!!!

Cheers!!!

Hmmm..MEntor?

Its been a loooong time since the last post...been quite busy..so some how have got time to put in something... Today I had a experience which has put me in a bit of dilema... It comes to the point when you wanna achieve something, hit your goals, become something. You wanna innovate, put in ideas and make something happen that will revolutionize the way people work. But I realized that though you might have al the talent and strength to do so, sometimes you still lack it. Why?

Why do you feel all positive and charged up; and somewhere along the way fighting and fighting up u get so bogged down that u just wannt to let go. you look around and all you see is what u see within. And Strangely though I have had tough Trials before, I have always come out successfully..

And then it comes to me..like a Bang. all these years I had someone to look up to, that one person who understands you, guides you and u can go to for suggestions. for some pep up n all that... but now I dont. In this age of self motivated executives, I wonder if there really is anything like self motivation?? I always look back and take a look at what my mentors would do..not that they really were my mentors ( I considered them my mentors..and one of them still is guiding me,albeit in a more personal way) but somehow i did consider them as my guides.... At every step I would unconsciously pick someone as a mentor..my college...my MBA..my internship..all these years I did have some kind of Guidance..

But now when am actually walking on my own, in a more complete way I find no one that I would want to look up to...why? Perhaps Because I am not able to pin point some one who would want to be responsible for some one elses success..someone who would guide a generation of youngsters to achieve in their fields..

I have been on my own ever since I came to India in 1996. Hostel Life, college an now work has all been on myself and my self chosen mentors. Things would all fall into place. But today I feel lost. I don know if I am heading the right way. My Priorities seem jumbled...

Is a mentor that imprtant or is it that i Just gotta pull myself together??...


adios amigos
MadDy

LOREAL Experience- BA Management 2

Hi... today am going to continue about BA management. Like i mentioned in the last post the initial stage is to connect with your BA's and make them a part of your team. Remember without this there is no point in going ahead with part 2 as it wont work without the initial understanding and faith.

Any way in part 2 we look at how to get BA's to do their work honestly and diligently. Usually a BA will not see the logic in doing a particular work, when in essence it would definitely efect her. Confused??
Let me explain with an example. One of the task of the BA is to maintain the products in the shelfs in a particuar manner ( planogram) and very tidy. To the Ba these tasks sound similar to "cleaning the house and keeping things in place". What they dont understand is that product placement at eye level effects customer decison making and that effects sale which directly affects achievment of sales target and thereby incentives :)

That is product placement==>customer purchase==>better sales==>achieve target==>get incentive.

This logic has to be explained to the BA. But ah...the jobs not easy and not enough to convince the BA. You have to prove th logic!!! only then does the BA realize the logic.

That was just an example. I am sure most cosmetic companies would agree with me that the BA is a powerhouse of information and possibilities. Getting them to invlve actively in the selling process and providing market inteligence is a massive task. one can only expect this as that is the possibilities of such an involvement by the BA!!

Any way am planning to do some innovations, but my BA's are resigning left right and center so i need some time to set things right:)

till then friends

cheers!!!

the LOREAL experience-BA management

The last 4 days has been very busy with meetings and meetings. It has been fantastic, tiring and most inspiring. I have come to know what really a team means, how targets work and how subtle things can be in an environment which is full of targets, managing people and enjoying the process...


Today i thought i would say something about BA management. BA as in Beauty Advisors. For those in the sales field these terms would be similar to sales reps, sales promoters etc. But when we speak of Beauty advisors in a cosmetic company we mean more of a permanent nature of advisors who are there at LOREAL or maybelline counters who are present to explain to the customers about the products, new launches and offers. As an employee who has to manage these BA's I found a lack of information regarding the same on the net.

Managing BA's is not as simple as handling sales reps. A BA has to be checked on many fronts. first and foremost, for a Brand like LOREAL its important that our BA at all time has to be very well presented, because she is a reprsentative of the company and an ambassador to the customer. Second how she attends to the custome and whether she is able to fulfill needs afte identifying them. Third is whether the BA is actually present at the counter, or is busy makng up reasons and not coming to the counter.

It is also very difficult to enforce the rules and policies of the company because it takes a great deal to keep the discipline alive in a BA because over a period these things get monotonous. For a BA who has to be at the counter for 9 hours standing and doing the same things day after day, motivation and energy levels tend to die down.

So how does one keep the BA going and still motivate her to go for her targets??

Well the trick is to build relations or like my boss says PR. Personal relations. Suboordinates usually see their superiors as people who are out to make their lifes miserable (if not hard) to achieve their goals. This is where the imediate superior has to build bridges ( "connect") as my boss says.. and he is as usual right on. For any relation to build there has to be two things...trust/faith and confidence. When you have confidence in the superior you tend to accept their guidance and ensure excellence. And when you have faith in your superior you know that come what may he will always stand by you and help you.

Building this relation is the essence of handling BAs, Sales teams and people......


Cheers!!!