In Transit

Taipei September 10 2005

This is probably the first time I am going on such a long distance journey alone and probably that is the reason I feel quite bored. I have to kill ten hours of my time in this place ... man one instance where idling away makes you feel tired.

What do people generally do while travelling alone:

Read books
Listen to music
Blog :)
Work
Watch movies
Pick up a conversation with co-passengers

All this while I have been kind of doing a mixture of all the above things, and currently due to lack of sleep I am too bugged to do anything but blog.

Met this guy called Jeff from Denver in the transit lounge. He was travelling with his three year old kid from Manila to Denver. His kid's name was Kimberley. She was really cute, and had the combined looks of her filipino mother and a caucasian father. We hit upon almost all the topics in the world, like politics, oil exploration, Katrina, linguistics and world langugages, travel experiences, Linux vs Microsoft, Apple and Steve Jobbs etc etc. Overall it was a really good conversation. Jeff was of swedish origin and he told me how immigrants in US after one or two generations forget their native language and that he hardly knew swedish. He was born in Boston, educated in Colorado and now works for an organization called SWCA (www.swca.com) as an Environment Consultant. His specialization was Archaeology and survey. Aged around 40 he is still looking forward to taking up a Phd. One thing I am really amazed by the educational system in US is that most people pursue a career in their own interest area, however commercially inviable it may be and also that the country does offer employment opportunities in all areas. Recently I believe in India too the focus is moving away from engineering and IT and more and more students and willing to explore the arts and science field.

While in India I was under this impression that IT is the THE THING and is really cool. Only after a bit of experience and exposure to others viewpoints have I come to realize that IT is just a tool or means by which one can improve the process and make business processes faster and efficient. An IT company can never match a Brick and Mortar kind of organization and this is also reflected in fact that the world's top two companies are Exxon Mobil (Oil Giant) and GE (almost all possible sectors). Even the IT and Services Giant like IBM cannot compare to these organizations in terms of their huge presence in the world, and market value.

Flightellogue

This is my second blog from the Airport. Blogging is really a good way to kill time in the airport, especially if you are travelling alone. Had a nice hot cup of coffee from Deli France. I am surprised that you get much better coffee from Deli France rather from exclusive coffee outlets like Starbucks or Coffee Bean. Have 20 min more before boarding, and I am quite paranoid about how I am going to kill 10 hrs in Taipei airport. Shall try and get a transit visa there and would like to see the current tallest building in the world, before it is overtaken by the Dubai tower which is under construction and also the Memorial Building over ground zero in New York. Even if I cant get a transit visa I guess it should be fine, cos' I have more than 500 pages of design specifications to read before I reach "Silicon Valley". :)

Talk of the week:

Katrina and its devastation - Emergency in New Orleans

Iflex majority shares bought over by Oracle

Now Reading: LION BOY THE CHASE - Zizou Corder

Have a long journey to make

signing off

SPAM DELIGHT

Having the privelege of a very common name as my gmail account, I have received umpteen e-mails that were not meant for me. I once even got a marriage proposal asking when to schedule a marriage and conveying that all in the bride's family were happy with the alliance!

The following is an e-mail that I received today and I felt quite happy after reading it, thought it was not meant for me ;)

Dear Rajesh,
It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted into the
doctoral program in Biophysical Sciences and that Dr. Sachs has agreed to
be your mentor and to provide both stipend and tuition support for you
while you pursue your doctoral studies in his laboratory.

Malcolm Slaughter
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
124 Sherman Hall
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14214

Suttum Vizhi Chudare : Ghajni

Code Meets Verse

This is supposedly the theme song of our previous product release:
Really cool, lyrics!!

Why do birds suddenly appear
every time you are near?
We've only just begun to live.
White lace and promises,
a kiss for luck and we're on our way.
We've only begun.
Before the risin' sun we fly.
So many roads to choose,
we start out walking and learn to run.
And yes, we've just begun.
Sharing horizons that are new to us,
watching the signs along the way.
Talking it over just the two of us,
working together day to day, together.
And when the evenin' comes we smile.
So much of life ahead,
we'll find a place where there's room to grow.
And yes, we've just begun.
Sharing horizons that are new to us,
watching the signs along the way.
Talking it over just the two of us,
working together day to day, together, together.
And when the evenin' comes we smile.
So much of life ahead,
we'll find a place where there's room to grow.
And yes, we've just begun.

Thought Constellations

Lakshya
Independence Day
Tri-color
Embassy
Late
Office
CrimsonLogic
Pressure
SMA
Awesome
Fun
Canadian Pizza
Movies
Chupke Chupke
Amitabh Bachchan
Kajra-re
Aish
Kuch na Kaho
Home
Palm Gardens
Computer
Forgot Mac-Power PC lugs
Linux
Caldera
Pilani
Ak 248
Common Room
Cooler
Water ...
Thatz enuff...

Bye to RedHill Close

It has been almost a year in Redhill now. The name does sound exotic right, like Beverly Hills, or Malabar Hills (Mumbai). I have now moved from this quite nice locality and it has been quite a memorable stay here. I just finished seeing the last season of Friends ( Season X). It was quite a touching episode. In this episode too Monica and Chandler move away from the In-City-apartment. I also found myself in such a situation. But change is an inseperable part of life. Just a day since I have shifted and already so many changes.

Change Number 1 : Got up quite early at 8 and reached office by 9:15 or so... Wow!! I am quite pleased with that.
Change Number 2: Came back from office and jogged on the treadmill for 3 Km. :))
Change Number 3: Cooked (or rather watched my flatmates) and ate home cooked food (Parathas and a nice subzi) and this is supposedly the regular plan. I surely plan to be a part of this cooking and revive my culinary skills.

Now playing... Khali Hai Tere Bina Dono Akhiyaan Tum Gaye Kahan
(Both my eyes are empty without you... where art thou have you gone...)

Card Games

Card games are awesome fun and a nice timepass especially if you have a big group. In my childhood I used to primarily play Ass and Joker. Then during the numerous train journeys to College we used to play quite a number of card games and I learnt games like Rummy, trump, Bid etc. Yesterday I learnt a new game called TeenPathi (Flush/Flash). Really nice game. The problem with card games is that I tend to forget the exact rules if I have not played the game for a long time. I found a nice link that lists most card games with their rules.

http://www.pagat.com/alpha.html

http://www.pagat.com/

Happy - Happy Deepavali

"Happy-Happy Deepavali maa" - This is the phrase that an old man tells his grandchildren, son and daughter-in-law who live elsewhere(foreign land) in some telephone advertisement that used to come long time back on television. This ad caught my attention because that old man used to say these with so much of emotion and love which I could not understand at that point and had brushed it aside as overaction.
Little did I know when I saw this ad that I would be exactly doing the same thing for many more years to come. There is a bright side to staying away from home in the sense that you become very independent and responsible (supposedly) and worldly wise. But on the flip side it is quite sad that you miss out on all the love and affection from parents,siblings, grandparents and other relatives. This I feel all the more when any special occassion comes by. During every Diwali at college we did have fun, but it was never quite the same as it was at home. I used to call home and other relatives every Diwali, and each time I used to have this kind of weird feeling of "OutOfContext Exception". I used to ask myself whether was it really worth staying away from home missing so much. I still do ask myself this question, now occassionally though as I have learnt to live with the reality. The reality is that I am in a Hot Pursuit (a euphemism for Rat Race) now, in pursuit of career growth and achievement, money and social recognition and this pursuit has brought me so far away from home But I do live with the hope that soon in the near future the race will end soon or I will voluntarily opt out of the race. Whichever happens the good thing is that "The good old days look much more nearer now"!!!

Nature Retreat - MacRitchie Reservoir

For all Nature freaks in Singapore, the MacRitchie reservoir park walking trails are one of the best you can get in Singapore. It is a picturesque location with walking trails all along the perimeter of the MacRitichie lake. I think morning time is the best time to visit the reservoir park as it is very cool and the morning dew on the rich foliage is breathtaking.



There are various attractions also in this Reservoir, the best one being the Tree Top Walk. This is a strech of the trail where one can
walk over a Suspension bridge amidst the tree tops and it is really a worthwhile experience. You feel like you are over a jungle and we also get a very good view of the reservoir area.

My personal favorite attraction in the reservoir is feeding the turtles. These turtles are really bold and hungry and even take food directly from the hand. The turtles seem to eat whatever humans eat like Biscuits, Water Melon, Murruku etc. etc. Other attractions in the reserve include the Jelutong Tower which is a great view point. Adjoining one edge of the reservoir is the Singapore Island Country Club Golf Course and we can see the golfers teeing off there.

Located in Upper Thomson Road region, the best way to get here is to to get down at Thomson or Novena and take a cab to Upper Thomson Road (Venus Drive) or ask for Singapore Island Country Club.

Golf Club View ..















Can you Spot the Web?















The Tree Top View

The Beginning!!

I noticed her due to her tinkling anklets,
That first glance was enough to make a mark of a lifetime.
Her long plaited hair was adorned by the sweet smelling Jasmine flowers,
Or was it the Jasmine flowers adorned by her wonderful wisps of hair
Her broad forehead dotted with vermilion and kumkum
Reminded me of the morning horizon and the radiant rising sun
Dressed in crisp Kanchipuram silk here she was the girl of my dreams!!

I had become quite oblivious of our surroundings

Just then I realized that we were in a temple and I was supposed to pray!!
She had started making small steps around the sanctum
Quickly I began following her with my hands folded in piety
My heart skipped a beat when she turned around to look at me
In reflex my hands folded and my lips started uttering something...
She must have thought I was praying in devotion
Yes I was praying in devotion, that I could speak to her.

It was the full moon day and the temple was getting crowded
Soon I lost sight of her in all the chaos
Disappointed I completed two more rounds of pradakshina,
Made a deal with HIM that all be good,
And with a heavy heart walked back home .



As I was opening the gate of my house
I heard a sweet and soothing voice
Surprised I was when I looked around
Here she was the Jhaangri* of my eyes!
Slowly she walked up to me!!
I was too dazed by the situation to see!



While all the time I was looking down,
She spoke to me without a frown
She had just moved into the neighbourhood with her mom and dad,
And thought she would get to know her neighbours well, wasnt I too glad :)
She too had noticed me in temple, and in friendship she extended her hand
I too reciprocated while I was floating away into FairyLand...
And that was the Beginning, a really nice Beginning!!


*Jhaangri: A Really delicious awesome South Indian Sweet!!

Power Play in Cricket!!

Recently I read an article about the new rules in Cricket that have been tested in the Australia vs England series. They seem pretty interesting. Now we can have a 12 member team (one substitute) who can replace any player and do batting as well as bowling any time in the match, the only catch being the replaced player cannot come on field again.

It more feels like football substitution now. But it seems pretty useful. For example we can choose a fast bowler who bowls well with the new ball and have him bowl for 5-6 overs and then can substitute him with a bowler who bowls well with an old one in the slog overs. Or we can send in a guy to hit in the slog overs and if it looks like he is out of form or is underperforming then chuck him out and replace him with the twelfth man. Cricket is getting more and more interesting. Looking forward to see how well these Power play rules are put to use by the various teams.

Source: BBC News

MIT BLOG SURVEY

Do participate in the MIT Blog Survey!!

MKS - Windows Unix Interoperability

Recently installed a Windows-unix interoperability tool called MKS.
Details : http://www.mkssoftware.com/products/tk/ds_tkdev.asp

Really cool product. Now all unix commands are functional on the Windows command prompt. It is very helpful cos' it eliminated the need to change long unix scripts for running on windows.

Ooty Trip

Recently I had been Ooty during my trip to India. I was visiting Ooty after 6 years. The last time I had visited Ooty was after my board exams , actually just before my XII board results were about to come. I recollect being quite anxious and me and my parents were constantly checking the news, newspapers etc. for any updates on when the XII CBSE results were coming. But anyhow it was a really memorable trip due to two main reasons. The first one being: I got to see the India vs. Sri Lanka one day match there, where India made a whopping 376 and Ganguly made 176 (I think his career highest in ODIs) .The other was that we watched this awesome Super Duper Rajnikanth starrer movie "Padayappa" and it was total entertainment.

The recent trip to Ooty too was great as we went as a full family escaping the scorching Chennai heat. It is really nice to go back to places you have been before as it really brings back nice memories!!

Great Songs

Just listening to the song "Thai Sollum Uravai vaithe Ulagam Sondham" - an awesome song from the movie Kana Kanden. Really touching. Vidyasagar's music has been really top class in the past few years. Another song from the same movie "Moolai Thirugum (Kaalai Arumbi)" too is great.

The following songs have been my personal favorites in this year:

1. Mora Saiyaan (Fuzon) from the Hyderabad Blues II movie
2. Tere Bina Hyderabad Blues II
3. Kalayil Dinamum Kan Vizhithen from the movie NEW
4. En Aasai Mythiliye - Manmathan

and lately
Kana Kanden Songs.

It is great there is so much good music to fill up the void in my life!!

LAST DAY IN LAB!!

This is probably my last day (night infact) in the lab and I will be formally kicked out of here from tommorow. It has been an awesome and memorable stay in this less than 20 square feet of space and I am sure to miss the fun and freedom I got here.

Bye Bye Lab :(
Bye Bye SMA :(
But I have to move on!! :)

A Year in Singapore!!

One the June 24th I exactly completed a year of stay in Singapore. I arrived by the Indian Airlines flight on the same day last year, unsure of my future and what I wanted to do. This one year has been an awesome experience in terms of learning, international exposure and most important of all managing independently in any situation. On a divergent note, I am closer to home than I actually was before you know!! During college it used to take almost 2 days to reach home. When in Bangalore it used to take 5 hours. I am thankful that it just takes under 4 hours to reach Chennai from here. All my journeys back home have been eventful till now. The first time I went home they screened an awesome Trisha-Vijay Starrer Gilli Tamil movie on an International flight and to give company to this was "Avial- Vengaya(Onion) Sambar and Papad". The second time I travelled I got upgraded to Business class. It is another six months before I can think of going home again. Anyways the bottom line is though it has been a hectic stay here in Singapore and I kinda miss home, I have enjoyed and benefitted from the experience and stay here in Singapore and I am quite thankful for it!!

SATHI

Read a nice article from The Acorn blog. Nice name SATHI (Situationl awareness and Tactical Handheld information) for the Simputer that is planned for use by the Indian Army. The Simputer is a handheld device indigenously developed at the IISc (Indian Institute of Science Bangalore) and is quite cheap and affordable (~9000 Rs). It is great to hear that they are putting this to good use. I sincerely hope that the Simputer becomes a great success both in the national and international markets. Currently hell a lot of application development is happening for handhelds and mobile devices and I think that application development for Simputer too should be promoted for it to be a great success. Check out the product at http://www.simputer.org/simputer/. Look at the Aishwarya Rai background on the screen. Wow man nowadays she is on every damn product.

An Evening by the Beach

Every Chennai'ite (Madrasi) loves a visit to the beach. Exactly around six months back the deadly Tsunami struck and everyone dreaded a visit to the beach. Now when I visited the Marina beach though I could see minor marks of the devastation, things are pretty much back to normal. I have tried to capture the awesome scene that the beach offers in this post.

Bay of Bengal



Alaipayuthe!



Dont Remind the T****mi word!



Writings on the Sand



Shore Machaye Shor



The Foamy Sea



The Heavenly Sky


The Sand Beneath the Feet



Mollagai Bajji (Mirchi Pakora) - The Very Purpose of a Beach Visit

Mera Ghar - En Veedu - Mein Haus - My House

Whenever you buy any new gadget or an appliance there is something called a honey moon period associated with it. During this time you are in constant love with your gadget and keep trying out things with it. Recently I bought a new digi cam and have been clicking hell a lot of photos since then. In this photo blog I include some of the snaps I took of my house. The good news is that we are still getting Mangoes (recognizable in the photo) inspite of the poor care and water scarcity.

My Home

The Entrance