If you are asked to list five things without which you can’t live, I could hardly find one who doesn’t include cell phone in the list. This post is all about cell phone and its etiquettes and as usual complains. I work in shifts, and my shift starts in
noon at 3:30 P.M. and ends at about 1:00 in the night. That is when it all starts. I board the cab with this female, who certainly needs to be taught these cell phone etiquettes. By now I know half of her family problems, more than 75% about her persona which includes, she going to dance classes, how she learnt controlling self (controlling god knows what?!), about her siblings and her fights with them, how she is very good at work and is really hardworking, and how are the people on floor taking advantage of she being hardworking, how much she is good at studies, why did she cry on the floor the other day and blah blah blah, and I could comfortably listen to all of this crap or rather I’m subjected to listen to ‘THE CRAP’, and to add to it is the great Indian revolution called the FM which provides a great background to all the chatter. It’s like a topping to the crap, what kind of topping can a pile of crap have? Well I’ll leave that to your imagination. [X-(]

The web definition of cell phone etiquette: “Cell phone etiquette involves following some simple guidelines of common courtesy when using a cell phone in public, designed is to make public places more enjoyable for all.”

Etiquette is just about using the common sense, it’s not that I’m against using cell phone or something, it’s just that the usage of it shouldn’t cause inconvenience to others, very similar to smoking in the public places. Below are a couple of cell phone etiquettes which can be observed if you don’t want any moron to complain about you like this.

1. When a Private Conversation Isn’t Possible. In public settings such as restaurants, public restrooms, waiting rooms, hallways, buses, subways or anywhere a private conversation is not possible, such a setting is a bad place for a cell phone conversation. To practice good cell phone etiquette, put the ringer on vibrate or silent mode and let the call roll over to voice mail. If it’s an important call, step outside or to a secluded area to return the call. If that’s not possible and you must take the call, keep your voice low and the conversation brief. Let the caller know you’ll get back to them when you’re able.

2. Lights Out, Phone Off. Phones should be turned off in movie theaters, playhouses, observatories or any other public place that creates an atmosphere to transport the imagination of the audience. People pay good money to be entertained and a ringer breaks the illusion.

3. Modulate Your Voice. Cell phones have sensitive microphones that can pick up a very soft voice while blocking out ambient noise. Yelling into a cell phone is not necessary. When people are nearby, be considerate and keep your voice low, your tone unemotional and even, and your conversation private. Arguing or airing dirty laundry in public is very poor cell phone etiquette.

4. Observe the 10-foot Proximity Rule. Maintain a distance of at least 10-feet (3 meters) from the nearest person when talking on a cell phone. No matter how quietly you speak, if standing too close to others they are forced to overhear your personal business.

5. Keep It Short. Keep public conversations brief and get back to the caller when you’re not in a public place.

6. Love the One you’re with. It’s rude to take a cell phone call on a date or during a social engagement with others. It’s also inconsiderate to take a call in the middle of a conversation. If the caller were present he or she would likely wait to politely interrupt at a more appropriate time. Let the call roll to voice mail and return it later.

7. Drive Now, Talk Later. Multitasking isn’t always a good thing. Some evidence shows that accidents are on the rise due to cell phone use. Most calls can wait until you’ve reached your destination, and if a call is upsetting or distracting pull over to have the conversation.

8. Use Common Sense. Turn off your phone before a job interview, presentation, or boardroom meeting. Leave it off at funerals, weddings, or anyplace a quiet atmosphere is mandated, such as a courthouse, library, museum, or place of worship.

Cell phone etiquette is just being considerate to others which pays off to everyone. More complains to come on, keep reading. Happy reading till then. J

Well, all the MBA aspirant fraternity there, I know one would certainly blame me for posting this, a few may never visit my blog again, I found this while was surfing and thought would post it here with a little changes made here and there. Please sit back and enjoy reading this. Let’s call the MBA aspirant guy Mr. Abc and it all starts with the question,

ahem,, the BIG question - Mr. Abc why do you want an MBA degree?

Hypocritical Answer - Sir, from my very childhood I was good at organizing events. I was the school captain, I organized my college festival, got sponsorships and when I started to work I realized I’m a good team player, and that I loved to take up responsibilities and challenges. I am excellent at the task of convincing people, I love my organization, but then at a stage I realized that I need something extra, maybe a formal training in management, the financial skill sets, formal knowledge about the business processes, only an MBA course can give me such an immense knowledge in a short span of two years, hence MBA sir.

Real Answer- Sir, to be honest, in my childhood, I had heard of neither engineering nor management, I was just worried about taking wickets in the gully cricket match, then my parents introduced me to the concept of engineering, I tried my best, and ‘became’ an engineer, and I killed that cricketer, in my final yr of engineering I sat for all the companies until one of them offered me a placement, so you see sir even there I had no choice as I started to work I realized that I’m a pathetic team player that I cant tolerate the artifice of the people around I found people who had sacrificed their dreams and accepted mediocrity as a way of life. I wanted to get out of it, then I came across people preparing for MBA, they told me it’s the only way out, and here I’m sir, struggling to get rid of the monotony of job and yes, money is a prime motivator here for me, and for every other candidate at our age, its natural!

After appearing in the interviews my theory about MBA standards vindicated its about deception, it’s more about the way you speak than the way u think, it’s more about the way u fool others than the way u convince people, it’s more about profits than about ethics, it’s more about drama and less about action, to sum it up - its just about money!!!( I wonder how many applications will an MBA institute get if it declares on its website - ‘dear students, we have world class infrastructure, excellent faculty(all of them PHD from Harward), a very strong alumni network… but we don’t offer placements….we just believe in imparting knowledge……that is our motto‘).

In my opinion, an MBA degree just changes your desktop to a laptop, teaches u how to make attractive presentations, helps you discover newer commands in excel, makes your language deceptively mellifluous, makes you an insomniac who is ready to ‘analyze’  whatever crap is given to him, transforms a human being into a robot.

In retrospect, the MBA entrance exams put so much of pressure on you, you slog like hell for CAT 200(x), only to realize that a slight miscalculation has ripped your chances apart, and then u are all set for CAT 200(x+1), what else can u do, u got no choice dude. CAT is unfair, but then so is life, we can’t help it!

Some of my friends and even me have started being a part of rat race, just to be the rats even if one wins the race, and as article says, MONEY is the motivating factor for most of the aspirants. More posts to come on the same. So keep reading. Happy reading, till then.

Had recently been to an interview and saw a hanging in the office, it had this wonderful poem written. The poem ‘If’ was written by Rudyard Kipling and I’m quite sure by the time you finish reading it you will feel energized. Publishing here it with a hope that you will all like it happy reading folks…

If you can keep your head when all about you 
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; 
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, 
But make allowance for their doubting too; 
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, 
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies, 
Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating, 
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; 
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; 
If you can meet with triumph and disaster 
And treat those two imposters just the same; 
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken 
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, 
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken, 
And stoop and build ‘em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings 
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, 
And lose, and start again at your beginnings 
And never breath a word about your loss; 
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew 
To serve your turn long after they are gone, 
And so hold on when there is nothing in you 
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on”;

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, 
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch; 
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; 
If all men count with you, but none too much; 
If you can fill the unforgiving minute 
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run - 
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, 
And - which is more - you’ll be a Man my son! 

As all you guys must be knowing that I work in finance sector, I ended up learning (or rather was forced to learn) a couple of financial terms. Below story is just display of my gyan of such terms (well, I should agree now, I copied it from somewhere but it’s worth reading). Here is the story…

Once there was a little island country. The land of this country was the tiny island itself. The total money in circulation was 2 dollars as there were only two pieces of 1 dollar coins circulating around.

1) There were 3 citizens living on this island country.  A owned the land. B and C each owned 1 dollar.

2) B decided to purchase the land from A for 1 dollar. So, now A and C own 1 dollar each while B owned a piece of land that is worth 1 dollar.

* The net asset of the country now = 3 dollars.

3) Now C thought that since there is only one piece of land in the country, and land is non producible asset, its value must definitely go up. So, he borrowed 1 dollar from A, and together with his own 1 dollar, he bought the land from B for 2 dollars.

*A has a loan to C of 1 dollar, so his net asset is 1 dollar.

* B sold his land and got 2 dollars, so his net asset is 2 dollars.

* C owned the piece of land worth 2 dollars but with his 1 dollar debt to A, his net residual asset is 1 dollar.

* Thus, the net asset of the country = 4 dollars.

4) A saw that the land he once owned has risen in value. He regretted having sold it. Luckily, he has a 1 dollar loan to C. He then borrowed 2 dollars from B and acquired the land back from C for 3 dollars. The payment is by 2 dollars cash (which he borrowed) and cancellation of the 1 dollar loan to C.

As a result, A now owned a piece of land that is worth 3 dollars. But since he owed B 2 dollars, his net asset is 1 dollar.

* B loaned 2 dollars to A. So his net asset is 2 dollars.

* C now has the 2 coins. His net asset is also 2 dollars.

* The net asset of the country = 5 dollars. A bubble is building up.

 (5) B saw that the value of land kept rising. He also wanted to own the land. So he bought the land from A for 4 dollars. The payment is by borrowing 2 dollars from C, and cancellation of his 2 dollars loan to A.

* As a result, A has got his debt cleared and he got the 2 coins. His net

asset is 2 dollars.

* B owned a piece of land that is worth 4 dollars, but since he has a debt of 2 dollars with C, his net Asset is 2 dollars.

* C loaned 2 dollars to B, so his net asset is 2 dollars.

* The net asset of the country = 6 dollars; even though, the country has only one piece of land and 2 Dollars in circulation.

 (6) Everybody has made money and everybody felt happy and prosperous.

 (7) One day an evil wind blew, and an evil thought came to C’s mind. “Hey, what if the land price stop going up, how could B repay my loan. There is only 2 dollars in circulation, and, I think after all the land that B owns is worth at most only 1 dollar, and no more.”

 (8) A also thought the same way.

 (9) Nobody wanted to buy land anymore.

* So, in the end, A owns the 2 dollar coins, his net asset is 2 dollars.

* B owed C 2 dollars and the land he owned which he thought worth 4 dollars is now 1 dollar. So his net asset is only 1 dollar.

* C has a loan of 2 dollars to B. But it is a bad debt. Although his net asset is still 2 dollars, his Heart is palpitating.

* The net asset of the country = 3 dollars again.

 (10) So, who has stolen the 3 dollars from the country ? Of course, before the bubble burst B thought his land was worth 4 dollars. Actually, right before the collapse, the net asset of the country was 6 dollars on paper. B’s net asset is still 2 dollars, his heart is palpitating.

 (11) B had no choice but to declare bankruptcy. C as to relinquish his 2 dollars bad debt to B, but in return he acquired the land which is worth 1 dollar now.

* A owns the 2 coins, his net asset is 2 dollars.

* B is bankrupt, his net asset is 0 dollar. ( he lost everything )

* C got no choice but end up with a land worth only 1 dollar

* The net asset of the country = 3 dollars.

************ **End of the story; BUT ************ ********* ******

There is however a redistribution of wealth.

A is the winner, B is the loser, C is lucky that he is spared.

A few points worth noting -

(1) When a bubble is building up, the debt of individuals to one another in

a country is also building up.

(2) This story of the island is a closed system whereby there is no other

country and hence no foreign debt. The worth of the asset can only be

calculated using the island’s own currency. Hence, there is no net loss.

(3) An over-damped system is assumed when the bubble burst, meaning the land’s value did not go down to below 1 dollar.

(4) When the bubble burst, the fellow with cash is the winner. The fellows

having the land or extending loan to others are the losers. The asset could

shrink or in worst case, they go bankrupt.

(5) If there is another citizen D either holding a dollar or another piece

of land but refrains from taking part in the game,  he will neither win nor

lose. But he will see the value of his money or land go up and down like a

see saw.

(6) When the bubble was in the growing phase, everybody made money.

(7) If you are smart and know that you are living in a growing bubble, it is

worthwhile to borrow money (like A ) and take part in the game. But you must know when you should change everything back to cash.

(8) As in the case of land, the above phenomenon applies to stocks as well.

(9) The actual worth of land or stocks depend largely on psychology 

Hi all, had to post this before four days (as that was the day when I exactly lost my job), but then I was a little low and hence I’m doing it now. There was this *dream project*, for which a bunch of people were chosen by the project allocation department of *it-was-once-the-organization-I-worked-for*, we all were made to believe that we are the chosen lucky one’s who’ll be sent to the onsite at the earliest. People before few days so wanted to be in this project. We were 90 of us, you know the *lucky-one’s*, they started training us and during the training some senior officers dropped by every now and then to tell us how important this project is for us, how much opportunities it has got for all of us, how should we give our best to make most of the opportunities, and yeah he never forgot to mention that, if we don’t have passport get it done soon as visa processing will begin soon. Apart from us, the lucky-one’s few other people were also been recruited, as the team needed about 250 guys aboard. Our training expenditure and recruiting expenses were bared, without even getting the documents being signed off [:-O].

Well, the client, he went bankrupt, and as he hasn’t committed anything, at least, not on paper, he withdrew. All of a sudden it occurred to HRs of *it-was-once-the-organization-I-worked-for*, that it is recession outside, they will have to cut the cost if they have to survive, and they used the so called leaning technique, (cutting down on the resources), we were the bunch of people who were on bench (yeah, one fine day a guy from project allocation department comes and tells all of us that, the starting of the project will be delayed, and till it starts we’ll be moved to the bench and had to be ready to be reallocated to other projects), and after being on bench for a week or so were told that, we guys will be moved to KPO, and will be paid one fourth of what we were being paid earlier (and yeah this time they were so kind to us that they even gave us an option to resign and not consider the offer they made). Some resigned, some accepted the offer saying *at least we have a job, it’s a tough time outside*, and I chose the *go-to-KPO-and-be-safe*, approach.

Well, every one has a tale to tell, the way I do. Why is it that we always look for security, why is that our economy have to depend on economy of some other country, why is that right from childhood we were been asked to study and get a job, why don’t any one teach their kids to study and create few more jobs. Well, I’m quite sure that this post wouldn’t bring revolutionary change, or will bring drastic change in me. I still have to go out and search for a job, but my priorities have certainly changed, and the way I look at the things have certainly changed. Well, I hope by the time I post something next time I’ve a job. Wish me luck, and hey if you happen to be one of those employers who need a java programmer, I would certainly be not a bad option. Happy reading folks. J

I’m certainly no movie critique, or it’s that I understand the technicalities behind the movie making, but this recent movie *Slumdog millionaire* is certainly worth a talk, and is being paid more attention to than is required. Well, that would certainly be a bold statement to make, but if you happen to see what is happening around you will certainly agree with
me.

People in the west seem to believe that Indian’s aren’t civilized enough, and no matter what we do, we will still be a bunch of uncivilized people according to them. And every time, whoever have justified has been patted back, let that be Rushdie (Midnight’s Children), Adiga (White Tiger), or be it Danny Boyle (slumdog millionaire). Winning booker has been never been this simple, write something to offend India, and its culture as much as possible and there you are with a booker. I wouldn’t be shocked even if *Slumdog millionaire* ends up winning Oscar. I’m no writer or a director; I certainly respect the talent of such great people but not at the cost of self respect. News papers have already started using the term *slumdog* to mean a poor Indian who has won a lottery. If this continues, the days aren’t far when the millionaires from India would be called the same, or a new synonym for Indian would be slum dog in the Oxford’s dictionary.

I’m not sure as to what could be done about this. It’s not that I’m not happy about the award they got, they certainly were worth it, but an award at the cost of self respect isn’t justifiable. That’s all for this post. Happy reading folks.

New year brings a lot of hopes along with it. I’ve heard people saying if the first day of the new year is good for you the following days of the year will all be alike. Yeah like all others do even I had a couple of resolutions set in my mind for me, and I’m quite happy about keeping the promises I’ve made to myself. First day of my new year was awesome I tell you, but I was wondering why aren’t the rest alike. Everything you tried holding together is drifting away, and all you can do is to see it with a tear in your eye.

Every year, people in IT sector are rated according to the performance, and are given salary hikes. I agree that I’ve been on bench for sometime, but I did give the best when I was part of project. During the first project, I was asked to work on a complete new technology, where no seniors mentored us, as they themselves had no clue about it. Me along with couple of other guys learnt the technology and have delivered the code within the timelines set. During the second project of mine I was in a support team, where I was supposed to fix the bugs. I think writing the code all by yourself is pretty easy to understanding some one else’s code, and fixing bugs in it. I must thank my senior, who had helped me in learning the things. As I’ve told you already, we will be rated according to the performance, if we are not satisfied with the rating of ours we can reveal it during a discussion with the manager. And during the disussion my manager told me, that organization can’t afford training on all the technologies and all I’ve done is what I’ve been told to do (arggggghhhh,, I’ve no clue what else one should do??.. not do what they have been asked to??..). Well, in that case there are couple of other guys who are still in bench from the day they finished training(it’s been more than a year) and have done nothing. Even they have got the same rating as I’ve got. What differentiates me from them?, When I’m sure that all I’m going to get is this worst rating anyways why should one work? I just had to see all my efforts of a year go in vein helplessly.

I don’t think I should tell you about this recession thing. How did it affect me??, Well, I’m in IT sector and I must be a victim. There are some three hundred guys who were been chosen and were been trained for a new project, I was one among them (not quite sure as to say whether I was fortunate or not). The client has gone broke and they are no more giving business to our organisation thus giving a threat to jobs of we three hundred guys.

And yeah, this isn’t all, how can you forget the relationship I’m in. If you somehow happen to know what I’m into, it’s quite easy for one to judge that I must be a darn practical guy (or probably a hell of selfish guy). Well, couple of friends do understand what I’m actually going through, but even they are as helpless as I’m. The feeling of being ignored by someone, someone who are real special for you, some one whom you really love hurts like hell. My consience says me to back off, but heart says otherwise. I should say I really miss her. A helpless situation where everything I tried holding on for so long is drifting away, and all I can do is to stand helplessly.

*Every dark cloud has a silver line* they say, I’ve learnt to be hopefull everytime I fall. Every time I shed a tear when I fall, I stand up wiping the tear off and swearing to myself I won’t shed a tear again. Nothing in this world is worth my tears. If you still have managed to make it till here, I must congratulate you, for being an ear to all my complaints. Wish you a very happy and prosperous new year. Happy reading.

Here I’m with one of the self analysis stuff after a long time. Rather brag much about me not being on blog for so long and start giving thousands of reasons let me get straight into business. This month has been awful for me, rather the worst I’ve ever experienced in my life. I happened to lose quite a lot of things this month some of which I will mention here and some I won’t as I don’t want to lose anymore.

When it comes to my losing story it all started with my wallet. I’d been for my haircut, and had withdrew some money which is quite a large sum for me and had kept it in my wallet. It had got some of my things like my debit card, credit cards, PAN card and health insurance cards as well. After getting my hair cut, and buying something I realized that I’d lost my wallet. I enquired it with the shopkeeper where I’d brought the stuff, he had no clue about wallet and stuff. Had to get my debit and credit cards blocked. And that wasn’t all I tell you. After few days of me losing my wallet, was on my cell, complaining to the call center guy about the inconvenience I’m experiencing due to not receiving of my debit card yet; some moron (would have used some very good words here to show my anger but you guys read it after all) comes on the bike, snatches my cell off and rides away. I was so helpless and was so shocked, couldn’t even note down the bikes registration number and couldn’t do anything. Then was on my way again to getting my sim card blocked. When I went to police station for complaining the policemen argued with me as how can this happen. When I convinced them and made somehow to register my complain, what they wrote in complain was I lost cell as it fell off my pocket not because someone snatched it off me. As they had lodged it in Marathi I could not realize what they were actually writing. Guess what, that wasn’t all too, I got the so called rating released which was the worse of all. If you have no clue what rating is all about, your Manager decides upon how much hike you should be given in the year’s end and there I was getting the lowest of the hikes (thank god!! I didn’t lose my job though). I’m not quite sure about whether to blame this upon for me being careless and irresponsible or its just the fate.

All this time life certainly have taught me how to be tough. One thing I certainly am lucky I should say, all my friends have stayed beside me when I needed them the most. Would certainly like to thank Mota, Bihari, Stiffler, sirjee(Presh) n Radha. I should say, I’m missing coffee, movie, long walk, and rides like hell. If you have no clue what I’m talking about you please don’t bother yourself and me about that. Probably that wasn’t meant for you and the one whom it was meant for will never read it (well, I bloody blame this on fate man). Will take a while for me to get out of this and be myself again, probably for new year I’ll be ready with new resolutions for myself. Till then happy reading and yeah *merry christmas*. [:)]

Woah!!, its been a year and a quarter I’ve started blogging, something which I really did with quite some interest and stick to for a long time. Well, I’m saying this because most of the times I start the things with lot of enthusiasm but they don’t last really this long. It all started off with the usual Vijay thing, following someone blindly. Although I’m not a serious blogger  and here I’m (stop wondering where, that’s what this post is all about). The blogging thing started immediately after I started with my job and its been nearly the same amount of time I’ve been into my job. Nothing much has changed in a year of time. Initial days of my job were quite good (or rather put in other words present days are not so good) and I learnt the things quite quickly. There was some driving force, which made me get out of my lazy bums and do something. That *some driving force* seems to have disappeared now (well relax, just the matter of rediscovering the *some driving force*). As of now it looks like I’m quite satisfied with what I have and hence being stagnant for a while.  A year of experience gave me a lot, work on three completely different technologies (its more like being jack of all the three and master of none), complete new friends (yeah,, the usual way I’m lucky when it comes to friends), life in another metropolitan city (from Bangalore to Pune, loved this city also) and some experiences which are better left unmentioned.

There goes a Kannada saying *iruvadellava bittu illadiruvara kadege thudithave jeevana* by DVG I guess (please don’t hang me if I’m wrong and yeah the meaning, “Life is just hankering after something which you don’t have leaving behind all you have) so I think soon I will stop being this lazy and start running after something. Please wish me luck and yeah Happy Reading by the way :).
P.S: Thanks to mota for coining this new term “Blogersary” (BLOG+annivERSARY)