30 Days of April!

With slight hitches and glitches, some dated entries, I finally managed to complete my Blog-A-Thon for the month of April, 2009. 

I must admit that writing everyday was a challenge and some of my articles were not upto the mark. But I felt that this regularity helped me to write better and more in this one month on some topics I wouldn’t ideally have dealt with. 

Over all a great experience and I hope that my readers liked it. 

I hope to be much more regular and conduct some more Blog-A-Thons in the future.

Installing The Split A/C – A Pain!

Sweltering summers do see the a/c section of the electronic stores brimming with people, but trust me, in order to instal a split air conditioner is a pain in itself. The primary reason being the inability of the builder of our apartment in providing the provision for the Split Air Con installation. 

I was apprised of the lack of logistics in our apartment, for a split a/c installation, just today. Now a split consists of:

• an indoor unit
• an outdoor unit
• a stabilizer
• and a not very well know support for the indoor unit (which our guys forgot to pack it for us)

The indoor unit’s supporting metal plate is fixed first and then goes the marking for the mess or the drilling area. If my apartment builder – who claims to be a building “Intelligent” homes – Aliens Elite - had ideally provided for a split then we wouldn’t have required to go in for this drilling. But, as things stand, apparently drilling is a norm. So our bedroom was in a state of utter mess. This drilling is primarily done in order to connect the indoor with the outdoor unit with a set of cables and gas lines for the a/c. 

Next the outdoor unit is heaved on to the wall using two metal supports and more drilling is on for that and also to hang the stabilizer. 

Finally the indoor unit is hung and after four hours of mess – the split a/c is finally installed. 

What makes me mad is the fact that the builder in most apartment claims to give “provision for split a/c” and when one really wants to utilise this provision it never seems to be done the right way or is placed in the most unimaginable location – right over the bed. The builder supposedly provided us with a plug point (which we never used, as the location was most in convenient) and an outlet pipe which once again is useless. 

A word of caution, when you are constructing your own house or are purchasing one from a reputed builder, ensure that the point for split a/c installation is given correctly. In out case, we assume that the builder expected us to install our outdoor unit over the window sill in the bedroom. This arrangement is feasible only in independent houses with single or double storey setups. For an apartment that has more than three floors, this arrangement is downright pig-headedness and the provision for split is as good as not given. It makes no economic sense for us to have heaved the outdoor unit on the window sill of our third floor apartment as installation and maintanence costs into the future would be exhorbitant. The other aspect I can’t seem to understand is why can’t we find better way sto avoid this drilling? It is such a messy job. I am sure, if thought properly one can come up with alternatives to avoid mess in the future. 

So, with some ingenuity from our electrician, loads of drilling and further permutation and combinations have now made us the brave the rest of the summer heat with our new Samsung Split Air conditioner.

Please Vote For Me!

Well, I participated in a writing contest with Indus Ladies for Mother’s Day and my post is listed among the few selected for voting. 

Will be glad if you take the time out to vote for me. Please Vote for me (Adastrian)  if you like my post. Click this link: http://indusladies.com/partners/poll.php

Thanks!

Summers and Train

My earliest memories of travelling by our Indian Railways has been that of the unending journeys between Dehradun and Hyderabad, mostly during my vacations. I have loved the journeys in Second A/C and Gandhi class or Second class has also had its own charm. It is very interesting to note the change in topography as one traverses from the North to the South Central regions of this vast and varied land. 

With the prevailing heat and current conditions I find it impossible to travel in some regions by sleeper class. Thankfully, back in the late 80s and 90s, global warming didn’t cause temperatures to soar to these unseen levels and we could travel in sleeper class with some discomfort. It was a high treat then to be allowed the passing cutlet or samosa and my favourite breakfast in the A.P Express has been Bread Omellete. Don’t ask me why, it was just that then. Trips to the pantry were another interesting timepass during the long journey between Delhi and Hyderabad. 

I can’t remember how many friends I made in the train, but one thing was for sure, somehow never contacted anyone later. It is strange how the train associations seem to end with the end of the journey. Lack of internet could be said to be a cause, but not really a good one. I somehow can’t imagine travelling by sleeper class in the current summers.

The Garib Rath concept of the Railways is pretty good; affordable A/C travel. Though the train is pretty comfortable and nothing really Garib about it, I find the name irksome. More such trains would help the common man. The side middle berth which was introduced to increase capacity, isn’t too bad as it seems. Change is not palatable to any of us and I found this concept tough to digest till I actually got to see it myself. 

For all the travellers heading out for a summer vacation, take care of the heat and have fun!

Freedom Writers

 

 

Freedom Writers

 

 

It is not often that one happens to see an excellent movie and Freedom Writers was definitely one. I can rate it among the top 10 I have ever seen.

The story is about a school teacher who at the cost of her personal life spends time, effort and money on her students to improve their lives. These students are part of a reputed public school, because of some recent rules that makes it compulsory to have under-privileged children too. The general attitude of all the other teachers is extremely discouraging. They do not trust these students and do not even give them good books. In fact the whole set of such children are put into one class. These primarily constitute blacks, Asians and other origin children from the lower level of the society. There is considerable animosity among the class members and this is something their teacher deals with beautifully. The story is about how this teacher commits to their development and improvement in their general behavior and grades and makes them realize that they need not die like their friends in their neighbourhood. They need not continue to live in poverty and squalor, but rise above it to be someone important. She shows the importance of graduating and pursuing studies beyond it; instills confidence and pride in each one of them.

Her way of teaching is very unique and different. She encourages them to maintain a diary and write in it daily. Later on these accounts are compiled to be published as Freedom Writers. She introduces the concept of holocaust and relates to their existing lives. Makes them realize the importance of voicing their concern and doing it the right way and finally teaches the “Unteachable” lot.

Hillary Swank plays the role of the young teacher. The director of the movie is Richard LaGravenese and the movie won Humanitas Prize in 2007 under the Feature Film category.

Watch this movie, for its content and strong portrayals and you’ll love it. 

Mama Mia!

I had one of the rare opportunities to see Mama Mia, performed live at broadway and what can I say that it was splendid. I was blown away with the way the actors performed. They sang and danced to the famous ABBA songs and the best part of all this was that the stage had very few changes, all through. Just by rotating some aspects of the set and elevating thigns here and there, the whole effect of a Greek island and a home cum hotel was reproduced.

This famous musical has been made into a movie – Mama Mia! Starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth. The story is about a girl who is raised by her mother on this Greek Island and is now getting married. She wants to know who her father is and hence invites three men to her wedding. 

 I just happened to see one of its trailers once more, I suppose it is time I catch up with the DVD.

Ahead of The PM

For a change today, it was good to see an interesting picture on the front page of the Time of India. Our Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh was standing in line with his wife to cast his vote and ahead of him in the picture were three ordinary denizens, looking most bewildered.

Looking at that picture, it just made me think, as to what would I have said if I were among those three there. Well, for one, after the initial shock, I would have exchanged some pleasantries, enquired upon his health. Well, may be something that one wouldn’t do, but I would have loved to do it, take his autograph. We do take autographs of all those glitzy hollywood/bollywood stars and well the cricketers then why not of this gentlemen who has held so many important positions and is called the father of liberalization?

I still wonder what those three did. Most likely, just kept looking back, with a stren face or a bewildered expression and went about their business. 

What would you have done?

 

PS: Will try to upload that picture.

Harry Potter

With the release of the seventh and final book of the Harry Potter Series over two years back, I presume the Pottermania has come down. As a result making Ms.J.K.Rowling, extremely rich and the another possible good out of it could be that, it made many children read. Children of today hardly know of Enid Blyton’s and no wonder being a soft skills trainer, I have some work to do. 

I initially took to books pretty late in life and was skeptical about Harry Potter too. My cousin who is a big, big Potter fan or rather wizard got me reading the first book and finally after two years of the final come out I got the time to start with the last book. 

The easy and simple writing style that is called low fog index and a desirable quality in good writing is one of the primary reasons for HP’s phenomenal success. No wonder Panchatantra stories and Mahabharata and Ramayana epics have been such a big hit with the hids. All the wizardy or the magic involves makes these book surreal.

I like them because they feed the imagination for the child within me. 

If you haven’t read it, I think you should. No reason why you won’t enjoy and for all Potter fans – Happy Potter Mania!

Clear That Clutter

The ever changing, competitive world expects a professional to be a person who is organized, abreast and in control of everything around him/her. The single most important tool to manage oneself most efficiently is to remove that clutter and simplify.

Staying organized doesn’t take too much of time, if you have taken the first steps towards organizing that desk space or book enclosure or for that matter maintained your files in ordered organized fashion on your computer. With the flooding of information that happens day in and day out, you can never predict when what might be required. To stay organized and to remove what is not required form time to time helps maintain a healthy environment. This concept is also applicable to one’s home space. A clutter free home is much more inviting that one which has objects all around.

I find it impossible to search for an object. Even if it is right in front of my eyes, I sometimes don’t see it – can’t fathom why. So I organize my things and keep the ordering simple. This helps me to go back to the place where I would usually keep things and yes, I find it there.

Simplifying the way you decide to work, without making things cumbersome, can happen only if you learn to organize and then the thoughts and ideas would come in easily. I have never understood why some people dwell only on making things seem so difficult and complex. I think the genius is one who gauges his/her audience and works at that level. Simplicity is one level that would be a hit with any kind of audience.

Effective organizations have realized this and put in processes that make things easy – simplify. But this is not a norm and many find it tough to relate to. I agree that one has to keep revising these processes as they tend to get outdates pretty soon, but if one understands the importance of processes, one would love to enjoy it.  My work at Infosys has taught me to be organized and I have learnt to simplify work over time. If every single person works similarly imagine what we all can achieve.

Simplicity is not easy and most times doesn’t come naturally. Companies tend to grow and complicate things. They add new products in the guise of diversification and after a while do not realize where they are going.Whether it is that dirty closet you have or a department or a company you manage, clearing the clutter from time to time and maintaining simplicity should be the mantra.

Two Precious Lives

Post for Mother’s Day Competition at Indus Ladies

Please Vote for me (Adastrian)  if you like my post. Click this link: http://indusladies.com/partners/poll.php

Ma is probably the first word most children learn to utter. It is the easiest word or may be it is easy because the mother and child are connected in that very special way that no other relation can compete with it. I would say, I am lucky, because I have two such wonderful relations in my life – my mom, who gave birth to me (Amma) and my other mom with whom I grew up for the better part of my childhood (Mummy).

The interesting part of the whole scenario was that at all times I have had the benefit of both moms in my life, adding different perspectives and caring for me in their own special ways. They both are sisters and married to two brothers and due to a quirk of fate (which I consider to be quite lucky), I got to know both my moms intimately. Though both the ladies are sisters, they are different in many ways and have always added value to my life at every stage.

Amma, who is my biological mother, is an ambitious lady, who instilled in me and my sister to be absolutely fearless and independent. It is because of her that I have independently taken all the major decisions of my life and never had the smallest regret. She is one of the best story tellers I have ever come across and she was the one who introduced me to the world of Jeffrey Archer through ‘As the crow flies’, book. It is not the book that I enjoyed, but it was the ambitious and never say die attitude of the lead characters that has always inspired me to achieve what I want in my life. She is the one who has always listened to the unending dreams/discourses/plans that I have made for myself and in time supported them all.

Mummy on the other hand is a wonderful cook and the person who taught me to be myself. Unknowingly, she taught me the love for cooking good food and to take care of a whole lot of things that are needed to create and maintain a home. Her unconstrained, unbridled way of life has always helped me to do what I please and yet maintain the sanity in my life. Her green fingers were the one that taught me how to love nature and everything in it. To cater to sweet-peas and dahlias in the winter or calendulas and zinnias during spring, it is all her love for the plants and nature that got transpired to me – without even a single spoken word.

If one mom has taught me to look after home, surroundings and its affairs then the other has taught me to face the big bad world with a confidence and optimism that are unshakable. I enjoy the best of both worlds and I am a witness to two precious lives, who have made me what I am today.

Happy Mother’s Day to you both – Amma and Mummy, for always taking care of me and preparing me to be a good mother too.