Leave if you don't like (I did it in a week)

[Written on Jun 5th]
This mail actually surprized me. I was on VPN not checking my mails only once a while. I was shocked to read "Despite all the statements made here, I am in full appreciation of all the hard work done by my colleagues in HR." by my Manager. Just 10 minutes ago of reading this mail I had gone to him to speak from my side and he used "s!@#Wed up" word for HR. Well, I have never ever heard any PM using such firece comments in my life.

Let us dig into this a bit. I had sent mail to Chitra asking about the Disturbance Allowance missing from Salary (1st June). I was replied there would be check and would get back to me. My manager was part of the CC. Well there was usual HR inaction (as I'm awaiting a reply from BALASUNDAR Aparna for the resumes I had reffered). Worse than even Cyabge. At least they reply with negative in 15 days time. It had been months since I have sent 3 resumes. There was no action of talk on the same by my Manager. But when I let out my anger on HR, voila, my Manager got furious. He threatened to fire me. Do that to me dude. Is asking for your rights is so much concered. Aren't you ashamed that I had to shout for myself. He told me that people those who work under him woudl like hiim very much and that's the best appreciation for me. Well, I really do not care what rest of think of you as manager. No manager had ever spoken about "firing you" in my whole life. And well, he is trying to scare who has already seen all these. [:)] "If you don't like it, LEAVE" that were his words. Well, I'm not a quitter. Zindgi mein acheche achchon ko seedha kiya hai. Well, now I have become smooth for all such managerial bullcrap.

Those who know me well, know that with Ashish there is no XXXXing room for hickups, mistakes and must be at time supposed to be. Errors (w/o reasons) freak me out big time.

Aerosmith was Gawd f***ing great

[written on 3rd June]
I had come to office on Saturday as there were some critical issues to be fixed. I was lucky to find workaround for and object prompt comtaining hierachy prompt and filtered object prompt to be accepted by a report. Previously the option ws greyed out. I was getting damn pissed over it. You can create such a prompt but you can't use it. Last but not least, Santhosh helped me getting a ApplySimple correct. I though that would take half an hour but with his help it was just 5 minutes. Remember: he is a completely non-MSTR guy. I left office at 3:10 PM. We were trying to get the correct Unit Sold at that time. But the function was not able to access two tables in one SQL statement. Don't know how taht will go.

I took a rick for Domlur Bus Depot. Rs 12. Asked a cunductor for a bus to Shivaji Nagar. Santhosh had suggested to goto Shibaji Nagar by bus as that would be easy and from there I could catch a rick to reach the venue. Well, there was no bus and I was getting impatient. Those know know, know it well that I can't stand in queue. Took a rick for Palace Ground. The bloddy driver knew it well that I wanted to know to main gate, but he entered the Palace Ground Road from back side. Caused me a 15 minute delay. Fare 86.50. I gave him Rs. 100 note. Driver said if that was alight keeping the note. I replied WTH. Had it been Mumbai the driver might have returned me Rs 14 or 15. This bugger thinks "ki software mein haram ka paisa milta hai". Bastards. He gave me Rs 10 back grugingly.

I entered the place. There was a bad arrangement of parking. I just roamed the place. This was still qyuite far from the show ground. I though to have something before entering as I would be eating/drinking anything till the end of show. I got out and searched for a shop. No shop close by. I bought two Nestle Milkybar. I like that choclate very much. I had the choclates by the time I reached back the venue and joined a queue. It had started moving. after 15 minutes I was still quite far, TOPS Security (Compnay big name in private sucurity, FYI, banned in Mumbai) realized to announce that females needed to be in a seperate queue (there freasking is inside temp closed area). Finally my chance came, The guy checked my socks too. Was carrying cell, bike keys and Covansys ID in hands. After this, I had to get into the main queue for Rs 1800 (Blue Section). That queue was zig-zag, and helped me getting in one of the first among firsts. I had pass through another xray machine. Strangly, machine didn't beeped at all when I crossed.

I got to stand just 5 meters away from the stage and 2-3 meters from the ramp (coming out of stage) making a T like structure. I spoke with fellow fan. I was in by 5:45 then. In mean time lots and lots comments were passed by fans on crew, security, instruments checkers, a guy called Nachappa whose GF entered at 7, lights man, camera man, all peeps and that was very obvious as there was no sign on Aerosmith till 8:15 and peeps had gather from 5:30. Well, all angers vanished when they rocked on the stage. Well, stage was pitch balck, all lights turned off but the back screen was showing an Indian flag hoisted. It dind't take a second for me to that Aerosmith are gonna open with "Taste of India". (when while writing I'm feeling great). The rock party went till 10:45. Time full of enjoy, fun, excitement and seeing Aerosmith in flesh probably once in life time.

Setline is as follows:
Taste of India
Elevator
Fallin In Love
Cryin
Eat The Rich
Jaded
What It Takes
Baby Please
Seasons
Dream On
Last Child
Edge
Stop Messin
Sweet Emotions
Draw The Line
Walk This Way

They sung "Don't wanna miss a thing" as bonus song (even though tyler promised for two).

I got out was had to search for a rick. No rick was willing to come unless paid twice of fair. Palace Grounds in 15-20 km from Koramangala. I got talking about two guys while asking the way towards M G Road (which would be on way to Koramangala).
I asked a Pulsar rider if he was going MG Raod and he said he was going to Koramangala. Wow.. I asked him if he could rop me and voila. I was extremely worried of sleeping without dinner as all eatries put shutter by 9 in Bangalore, except few bigs once and of course Domino's. While on bike I came to know he was working in Intel and was actually staying at BTM, even farther from Koramangala. I asked him if he could drop me at Domino's on 80 feet road. My place was around 2-3 km out of way for him. Well, I could say he didn't like it but still he dropped me. He was like an angle to me. I don't think I could have had reached by 11:30 to Domino's. In fact, when I placed my order it was 11:25. Had Medium combo for Rs 249 as usual. Spoke with Parents as usual at 11:30. While waiting for Pizza, I realized that I had kept the Home keys at office as they were quite long. Called Kanishk if he could open main door. But it seemed he was fast asleep, he didn't pick up the phone. Well, after some time he called me. I told him the situation. He said no problem. [:)]

Paypal is planning own Development Center in India

Thos who have seen my profile on Orkut, must be knowing that it is a dream for me to work with Paypal. Surprisingly, I was never bothered to work for that project due to "w/o leaving Mumbai" thing. FYI, Covanys is the only compnay where PayPal have outsourced and it is real big. Due to blah blah concern, PayPal project people (around 500) have a seperate building. Covansys have many big projects but no client has so specific requirement. Though eBay India is housed at Mumbai (ebay.in account required), PayPal has no presence anywhere in India. But they plan to take away all people from Covansys to setup IDC very soon.

Here come the MicroStrategy twist. There are several clients that have "direct" control over the development/feature development of MicroStrategy. PayPal is one of them. If PayPal wants then they can alter MicroStrategy. Well, don't be surprised. These compnaies (Permium clients ap er MicroStrategy iternal lingo) are the testing bed for all things created and the feedback and feature request. What suits this bigs, must suit even small compaines. That's how it work.

Update 5th April 2008:
----------------------
For more updated info about this kindly go here.

Life is zingalala

I had seen TATA Sky DTH service at Ashwin's place. I was very impressed by the quality of reception and features provided. SO even I booked a connection. I knew that was like buying enmity with local cable operator.

The installation guys came at the time as planned. They had all the equipment to fit the dish, but the helper seemed to be a new guy so the main guy was a bit pissed. Specially, when an important screw was missing. Still, I must say everything went smooth and within 2 hours it was done. I must say, it was really damn nice seeing the TV after the connection was setup. It was amazing. Life is really a zingalala now. TATA is not better as far as pricing, schemes and features is concerned but it beats in picture quality and customer satisfaction. My main reason to buy TATA and I feel I was not wrong. Hope everything goes well.

Oye Pappe....Isko lagaya to life ekdum zingalala...

I hate MicroStrategy, Inc.

Well... I had rightfully access to machines of MicroStrategy while working at Cybage. Not to forget that I had previlege fo lot of things. I downloaded the GA build and tried to use Internal Serial Key, but it didn't work. What does it mean? It means the GA builds are made not to accept the internal keys. If you have internal key, you can install everything... Generally the serial key itself decided what you can install but with internal keys you get all. You need to get the server activated for sure. I rememeber once Manisha gave the GA build to her friend. I was shocked and she acted as a routine. It is highly illegal. Specifically, when the copies of software available to Cybage are unrestricted. As far as I know, I'm still work with Cybage. I really regret not having got through the interview with IBM as I could have met Fransis Chao-Gay and probably Gurvinder Singh Chhatwal. BTW, Mr Chhatwal is the man behind the misadventure of Elston Pimemta. For all those who don't know, I was asked to leave for being authority over my PL (Parmajeet Singh Sidhu) during my notice period. WTF, SP3 was going to be released just 2 weeks ahead. He tried to play mind game during that 5 minute talk. Bastard, held my release letter for quite some time. I received it only after I wrote to CEO and new DH/PM of MicroStrategy project. I must say I was lucky. I wouldn't forget the way I was harassed for release letter. This is this the way they behave with the undisputed Tester. Who made #2 feel #1. I would not miss to harm Cybage by all means till the end of last breath.

A joke that reminds me of Cybage

A man is flying in a hot air balloon and realizes he is lost. He reduces height and spots a man down below. He lowers the balloon further and shouts, 'Excuse me, can you help me? I promised my friend I would meet him half an hour ago, but I don't know where I am.'

The man below says, 'Yes. You are in a hot air balloon, hovering approximately 30 feet above this field. You are between 40 and 42 degrees North latitude, and between 58 and 60 degrees West longitude.'

'You must be a programmer,' says the balloonist.

'I am,' replies the man. 'How did you know?'

'Well,' says the balloonist, 'everything you have told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I am still lost.'

The man below says, 'You must be a project manager

'I am,' replies the balloonist, 'but how did you know?'

'Well,' says the man, 'you don't know where you are, or where you are going. You have made a promise which you have no idea how to keep,and you expect someone to solve your problem.'

B1.... Be One

Life is full of jinx. Something I would not like to discuss. But in short I got my B1 visa interview through. Getting up early .. I hate so much.. but I had to get myself visa so as to be here at Covansys being billable... It has been 5 months having worked in my core competency... But I'm not complaining.. I'm enjoying this (professional) life less challenging. god.. I must have killed the CEO for keeping me on bench for more than 2 month and I've been 4 months on bench here.

So I finally reached US consulate at 8:10 and by mistake breached the queue. There were two queues. ONE Current and TWO anything other than current. If the 8:15 "appointment" is going on, then there would be two queue people for 8:15 appoint and rest. The 8:15 queue was not cleared till 9:30. I wanted to eat something even though I had eaten on way to consulate as well as home. I happen to get in talk this guy of Accenture. We went together for tea. I entered consulate at 11. Really puzzled cause of not having updated information on the notice boards in the interview waiting area.

I didn't believe when the interviewer said "Visa will be sent to your offer, sir". I didn't last even a minute. Wow is Now!!!

Reached office by 1:10 and sent mail to concerned person about the visa having being approved. Here I get a bombshell. APS is not considering the onsite requirement.

Bitter Sweet Home

Once upon a time I was a avid mail writer and reviewer of magazine "Digit". I was so good that the editor called me for a job opportunity. That didn't go through. I had written a sample article covering the various p2p technologies (not softwares). My old pal Kiran Pai gave me suggestion on the same. Here is the whole mail.

--
hi ashish
u had asked for SOME feedback.. but i always give LITTLE more than some ;-)
pl dont give me galis for giving stupid and minor corrections at the end of the
mail.. i basically write wotever comes to my mind.. so thats why the mail has
become so lenghty...

btw i am not sure whether this is your final copy..always nice to get it
proofread by some ppl.. since its your first article..fewer the mistakes much
better.. good impression u can make..

SOME POINTS:
>the one liners describing the softwares are pretty cool

>the 'behind the scenes' of Online File Sharing described at the end is pretty
informative.. very nice.. specially fast track P2P

> overall the article gives the reader a sound understanding of the entire file
sharing scene and helps him make the best decision..

> even the suggestion to approach the grey market for mp3s seems to be a wise
suggestion

>suggestion ..one liner for audiogalaxy : "The Powerful Galaxy of songs seems to
be shrinking.." or something like that u can write since they are blocking all
copyrighted songs.. (btw u tried searching on audioglaxay.. for metallica and it
doesnt allow u to download..since it is copyrighted...but u type mettalica (the
wrong spelling) and almost all the songs are there.. since public have changed
the filename of the mp3 and stored it. pretty stupid blocking.. napster is on
the contrary using some new tech to block songs depending on the internal file
structure rather than the file names)

>audiogalaxy resumes downloads from sources other than the original source.. u
have mentioned that only morpheus is capable of doing that.. audiogalaxy sorts
the files according to the file size..and if it finds any other source with same
file size then it starts downloading.. need not be the guy from whom u had
started the original download.. only file size exact size has to be the same

> i didnt actually see the ratings that u have given to all the softwares.. but
all the indiviual fields in Napster have more rating than audiogaalxy but the
overall grade is lesser than that of audiogalaxy.. i know that because of the
pay factor in napster..but it looks slightly wrong.. or maybe thats right..

SOME SIMPLE LANGAUAGE MODIFICATIONS THAT U MAY BE INTERESTED IN (OR RATHER NOT):
> A variety of parameters were looked : A variety of parameters were considered
> The pioneer of the online file sharing : The pioneer in the online file
sharing scenario
> Previewing of partially downloaded file is really useful as on one need to
change the extension and then back to old extension. : Previewing of partially
downloaded files is useful since it avoids the need to manually rename the
partially downloaded files for playback
>For India users : For Indians OR Users in India
>upwards bandwidth : upload BW
>If your music need is just latest mp3s and popular mp3s : If all that u need is
fresh, latest & hot mp3s then your nextdoor grey market dealer would be
selling....
>it's impossible to get onto any Gnutella P2P server : it's almost impossible to
get onto any Gnutella P2P server
>incomplete as Gnutella sucks on... : incomplete as Gnutella cries on.. (i didnt
think publications like CHip would ever use such words.. or even encourage them
from anybody at a professional level.. u have also used 'crap' which also i dont
advocate )
>new kid of the block : new kid ON the block
>and site is highly badly managed and navigation is really very bad : and the
site design is cumbersome and navaigation becomes a slight problem


yup thats it..
bye
kiran
--