Reason

I saw this reasoning question in one of the slides I was going through at random. It's quite intriguing:
Chris is 6’7”, 300 pounds, has 12 tattoos, was a champion pro wrestler, owns nine pit bulls and has been arrested for beating a man with a chain.
Is Chris more likely to be a man or a woman?
A motorcycle gang member or a priest?

Turning tables?!

In one of my previous post, I mentioned about the girl who made me feel all jittery for her prompt answers while I was still trying to get hold of the question. The same girl performed the same act, in the same class but after 4 months, again!With less than 2 months to go for the exam and this being my 'last' attempt for CAT the situation is far from ok, let aside good.
In Quant section, I can't say I'm confident but I'm confortable. My verbal sucks though and DI is all luck based for me. It's not actually luck per say, it's lack of practise. Things will click if I'm trained enough to appreciate/anticipate/comprehend the number presented in front of me.

To get motivation I often reminisce about the way I went about standard 1oth exam. Mathematics then, became my food, sleep, drink and everything. I could solve any given problem easily and time limit. It was sheer practice and eventually things turned around, given that fact that I hardly scored anywhere above 50 in Maths in class 9th.

Practice is the way to go, seriously. Preparation timetables is 'drafted' and posted on the desktop and implementation also remained on the desktop! With hardly anytime left, a good and informed usage of the available material is to be made. Go with a BRUTE FORCE! Try it. It WORKS!

The day of achievement

Yesterday, July 30, 2011 was the day of achievement because

• We(Biji, Kiran, Reshma, Priyanka, Sud, Hitendra, Akshat and I) went to Lohgarh despite I being not very well.


• I could successfully move songs to a folder in my phone that automatically make them available to be used as an alarm tone. Earlier I used to move them phone memory first and later move to a folder in it. This time it was just one move command in the memory card and the job was done!


• I found the answer to my using a surname of 'Rao' and yet not being a South India. I'm quite excited about it!


• I once again finished a medium size pizza, half of which was a cheese burst by myself. Yesterday's meal was all junk - 4-5 packets of Chips and wafers, 1 plate poha, 3 cups of tea, 1 Parle G biscuit, 2 McAloo (i call them makalu tikki) and a pizza McPuff and about a litre of Coke.

I'm happy of the 'feat'!

I'm Rao and I'm not a South Indian

I know the secret of being a 'Rao' and yet not a South Indian. Ohh!! My my. I had been giving 'made up' answer for umpteen times the question of my being a 'Rao' and yet being a 'Bhaiyya' ( a Bombay slang for people from UP and Bihar, states from Northern India), was asked.
I had gone to Lohgarh fort (Lonawala) today. Awesome trip it was! I could have enjoyed it more had I been better, healthwise. I must thank this trip and questions it left me with which led to google for the Lohgarh fort , then Shivaji and later Maharana Pratap (a legendary Kshatriya warrior from Rajasthan, a Northern state in India). Through this post on Wikipedia I found out that Maharana Pratap was referred to as a 'Rao' by a poet of his time. I'm copying the text from Wikipedia, just to save you the trouble of opening a different page:

The letter from Prithviraj Rathod sent to Pratap in poetic language, ran like this.

Patal sun Patshah, bole mukh hunta bayan
Mihir picham dis mahn, uge kasap rao ut
Patakun munchyan pan, ke patakun nij tan karad
' Dije likh Deewan,in do mahali bat ik


(The mouth of Pratap has begun to say "Badshah". O Rao! has the sun started rising in the West, as well? Should I keep my hand over my mustache or should my body fall with my own hands? Write, O Deewan! to give an answer choosing between the two.)

Pratap replied to this letter like this.

Turak kahasi turakado, in mukh sun Ikling
Uge jya hi ugasi, prachi bich Patang
Khushi hunt Peethal Kamadh, patako munchyan pan
Jete hai pachatan Pato, kilama sir kewan


(Lord Eklingji will always make my mouth call him "Turk". The sun will rise in the east always. O Prithviraj Rathod be happy and put your hand over your moustache. Till Pratap stands on his feet, his sword will keep hovering over the heads of the invaders.)


My great granfathers moved from Chanderi district in Rajasthan to UP very long back. I am sure that explains the us being using a title 'Rao', which was carried by them to the land of UP and since then the select clans use 'Rao' as their surnames. Many branches of Kshatriyas have emerged since the migration, a few prominent among them are - Singh, Shahi and Pal. Great thing is I found the conceptualy derived answer to the question. My answers will no longer be derived from 'titles in English times'.

This session of blogging was interrupted by a 'perfect within 30 minutes' of Pizza delivery, pizza can wait.

The one where Bai reads a Playboy

I woke up in hurry as I was late in getting up. Alarms went unheard. I didn't mend my bed afterwards and everything was left where they were. I got ready, packed my bag and left when time showed little less than 7 am.
I came back from office. I saw a different bed altogether. Everything was in place the Playboy magazine folded nice and proper in one side of the bed. I didn't realise it at that time, but later while I was going to sleep, it struck and struck real good! Who mend my bed?
Gosh! I was the Bai, she very did it. I was embarrassed for the fact that she had always seen TIME on my bed which is now replaced by TITS and busty naked babes. Did she love it? What would have been her reaction? I don't know for sure but the way magazine was kept, that does suggest a lot of things.
I have hidden the magazine in one of the corners, depriving Bai of her 'good times'. Call me good or call me bad for the action but Playboys' are men's recreation.

Voice is deceptive.

Listening to a female radio jockey..what is the one thought that come to my mind? Is she as beautiful as her voice? In most(rather all) the answer is NO. Female RJs are no Vidya Balan of 'Lagey Raho Munnabhai'. Reel life is indeed reel life which bears no resemblence to real word.

Why should I be cursing female RJs only having seen a live example a moments ago, when all my hopes came crashing down! Ohh my God! how sweet the voice was..I just could not put the receiver down after talking to her. I wished the calls were longer and not ending. I guess she felt the same..since I was the caller only a couple of times. My subtle/soothing voice did do some trick and without disappointment [smiling]. Now that I've used the great Facebook I realize that.....chhod yaar kya likhu..bas itna samajh lo ki katt gaya. Had she been the one whom I had been thinking her to be, it would still have been tolerable. I was witty, I was funny, I was considerate and what not..hoping for the best but....Now I need to be in check in the next conversation - no masala(or flirting) included.

There is another instance where I heard another voice, no appealing, hissing, attracting everybody's attention for being different, not in the positive sense. Yet when I actually relaized that this was the voice of a beautifully intelligent girl whose mention can be found in another post of mine, I was amazed.

I feel the strong urge to chalk a rule, with exceptions certainly a possibility that:

1. 
   
   Don't go by the voice - Although advised by many and learnt by experiences, I'm not sure if I can save myself from falling in the trap.


2. 
   
   Do check the source of the voice - The voice is deceptive..no rule can actually be formulated on that.

A session with Sir Parvez

Title so because I treat him in high regards.
Having feeling not very good about my work environment these days, I tried to have a discussion with Parvez about the work life. I really won't like to elaborate much but gist can certainly be put here, before I go onto jot down key takeaways. I feel I'm too loaded these days, get no credit for the work I do, rather someone else is taking the credit and I do not feel enthusiatic about the work anymore. Thus I got into discussion with sir and I was 'enlightened'.

1. Prioritize - My per day work gets revised after every couple of hours and yet I'm expected to do all of them, whatever told whenever told. Sir advised to prioritize the task by asking upfront from the supervisor and telling timelines for each of the task. This way both, the supervisor and I will have a fair idea of the deliverables of a day and I'll have clear goals. Also keep a track of the work I do so that when September comes I've a ready reckoner.

2. Goals - Not idealistic but realistic. These days, while I 'prepare' for CAT, I set goals way ahead of my reach and end up shunning the preparing activity altogether. Getting up at 4 am is no way possible nor is study for 2 hours straight after coming back by 9 pm, at least not for the start. Start with something achievable say an hour in morning and build up on that. With not much time left, it's better to get a start or else the expectation/determination may die very early because of the magnitude of the task.

3. Involve - Sir could assess that it's the unsatisfaction at some level for the troubled soul. 'Twas the not getting credit/recognition in the current work scenario. I was asked to get involved in DU activity/Project PPA activity, Testing forums, white paper activity etc. This along with helping in getting recognition will also help in moderation and CAMS!

There is one more, I wish I could recollect it, but my eyes are burdened with sleep, plus I need to sleep 'early' (12 midnight already!) to get early.
One point before I go to sleep - A colleague of mine got into US and other got the visa. I got nothing. Not that I regret it, I miss it. There could be missing dot. Connecting...

Bak**od that I'm

Having atttended achievers' meet at a college, organised by TIME it was expected from me to study sincerely for all this remaining time of Sunday.
I'm sorry to say..but the inspiration has not materialzed till now. I came back having absorbed good enough knowledge and adsorb a few witty lines used by the speaker, who in appearance had a striking resemblance to a combination of one girl who went to IIM-A and another guy, from her batch, with whom I went for IBM off campus.
Once I was back I felt the desire to have something to eat, not out of hunger of course. I ate 2 Maggi, prepared with diligence. I watched TV..did a couple of 'exercise' and every other stuff but study.
I had burrowed the laptop from Nishant sir to start my RC prep. ROFL -Really?! I ask myself as I type this. The answer is YES. I did borrow it for studies. I just happened to check the yahoo mail.then gmail then office email and later facebook without realizing when the 2 mintute browing turned into hours of unproductive activity. When, about 5 minutes ago, it actually struck me to start the prep, I thought I should document the bakchodi events of today and thus I browsed Blogger as well!
I'm feeling sleepy now. I feel I should sleep. It's the best way to make dreams come true.

आज बाई आई है

आज मेरा दिन बन गया
आज बाई आई है
घर सज गया, खाना बन गया
आज बाई आई है
कपडे धुल गए, तह हो गए
आज बाई आई है

आज करीब एक हफ्ते के दुःख के बाद बाई आई और हमारे घर में खुशियों की बहार छा गयी। ना ही कपडे धोने की टेंशन न खाना बनाने की। मैं घर आया तो देखा सब कुछ बदल चुका था। इतनी ख़ुशी है की काफी कुछ लिखने का मन है, लेकिन थकान इतनी की हिम्मत नहीं होती..सुबह ५:३० का उठा हुआ हूँ। कैट जो ना कराये सो थोडा है।
आज क्लास में थोड़ी लग गयी मेरी, कोई competitor मिल गयी है मुझे। दो सवाल ऐसे आये जो मैंने बार बार गलत सोल्व किये। मैं ये सोच के संतुष्ट था की, ठीक है किसी का भी answer नहीं आ रहा है तो question ही फाडू होगा। लेकिन फिर उस बंदी ने मुंह खोला और दोनों answer सही बता दिए। मेरी इतनी फटी सिर्फ उसकी आवाज़ से, उस कांफिडेंस से, की मेरी हिम्मत ही नहीं हुई की उसको पलट के देखूं। खैर ऐसे देखना भी awkward लगता। पूरे रास्ते मैं इसी टेंशन में था, एक बंदी ने क्लास में मेरी supremacy की धज्जियाँ उड़ा दी थी..वो भी quant की क्लास में।

मुझे ऑफिस जाने के लिए आजकल २ ट्रेन बदलनी पड़ती है। सुख के दिन अब ख़त्म होते दिख रहे हैं। वो सुबह की ऑफिस की बस का आराम अब लोकल के धक्कों ने ले लिया है। But it is fun! My office is cool. SEZ में काम करने का अपना ही मज़ा है। बड़ा compound बड़ी बड़ी बिल्डिंग, बीच में हरियाली..awesome..आज मुझे कंप्यूटर भी मिल गया। पिछले २ दिन से मैं सिर्फ किताबो में टाइम काट रहा था..Now I've a PC to work on and I must say some actual work is lined up for months to come.
I'd given ASDA yesterday and as the result says..I've cleared it.

Week# 17

Sitting by the window with a calm breeze over my face surrounded by sound of a passing train and relatively quiter environment (since I live next to CG's plant) I write this post detailing activites of past 48 hours. I feel the need to put the date so as to keep a track..since there will many 48 hours in coming days, I might loose track! It is May 1, 2011 today.
Friday was no 'period' day..it was one of the 3 days of a week on which I can have non veg and drinks. I had eggs, the best I could do on that day and for the pupose of drinking I had KF. I was having a beer after a very very long time and no wonder as soon as I has it I felt the suroor, the effect. It got me slowly and never got any less till I dozed off. Although I tried to convince myself and others a zillion times that beer can't get me high, but it did. What vodka and whiskey failed to do beer did! The friday ended easy. I got off the dinner and went straight to bed. Saturday morning was lazy and late..I got up at 7 then slep again till hunger woke me up again at 11 am.
One cistern was lying dysfunctional since the time I joined this place and its repair was getting postponed since we could do with one. As they day 'necessity is the mother of invention' but it was 'emergency' that triggered the necessity to do some invention about cistern and I repaired it. I'm such an (jugaadu) engineer. I had Maggi+Cereals as my breakfast and I slept again. When I got up I set for CST to get some handy oldies (books) that I was longing to read. The journey was good! Central line have some classic stations - Chinchpokli, Byculla et al. scu typical names! The names make me love this city more. CST's architecture is majestic. I love the building. While searching for the book stores I reached Hutatma Chowk, which I had always wanted to visit and always confused it with some other crossing near Churchgate. It is advisable to visit Fort side whenever one visits Bombay. While enjoying the beauty of the place and with a feeling that I was moving on a wrong path I reached the place where I intended to reach. I bought 5 books..all were a good deal. Later I went to Marine drive, met Cock there. He is to leave Bombay on May 3 after completing his stint at Jamnalal Bajaj. We had some overpriced Pav Bhaji and returned.
Sunday was a early start and I continued an attempt to finish - 'It's not about the bike'..I'm still behind the schedule and a lot I must say. Afternoon was all about sleep and and lunch. Later in the evening, after a long long time Nishant sir and I played gully cricket. I was fun.

Events - Confused Chronology

Things have changed a lot since I last used this page..cliche, but true. The following would contain a few stories which will enter my head as I type about happenings in the recent days or months.
Onsite - USA
I was lined up for the role in Philadelphia, US. So excited I was that I spread the news around leaving only a few whom I had lost touch with. The process started in December 2009 and took it's course for around 6 weeks and I was set for interview with Mumbai consulate in February 2011. The consulate was up with some infrastrcuture upgarde and had postponed the interviews for H and L category till indefinite time. I saw the notice and forgot about scheduling it at another consulate/embassy. One fine day in March my manager asked about the progress with the interview! That nudge reminded me of an option of rescheduling the interview at some place - Delhi/Madras/Hyderabad. Delhi embassy was the obvious choice for a. I would be at my place b. I had heard 'rejection rate' is lesser in Delhi compared to Bombay consulate. I was happy when the date was fixed, April 5, 2011. Earlier, I was, in my mind and otherwise, USA ready. Not be interpreted incorrectly, I intended I was ready to move to US and not feel short of anything as in a place to live, food to eat, basic emenities to survive and of course dress for the occasion. I had seen at least 100 houses on rent, virtually traversed every possible road around the office and fixed upon routes from those 100 would be 'home' to the work site. Travel plans, daily routines and all other 'activities' were listed already. All this effort was done because I was sure in my mind/attitude that I'll make it. For the interview, I had been following a site for the success stories on visas and prepared about 50 questions and their answers for the interview. I think I was prepared enough.
With high hopes, confidence and required documents I left for Delhi on April 1, 2011. On the interview day, I was brimming with confidence. I chose the best pair of tailored shirt I have and the perfectly fitting pants. I was looking smart! Daddy had to take my uncle to a doctor so a car was called from the taxi service to take me to the embassy. I collected the documents, seeked everybody's blessings and left. I didn't take much time and I reached there. There was a queue and many others on the other side of the road waiting to be the part of the queue. My heart was pouncing but my face showed confidence. I walked with confidence not to make myself feel better but with the intention to shake confidence of others present there. Why I thought that others confidence would be shaken? I'm not sure. Anyways, I entered in when my turn came. The whole process happened - token number collected, documents rearranged, fees deposited, fingerprints taken then wait started for the interview. My turn after half an hour and I went to the window. First question asked..while I was answering I was asked about the client and that was it. Past 30 seconds and I was told visa denied. I asked - Why? I was told to wait for a minute and I was given a blue form and asked to apply again. I walked back confidently not showing any grimace. for I did not want the 'outside' world to know about my unsuccessful stint. I could do so successfully because I had not registered to me till then that I was denied a visa.
I came back to Bombay and since then life is a roller coaster. The project is not decided nor the fate regarding the onsite oppotunity.

House Shift
Vibhu and Rohit hadgiven notice of exit to the company, I was lined up for USA and Karthik had already left in June last year so all the legitimate renters were to leave in a month. There were a few others who were living with us they agreed to move out as well. Thus we gave the notice to the landlord about out plans to vacating the flat. Everything was fine and I left, in hight spirits, for the visa interview. It was unsucessful and A-8's (previous flat) move out deal had been inked. I had to look for a flat before vacating A-8 since US was off the table for at least 6 months. Living with other flatmates from previous flat was an option since they had found a place for themselves in a building nearby and had offered me to stay with them. I had different plans though. I was looking for the flat where I do not get involved in brokerage and do not have to pay the security deposit. I was also looking for some flat near Airoli where, in near future, my new office would likely be. Abhinav told me about his and others plan to get the new flat's deal inked and that reminded me of house hunting which I had pushed to bak of my mind because of laziness. I frantically opened the classifieds at Accenture India's website and zeroed in on 3 prospects. I decided to see every flat before deciding upon any one. I first started with the one in Marol which was quite close to my current office. The size/condition and the attitude of the people living in the flat turned me off completely. I was quite worried on starting with a 'disappointment'. I wished others do not turn out to be like the previous one. Next day I saw one in Kanjur Marg and other in Bhandup. I was delighted to see the flat in Kanjur, it was spacious, airy and nice people. There were ACs in the one I checked in Bhandup but there were ASEs (freshers) as well. Not mature enough and college attitude these lad had. Thus Kanjur became the obvious choice and I happily moved in there. It's airy, spacious and I got relieved of the worries of cleaning of any sort be it clothes or flat itself plus no worries about food as well. Maid does it all! I'm drafting this piece while sitting besides the window lying down on a mattress on a floor. As the breeze flow in the words are flowing out and getting saved on this pages! This is how I always wanted to write. I also, sometimes, imagine myself enjoy studying like this as well. I hope this becomes reality!

The Accident
March 12,2011 - Mohnish has gone for daaru party at Adtiya sir's place and he was taken to a makeshift idli shop at Sakinaka junction by Aditya at 3 am. Mohnish, I believe relished the taste so much that the next day when he returned he persuaded Vibhu and I to visit that place. By 2 am we were ready. I was dressed in shorts others wore their gears. I, as always, asked for bike keys and was reluctantly given by Mohnish. While he handed me the keys he doubted my driving skills. I told him that by now I'm pro and I've an experience of driving 50,000 kilometers. I'm not that convinced him..but I was driving the bike and that was inportant. We got the fuel and we started. No sooner we started than we encountered a truck standing horizontaly in the middle of the road. I manuvered successfully. This must have made Mohnish trust my biking abilites, I thought. It was downhill from there and although accelator was not pushed enough bike had gained speed. We crossed the Holy Spirit hospital and a gaurd there shouted at us seeing three of us on a bike speeding in wee hours of morning. We had gone more than a 100 meter from the hospital when I saw a speedbreaker. Fearing the fact that Vibhu will fall off because of the jumo at the speed breaker. I applied both the breaks, in front and at the back. It was disc brake, of which I had zero experience. My eyes were closed by then all three of us were in air. When my opened I found myself getting skidded on the roadside and bike skidding even faster and going to the other side. When I got up I first checked if my face and my head are intact as we were not wearing any helmets. I was ok on my upper parts. I went to check the damage I had caused to others. I was satisfied for the fact that I was the one with most bruises, nothing serious though, quantity had won over quality of bruises!
I drove the bike back to the hospital, more with the sense of responsibility and compulsion and least with the free will. Mohnish and Vibhu took an auto. First aid was given and some magic spray was sprayed. Fuck! I yelled 2 seconds after it was applied on the first wound. That burnt more than acid and that too when applied on a fresh wound, several layer of skin below the surface. I was finally done with spray and stiches and others turn came. They felt the same pain, I was relieved for the fact that I didn't act like girl and the spray actually caused a lot..a lot of pain! I tried to flirt with the docotor on duty but she didn't buy it. Seeing this attempt Vibhu and Mohnish burst into laughter and I smiled. I was happy..all was well.
When we came back sleeping was the biggest problem. There was no position left which I was aware in which I could sleep. I managed however. Later in the day I was sure that I need to go to Delhi for proper care and medication. I left the same night and Vibhu next day. My parents got suspicious on my sudden plan of arriving and I had to tell them about the accident although I didn't reveal the seriousness. I was going to Delhi anyway so I left on them to judge how badly I was hurt.
My family came on airport, my younger brother, Abhijeet, was totally unaware of any of the happenings..when he saw me crippling he came rushing and took bag off me. I was asked thousand reasons for driving bike at 3 am! I wish I could lie but my medical report from Bombay mentioned the time sp no success there. I did not let the reason out for my driving the bike at 3 am and certainly not the fact the we were three on a bike. I had covered all my wounds to mirage the stiches as well, which however, was revealed but it saved me during my first 30 mintues in Delhi. I recooperated well, celebrated Holi and come back to Bombay with just one wound to heal.

These were a few events that happened and were not captured in any of the posts. There certainly are a few more which will be covered in later series.

The great day - Saturday, January 15, 2011

Having cursed in the first post of the year..2011..this is kind of an attempt to lighten up the mood; through a new blog and some reminiscence.
I guess it was by mistake, that we received a discount coupon from Domino's which had some real offers. The coupon we received, when we enquired, came to know, is not the ones that every one receives and are sent to the loyal customers via courier. We were lucky!
I had prepared khichdi that day in afternoon and being a khichdi lover I overate and slept for good 4 hours. I got up at 7pm and I was all hungry again and that's when Vibhu and I decided to use up the lucky coupon. We order a 'Gourmet' and 'Farm fresh' pizzas..of which one was free, courtesy coupon. Order came on time, alas! we missed the chance for free pizza. We paid and opened the box to find that we were delivered pizza of same kind...I called Domino's guy to tell them of their mistake..and they promised to deliver right order in next 30 mins. We started to gorge on one of the pizzas..smell was irrestibale and in no time it was over while there was still some time left for the replacement pizza. We waited..waited and waited before we opened the pizza we had kept for replacement...I called up Domino's and demanded a free pizza since they didn't provide replacemnt in 30 mins. To my surprise, I won the third (replacemnt) pizza for free!! It was one hell of a night..we had 3 pizzas for the price of one and we managed to keep the coupon intact on which we had asked for the offer!
Later in the night..as my facebook status said..Vibhu and I went for victory lap to juhu, bandra, marine drive, aarey colony and powai lake! btw..aarey at 4 was as fun and chilly as it has always been...Fuck! was the only word that came out of my mouth all the way through dark..in a way dense and very cold forest! It was fun.

Fucked up!

I'm so fucked up at this moment because of this behench*d bihari girl!..she's sick. I'm not sure why am I tolerating all the shit from her for past 3 months now. She irritates me with the regular humming of some hindi scores..i agree she has a nice voice..but what the fuck! You are not supposed to sing in your work bay!
What happened just now, totaly blew my mind off..the other way. We were assigned some task..and we had to provide the details EOD(end of the day). Being an intelligent foolish I decided to tell her the best way to provide the detail and seek answers to any queries, and being ignorant bitch she didn't pay heed to them. Consequence is I'm writing this blog all fuming, justified in every way.
I want perfection in my work..the 'work' work..and not other stuff! I can't and will not tolerate any slippages on that.
The other reason for my finally bursting is because she has been eating my share of performance points in the past, plus, I had to share credit for the work I did sitting continuously for 12 hours and I skipping my lunch for a month while she was all bakchodi.
I guess I'm done abusing..the bihari gal will have to do some listening, all in corporate lingo, of what I just said above. For actual 'lessons' I would recommend this post.