If anything can go wrong, it will...

If anything can go wrong, it will.

Don't want to comment on this. Right now Murphy's Laws are my solace...

Reading them to recover from a small debacle. Should be better soon :)

Mascarenhas and Orkut Beta

Quickly came in to shout two things:

1. India vs England match ended just now.. During the match, it looked like India would make a comfortable win..But THE man - Dinitri Mascarenhas was obscenely throwing 6 sixes shattering the concrete hopes!!! And one four, all in the last few overs..Spicing it, partner batsman Stuart registered a couple of fours and a six. As expected India won, not with a great margin though, which should have been the case, but by 10 runs. Anyways I am happy for England's Mascarenhas; he made first half century in ODI, under tremendous pressure. He has shown to the world his ability. Pats!!!

2. Just now I opened orkut and within few minutes when I refreshed, the looks and some of its features changed. Then noticed the Orkut Beta Label in the top left... Again I refreshed..It went to the old style..Again refreshed..Beta version appeared.. Finally, its all Beta now.. Looks cool ;) Much like facebook... Catch more news here to know the new cool look!

Indian Idol 3

I've been hooked to this popular TV show for quite sometime. I must admit it has become an integral part of my schedule, all my thursdays, fridays and saturdays dont go with out it. Me and my roomies religiously watch this program without missing even a micro second. Indian Idol 3 - We totally love it baby! Watching the contestants on this reality show gives us the inexplicable vicarious feelings of actually being there. And every week when one gets eliminated, we feel extremely bad for them.


Indian Idol is developed on the same lines of popular US TV show American Idol. For the select few who need gyan about this show, go thru this. Among the top 12 finalists now (this time 13 though, because of a carried over contestant), a series of 'Gala' rounds go where the contestants need to show their versatility, vocal skills and performance. Every week one contestant is voted out based on audience sms voting. There are judges - Anu Malik, Javed Akhtar, Alisha Chinai and Udit Narayanan, who give their comments, which tend influence the audience in sms'ing their votes; nevertheless, it is THE audience which decides the verdict. Again personally I feel the audience voting is certainly not a representative of the skill/talent of the contestant. There are groupisms, favoritism and 'fan' isms, which could be an altered indicative of the voting pattern.


So far, till the end of Gala 7, 6 contestants have managed to sail through - Amit, Ankita, Chang, Puja, Prashant and Emon. The results of gala 7 saw the exit of yet another potential Indian Idol - Deepali. Like many others, I too was totally disappointed to the core after Deepali got eliminated. In fact, we at first were determined like not to watch the show again! Despite her sterling performances (dhol bajne laga.., nimboda nimboda.., mera piya ghar aaya), she was voted out! My respect for her increased multifold, when she boldly accepted without breaking down.And now after Deepali and Charu's exit, the deserving girls are out!


I think Puja and Ankita both didnt do well during gala 7. Moreover Camera guys were wierdly showing Ankita smiling again and again during results round,may be to increase their TRP, which now could hurt her votes! Despite her occasional flat singing , Anky baby is a lively performer, the favorite of all and even Anu - sure a top 3 material!

Prashant: He is good but seldom comes in bottom 3. Favoritism? But one thing to admit, during gala 7, prashant was amazing with the sarfarosh song..Emon and Chang are good, no doubt. Emon has great voice like Sonu Nigam. Personally my choice for Indian Idol is Amit Paul. He is amazing with melliflous voice and versatility. May he deserve it :)

Sony W850i

Athu appo, Idhu ippo (Translation: Thats then, this' now!)

Finally, after months of contemplation, I've migrated my phone connection from Prepay to a Pay monthly with O2 service provider. it was a necessary evil considering the reality that I lost hundreds of £ with Prepay credits so far :(

And now I got to choose a 'free' phone [1] with the new contract. I have taken a cool precious black color Sony W850i walkman series phone, presumably as it would entertain and keep me 'busy' in my commute to office and back home. And it has cool features as well :) Though Camera in W850i isn't that great.

I bought this phone on August 4 and my first attempt to make a call was to my lovely 3-year old niece, Tanya for a special reson. It was her birthday then and I wished her. And yeo, it was cho chweet hearing her voice. Operation Innaugration Call success!!!

Footnote:

[1] A 'free' phone, in real terms, is not a free one! Have you heard of 'Free lunch' in business?

All the costs are absorbed in the monthly bills ;)

I am Back!

I know I haven't posted anything since long. Actually I've become a lot lazy than ever. Well, here are few things which I wanted to keep recorded:

1. I've got into a new project and a big role change, a giant leap from a developer to a Business Analyst! Finding work to be quite interesting. Lets see whats in store more.

2. For the past couple of months I am closely following Indian Idol 3 and haven't missed any episode since gala rounds started! As per the last episode, people who have managed to sail the boat (after elimination) are Ankita, Amit, Abhishek, Prashant, Puja, Chang, Deepali and Emon. My guess is Ankita, Amit and Emon will make it to the top 3. And my personal favorites are the 2 A's - Ankita (Mishra) and Amit (Paul). They have the charisma, the voice, the appeal and all that what it needs to be in an Ideal Idol. An interesting trivia is that both of them were eliminated and made their re-entry as wild card contestants. Hats off to the eminent judges who selected them in the wildcard round and made sure that their talents don't go waste..

SIVAJI - The Boss (Bachelor of Social Service)

For the first time, I've seen a Rajini's movie the first day, in fact, a day before itis released in India! Thanks, to Karthik who booked the tickets well in advance at London- Ilford's Cineworld here that I could enjoy my yesterday evening. By now, there are already many reviews; but below is my humble attempt to write something out of it.

Sivaji(Rajini), a rich US NRI cum 'Software System Architect' returns to India after making a fortune. His parents are Manivannan and Vadivukkarasi and Vivek is his Uncle. Sivaji had all his education financed by scholarship and realised that India could only prosper if poor people have access to free education. And so, he starts his ambitious plan to establish a SIVAJI Varsity with courses ranging from LKG to Ph.D and even a Medical College cum hostpital. But his Nemesis, Adi Seshan (Suman), is already into the Donation Fee business from his educational institutions. He obviously doesn't want to ruin his 'established' business and makes all possible political impediments to Sivaji. In a turn of events, Sivaji lands up being a pauper and realises to adopt an aggressive way to realise his dreams. How Sivaji deftly takes revenge with the baddies and establishes his dreams forms the next half of the story.

At more than 3 hours, the move is tad lengthier. Rajini is at his best, thanks to the make-up and lightening, yew, he looks a lot younger! We were dumbstruck at the Oru Koodai sunlight song with his different 'international dude' get-ups! The music of Adiradi song and its prelude (bits from old songs) and the way they are picturized rock all the way! Sahana saaral, the sad version sung by Vijay Yesudas was missing though. Surely it's a much awaited treat for Rajini fans dying to see his style and mannerisms -- be it tossing a coin to neatly land in his pocket, chewing bubble gum, saying 'cool'. Mottai Rajini (but no, he isn't the Appa Rajini as rumoured!), comes as a scintillating package towards the climax, which impresses the most with his mottai tapping mannerism! The fight scene with the currency note shower, a la The Matrix, in a building terrace keeps you wowed. Punch dialogues are conspicuous by their absence; Rajini has resorted to using very few lines like Ithu Eppadi Irukku, Comedy Geemadi paanalya and few other Vadivelu's picks. The audience roared for these dialogues -- "Nee Shivaji thaane. [Rajini says] Illa Naa MGR. MG Ravichandran! ", "Chumma pera kettale athurudha le", " Panni thaan kootama varum; Ssingam da, single a dhaan varum! ". Thalaivar has also spiced some English phrases in between like 'It’s a mere coincidence, damn it' and 'Give me a Break'.

Sivaji's lady interest is Tamizhselvi (Shriya) who has acted gracefully and looks gorgeous in the songs with Manish Malhotra's costumes. 'Pattimandram' Raja and Uma Padmanabhan have acted as Shriya’s parents. Solomon Pappaya is their neighbour and the first half scenes in Shriya’s neighbourhood provide the necessary comedy galatta. Vivek has taken the punch line department and has provided neat humour. The first half goes in lighter moments and the next half is gripping. Suman has a meaty Villain role and no doubt, he would have many offers in his kitty now. Raghuvaran makes a brief impressive apperance as a Doctor.

On the flip side, the script isn't very strong like Gentleman or Indian or even Anniyan. Logic defies at some places like the explanation how Rajini became a Multimillionaire from his humble begining? How Suman was so gullible to lose his 200 crores at the behest of an anonymous call? How the Economic offence wing of the CID arrest Sivaji without unlocking the computer (which is locked by a voice recognition security system) that has the evidence? How Motta Boss flashes an all new USA passport and a Greencard with his photo identity in a jiffy? And then the train track scene with Rajini and Shriya. And, likewise a few other instances.

Overall, Sivaji lives up to the expectations it hyped. Not less, not more. It’s a Thailvar's padam, watch it with open mind and no questions. Assured a visual treat and a grandiose dinner for Rajini Fans!

PS:1. Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee and Mohanlal aren't there in guest roles as rumoured.
2. The usual S U P E R S T A R tune before the start of any Rajini movie has been changed in Sivaji.

London Underground and my Analysis!

London's underground is an amazing maze!
After fiddling with its various lines to reach my office in Liverpool Steet (Central London) from my place of stay at Wembley, I've finally figured the best solution from my observation (a timepass analysis) below:

1. Bus and Metropolitan Line Combo
Walk -- home to Bus stop: 3 mins
Bus -- Route No. 83, 297: To Wembley Park stop: 10-15 mins (Avg:12.5 mins)
Walk-- Till Southbound platform in the Wembley Park Tube station: 3 mins
Tube -- Metrolpolitan Line to Liverpool St. station: 35 - 40 mins (Avg: 37.5 mins)
Average Waiting Time (at Bus stop and at Tube station): Approx. 2 -10 mins (Avg: 6 mins)
Total Average Time: 62 mins

2. Bus and Central Line Combo:
Walk-- home to Bus stop: 3 mins
Bus -- Route No. 83: Home to Hanger Lane stop: 12-15 mins (Avg:13.5 mins)
Walk-- Till Eastbound platform in the Hanger Lane Tube station: 4 mins
Tube -- Metrolpolitan Line, to Liverpool St. station: 40 - 50 mins (Avg: 45 mins)
Average Waiting Time (Bus stop and Tube station): Approx. 0 -15 mins (Avg: 7.5 mins)
Total Average Time: 70 mins

3. BakerLoo line and Metropolitan/ Hammersmith and City/ Circle (M/H/C) lines Combo :
(This option doesn't involve any bus ride!)
Walk-- Home to Wembley Central Tube station (till Southbound platform): 5 min
Avg. waiting time for the tube (bakerloo has less frequency): 0 -10 min (Avg:5)
Tube -- BakerLoo Line, to Baker Street station: 25-30 mins (Avg: 27.5)
Walk in Bake St. tube station for line change over and waiting time: 4-6 mins (Avg: 5)
Tube -- M/H/C lines from Baker St. to Liverpool St.: 15-20 mins (Avg:17.5)
Total Average Time: 60 mins

4. Silverlink Express to Euston and M/H/C lines combo:
Walk-- Home to Wembley Central Tube station (till Southbound platform): 5 min
Avg. waiting time for SilverLink Express (Freq: every 20 mins): 0 -20 min (Avg:10)
National Railway (Silverlink Express) - Till Euston Juntion: 20 min
Walk: Euston junction to Eastbound platform at Euston Square Tube station: 5 min
Tube -- M/H/C lines from Euston Square. to Liverpool St.: 10-15 mins (Avg:12.5)
Total Average Time: 52.5 mins

After wastefully wasting(!) my time at options 1 and 2 before, I settled for 3 thinking it as the wisest choice.

But I was unaware of option 4 before..Of late, I realised it to be THE best option and now happy with it :-) Silverlink train's arrival time at Wembley Central are at 8.05 (,8.25..) and at every 20 mins before and thereafter. I now have started to synchronise my starting time from home to Wembley Central station that I am just in time or a minute or two reasonably before the Silverlink train's arrival. This reduces my average waiting downtime from 10 to almost 0 or 1 (b'cos most of the times I make it just in time!). That brings the figure 52.5 to 42.5 or 43.5, which is clearly the winner !!! I have a reason to smile at my underground discovery !

London, Life, Work and more...

After my 3 months of UK stay at Ipswich, I've moved to London from May 1st for a new assignment with Apna Company. New place, new office, new people, new house (yes, on rent!). Aana Kalakalaye Kasi! Unlike Ipswich, London is on the expensive side and my purse is pinching me at lot these days!!! Also it was a sudden shift from my slow paced life/work style at Ipswich to London's fast track workstyle involving a 2 hr plus to and fro travel to central London from my house. During peak hours, the underground stations are crowded and very busy. Perhaps I should dedicate a new post to the London's underground maze and my experiments with tube-hopping-and-bus-travel- combo!

Thanks to my new work profile, excepting first weekend in May, I haven't spent any of the subsequent weekends eventfully as I did before (see below):

6, 7, 8 and 9th April: Scotland Trip

14th April: Nagarathar’s meet, Leicester
15th April: Kannan Annan’s place at Chesterfield, drive around Peak district and Chatsworth Palace

21st and 22nd April: One more London tour with the gang (Arpita, Nash, Sujata, Sachin, and Mithun)

28th April: Gosh, again to London! LSE Auditorium to attend TCS’ Reach Out session

30th April Evening: London again! Nah, this time it’s a relocation baby!!!

7 and 8th May: Trip to Birmingham, Blackpool and Lake District with the gang.
9th May (on holiday): Office. 13th May: Ipswich. Evening, accompanied Arpita to recieve her mom at Heathrow.
14th May: London, at AC's relatives place.

21st May(sat'day): After seeing the gala atmosphere and supporters crowd of Man-U vs. Chelsea FA cup finals atmosphere in Wembley Park stadium near my house in the morning, half heartedly had to go office.

Phew!! These were like my itinerary for the weekends from April.

In my new role, I am donning the role of a Developer, which is breaking almost my 2 year long vrat of hard core non-coding work. Initially I was bit reluctant, as I was pulled in when the project was undergoing critical phase with resource crunch and stringent delivery deadlines. It was tremendous learning for me, the work kept me on my toes as it heavily relied on detailed understanding of requirements (they kept on changing every now and then!) from the client folks. Thanks to some great people here, my work became 'approachable' from day 1 itself! I must admit that I tdid good amount of homework to catch up things fast and by learning new stuff. And then there were always friends of mine, who have worked on similar technology before to help me out when in need. Given these catalysts and favorable environment, yours truly now was able to deliver the second phase reports, ready for UAT (User Acceptance Testing) three days ahead of the estimated time schedule! It was challenging and now I am enjoying doing this and looking forward to implement the same in Business Objects.