Diary 7: Peaceful Day

Yesterday night, after I wrote the post in the blog, I watched two episodes of CSI:Miami and hence completed the season 1. After that, I just opened up Guitar Pro after a long time, and started composing something which was running in my head. I created only two tracks - Keyboard and Drums, and then slept at around 4:30 am. Today, I woke up at around 9:20 am, to attend the scheduled call at 9:30 am. But there was no call, I guess Gil thought it was better to mail the work than waste time in calls. So, I received a mail at around 10:00 am regarding a new task, which was only assigned to me. Ankit was still struggling with his task that time. I started with my task, cleared few doubts from Gil through chat, and finished the work around 1:00 pm. I was free then, but I didn't send the new task back yet. I planned the delivery in a way so that it seemed that I worked hard today also. So, I decided that I will send one task at 2 pm, and the other at 4 pm. By this time, Ankit had mailed his task. I remembered then that I had to send my resume to Raj as there were openings in Diamond Consulting. So, I just edited the resume to add my present job experience and sent it. After that, I sent the first task at exactly 2 pm. Meanwhile, I had already started watching the season 2's first episode. I had my lunch at around 3 pm, and then at around 4 pm, I sent the next task. I was now really relaxed, and hence watched latest episodes of HIMYM and Gossip Girl. Although there was a match going on between KKR and Kochi, I didn't feel like watching it, and just the scorecard few times in between. At around 6:00 pm, I was feeling really sleepy and so I took a power nap at woke up at 7 pm. I found out that Dad is already home, he has come from his Delhi trip. I checked my mails and found out that there are few changes required, and also Ankit is facing some new issue. So, I looked into both of them, rectified them and then sent a mail to Gil that I won't be available tomorrow morning from 9:30 to 11:30 (I have an interview with Numantra Technologies). He then replied that it's fine, and in fact even offered that we can relax now as most of the work has been done. I was happy to hear that, I really needed some break. Well, after that I started watching the IPL match between Delhi and Deccan. Also, my sister took the internet from me, so I took the laptop to the drawing room where I was watching the match. I took a glimpse of my resume, and then started working on the guitar pro file I had made yesterday. I found out it sounds better without the drums, so I added a bass line and a overdriven guitar track. It sounds good now. The real sound engine of the guitar pro was not working properly anyways with the drum track. Well, about the match, it was probably the  best match of IPL 2011. Deccan were awesome with their batting and made a very good total of 175 in their 20 overs. Delhi started terribly, losing wicket in their first over and soon they were 30/3. It was evident that they were going towards another defeat, but apparently Sehwag had other plans. His strike rate was below 100 at the start and also till the 7th over. Then there was a over bowled by Malhotra, who was playing his first IPL match. His over went for 23 runs. After this, there was no looking back, Sehwag hit sixes at will, and  rode his luck to bring down the required run rate from 13 point something to 6 by the end of 16th over. He got out finally but after a 56 ball 119. After this, he became the orange cap holder also. It was a magnificent knock, even Dale Steyn, who finally got him, personally went and applauded him for his knock. It was like a dream come true. I always wanted to experience such a chase, and who else other than Sehwag would have made it possible. Post match, I started watching the latest episodes of Chuck and House. After finishing those, I started writing this post. I wanted to get my resume printed but there is not a single white paper in the house. So, I will take the older version of the resume with me. Next I plan to just surf the net a bit, and then sleep at around 3:15 am. 

Diary 6: Good Day.. and Life is always about a Good day...

Yesterday, I didn't sleep at 2:30 am as planned. Instead I worked extra so that I can have a comfortable day today. Gil sent a late mail, to give us the information about the morning call, and also tell us about the next tasks on our plate. I was awake and hence started working as soon as I got the mail. I finished a considerable part of that task, and then slept at around 3:30 am. I woke up at around 9:20 am, connected to the internet and straightaway told Ankit that I won't be coming today as I was too tired from yesterday's work. After this, we attended the call with Gil, in which he just re-iterated the contents of the mail and thanked us for our efforts and hard work. The call ended at around 10:15 am. I started where I left off yesterday night, and neither Ankit nor Gil had any idea that I can finish my task off in just few hours. Today, I was relaxed and working at a steady pace, with no hiccups or issues. My brain cells were also firing the synapses in a superb way. I figured out a lot of optimum ways to implements many parts of the solution. I was happy to see how deep I was able to think, and how I have captured the software well, just within few weeks of training, which was primarily on a self-trained basis. In between work, I had lunch at around 2:45 pm and also watched an episode of CSI:Miami. Also, my Dad had to stay an extra day at Delhi because the work was not complete yet. He asked me to pay his SBI Credit Card bill, and so I did. I haven't got the salary for the last month yet, may be because Gil is too busy with the project work that he forgot to transfer the money. On another front, I got my Ad-sense account activated for my earlier blog, but will have to look into details of how it works. Anyways,I completed my task at around 3 pm. But, I didn't stop. I had a quick peek at what was Ankit's task, and I realized that he will surely have a long day ahead, mainly because it would take a lot of time to understand the complex sections which were earlier not his part of the task, and which made yesterday a hell for me. I had already figured out ways around it, but it would certainly take some time for him to acclimatize. Anyways, I knew that there was one more task, so I had a look at it, and started working on it. It was similar to the earlier ones, expect for one part, and so I decided that I would keep the rest of the parts ready. Meanwhile, there was an IPL match going on between RR and CSK. It was an important match for both of them, considering the new format of Qualifiers and Eliminators for the top four teams. 1st and 2nd team play a qualifier, the winner goes to the final, and the loser plays with the winner of the eliminator between 3rd and 4th. It is a good way to ensure that the consistent teams get more chances. Anyways, the match was won by CSK comfortably at the end. Mike hussey tied with Sachin as a contender for the Orange Cap. But later in the day, Sachin takes a lead of 24 runs. I stopped working at around 7:30 pm, and then suddenly I got a call from Shaurin, my ex-colleague. We had a nice chat, and came to know that Amlan is going to Paris to pursue Masters in management course (MIM), which is not a MBA, and is valid only in Europe. We cursed the B Schools for their gruesome admission processes. It was nice talking to him after a long time. After that, I started watching the IPL match between Mumbai and Pune. The match was taking place at DY Patil Stadium, just few kilometers away from my home. DADA was not playing, although he was sitting in the dug out of the team. Well, Mumbai batted first, and although they didn't start off well, they somehow managed to score 160, with some hitting by Keiron Pollard and T Suman at the death. Pune lost a wicket of the first ball of their innings, and they never were convincing enough. Mumbai won the match by 21 runs, and they are again back at the top of the table with 14 points. Today, again for the third consecutive day, we didn't eat home food. Today we ordered the food from a dhaba, which opened recently in our society premises. The food was good, but the quantity was a bit on the lesser side. After that, I logged in to my work mail, and found out that Ankit had not yet completed his task. I was saying to myself - What goes around, comes around. Then I watched few videos on Youtube, and then started writing this post. Meanwhile, I got a message from Gil that tomorrow's call will also be at 9:30 am and also that there is more work on the way, but now I am not that worried as my work is already ahead of what was required. Now, I plan to watch 2 or 3 online episodes of CSI:Miami, and then sleep at around 3:30 am.

Diary 5: Bad Day ! But life is not about a bad day..

Yesterday I slept at around 2:30 am, and woke up today at around 9:15 am to attend the conference call with Gil and Ankit. Today my sister didn't go to school, for no specific reason as such. The call started at around 9:45 am, and we discussed the issues around the code delivered yesterday. There were several mistakes small and irritating, and there were some changes also, which made my day close to Hell later on. The call ended at around 11:00 am. I started with the changes, and then decided that I will keep working from home. I sent a mail this time to Gil to inform about this, as he had mailed Ankit earlier about work from home issues, although I never faced any issue with him in this regard till now. As I went on making changes, I realized that there has been some major changes, which required us to go through each line of code. Those changes led to new kind of problems, and hence I was stuck big time. Also, my sections of code were the complex ones and hence took a lot of time to debug and change. There was supposed to be a call at 4:30 pm, after which I was to mail the updated project, but at around 2 pm I could clearly perceive that I won't be able to complete it. I had a quick lunch at 2:15 pm, and went back to my room. Ankit, with the smaller and easier portion of the code, sent me his part of the project at around 3 pm. I told Ankit then that I won't be able to complete as there are too many changes, and asked him to check whether the quarterly tab is fine as per requirements. To this he said that his part of the code is fine. I was very frustrated already and became more agitated on hearing this, but what could I have done- he is the director after all. At around 4 pm, I took a clever decision, and implemented the smaller portions of the code quickly, without getting stuck at the faulty parts. I did this so that I can tell Gil that only one part of the code is left. Gil came in at around 5 pm, and we had a quick status call, where I explained Gil the situation. He asked me to send him whatever I have done, and so after integrating the project I sent it. I was skeptical about the integration but it went well. After this, I started working with a peaceful mind, as I had no time limitations now. The tides turned the other way, and I figured out a way to deal with the problems ( A marker with marking as begin position was the savior ). I started implementing the solution at around 8:30 pm, and completed it at around 9:30 pm. Meanwhile, I also started watching the IPL match between KKR and DC, and before I speak more about this match, I would like to inform everyone that our very own DADA is finally back. He has been given the offer by Pune Warriors in replacement of injured Ashish Nehra. I can forgive Ashish Nehra finally. Well, we will have to wait and watch when he will be back in action, but let's hope that it is tomorrow. Pune will play Mumbai tomorrow. Back to the match, KKR didn't start that well, but awesome hitting at the death by Yusuf and Manoj Tiwari helped KKR post a competitive total of 169. DC started off very well, but lost wickets in quick succession, and hence were never really stable. KKR won the match by 20 runs, and moved to the first position with 12 points based on the net run rate. Today my sister wanted to order from McDonald's. Given my father has been on an official trip to Delhi, she feels it is safe to assume no one would oppose that. I had few second thoughts about it, but ultimately ordered our usual ( 2 McChicken medium meals,  2 veg pizza mcPuff, 2 Chicken McGrill with cheese - 364 Rs ). So, finally after a tough day with updates and alterations, I was free. I started watching the  next episode of CSI:Miami. I got the confirmation mail regarding the interview for NuMantra technologies on Friday, 10:00 am. I was just looking through the status updates and posts on my facebook page, when I came across this video:

It is just amazing to see that how a video of a Racer in some corner of the world, and at the some other time can inspire you so much. Being the emotional fool, I started crying, well, at least my eyes filled with tears. Given the recent events in my life, I was truly very inspired by this. The background music was so appropriate for this video, I search for it specifically and found out that it was a song named "Forever Reign" by HillSong. I listened to it many times after that. This small event made me change the title of the post from just -"Bad Day !" to the one at the top. My conscious resonated with the thoughts presented in the video, and I learned the same lesson again - the one in the Gita - Do your work, don't expect rewards. Well, after that I started writing this post, and now I plan to watch another episode of CSI:Miami and then sleep at around 2:30 am.

Diary 4: Osama Bin Laden dead? Really ? I am not that sure about it.

Yesterday I slept at around 2:30 am, and today I woke up at around 10:15 am, to attend a conference call with Gil and Ankit. I had already told Gil that I will attend the call from home as I was too tired from yesterday's heavy work. Anyways, the call was just a half an hour call and ended at 11:00 am. In the call, we were assigned some new work which was pretty much simple and straightforward. After the call ended, Ankit told me that we will meet in office. I said that I will leave in a while, after starting the work. Somehow, I got stuck in the starting itself due to faulty schema definition files. I figured out the main problem and told Gil about it. He advised that I make a new project for now, and we can deal with the version problem later. So, I started working on the new project and was on full flow, so I decided that I will continue working from home and not waste any time. Time was flying by and soon it was 2 pm. Ankit had already reached office by 1 pm, but the internet connection at office was giving some problems. Sushma was also online today, since she was back from her one week holiday. Anyways, before Ankit could say anything I told him that I ran into an issue with some files, and hence had to clarify them with Gil, and since I didn't want to waste 2 hours, I stayed back. He understood the point, and afterwards took the updates from me regarding the new task. I had already divided the work between us, again assigning him the lesser portion of the pie (since I want to reap the maximum benefits of the task). I had a quick lunch at around 2:45 pm, and again started working. I completed my part of the new task around 4:30 pm, but then Gil came along with some other task, which unfortunately I had to do, since Ankit had not yet finished his part. So, I again started working. Meanwhile, I also started watching the ongoing IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Punjab online. I was eager to watch this, because it had Sachin Tendulkar. Mumbai was the first to bat, and started off slow, losing the wicket of David Jacobs in the first few overs. But then, Sachin and Rayadu introduced some stability and accelerated the run flow. The commentators today were criticizing Sachin because he was playing slowly, but in my opinion he played very nicely, understanding the slowness of the wicket, and also understanding the importance of his presence on the crease. He also regained the Orange Cap, and made a 45 ball fifty. Mumbai lost few wickets in the middle, but managed to get to 159 their 20 overs, which many people said is not enough as the wicket was good for batting conditions. I had my doubts regarding that. Anyways, somehow multi tasking between work and IPL, I saw the second half right through. Punjab didn't start well, they lost Gilchrist early, and Valthathy was on an all time low, with strike rates nearing 30-40. Punjab was also finding it difficult to make runs, and lost wickets in the middle overs. In the end, Mumbai won by 23 runs, and won back the first position from Rajashthan Royals with 12 points from their 8 games. Meanwhile, Ankit was facing some problems integrating my code with his, and so he sent it over to me to verify, and few manipulations, I was successful in doing that. So, I sent it over to both Gil and Ankit at around 7:15 pm. I was now free, finally, with all action items closed. So, I went to the drawing room and started watching the news. Well, today there was a huge announcement made at an international level by the president of US - Barrack Obama. At 8:30 am IST, he announced that Osama Bin Laden has been killed at Abbottabad, a place in Pakistan, some 50-60 kilometers north of Islamabad. Everyone reacted - the international press, the world political leaders, Pakistan government, Indian government, Indian media, Pakistan media. Most of them focused mainly on two points - Credibility of Pakistan on issues of Terrorism and Praise of US president in capturing the "most deadly" terrorist of the present times. When I saw the news, I was practically laughing at the ignorance and US biased nature of discussion. Very few, I mean, limited to numbers which can be counted by a kid studying in nursery, were actually asking the right questions - Where is the proof that Osama Bin Laden is dead ? Nobody saw any video or photograph. Why was his body buried at sea ? (may be to conceal evidence of DNA etc). Why this happened just in time, when Obama's popularity was on the decline, and was on his way to run for president for the second time?. Well, I need not tell myself why. I pity on those who cannot understand the real motive. People still think Osama Bin laden was the 9/11 mastermind, without asking any questions. This is not just the 10 years from 9/11 to today, the disease has been here for a much longer duration, more than anyone can imagine now. Good luck to the citizens of United States, but they have fooled yet again. Well apart from all this, tonight my mother said that she is tired of cooking. Hence, we ordered food from outside - veg noodles, veg machurian, chicken fried rice and chicken in barbeque sauce. I liked every item other than veg manchurian. Well, I was not much interested in the second match which was being played today between Delhi and Kochi. The epitome is that Delhi performed badly yet again and Kochi were fabulous. I returned to my room, to check my mails etc at around 10:30 pm. I also had a small chat with Gil, who fixed 9:30 am as tomorrow's call timing. I was fine with it, and I informed Ankit also. Then, started writing this post, and now I plan to watch two episodes of CSI:Miami, before I sleep at around 2 am.

Diary 3: Busiest Day in recent times

Yesterday I slept at around 3:15 am, and today I woke up at 10:30 am. There was supposed to be a call that time, but it was postponed to 12:30 pm. Within this time, I had my breakfast, watched some TV (found out that the AIEEE paper leaked, and the exam was postponed by 3 hours) and then started watching another online episode of CSI:Miami. It was 12:30, and so I joined in to the conference call where we were discussing the issues and solutions to that, but suddenly I got dropped off the call because of bad internet connection. I guess there is too much load on MTNL's broadband connection in our society as everyone is home and using the net abundantly. Anyways, this hiccup forced me to kill the tab where the CSI:Miami episode was fully loaded. As expected, the net was working fine after that. I joined in again, and the call started again, but soon Gil's internet connection gave away and he too got dropped off. So, the call ended at around 1:45 pm, and we waited for Gil till 2:00 pm.Well, he never came back, but most of the issues were clear, and hence I told Ankit that I will work on the old version and later copy paste the work in the new version. It was not very late till I realized that the changes and additions are too many. I took a deep breathe and started working. I ate my lunch quickly at around 2:45 pm, and continued working, without a care in the world. Well, soon it was 4 pm, I wanted to watch the match between Rajasthan and Pune, so I disconnected from the net, and took my laptop to the drawing room, with the 42" LCD TV. So, the next 3 hours or so I was multi tasking between work and IPL. Pune performed terribly, after getting a very good start, and somehow managed to score just 143 in their 20 overs. Rajasthan were very patient in their chase, and although Pune tried hard to pull things back, a fabulous innings by Ross Taylor crushed their aspirations into million pieces. This win put Rajasthan at the top of the table, but they have played two games extra as compared to Mumbai Indians. At around 7:45 pm, I connected back to the net, and found that Gil had sent the updated version of the project to us. I downloaded all the required files, and started updating the project with my changes. I was deep down into work, and the time flew by. After sometime Ankit sent his updated part of the project, and told me to update my part of the project there. Meanwhile, there was an IPL match going on between Chennai and Deccan Chargers, and since I couldn't disconnect from the net, I started watching it online. So, again I was multi tasking between IPL and work. Chennai played superbly Today, although they started very slow. They were just 96 in 15 overs, but ended up at 165 in 20 overs with some cruel hitting from Morkel, Dhoni and Raina. Morkel hit three consecutive sixes against Ishant Sharma, and two of them went out of the ground ( 88m, 109m, 114m). Deccan Chargers started off in an amazing fashion, but somehow lost their way in the way. All credit goes to some awesome bowling and fielding by Chennai, who pulled the game back from a crisis situation, and ultimately won it by 19 runs. Meanwhile, I had a quick dinner at around 10:15 pm. After that, I started working on consolidation and verification of the project. There were few errors and bugs on the way, but I fixed those and finally sent the project to Gil. Gil thanked me for my effort and asked me whether a 10:30 am call is fine with me. I agreed, and added that I would take it from home, and then head to office later on. He understood my point and agreed. After that, I took another deep breathe and just relaxed for a while. Then I started writing this post. Now, I plan to watch the unfinished episode of CSI:Miami and sleep by 2:15 am.