Yes, I am back to US. I have escaped the winters twice but this time I guess I have to go through the icy stuff. Being a madrasi, anything less than 8 deg celcisus is cold and this city seems to provide -5 Farenheit. One part of me does not like this winter stuff but the other part wants to move in the snow.
I am married now, but my wife is in India and the interview date is a long way off (4 months). I have been with my wife for only 1 moonth after marriage and again back to bachelor days! I have asked my company guys to speed up things, but not much seems to be happening now. I guess it will be more fun if she can join me before the winter. (Keeping fingers crossed x). Konjam polambal mathiri irruku.... but my wife does that everyday with me and she is certainly not very fond of the persons responding to her H4 queried from my company. One person even mentioned she had resigned and my wife innocently believed that !!
Hoping for the best for now.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Saturday, August 06, 2005
The Real BOSS
Scientists at the Rocket launching station in Thumba, were in the habit of working for nearly 12 to 18 hours a day. There were about seventy such scientists working on a project. All the scientists were really frustrated due to the pressure of work and the demands of their boss but everyone was loyal to him and did not think of quitting the job.
One day, one scientist came to his boss and told him - Sir, I have promised to my children that I will take them to the exhibition going on in our township. So I want to leave the office at 5 30 pm.
His boss replied - O K, , You are permitted to leave the office early today. The Scientist started working. He continued his work after lunch. As usual he got involved to such an extent that he looked at his watch when he felt he was close to completion. The time was 8.30 p.m. Suddenly he remembered of the promise he had given to his children. He looked for his boss. He was not there. Having told him in the morning itself, he closed everything and left for home.
Deep within himself, he was feeling guilty for having disappointed his children. He reached home. Children were not there. His wife alone was sitting in the hall and reading magazines. The intuition was explosive; any talk would boomerang on him.
His wife asked him - Would you like to have coffee or shall I straight away serve dinner if you are hungry. The man replied - If you would like to have coffee, i too will have but what about Children???
Wife replied- You don't know - Your manager came at 5 15 p.m and has taken the children to the exhibition.
What had really happened was the boss who granted him permission was observing him working seriously at 5.00 p.m. He thought to himself, this person will not leave the work, but if he has promised his children they should enjoy the visit to exhibition. So he took the lead in taking them to exhibition. The boss does not have to do it every time. But once it is done, loyalty is established.
That is why all the scientists at Thumba continued to work under their boss even though the stress was tremendous.
By the way, can you hazard a guess as to who the boss was????
He was the great A P J Abdul Kalam , President of India.
One day, one scientist came to his boss and told him - Sir, I have promised to my children that I will take them to the exhibition going on in our township. So I want to leave the office at 5 30 pm.
His boss replied - O K, , You are permitted to leave the office early today. The Scientist started working. He continued his work after lunch. As usual he got involved to such an extent that he looked at his watch when he felt he was close to completion. The time was 8.30 p.m. Suddenly he remembered of the promise he had given to his children. He looked for his boss. He was not there. Having told him in the morning itself, he closed everything and left for home.
Deep within himself, he was feeling guilty for having disappointed his children. He reached home. Children were not there. His wife alone was sitting in the hall and reading magazines. The intuition was explosive; any talk would boomerang on him.
His wife asked him - Would you like to have coffee or shall I straight away serve dinner if you are hungry. The man replied - If you would like to have coffee, i too will have but what about Children???
Wife replied- You don't know - Your manager came at 5 15 p.m and has taken the children to the exhibition.
What had really happened was the boss who granted him permission was observing him working seriously at 5.00 p.m. He thought to himself, this person will not leave the work, but if he has promised his children they should enjoy the visit to exhibition. So he took the lead in taking them to exhibition. The boss does not have to do it every time. But once it is done, loyalty is established.
That is why all the scientists at Thumba continued to work under their boss even though the stress was tremendous.
By the way, can you hazard a guess as to who the boss was????
He was the great A P J Abdul Kalam , President of India.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Self Appraisal
A little boy went into a drug store, reached for a soda carton and pulled it over to the telephone. He climbed onto the carton so that he could reach the buttons on the phone and proceeded to punch in seven digits.
The store-owner observed and listened to the conversation:
The boy asked, "Lady, Can you give me the job of cutting your lawn?
The woman replied, "I already have someone to cut my lawn."
"Lady, I will cut your lawn for half the price of the person who cuts your lawn now." replied boy.
The woman responded that she was very satisfied with the person who was presently cutting her lawn.
The little boy found more perseverance and offered,"Lady, I'll even sweep your curb and your sidewalk, so on Sunday you will have the prettiest lawn in all of North Palm beach,Florida."
Again the woman answered in the negative. With a smile on his face, the little boy replaced the receiver.
The store-owner, who was listening to all this, walked over to the boy and said, "Son... I like your attitude; I like that positive spirit and would like to offer you a job."
The little boy replied,"No thanks, I was just checking my performance and the job I already have.I am the one who is working for that lady, I was talking to !"
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Got Engaged !
Yeah, finally the day of my bachelorship are over and I am moving towards the couples area. I got engaged to a beautiful girl on the 4th of July (American Independence Day). No chance of forgetting that date. :) This is very much an arranged marriage with horoscope match and all the works. Yes, I am back in Chennai for now. Lucky me !
Friday, April 29, 2005
Repair Problems
The paper machine's speed controlled drive system was down and the company was losing $10,000 anhour in profits. They placed an emergency call to theGeneral Electric repair service and, since it was 3:00am on Saturday night, the only repair man they had available was old Charlie.
Old Charlie had been a repairman for 35 years andwas only two years from retirement. He had seen it all and wasn't impressed by much.
As old Charlie pulled up to the guard shack at the plantentrance, he was waved through and greeted by no one less than the plant manager. "Thank goodness you'rehere. How long will it take you to fix it?"
Now Charlie had had nothing more than the sketchiest description of the problem but he replied without hesitation, "Oh, about fifteen minutes."
"Great!" replied the plant manager, "My men will show you where the drive controls are and get you anything you need."
After three hours of testing, reading prints, asking questions, the drive system was still not working.The plant manager became increasingly enraged and accosted old Charlie,
"I thought you said you could fix this thing in FIFTEEN MINUTES!"
"I can and I will, " he replied, "As soon as I figure out what's wrong with it!"
Old Charlie had been a repairman for 35 years andwas only two years from retirement. He had seen it all and wasn't impressed by much.
As old Charlie pulled up to the guard shack at the plantentrance, he was waved through and greeted by no one less than the plant manager. "Thank goodness you'rehere. How long will it take you to fix it?"
Now Charlie had had nothing more than the sketchiest description of the problem but he replied without hesitation, "Oh, about fifteen minutes."
"Great!" replied the plant manager, "My men will show you where the drive controls are and get you anything you need."
After three hours of testing, reading prints, asking questions, the drive system was still not working.The plant manager became increasingly enraged and accosted old Charlie,
"I thought you said you could fix this thing in FIFTEEN MINUTES!"
"I can and I will, " he replied, "As soon as I figure out what's wrong with it!"
Monday, April 18, 2005
Pavement Drawings
I found this guy brilliant. He is an excellent artist. Take a look at his page.
http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/pave.htm
http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/pave.htm
Google Maps
Hey, Check out the satellite image view (link on that page) here. It is really brilliant of Google to do something like that ! Now the chances of getting lost is even minimum and you do not have to go for a costly GPS system. Hah !
The next step will be a virtual walkthrough or should I say a driving experience!!!
Any plans for this ?
The next step will be a virtual walkthrough or should I say a driving experience!!!
Any plans for this ?
Buzy with Car Purchase !
Mmmmmm...Finally my car purchase is over. It had gone well over 2 months. Finally I came upon the technique which works.
1. Search for the car in Craig's list (Private seller). http://www.craigslist.org/ (This list is useful for a whole lot of other things also) Also check out these websites also: http://www.autotrader.com/ and http://www.cars.com/go/index.jsp
Check MSN Auto for reviews on your car and whether it has a recall and user's reviews: http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/default.aspx?make=Mitsubishi&model=Mirage&src=map
2. Check the VIN number in www.carfax.com for any salvage/damage title, odometer fault. If yes, forget the vehicle. If things are clean, next step is
3. KBB value at http://www.kbb.com.
4. Finally contact seller, take a drive and if you find things good, then take to a mechanic or dealer for a 100 point inspection.
You can request the seller to meet you, most of them oblige (specially Indians in US). If you don't have a car and are dependent on friends, you can mention it to the seller, he will mostly come, except in exceptional cases.
If the car has cleared the 100 point inspection also, yes, the car is good. Go ahead and strike a deal with the seller. Try to purchase at the good KBB value of the car, if you do not get it for any less.
5. The next step is change of ownership title. You will have to register this at your local DMV office.
Not so fast..
6. U need a smog certificate
7. Also an insurance certificate to drive the car. (providing u hold a licence). You will find that the IDP can also be used. Get one before you come to US. You can complete an online quote and deal for the insurance. Companies like Progressive (the best one so far), GEICO(the costliest), Allstate (very costly and unfriendly). Also, join up AAA, they offer you maps and roadside assitance 24x7 for punctures, empty gas tank and towing services for the next 1 year.
I have given below the format for car follow-up.
S.No - 1
Year - 1998
Car Brand - Mitsubhi
Variation / Model - DE Sedan Mirage
Miles - 97000
Condition - Good
Asking Price - 4000$
Mail ID - mail id of seller
Where ? - Craig'slist (shortcut)
VIN - 123456789ABC1234
KBB Value-Fair - 2850
KBB Value-Good - 3950
KBB Value-Excel - 4600
Contact Name - ABC
Contact Number - 1231231234
CarFax Report - Rental Use but Good
Lastly but not least base your car purchase based upon resale value and car movement. Better to go for Japanese cars since they sell faster and last longer (upto 2 hundred thousand miles or more) The good brands would be Acura, Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Mazda.
Any one needs any other queries answered, please place a comment, I shall get back to you.
1. Search for the car in Craig's list (Private seller). http://www.craigslist.org/ (This list is useful for a whole lot of other things also) Also check out these websites also: http://www.autotrader.com/ and http://www.cars.com/go/index.jsp
Check MSN Auto for reviews on your car and whether it has a recall and user's reviews: http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/default.aspx?make=Mitsubishi&model=Mirage&src=map
2. Check the VIN number in www.carfax.com for any salvage/damage title, odometer fault. If yes, forget the vehicle. If things are clean, next step is
3. KBB value at http://www.kbb.com.
4. Finally contact seller, take a drive and if you find things good, then take to a mechanic or dealer for a 100 point inspection.
You can request the seller to meet you, most of them oblige (specially Indians in US). If you don't have a car and are dependent on friends, you can mention it to the seller, he will mostly come, except in exceptional cases.
If the car has cleared the 100 point inspection also, yes, the car is good. Go ahead and strike a deal with the seller. Try to purchase at the good KBB value of the car, if you do not get it for any less.
5. The next step is change of ownership title. You will have to register this at your local DMV office.
Not so fast..
6. U need a smog certificate
7. Also an insurance certificate to drive the car. (providing u hold a licence). You will find that the IDP can also be used. Get one before you come to US. You can complete an online quote and deal for the insurance. Companies like Progressive (the best one so far), GEICO(the costliest), Allstate (very costly and unfriendly). Also, join up AAA, they offer you maps and roadside assitance 24x7 for punctures, empty gas tank and towing services for the next 1 year.
I have given below the format for car follow-up.
S.No - 1
Year - 1998
Car Brand - Mitsubhi
Variation / Model - DE Sedan Mirage
Miles - 97000
Condition - Good
Asking Price - 4000$
Mail ID - mail id of seller
Where ? - Craig'slist (shortcut)
VIN - 123456789ABC1234
KBB Value-Fair - 2850
KBB Value-Good - 3950
KBB Value-Excel - 4600
Contact Name - ABC
Contact Number - 1231231234
CarFax Report - Rental Use but Good
Lastly but not least base your car purchase based upon resale value and car movement. Better to go for Japanese cars since they sell faster and last longer (upto 2 hundred thousand miles or more) The good brands would be Acura, Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Mazda.
Any one needs any other queries answered, please place a comment, I shall get back to you.
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Paranormal Phenomena - Amazing Human Abilities
Long time out. Been busy with trip to US. I am lucky in one way. I got to CA. Comparitively climate is like Bangalore and a bit colder once a while. So far good. Cost of living is a bit high though.
I found this good site on paranormal phenomena with realistic examples. Contains examples of people with X-Ray eyes, No food for 65 years, Levitation, ESP et all . Found it as interesting reading. Check it out.
I found this good site on paranormal phenomena with realistic examples. Contains examples of people with X-Ray eyes, No food for 65 years, Levitation, ESP et all . Found it as interesting reading. Check it out.
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