I have good news and I have bad news....

My car has been loyal, dependable and fairly stable to this point in life. I have driven it for almost 2 years now. And while that may not seem like a long time to have a car, it is a very long time for my car. Poor thing has been involved in numerous (mis)adventures with me. It was blinded by a bus (BMTC) on day one during the test drive. Happy-looking cows have sat on its bonnet and left the outline of their shaply backsides on it. Coconuts have made landing on its roof. It was even tested for flotation once (all accidently, of course)! It has been towed away twice by the Tiger (police) and its "pretty" owner had to make an appearance in court to regain its possession.

Well, the bad news is that the poor thing is unwell today. A problem with its “Alternator”. I don't exactly know what an alternator does, but evidently it is serious because my car can't function without it. I thought cars were like humans. You know, we can live without our appendix, gall bladder, some parts of the intestine or our limbs can fall off and we stay alive. But I guess with cars all the parts are necessary.

My car has never broken down or left me stranded in an unsafe place. All in all, my car has been great. It gets me to where I need to go, puts up with my tantrums and bad driving. Occassionally, it makes a lot of odd sounds, but then don't we all once in a while? :)

The good news is... My car is totally fixable. A new alternator (am I even spelling that right?) will give my poor baby a new lease of life. Its resting today in the garage and will be back tomorrow looking almost as good as new.

Grow Old With Me..

They stood on the pavement waiting to cross the road. The elderly couple must have been well over 60. As I looked at them, I noticed something which made me quite mushy. They were holding hands. awwww.. that was the sweetest thing I saw in a long time. I smiled, wondering if I will ever be lucky enough to have someone’s hand to hold like that when I am sixty. It was touching to see how implicitly she trusted the frail old man to take her safely across.

The signal came red and we all started to cross. It was then that I noticed how the old man walked. He was shaky, trembling, with an unsteady gait. He nearly stumbled as he stepped off the pavement. I was stunned. Ah, but the sweet old lady in pale pink clamped his hand firmly in hers and led him across confidently. I stood on the pavement, watching the couple reach the other side safely. The signal went green and the stream of vehicles started again. I was all alone there.

Am reminded of John Lennon's Grow Old with me.. So apt for what I am feeling.

Grow old along with me
The best is yet to be
When our time has come
We will be as one
God bless our love
God bless our love

Grow old along with me
Two branches of one tree
Face the setting sun
When the day is done
God bless our love
God bless our love

Spending our lives together
Man and wife together
World without end
World without end

Grow old along with me
Whatever fate decrees
We will see it through
For our love is true
God bless our love
God bless our love
-- By John Lennon

Look after yourselves, people!!

My little brother has been hospitalised as a result of him working himself to exertion. There is only so much our bodies can take.. after all we are human. It started with shooting pain in his back and hands and progressed to him losing sensation in his hands and then to a partial paralysis. The signs were all there for a long time but he chose to ignore them. Now he is bed-ridden and in a traction. Docs have advised that if the excruciating pain does not subside in the next 5 days, he may have to undergo surgery for his back. And this is at age 24!!

I told PJ about my bro and he immediately forwarded me this email. With noble intentions, he (PJ) subscribes to all sorts of gyan but like all of us falls prey to the system. Read this.... you'll get the message:

> Today's Stress Tip: Don't be the martyr!
>
> You may think there's something noble and courageous in
> working excessively, missing meals, losing sleep, failing
> to exercise, depriving yourself of leisure, and basically
> running yourself into the ground. In fact some industries
> and organizations actually glamorize this sort of destructive
> work ethic.

> Don't fall for it. In an emergency situation, yes, extraordinary
> effort may be briefly required. But every day? You're not doing
> yourself or your family any good by trashing your health and
> mental well-being. Stop playing the embattled warrior chasing
> after short-lived gratification. If you want to be a hero, stay
> fit, eat healthy, live sensibly...and be happily more successful
> over the long haul. Why make yourself crazy?

Well, people take the advise and look after yourselves. I can only quote my bro's example. And please pray for him. The next 4 days are crucial.

Also an apology is due to AB. I know you meant well. I am bothered AB and sorry for being so flippant then. Just can't admit that I am wrong. I will take care. I promise!

Things that make me go mmmmm

Death-by-Chocolate at the Corner House. Black-forest cake on scoops of vanilla ice-cream topped with liberal amounts of chocolate sauce and cherries. DBC! It’s de.li.li.cious!! Yummm...

Bryan Adams crooning Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?. His voice sends a tingle down my spine every time I hear him. So do the lyrics of this song ... soulful!

Casablanca. Ok so I’m a sucker for romance and old films and Humphrey Bogart. Can’t help it if he makes me go mmm mmm mmmmmm

The Mini Cooper. Without doubt the most adorable girly car on the road. The petite cute looks has me lusting to lay my hands on it mmmmm

A long and luxurious hot bath. Specially one smelling of oranges and lemons. mm mmm nice.. Also Back rubs and massages. mmm mmmm *bliss*

Calvin and Hobbes. Reading C&H on a Lazy Sunday. Perfect way to spend the day. hmmm

The Nokia 7280. It looks good enough for me to contemplate switching from my old and antiquated Nokia 7250 but I’ve a feeling I won’t really use it much. Ah well..I can still go mmm, can’t I?

Steven Gerrard. He might not be the best-looking or the best football player around but his ooomph factor is way up there.

Intelligence. Instant turn on mmmmm

Have you been Bangalored yet?

Bangalored adj. for a corporation, project, or employment, having been relocated to India; having lost business or employment due to such a relocation.

Hmmm.. Bangalore is on its way into the dictionary after Shanghai. Cool eh?

Where I have been?

I haven't blogged for some time. So, what's new ? A few people have sent me mails, possibly more to ascertain whether I am alive and kickin' more than to complain they miss my blog. I understand!!

Well dearies, life is full and brim, no reason to complain and busy enough to keep me away from this blog. "But where have you been", you ask? And the answer is "Recruiting".

I wonder, "where have all the good men (and women) gone?" The quality of people in the software industry has deteriorated so badly. I have practically been working or traveling for hiring every weekend for the last 2 months. We had 2 walk-ins (mass melas) at our office in Bangalore. I traveled to Trichy, Chennai and Hyderabad for interviewing. Met over 275 candidates. Made offers to 34 of them. Only 22 of them joined.

All the positions are still not closed and the pressure to do so is tremendous. Our Rec Manager collapsed under the pressure and resigned. It was GG to the rescue again!! The big boss magnanimously handed over that responsibility too to me.

We have also been busy with planning for the next financial year: Budgeting, Training Plans, Recruitment Plans, KRAs etc etc. Didn't somebody say about planning--something like -- "Plans are not important, planning is"? Well, we have a review of the plans with the Pointy-Haired boss tonight; let's see how that goes.

On a separate note, I am totally broke, as my entire salary has been coughed up by the great Tax department!! and that was not enough for the Government. They are now planning to take away the little respite we had in the form of reimbursements also from next financial year!! If someone out there is feeling generous, please contribute the "Survival Sona" Fund.