Thursday, November 30, 2006

I need thy SUPPORT!!!!

This beautiful photograph has been captured by a friend of mine, Abinash.
Dude, I am using it here without your permission. I trust that you will forgive me ;)

Well, As you would all be knowing by now. My project has gone LIVE! Now it's SUPPORT Time!!!
Stuff not happening...Analysts complaining....Users complaining....Business being affected....And it's a miserable time... ;(

Lord, I need you SUPPORT to make the project support go smoothly. As you have guided us throught our life, please guide us through this phase too!
And my Lord replies,

I know that faith is easy when everything is going well
But can you still
believe in Me when your life's a living hell?
And when all the things around
you seem to quickly fade away
There's just one thing I really want to know

Will you let go? (I'll trust you, Lord)
Will you stand on My word?
(I'll trust you, Lord)
Against all odds will you believe what I have said?
(I'll trust You, Lord)
What seems impossible ... (I'll trust You, Lord)
Will you believe? (I'll trust You, Lord)
Every promise that I made will
you receive? (Yes, I will trust You, Lord)


Thanks you Lord!
TLT


Sunday, November 26, 2006

Victory at Last!!!

Yipeee!!!! The project I was working on went LIVE!! A massive morale booster for all of us!
Today, I am reminded of a beautiful poem by Emily Dickinson named "Success".
I will just quote the first verse. If you are interested to read the complete poem please click here

Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne'er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.

You know; when you are a software engineer, and that too a passionate one, you tend to treat your project as your kid. And you would certainly want the best to happen to him/her. I have had the traumatizing experience of losing one of my kids, so this SUCCESS sure tasted much sweeter..

But as all roads to Success are, this one was not without it's fair share of fights and challenges!!
But we overcame them all!
CHEERS to all of us who made this happen!!
I am thankful that I was blessed with exceptionally brilliant colleagues who challenged and overcame all obstacles that came our way. Thank you friends!

And May GOD Bless Us All.

Your pal,
TLT

P.S> I thank you Lord for helping us overcome our challenges. Please keep your watch over us, your most humble sheeps.



Friday, November 24, 2006

This life is most jolly!!!

"Blow, blow, thou winter wind,
Thou art not so unkind
As man's ingratitude;
Thy tooth is not so keen
Because thou art not seen,
Although thy breath be rude.
Heigh-ho! sing heigh-ho! unto the green holly:
Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly:
Then, heigh-ho! the holly!
This life is most jolly.



Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky,
Thou dost not bite so nigh
As benefits forgot:
Though thou the waters warp,
Thy sting is not so sharp
As friend remember'd not.
Heigh-ho! sing heigh-ho! unto the green holly:
Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly:
Then, heigh-ho! the holly!
This life is most jolly."


This is an amazingly simple poetry by William Shakespeare.
When I read this there is only one thing that comes to mind -
LIVE! For you have just one earthly life...
LIVE! For there may be no tomorrow...
LIVE! For LIFE is most jolly...

This poem inspires us all to look in the face of adversity and still have the strength to urge oneself to put a brave face... and to stay happy!

Stay HAPPY! God Bless!

Cheers,
TLT

Thursday, November 23, 2006

The Lone Ranger

For how long has Tendulkar stood out like The Lone Ranger amidsts the other indian batsmen who heave and puff whenever there a decent opposition bowling attack?
Na I didn't mean for you to answer that!!
It was supposed to be a rhetorical question ;-) (*Wink...Wink).
Just take the Durban ODI (played y'day 22nd Nov 06) for instance. India getting bowled out for a meagre 99 runs and Tendulkar scoring a third of them.
My fav news channed ISTARRR News had rightly called the match " Durban ka Darr!!!"

But it's not an Old Western any more; where a Lone Ranger could demolish a pack of tobacco chewing, gun slinging Outlaws!!! He calls for support....

Is there anyone who can hear???
Dravid...Dhoni...Sehwag...Anyone???

P.S> Same has been the case with Brian Charles Lara.... But slowly the WI team is learning to share responsiblities! Hope this rubs onto us Indians too.

Cheers,
TLT

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Counting days!!!

Got a MAJOR project release coming up this weekend!!! I hope everything goes well!!!
My travel plans to India, so much depends on its success!!!



Dear Friends, Please pray for this deeply troubled soul!!!

Ur pal,
TLT

P.S> A friend commented that my nick (The Lonely Traveller) was too long... I agree.
TLT sounds much cooler ;)

P.P.S> I am counting days.. 2 more to go for the release!!

P.P.P.S> On top of everything else, I have put my faith in my Lord! And as usual, I believe that he'll never disappoint me ;-)

Monday, November 20, 2006

Tales from Down Under...


The battle for the ashes is one of the most eagerly awaited sporting events of this year. As the battle is edging nearer, there is so much of buzz around.
"Jones surprise recall!!"
"Marcus Trescothic's sad departure from Australia, probably even from cricket!!"
"Monty Panesar being called a stupid Indian by some weird spectator, who probably left his brains back home!!"

This seems to be the only challenge that the English Cricket Team fights to WIN. I personally don't think that the English team can create an impact during the World Cup, but this Ashes series they might be able to dent the Aussie psyche....
Maybe enough that allows the other teams a chance for the Glorious World Cup.

I sincerely hope that Flintoff and his gang beat the crap out of the haughty Aussies!
And that's my heart speaking... My mind, for obvious reason, doesn't think that the Aussies cannot be beaten in their backyard.

P.S> A sampler of how mighty the Kangaroos think they are:
"We've got Stuart MacGill sitting in the dressing-room, so if all else fails we just bring him and Warnie out and I'm sure the Pommies ... they'll all be going home with depression."

Tact and sympathy from Jeff Thomson

Friday, November 17, 2006

To News or Not To News.....


If you have been following ISHTARRR News for some time you would be aware of their main area of expertice.
You guessed right. It's MASALA!!!
I think ISHTARRR News is fighting a batle against IshTimes Of Bharath.
The winner takes it all!!! "Who is more Masaledaar?"

Note: The last time I read it maybe an year back it was full of the same MASALA
...just a tad milder!

And its not that I dont like MASALA, I love it provided it's within my digestible range ;-)

I can quote examples from the last couple of weeks that would make you pull out all the hair from ur head....
Disclaimer: "The author has no intention of creating a bald readership. Any case of balness, total or partial, arising from reading this article cannot be blamed on the author!!!"

1> Ramu ki Sholay--> "Sirf Esha ban sakti hai Basanti!!!"
Interviewer speaking to Hema Malini: "Aapko pata hai Ramuji Sholay ki remake karne wale hain!"
Hema: "Yes"
ISTHM: "If you has a choice, whom would you cast in your role of Basanti?"
Hema: "Ji, Agar mujhe poocha jaye, to obviously mein apni beti Esha ko hi recommend karoongi."
NewsReader: "App logon ne sahi suna! Hema ji ka kehna hai ki Basanti ka koi kirdaar nibha sake to bas unki beti Esha hai!!"

My Expression at this stage: "What The F***!!! Hema never said that???

2> Indian Cricket Team--> "Cricket -- Yeh Dil Mange Money Money !!"
Some wierd guy: "Indian Team ka kehna hai ki woh tayyari nahi karenge Africa ke daure se pehle"
"Tendulkar team ke liye bahut hi kharab role model sabit ho rahe hain!"

My Expression at this stage: Disbelief!!! Most of the youngsters want to be Tendulkar...
What's wrong with the Media?? Even Sehwag joined the team a Tendulkar clone!!!

SWG, continuing his monologue: "Tendulkar ne abhi ek advertisement shoot kane ke liye ek poora din bitaya.
Unse inspired hokar, Dhoni aur Pathan ne bhi ADIDAS ke liye ramp par chad gaye. Kya yehi sikha rahe hain Tendulkar apne juniors ko??"

My Expression at this stage: "WTF!!!" And I change the channel.

3> Rahul Dravid's Captaincy: "Captaincy Zaroori, Ballebazi nahi!!"
NewsReader: "Rahul Dravid ka kehna hai ki unke liye sirf captaincy zaroori hai ballebazi nahi.
Aaj kar nets par bhi woh practice nahi kar rahe hain Dravid"

Now they show a clip from press conference with Dravid.
Dravid: "Ya I am batting well these past few months, but the team is not been able to acheive much success.

My Expression at this stage: Shocked.. as the clipping has no relation to the Headlines!!!

4> Ravi Chopra: "Phir banegi Mahabharat---Rani banegi Draupadi!!"
Interviewer speaking to Ravi Chopra: "Aapki Mahabharat mein, draupadi ka role to Rani Mukherjee nibha rahai hai"
Ravi: "Nahi aisa nahi hai... Abhi to script bhi finalize nahi hui hai. Casting to hum script ke baad hi start karenge"
NewsReader: "Ravi Chopra ki 100 Crore ki Mahabharat mein Rani Banegi Drapadi!!"

Same news continued:
Interviewer speaking to Mukesh Khanna: "Aapke Bhishm Pitamah ka kirdaar, Amitabh Bachachan nibhane wale hain! Kya kehna hai aapko iske bare mein?"
Mukesh Khanna: " Mahabharat phir se banana bahut mushkil hai."
NewsReader: " To dekhiye, Mukesh Khanna ka kehna hai ki unka kirdaar nibhana Amitabh ji ko bahut mushkil ho sakta hai.."

My Expression at this stage: I throw the remote at my roommate, who take a diving single handed catch.
And then I issue a waring: "Is ghar mein aur kisi ne ISHTARRR News lagaya to uski khair nahi..."


Have a good day!

Ur pal,
The Lonely Traveller

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Gazzag mujhe gussa na dila!!!!!!

I was shocked when I opened my gmail account yesterday! 90% of my mails were from friends who were sucked into the Gazzag Trap...
From an acquaintance who was dumb enough to sign up for Gazzag, I understand that as part of the signup, they offer to import all friends from Orkut. Gazzag then took it upon themselves to email all people in his friends list.... And, that included me too ;-(

I am really shocked to know that so many of my friends are interested in social networking that so many of them have signed up for it. And there have even been instances when people have actually mailed back and told me that it was not done intentionally ;-P

Ha ha...

Anyways, I hope this issue subsides soon!


And for heaven's sake
PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP ON GAZZAG!!!!

P.S> I am really bitter today. I don't know why. I even shouted back at a poor li'l gal..... I guess it was because I had so litle sleep in the past 2 days...

I think I should apologize. Sorry dear!!!

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Life on Earth...


I haven't written a short story for very long time. The last one I remember writing one was
"Addiction".

So when this theme came to me, I couldn't resist.
So here it goes...

Alan Goodman was a very lonely man.
He had recently broken up with his wife after 10 years of marriage, 8 of which were near blissful!!
Well, I guess, you are intelligent enough to guess what happened with the other two.
The court had punished him further by granting custody of their only child, the cherubic little Wendy, to the mother.
Dissapointed with life after the divorce, he chose to move to a smaller town. He assumed that life would be simpler if no one knew him.

The packing was almost done, barring a few pictures of his family. He did not want to keep the pictures. Every glance at those pictures... those wonderful times... those beautiful memories.... gave him jitters. The pain was too much to bear. For one last time he thought....for one last time I shall cry!! And tears rolled over like the thunderous rains.

O Lord! Why have you forsaken me!!! He dropped on his knees and kept sobbing.

He got back on his feet, gathered his luggage, and locked the doors one by one behind him. One last glimpse at the beautiful house, which once was his home! He pulled the gate shut and did not look back.

He thought he was safe now. Safe from all the pain and anguish... safe from the world... away from the life that had caused him enough grief.
He walked slowly to the railway station. He looked up at the clock tower outside the station. It read 14:10.
Another twenty minutes for the train he said to himself.

Entering the station, his caught sight of a beautiful girl. She was wearing the most beautiful dress that he had ever seen... an emerald green scarf that accentuated the light green color of her eyes.
She looked back at him and smiled. He did not know what do so he looked away.

She walked towards him and said : "Alan! Is that you? Remember me? Cathy! We met at the Christmas luncheon last year."
He remembered her very well. They had met at a party and had hit off instantly. But, today he was in no mood for unnecessary banter.
So he looked into her beautiful green eyes and rudely replied :"Sorry! I don't!".
And he glanced down for a moment and then stared back at her.

He could see her expression change. It was like the bright blue sky was being covered up with a gloomy cascade of dark clouds.
Tears welled up in her eyes. "I am so sorry.", she barely managed to mutter and walked off.

He turned to look at her, but she was gone in an instant! It was at that moment that he realized what a fool he had been.
LIFE had given him a second chance, and he had even let that slip by.

His train had arrived at the platform. He stepped in and sat down at a window seat. there was no one around. His whole life revolved around his eyes.
He reflected at the mistakes he had committed... his decisions... and he realized that it was he who had designed his life.
He could not blame anyone else. He was responsible for his own life.

He broke the promise... and cried again!!! There was no one to hear.. no one to console... Just then, he remembered he had the work revolver with him.
He pulled out his bag, and took out the revolver. He felf the cold metal against his skin. The chill gave him shivers.
14 years of service and he had never got an opportunity to use it. Maybe he had saved it all for today!

He raised the barrel to his forehead. He remembered Wendy's face. He remembered the look on his wife's face when she first saw Wendy.
He smiled and cried at same time. His fingers slowly pressed the trigger.

"Tring! Tring!" It was his mobile phone.

He kept the gun aside, and received the call. It was his daughter on the line. "Papa! I already miss you. Mom said that you can pick me up this Sunday".


Tears and prespiration rolled down his cheeks.

"I will Wendy! I will." He cried with joy.

LIFE had give him another chance and he wasn't a fool to miss it this time.

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Chasing colors


Hi Dudes and Dudettes,
I had heard a lot about the beautiful autumn colors from a lot of friends, so decided to give
Winkworth Arboretum a visit.
The head arboretor told us that the best time to visit the place would be the first week of November.
So off I went....chasing colors.

And trust me! It was worth a visit. Don't believe me? Look at the pics again!!!










P.S> The colors are going to stay at least a week. So, if you get time you know where to go!

Cheers,
The Lonely Traveller