Picking Sides on the Job
April 14, 2011 ~ 08:59am
When I look back at my days working for a Fortune 500 (actually 10) company, I learned that often business can be just personal - the people, not the principles. A well informed employee sometimes needs to determine with which "side" they need to align in order to get their job done. As an engineer, it was not uncommon that neither side really wanted to do the right thing. They were just taking positions.
A previous manager of mine came to rely on my opinion on some technical matters. Of course this wouldn't preclude me from commenting on non-technical matters. Whenever I wound up sitting by her in a large meeting or conference hall, I would be quick to provide advice on the potential impending situation. I tried to determine that if a battle broke out between the different sections of the hall, which side we should join in order to be victorious. Also where best to hide if a big robot tore off the roof and started snatching people up. And equally as important: which co-workers would last longer against zombie bites before becoming zombies themselves. ... She never out-right admitted it, but I know she appreciated the anticipatory brilliance of my non-trivial suppositions.
This is just another example of how no previous co-worker, team or business unit has ever regretted having me on their side.
A Late New Year Reset
January 31, 2011 ~ 09:31pm
Today started what I hope will be an end to my meandering thoughts on life. The month of January has been quite an exhilarating 31 days. A few weeks ago, in a surprise even to myself, I left the cubicle culture of the "mega-corporation" that I gave over 6 and 1/2 years of my life. (I have plenty of reflections, but I will save those for another post). And this morning, I stepped into a more demanding role at a smaller company where the work is more challenging, the hours longer and most importantly the rewards are much better. ... While I'll still be sitting in a cubicle, the environment, people and responsibilities have little semblance to my past setting.
... I had been planning a trip to Spain (to visit my cousin) for February, but due to the circumstances I decided to go ahead in January as a treat to myself. I came back last week after touring Barcelona, Seville and Madrid. In a sentence: one of the best trips of my life. I could write novels on that, but again, some other day.
So apologies in advance, my inbox has been flooded since December and work/life/etc. has just been a total mess ... my computers are in boxes :( ... I hope to be situated and back in some sort of rhythm in the next month or so.
And to conclude this positive post: the net effect of the recent set of events (trip included) is that I feel like a totally different person. I am so looking forward to 2011 and beyond ...
St. Patrick's Day
March 17, 2010 ~ 08:16pm
I've always found it a bit ironic that St. Patrick's Day occurs during Lent. Some Catholics (not all) typically forgo some indulgence as a form of discipline and self denial in the 40 days prior to Easter. And some Catholics (not all) create an excuse to allow this holiday of sorts to be an exception to Lent. It can be a further disappointment when St. Patrick's Day happens to coincide with one of the Fridays in Lent - which in NO uncertain terms are deemed as days of fasting and abstinence. Luckily this year that did not happen.
One such season where this it did occur was in the later half of my university years. By chance the Bishop granted dispensation for that Friday in Lent. One could make up their fasting on their own, but essentially everyone could interpret this as a "free ticket". Not considering how silly this may sound to a non-Catholic, I casually mentioned this to my colleagues waiting for lecture to start one morning. Perhaps I added a bit of enthusiasm, I don't know, but I will never forget uttering the sentence that began with: "The Bishop says...". And they didn't allow me to forget it either.
Till the end of the semester, the response to anything I said would always begin with: "Don't worry, the Bishop says it's okay" (or something to that effect). ... It's fine, they weren't really mocking my religion (my Hindu buddies would never do that). Honestly, I thought it was pretty funny too, even though it got on my nerves sometimes.
Anyways, while many surrender their attention to a pint of Killian's, wearing green or perhaps kissing the Blarney Stone - on St. Patrick's Day I am left to ponder what the Bishop might say.
A Modest Look Back Over 2009
January 1, 2010 ~ 06:27pm
Happy New Year! I started writing this yesterday, but didn't get a chance to publish.
This last year was quite an revolutionary year. Lots of up's and down's, hello's and goodbye's and some serious shakeups in the workplace. I want to list some of notable points about the last year. There is really no major order, anything and everything that came to mind I added.
Some of the positive things...
- Had 4 memorable fun trips this year.
- High point: U2: 360
- Best CD I purchased: Coldplay: Prospekt's March off Amazon (actually 2 CD's)
- Best DVD I purchased: The Departed off Ebay (I'm cheap)
- Smartest purchase: some running shoes
- Musical talent I found most fascinating in 2009: Lady Gaga (yes, I admit it)
- Best 2009 Movie I saw: Up from Pixar (so sad, but yet so sweet)
- The "family" grew not once, but twice
- Someone I thought for sure would never get hitched actually tied the knot - there is hope after all
- Old friends: 1 engagement announcement, 1 baby on the way announcement and 1 yes!-i'm-finally-a-daddy SMS!
- I took the time to really learn something about investing
- I finally tried Netflix, I feel stupid for waiting so long - and they have so many bollywood/hindi flicks
- Along the lines of Netflix, also came to enjoy Redbox - how can you beat $1/day rentals?
- I got Windows 7 Ultimate for free, and I hate to admit I really like it
- Coolest gadget I should have bought much earlier: Playstation 3, so many things you can do with this thing
- I DID NOT get laid off from my job
And some of lower points...
- Sad farewell to my Uncle
- Missed a chance to visit China (major bummer)
- Realized I need to be more careful on my diet and lifestyle ... the gut is here
- Lots of disappointing movies in 2009
- Terminator: Salvation - had such a b-movie feel to it
- The Hangover - previews were much better
- Star Trek - Star Trek should not be sexy!
- Not many good places to eat outside of the new office location
- Most annoying personality of the year: Glenn Beck
- Many friendly intelligent colleagues disappeared from the workplace, hope they learned something
- I DID NOT get laid off from my job (there's a flip-side to everything)
Of course there are many things that I can't quite categorize. I had a few personal epiphanies (many go beyond the scope of this blog).
- I realized in the past that I have been quite the luddite. I can't beleive how often I have resisted change.
- I realized I have no concrete goals. (That's probably the nicest way to put it)
- I don't really know anything about investing. Years of reading still seem like you're missing something.
- Deadlines really do make the world go round.
And about this new decade that begins with 2010, I have some hopes and fears. Sadly, they start with health care. America you really messed up. When HR says things like "consumer driven options" it is code for "you are screwed". I can deal with that since I am relatively healthy and not in any position that something will bankrupt me, but others? I'm not so sure. ... And will the movie and music industries get a hint already: adapt or the torrents will destroy you! ... Netflix, Redbox and on-demand streaming: maybe cable TV is no longer necessary? ... And the real gem for this coming year: more Android phones! (even though Google is beginning to scare me).
And in conclusion, I did actually pick one real resolution: I resolve to stay single for 2010. Tougher than I originally thought...
Happy New Year
An Avatar For My Credit Card
December 30, 2009 ~ 09:33pm
A few days before Christmas I decided to watch Avatar with my brothers. I don't visit theaters often, so I thought it would be fun to watch it in IMAX 3D (based on great past experience). Considering it was the holiday season with more crowds the box office, I opted to purchase tickets online for a reserved seating show (a first for me). For security, I used a temporary credit card number (like I always do) and printed my confirmation/receipt and went to the theater a few hours later. I didn't think much of it.
At the Showcase Cinemas I waited in line to get my physical tickets and was told that they could not give them to me unless I had the actual credit card with me. So, like any place, I had to talk to the manager. He politely informed me that my confirmation number is inadequate (useless) and he "can't release the tickets from the system". He could not even cancel the seats which were already paid and re-issue them. The system does not provide for that feature. Before he let us pass and get our seats, he asked me to call back later and provide the credit card number. Apparently, that is the only way the theater can actually get paid for the tickets that technically movietickets.com sold me. I agreed and saw the movie.
About the movie, quick synopsis: Attractive blue monkey-tigers in a computer generated paradise world who mind meld their appendages with nature have to fight off stereo-typical technologically advanced civilized people-soldier-strip-miners with the help of a crippled former soldier psychically connected to an artificial monkey-man hybrid which is known as an Avatar. Basically the plot of Furngully: The Last Rainforest redone by the guy who did Terminator 2 and Titanic (with the stuffings). Really good stuff really, however unoriginal. The animation was gorgeous. The only let down was the IMAX 3D did not even come close to exploiting its full potential. Fun and exciting movie nonetheless.
The great irony for me: the movie's theme was clearly anti-technology. I think the blue monkey's mother deity glow stick willow tree was trying to tell me something: pay in cash you moron. I got the message.
When I got back to my computer, I debated whether I should call back. Economically the theater chain should take a hit and fix their broken system they have with their sales and marketing partners. Why should I be punished for being responsible for my online security? But alas, its Christmas dontchaknow, so I called back with the number. On the receiving line the clerk basically said people forget their cards all the time. So no major worry for me. Hmmm.
The moral of the story is: you can't trust the system.
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