I venture into something today. This is another first step !!
Do visit: Spectrum
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
911? We have an emergency !
Disclaimer: All characters in this episode are real. Any resemblance to anybody living or dead is purely intentional. However, names have been made weirder to protect their identities and me from getting beaten up. I have tried my best to keep it short - Apollo..jeese !! ,if I have strayed at times.
Scene I - Ominous signs
"Here he comes ..." said Bob "We were looking for you. Infact, I was just about to call you.." as I came walking down the aisle. Micky was there with her hands clasped tightly in prayer , talking to Bob. She had a horrible expression on her face. "What happenned? " I asked perplexed. "Did you know about Santhosh? " asked Bob . "Nope.." I remarked a bit surprised. "He complained of a chest pain !" Micky blasted out " But no need to worry!! We have called the 911 and they are here. They are taking him to the hospital !!". For a moment, I couldn't believe what I just heard. About 30 odd minutes back I had seen my roommate happy and healthy. And now "Chest Pain"...."911"..."Hospital". OMG!!
"Where is he? What happenned..But he was ok..I saw him an hour back !" now I pressed the panic button. "They have taken him down to the ambulance. They should be administering first aid. Might take him to the hospital if required..." said Bob and I could see a desperate supportive nodd from Micky. Amidst the Chaos, a small crowd had gathered there whispering, wondering...and I could hear some "How old is he? ".."Oh just 26 !!"......."But how come ..its too early.." . Bob was trying to pacify me that it might as well be a muscle pain, but I had gathered myself by then. The only thing that was bothering me was the fact that to my knowledge he never complained of any muscle pain. "I can drive you to the hospital. " suggested Bob as I stood there wondering "Hari, Prasad and Vasu have already left ..." he added.
Scene II - Ambulance
To my relief, I could see the ambulance parked outside as I ran downstairs with Bob. Vasu was there right in front. "What happenned?" I checked. "No Idea...I was at my seat when I heard about it...But seems its all ok..No need to worry..I saw him smiling when he was taken in." told Vasu. Now what the heck was that ? "Smiling...?? ". Trying to gather hints, I looked through the dark glasses of the blinking maniac motor infront of me. No way!!.... couldn't make out anything ... Just a few human silhouettes moving inside..!! Then at one instant..I think I saw that - a wave of the hand..? "Was that him ..., signalling at us ? " I thought... or may be a figment of my imagination !
Bob was trying to calm down the situation telling us that the ambulance was a self contained unit. It would have all medical equipments and if it's just a muscle pain, then the patient will be let out soon. Hari and Prasad too had appeared at the parking lot by then. As we stood there awaiting an almost certain let out....the driver sprang a surprise. He jumped in and drove the ambulance out of the parking lot !!
Scene III - At Bon Sacour's Hospital Emergency Ward
My hypothesis of the situation was getting more unconvincing and I was a bit worried ...more so because I couldn't get a glimpse of Santhosh and assess his condition myself. Hari and Bob had checked with the lady at the emergency reception. "Please have a seat . I'll let you know in another fifteen minutes" came the response. Prasad was answering a few calls on the phone.. "No that wont be required. We are still waiting. Let me see how things are. I'll call you back...." . Somebody had alerted Santhosh's employer and they were calling in to check if his parents back in India be informed. Now, that was the last thing you would want .. !!
Meanwhile, Hari explained how Santhosh had complained about a mild chest pain spreading to his arm. Both had gone down to the office First-Aid room to check the BP. Hari intelligently tested the manual sphygmomanometer first on himself and then on the patient. No luck !! Steady 120/80 for both. "We can try a digital meter at the nearby Walmart" suggested Hari. "Nope.. thats fine...!!" said a reluctant Santhosh with a grin "Lemme see If I can get somebody here who knows to operate this...". Hari had left him there ... and...The next thing he heard was 911.
As the wait continued, Prasad's cell was shrieking again..and he went out to answer the phone.. A couple of minutes later..he came back with something to cheer "Guys, it's Santhosh !! He 's all right...still under observation. The doctor has taken an X-ray and an ECG. They are waiting for the results !! " cried Prasad.
A big relief for us - poor souls !!
Scene IV - Missing Links
It took atleast 2 hrs before we could barge into his room. Mind you !! It was good to see him there - allright and Smiling... ! . "ECG - normal, BP/Pulse - Normal. It could be a chest wall pain, or a muscle strain" - thus came doctor's observation, as he handed over some documents on "Uncommon chest pain".
All of us were eager to know what had happenned....and we let the Hero of the Evening speak...and this was his side of the story :
He had approached Josephine, hopeful of finding somebody who could operate a BP meter (better than Hari). Josephine - She 's the all in all @ Owens&Minor ...anything you need..just run unto her. "There is a girl up in 3rd floor who's 'certified' to operate this. I'll get her. BTW, Micky can you find her extension please..." said Josephine. Micky stood there listenning !! Probably she just heard what she wanted to hear. She grabbed the phone and made a call...and then one more ..... - was that a three digit number ??
Minutes passed as Our hero stood there waiting... for BP girl to come. Now what was that...There were four men walking right towards him, dressed in blue uniforms. "What's happening? " he asked. "Its ok we'll take care.." said one as he drew an Oxygen mask !! "Please put on this..". "No I dont need this ..oomph..ompph.." he muttered as they forced it on him. "Don't worry the stretcher is coming !!" said the blue man. "What!! Stretcher? " thought our hero and..... then....before he even thought he could react... it was all over..!!
Scene V - The Real Attack
This is how the system works here... But the important thing is that some system exists ...and some other day that one phone call..'n all this fundu....would have saved a life ! That was our Moral of the day !
The whole episode was hilarious enough that Santhosh remained our hero for two more days. He was famous....! But fame cost him too much....Three days later a 1,800$ bill was sent across !! I know what you are about to do..no..don't...do not convert !
Now that can cause a real heart attack ...Mind you !!
Scene I - Ominous signs
"Here he comes ..." said Bob "We were looking for you. Infact, I was just about to call you.." as I came walking down the aisle. Micky was there with her hands clasped tightly in prayer , talking to Bob. She had a horrible expression on her face. "What happenned? " I asked perplexed. "Did you know about Santhosh? " asked Bob . "Nope.." I remarked a bit surprised. "He complained of a chest pain !" Micky blasted out " But no need to worry!! We have called the 911 and they are here. They are taking him to the hospital !!". For a moment, I couldn't believe what I just heard. About 30 odd minutes back I had seen my roommate happy and healthy. And now "Chest Pain"...."911"..."Hospital". OMG!!
"Where is he? What happenned..But he was ok..I saw him an hour back !" now I pressed the panic button. "They have taken him down to the ambulance. They should be administering first aid. Might take him to the hospital if required..." said Bob and I could see a desperate supportive nodd from Micky. Amidst the Chaos, a small crowd had gathered there whispering, wondering...and I could hear some "How old is he? ".."Oh just 26 !!"......."But how come ..its too early.." . Bob was trying to pacify me that it might as well be a muscle pain, but I had gathered myself by then. The only thing that was bothering me was the fact that to my knowledge he never complained of any muscle pain. "I can drive you to the hospital. " suggested Bob as I stood there wondering "Hari, Prasad and Vasu have already left ..." he added.
Scene II - Ambulance
To my relief, I could see the ambulance parked outside as I ran downstairs with Bob. Vasu was there right in front. "What happenned?" I checked. "No Idea...I was at my seat when I heard about it...But seems its all ok..No need to worry..I saw him smiling when he was taken in." told Vasu. Now what the heck was that ? "Smiling...?? ". Trying to gather hints, I looked through the dark glasses of the blinking maniac motor infront of me. No way!!.... couldn't make out anything ... Just a few human silhouettes moving inside..!! Then at one instant..I think I saw that - a wave of the hand..? "Was that him ..., signalling at us ? " I thought... or may be a figment of my imagination !
Bob was trying to calm down the situation telling us that the ambulance was a self contained unit. It would have all medical equipments and if it's just a muscle pain, then the patient will be let out soon. Hari and Prasad too had appeared at the parking lot by then. As we stood there awaiting an almost certain let out....the driver sprang a surprise. He jumped in and drove the ambulance out of the parking lot !!
Scene III - At Bon Sacour's Hospital Emergency Ward
My hypothesis of the situation was getting more unconvincing and I was a bit worried ...more so because I couldn't get a glimpse of Santhosh and assess his condition myself. Hari and Bob had checked with the lady at the emergency reception. "Please have a seat . I'll let you know in another fifteen minutes" came the response. Prasad was answering a few calls on the phone.. "No that wont be required. We are still waiting. Let me see how things are. I'll call you back...." . Somebody had alerted Santhosh's employer and they were calling in to check if his parents back in India be informed. Now, that was the last thing you would want .. !!
Meanwhile, Hari explained how Santhosh had complained about a mild chest pain spreading to his arm. Both had gone down to the office First-Aid room to check the BP. Hari intelligently tested the manual sphygmomanometer first on himself and then on the patient. No luck !! Steady 120/80 for both. "We can try a digital meter at the nearby Walmart" suggested Hari. "Nope.. thats fine...!!" said a reluctant Santhosh with a grin "Lemme see If I can get somebody here who knows to operate this...". Hari had left him there ... and...The next thing he heard was 911.
As the wait continued, Prasad's cell was shrieking again..and he went out to answer the phone.. A couple of minutes later..he came back with something to cheer "Guys, it's Santhosh !! He 's all right...still under observation. The doctor has taken an X-ray and an ECG. They are waiting for the results !! " cried Prasad.
A big relief for us - poor souls !!
Scene IV - Missing Links
It took atleast 2 hrs before we could barge into his room. Mind you !! It was good to see him there - allright and Smiling... ! . "ECG - normal, BP/Pulse - Normal. It could be a chest wall pain, or a muscle strain" - thus came doctor's observation, as he handed over some documents on "Uncommon chest pain".
All of us were eager to know what had happenned....and we let the Hero of the Evening speak...and this was his side of the story :
He had approached Josephine, hopeful of finding somebody who could operate a BP meter (better than Hari). Josephine - She 's the all in all @ Owens&Minor ...anything you need..just run unto her. "There is a girl up in 3rd floor who's 'certified' to operate this. I'll get her. BTW, Micky can you find her extension please..." said Josephine. Micky stood there listenning !! Probably she just heard what she wanted to hear. She grabbed the phone and made a call...and then one more ..... - was that a three digit number ??
Minutes passed as Our hero stood there waiting... for BP girl to come. Now what was that...There were four men walking right towards him, dressed in blue uniforms. "What's happening? " he asked. "Its ok we'll take care.." said one as he drew an Oxygen mask !! "Please put on this..". "No I dont need this ..oomph..ompph.." he muttered as they forced it on him. "Don't worry the stretcher is coming !!" said the blue man. "What!! Stretcher? " thought our hero and..... then....before he even thought he could react... it was all over..!!
Scene V - The Real Attack
This is how the system works here... But the important thing is that some system exists ...and some other day that one phone call..'n all this fundu....would have saved a life ! That was our Moral of the day !
The whole episode was hilarious enough that Santhosh remained our hero for two more days. He was famous....! But fame cost him too much....Three days later a 1,800$ bill was sent across !! I know what you are about to do..no..don't...do not convert !
Now that can cause a real heart attack ...Mind you !!
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
If........
A one inspirational poem, that I read years back when my English teacher forced me to learn it. Unable to capture it's beauty at that age, I mugged this up for the exams. But one of these days as I went crawling through the net... came across this and lo here it is...
--
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!
-- Rudyard Kipling
--
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!
-- Rudyard Kipling
Friday, March 31, 2006
" Too legit to quit "
About 15 miles east of Glen Allen on I295 - one of the three interstate highways connecting
One thing that wouldn't escape your eyes for sure is the gorgeous cafeteria. Well it's quite a feast usually - steaks, salads, sandwiches, snacks, fruits bowls, soft drinks - bottled/fountain ...blah blah..lots more but hei ...... There is no free lunch mate..you got to pay for all this :-( !!". The menu changes every other day and newer tempting items appear. I couldn't help thinking about the canteen we had back in
Mingling with coworkers has not been an issue, probably because I had known many of them for quite sometime. Besides, people are very friendly. The work environment is quite different from what one could imagine from offshore. For anything and everything there are subject matter experts and your job is just to find the right person for the right task. Their efficiency and dedication are quite impressive. But having said that, they make sure that there's enough fun at work place.
Baseball is a big craze here and so is college basketball. Most cubicles are adorned with pictures of huge favorites - player posters or colorful team logos. I remember this particular incident when I went out for lunch with two of my American colleagues. A discussion about sports was going on and then one of them told me how crazy he was about football. And very innocently I asked him "So, you watch English Premier League..eh?" and he replied with a strange look "No mate, you got me wrong. I am talking about football..the real football". I realized my folly... and apologized...""Oh, Sorry I thought soccer!!".
"I have heard that
Ajith "2 legit to quit" Nair..that's the name they have given me. My colleague managed to get this printed for my name board. Here's what he explains "These are the verses from an early 90s song which basically means 'somebody who doesn't quit easily' ". Wow..thank you" said I and promptly pasted it on the board. "Actually you ought to be named FNG" he said.. "And what the heck is that?” I remarked. "Oh..just.. Fun New Guy!" he replied and with a giggle continued - "Infact replace Fun with the 'F' word and add an 'ing' !!"
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
From Virginia with love!
I know this has been late...it's been quite a while since I scribbled something here. I do owe an apology to some of my friends who have been repeatedly pestering me for updates since I landed here in
And so..this is my first post from Virginia - a beautiful green state on the east coast of the United States of America about 90 miles south of Washington DC...DC as it is called here. East coast - supposedly the most developed region in the US, boasts of biggies like New York, NJ , Boston...can keep on naming them...
The only other city that I had seen by then was
One fact that I have learnt from valuable sources is that politeness and courtesy of people vary indirectly with the population and degree of development of a city. Well...coming from
Tho bechara ye alien landed here at
Now as I write this piece stretching on an ergonomically designed plush chair in my cubicle, I am pretty much settled physically and mentally. For when I landed here, I felt like singing "Swargathilo njan swaptnathilo...". The excitement of that order is slowly dying down...but
"Saadhanam kayyil onde...."
Monday, January 30, 2006
Watching the Champion !!
One more Grand Slam final!! This time for a change a different opponent - Baghdatis, but result is the same. Roger Federer scripts one more famous Grand Slam victory to kiss the Australian open cup.
Well when you see him play....you might shake your head to sink in that it's a Grand Slam final. Looking at his visage, you may be tempted to think that probably you are more concerned than he himself. That's Federer for you. His strength is his character. You might very well argue for talent, grace, poise or elegance but I believe it's his toughness. The belief, that things can't go beyond his control - his control over the game and the opponent.
Spare a thought for the rivals - you try your best, play the best tennis in life, sweat, plead and reach the finals. There…. the "Saint" awaits. By the time you start realizing that the match is lost, you comprehend one more fact - That you are the latest one in the long queue of his worshippers!!
Congrats to Roger Federer on winning his seventh Grand Slam !!
Well when you see him play....you might shake your head to sink in that it's a Grand Slam final. Looking at his visage, you may be tempted to think that probably you are more concerned than he himself. That's Federer for you. His strength is his character. You might very well argue for talent, grace, poise or elegance but I believe it's his toughness. The belief, that things can't go beyond his control - his control over the game and the opponent.
Spare a thought for the rivals - you try your best, play the best tennis in life, sweat, plead and reach the finals. There…. the "Saint" awaits. By the time you start realizing that the match is lost, you comprehend one more fact - That you are the latest one in the long queue of his worshippers!!
Congrats to Roger Federer on winning his seventh Grand Slam !!
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Inspired by Howard Roark !
Oflate I have had the privilege to read Ayn Rand's masterpeice - "The Fountainhead" - A timeless classic that has inspired and tranformed people for almost 70 years. The novel portrays an American society of early twentieth century when the threat of collectivists stranglehold is looming.
Howard Roark - the protagonist is inspirational. An egotist who opines that man lives primarily for his own good, and his own needs. Being creative, he believes that a creative mind can never belong to the altruist. Creativity stems from a man's selfishness and not from his concern for the society. From time immemorial, Creator worked for his own ego...his desire to practise what he likes or believes. Philanthropist - the culprit, took it for the common good.
In a collectivist society, there are no individual opinions,thoughts or reasoning. Any and every decision is a compromise. It's a kind of servitude - where men are slaves of men. Men who are made and unmade by public opinion. Men who use others and let themselves be used. A bunch of non-creative parasites that stagnate civilization.
Roark - an individualist remains unaffected by society. Amidst clamour, protests, and propaganda he holds his head; stands firm for his believes and silently, single-handedly fights the menacing collectivist beast swallowing the American society.
Howard Roark - the protagonist is inspirational. An egotist who opines that man lives primarily for his own good, and his own needs. Being creative, he believes that a creative mind can never belong to the altruist. Creativity stems from a man's selfishness and not from his concern for the society. From time immemorial, Creator worked for his own ego...his desire to practise what he likes or believes. Philanthropist - the culprit, took it for the common good.
In a collectivist society, there are no individual opinions,thoughts or reasoning. Any and every decision is a compromise. It's a kind of servitude - where men are slaves of men. Men who are made and unmade by public opinion. Men who use others and let themselves be used. A bunch of non-creative parasites that stagnate civilization.
Roark - an individualist remains unaffected by society. Amidst clamour, protests, and propaganda he holds his head; stands firm for his believes and silently, single-handedly fights the menacing collectivist beast swallowing the American society.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
The New Year Post
As one more year passes by, we stand and behold the trails - the left overs. Haunting moments of success ..elation ..disaster and desperation. Moments - defining ones, gems - treasured in mind...lost in time!
Again ...again we stand at the altar,like fresh and fragrant buds awaiting the new sun. We always loved ...its pure ...its chaste. And there it cometh, spreading a million wings of hope...poised in tranquility. We kneel and bow our heads in reverence....! As whispers 'n wishes waft the new scent, we revel in joy unbridled! We dance..we bathe in glory..our minds errupting!
And then we live...we live the New Year !!
Again ...again we stand at the altar,like fresh and fragrant buds awaiting the new sun. We always loved ...its pure ...its chaste. And there it cometh, spreading a million wings of hope...poised in tranquility. We kneel and bow our heads in reverence....! As whispers 'n wishes waft the new scent, we revel in joy unbridled! We dance..we bathe in glory..our minds errupting!
And then we live...we live the New Year !!
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