Whatever it is, it is worth blogging.
This morning, I woke up with a very positive vibe, dreaming about Tirumala and my favorite Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy, the Kaliyuga Avatar of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu.
I had a wonderful coffee, sent some very positive official notes to offshore teams.
I went to the train station, a colleague of mine said, "Ram looking like a hero, very stylish with all that muffler etc." I smiled. The fact is that I wear the same muffler atleast every alternate day, then why is it only today. I am at my best dressing every day, because fashion is one of my passions too. My Friday dressing to work is always well though and well noticed. And a compliment on Friday dressing happened to me many times. Today's compliment is different because of the series of events that happened though out the day.
Then I was at work, and there is an email from Dan Demers, the client manager, worldwide project team to solve puzzle that is partially work related. It read as, "Kudos to those who solve this simple puzzle!". I always will be the person to participate in such kind of things, for that matter any kind of competition, though I know, I have no clue of it. Just to give you an example, I participated in Quiz competitions, while I very well know, my General Knowledge is Zilch! What is the point in going! I learnt to face failure! I learnt my weaknesses! I gained confidence and strength! I am not ashamed to lose, but proud to participate!
I am not ashamed to lose, but I am proud to participate! ~ Ram
(A caption that evolved on the fly.)
Having said this, coming back to the mornings puzzle on email. Already couple of people responded with their answers in lightening speed. I was sure they were wrong. And, I am sure it is a simple puzzle yet tricky. Then I worked on the puzzle, was confident that I should be able to solve it. But due to the other official emails that caught my attention, I did not focus on this puzzle. I left it half way and an hour passed. By then, few guys have responded, and it was fun seeing the responses. I worked on it and sent the answers, and there comes the response, "Kudos goes to Ram!" Here is the actual extract of the email.
"Kudos goes to Ram! Others who replied before (and after) Ram, please look to Ram as a problem solving role model. Others who failed to reply, look to those who replied as email management role models and Ram as both an email management and problem solving role model." ~ Dan
Coming to this appreciation, it is more than what is required appreciation for solving this simple puzzle. Why is that? Maybe it is because of the consistent performance evaluated by the client, the positive re-enforcement that is observed over a period of time by the client, or the much awaited and long due ones that are combined into this day. I do not know for sure. But this happened and I am Happy.
Following the email trails, I have seen thank you notes which, I received from my team members. This is because, I manged to get nominations for Polaris Hall of Fame, from the client for my team members.
My Friday's are usually with less meetings as I would prefer to relax at office, after four week days of intensive meetings and hectic hours, loads of work at office. Suddenly, my desk phone rang, and I responded without watching the displayed number. I was pleasantly surprised by beloved wife, Swapna. She called me to my desk number to say 'I LOVE YOU!". I was all relaxed at work, so had a good chat with Swapna and Srimaye untill some other colleague called me. I swapped the call only to tell that I will join the meeting in 10 minutes, finished the call with Swapna "aaraam se..." and got back to work.
As I skipped breakfast today, I was hungry and went for an early lunch. Early to me is 12noon, as my lunch time is usually between 1.30 and 2.30. Sometimes it would be even as late as 3 or 4pm. (Yes, I get into workaholic tendency often). I walked down the subway, to TD Center Food Court. The choice was between Indian, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Thai apart from the regular Subway, Mac Donald's, Pizza etc. I chose to eat Thai food which, pleasantly reminded me of my wonderful bachelorhood days at Singapore. I went to Thai eatery, to the counter and ordered Combo 2, which is Fried Rice, Golden Chicken and Bean Sprouts. Whenever I order in Canada, i have this feeling (maybe I am wrong) that their servings are really small for the price they charge. Today, I felt that the servings were extra large. I savored and relished the meal.
Work in the afternoon, went at really rapid pace and suddenly, I completed many things. I was delighted. Then in the evening, came home, I was hungry and so had Dosa for snacks. The Green Chutney which Swapna made was delicious. I completed writing Ramakoti for the day. I have the habit to watch porn, and today I didn't feel like watching it.
While checking my emails, I have seen a message that came from Facebook friend, Vipul. Vipul and I are online friends on Orkut for a couple of years now and also talked over the phone a couple of times. The basic connect happened on Orkut as both of us are born on January 11th. We both wish each other on our Birthday. It is kind of interesting, unique and funny to say "Thank You!, Wish You The Same!" for a Birthday wish. In school, I remember, there was my classmate called Rajitha who was born on Jan 11th. Then there is my uncle "Murthi Chinnanna Garu" from Bhimavaram, who is born on January 11th. More on birthdays later.
Now, coming back to the facebook, This was Vipul's message on facebook.
"Vipul Prakash Pandey problem with life : (1) when I am serious about it , its in a jolly mood and in a world of her own . & (2) when I am in a jolly mood , it expects me to be the most serious of all those in this world ....... fish me , darn me , ........ HELL was THE right place .... all INCOMING no OUTGOING ..... phew ..... introducing people.... a finally all broken VP."
I have responded to his message on the wall this morning.
In the evening, when I checked his response, I was amazed and wondered again to myself, whatz happening today. This is Vipul's response.
Vipul Prakash Pandey: ram ..... i am astounded ..... bro ... was searching for such an audacious reply with THAT positive vibe .... people say its friendship .....i say its LOVE ..... hats off bro ..... HAIL U MAN !
Again, Vipul's reaction amazed me, particularly, it is again happening today.
After this was done, I was chatting with another orkut friend, Vivek. Vivek and I are friends for past one year or so. Our connect is through ISKON and the vibes of the chants
"Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Krishna, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare"
We started to chat and Vivek, shared his personal concern regarding his career progression with me. We chatted on at length, by the end of it, he started off with a "Renewed Spirit"!
Another positive thing today is this blog itself. It has been quite sometime that I have written a blog and I am cherishing these moments and this day.
Life is Living Loving Learning and Laughing!!
For those who know Telugu, these are the lines of the song "nenu puttanu, ee lokam edchindhi, neenu edchaanu, ee lokam navvidhi..." from ANR's movie Devadasu (I guess).