What ever I do, I find you. September 10, 2009
Posted by Ken in fellow bloggers, ideas, life, opinion.Tags: abrupt, conversation, dialogue, Expression, Feeling, Friends, Fun, humor, Pass time
13 comments
In long desert, infinite desert, while walking I saw the mirage. Something like that happened to me today. The best thing is that my mirage was actually oasis. Very small but very sweet.
That Oasis was a mail from MJ. He shares birthday with Michael Jackson, like I do. So MJ is good name. But only for now coz it is not the best name. Before you ask let me tell you MJ is my birthday brother I referred earlier as Aiyla. I told you I did not like the name much.
Mini Post July 26, 2009
Posted by Ken in life, uncategorized.Tags: abrupt, diary, life, Pass time, thoughts
16 comments
I need to do something to keep posting more regularly. I wish posting from cell phone was cheap and convenient. Currently it is neither of them. Nonetheless, let me be abrupt at least.
I am finally settled in the place now. Singapore. I must say it is not as cosmopolitan as I had thought and as my friends propagated to me. Hmnn .. No problem I am here and will learn to enjoy this place.
Basic facts. I have an apartment, non-typical HDB. A good house. Water, gas, electricity working & running. Internet connection activated with free phone and unlimited locals. No cable TV. We have decided to save S$30 a month. We includes my two colleagues, my boss and RK. They are roommates as well in this 3 bedroom HDB. Rent of S$ 2400 is little higher than what we had intend to pay. I am sure you are not interested in these details. But I need to hone my skills to write something better. (more…)
Confidence – answer to your questions Pa May 12, 2009
Posted by Ken in ideas, life, opinion.Tags: linkedin
7 comments
Other day over the lunch Pa asked me a difficult question. Pa is my roomie and like a young brother (in fact he respects me like elder brother). He asked me how I am so confident? I think he wanted to know how do one stay confident? Pa’s real concern is definitely for his career.
I did continue to ponder over it for a while. I did told him something which was irrelevant. I said it because I had to say something. Honestly no good answer really clicked. I started having doubt on self and Pa’s confidence that I am confident. 
I fumbled for a while, shuffled pages of dictionary to find that meaning and answer. (more…)
sound of silence November 22, 2008
Posted by Ken in life.Tags: diary, gibberish, life, opinion, routine, Story, thoughts
9 comments
Last Saturday, a old friend took me to Worli Sea Face. The place require no introduction to most Mumbaikars. For years we had been hanging out in suburb Ghatkopar; A home to my school, college, and place where I made all my childhood and teenage friends. For no reason this is the place where I find myself most comfortable. Sachin told me that instead meeting in Ghatkopar let us meet somewhere else; he was tired of meeting and eating in Ghatkopar.
The Secret June 19, 2008
Posted by Ken in after thoughts on articles, life, opinion.Tags: books, life, linkedin, opinion, Review
6 comments
Ask – Believe – Receive
Yes this is secret to happiness, wealth, love and all you wanted in your life according to this book by Rhonda Byrne. Yeah, this is a three step process to get all those things you ever dreamt and desired. Rhonda Byrne and many happy, healthy and wealthy folks (in her book) like her have reiterated zillion times that this is the only secret to life. Law of Attraction forms the basis for her book and all the people she named in the book claim that it works in your favor if you use the way she said and these people did.
In Alchemist Paulo Coelho said the same thing with amazing play of words and poetry. I loved it to the core. But primary difference between a Brazilian and his Australian counter part is putting in effort, the hard work, the endeavor and the exertion. Paulo says follow your dreams. Do what it takes to achieve what you want, and you have always dreamt. The whole universe will work towards achieving that for you.
(more…)
Loneliness June 14, 2008
Posted by Ken in life, uncategorized.Tags: Cities, Friends, life, opinion, Personal Story
6 comments
6 years. On June 13 I had left home to work with company in Pune. It was my first job as computer programmer. I had done couple of small stints with uncles, cousins and dad. One with my uncle was fun. With cousin it was painstaking accountancy job. Amazingly boring. Data entry, debits and credits, phone calls and businessmen all around. Sounds dud haan?
With dad it was kind of strange. My job was that of caretaker. Go open the shop till he comes. Customer never came to us; my dad was salesman on the go. Mumbai trotter (Globe trotter) kind.
Leaving Mumbai was easy, I always loved the city I was born and raised. But I never had such great affinity as I have today. It is so true; a human being never values what he has. He is always in search of something different and new.
After living in 4 different cities, and 2 different continents today I miss Mumbai more than anything else. When I say Mumbai, I am talking about my family, extended family, and extra extended family. My few friends; very few. I do not even need fingers to count them, forget about tips.
(more…)
Testimonial … a personal compliment. April 23, 2008
Posted by Dreamer in guest bloggers, uncategorized.Tags: Friends, life, opinion, Testimonial, View
8 comments
Everyone has been raving about the testimonial on this page , a thought crossed my mind … why not write a testimonial for Ken … and what better place than his own blog … it should even give some new life to this page … and so I take advantage of having the privilege of posting here.
Ken … have known him for quite some time now … and a little better than I could possibly know anyone else in the given time frame … and that’s because he is one hell of a smooth talker … Words in itself are powerless, they can neither benefit or harm you unless someone has the fine ability to combine them to use it for good bad and evil expressions … and he has a knack at it … one of the few people I know who have their way with words.
A cool guy … a good human and a perfectionalist by nature. He has a bundle full of patience don’t know where it comes from . Someone who is helpful, analytic … and the best has a decent ability to laugh at himself … I mean take humor in the
right spirit (well almost). How can I forget his ability to argue … this being in the right spirit based on beliefs and fundas … that’s so entertaining 
. And ya just read the gyan in the form of quotes on the home page of this blog.
I agree to his statement “Its difficult to define simple things” and so For now I am happy to stop here … maybe I will come back with more … some other time.
I know it’s all too good … but the fact is if I start writing the other part this is going to be an endlessly long … or should I say a never ending post 
… so for now just wishing him all the love, luck, success , happiness and prosperity in life.
real paradox of Munich trip September 7, 2007
Posted by Ken in complaints, life, opinion, photo blog, travel log.Tags: adventure, Experience, Fun, Germany, Munich, Reviews, Story, Travel, travel log, View
14 comments
With my heart in my mouth; we boarded train to Nuremburg. It was late by twenty minutes. We got on bus to Opladen from office on time at 16:08 hrs. I saw my manager missing his bus back home. 
From Opladen we had to board a train to Cologne at 16:46. I am sure you are impatient while I am giving the account of each minute of this journey.
Believe me; I had jitters, goosebumps and all such feeling since I got on train to Cologne from Opladen. On Thursday I called up YMCA in Munich and I could book a twin room for €32.00 per night per person for two nights.
Once I knew I had place to spend night, I started looking for a cheap way to reach Munich. There was return flight for €200. But it was from Cologne airport and I had no clue on how to be there. Second option I thought was Thalys; but it does not travel between Cologne and Munich. Now the only option was to use ICE (InterCity Express); which will cost €178. It was okay; as this was the only option or we do not travel. It was expensive as next weekend we could have flew for €150.
The train to Cologne got delayed by long 45 minutes due to police inquiry in Cologne. We were to reach there by 05:05 pm, find a counter to buy a ticket to and from Munich. We reached at 15:45 hrs. We ran to counter to check if we can still board the train. Looking at long queue, we decided we will go to platform and see how the train looks like. And head back home with fool’s mug. Two minutes close to 17:53 hrs we were talking to station master about the status as there was no train on platform. At the back of my mind I was toying with idea; I have reservation; but I have not yet paid for ticket. Is it possible to pay on train?
Station master told me train is twenty minutes late. Immediate question was where to buy a ticket. He said on the train. Was there moment happier in near future? I doubled checked everything. A local guy helped me to have detailed conversation with station master. Now you must have understood why I was holding my breath.
Burscheid, life in Deutschland August 20, 2007
Posted by Ken in life, opinion, travel log.Tags: information, life, opinion, Review, travel log, View
12 comments
It is being while I posted anything. Friends have asked and some have actually pushed me to update paradox. But honestly there is nothing much to write and talk about. I can still try.
Last two weeks spent in Burscheid were strange and a learning experience. Strange because this is first time I am in non-English speaking country. Burscheid is small village near city of Cologne and Frankfurt in Germany or Deutschland. Before I can introduce you to Burscheid I must tell you something about Cologne. Ofcourse Frankfurt and Germany do need any introduction. Information on Cologne will help you to locate Burscheid on Google Map faster.
Charity……… August 18, 2007
Posted by Dreamer in guest bloggers.Tags: Expression, Feeling, life, opinion, View
7 comments
The other day I was returning from a function and a small incident changed a lot of perceptions……. It was a heavily raining day with abrupt traffic movement n irregular n less trains working, so for the returning journey we decided to go with a friend in their car to a certain distance and then take a rick home from that point. At one of the traffic junctions a small girl not more than 6 yrs old was selling jarbera flowers and my friends husdand was like,,,,,,,,’bag kiti lahan mulgi ahey kay honar???’ and he shelled out a 10 rs note to give it to her,it was raining outside and the person on the window seat was contemplating how to give her the note from the window fast ;my instant reaction “arre ek flower toh le,who bheek toh nahin mang rahi hai” but the signal cleared and we moved…….then we started wondering how many times she must have got wet and dried at the same very signal in a single day. What life has in store for her? Will she ever get an opportunity to prepare for a better future? (more…)
Scapegoat of Indian Media – Orkut June 20, 2007
Posted by Ken in after thoughts on articles, complaints, opinion.Tags: News, opinion, Review, View
32 comments
Lately Orkut is being consistently finding space in world of lurid Indian news and media. Idle political leaders and party workers, heads of religious groups, and news papers/ channels have made Orkut scapegoat to gain TRPs, attention and highlight in media. People, not having great idea about Orkut, always think of it as devilry Internet phenomenon and spoiling the Indian youth. The kind of news stories floating in media will definitely raise eye brows of traditional Indian parent. Stories of girls facing abuse, people blackmailed, hate communities against India, political leaders and parties, and religion make people think that it is definitely some evil of modern day technology.
Customer service of world’s number one bank – crisp version June 8, 2007
Posted by Ken in complaints, opinion, uncategorized.Tags: Critisim, Customer Service, Experience, linkedin, News, Review, View
8 comments
I wanted statement of my account for last six months for applications of visa. Citibank gave me a shock, where I have my salary account; I will have to pay Rs 25 and even than it will be delivered in seven working days.
Are our nationalised banks fools to give us passbook for free and update them as and when wanted? Citibank charges Rs 100 for any activity in branch. To reduce cost it makes sense, discourage customers to come to the branch; and make them use online banking. Catch – the statement is issued online only at the end of quarter. I wanted statement in June (Dec – May), hence wait for July to come for April and May or get statement till March online and pay Rs 25 wait for four business days.
Customer service of world’s number one bank June 6, 2007
Posted by Ken in complaints, opinion.Tags: Critisim, Customer Service, Experience, News, Review, View
12 comments
This is going to be my longest post, and I am not sure if anybody would care to read. But in the moment of despair and my struggle with world’s number one bank I had to throw up some where. What better place then my own blog. One customer’s complain is not going to change the rule and neither one post. 
It is very normal that people who travel west; crib and complain in great length about things in India after coming back. We do not have good roads, we do not have clean cities, and we do not have access to basic infrastructure.
I usually have one complain and I crib about it to everybody around me. Customer Service. This is definitely not a problem of our country, but of our people and their attitude towards customer service (and after sales service).
We have never taken customer service as seriously as we should have. People, who pay thousands of rupees for electronic appliances, never get after sales service, maintenance and repair during the warranty and guarantee period. The people who try to get service they deserve often end up with nothing but despair and feeling of being cheated.
response to comment on – “can we be wiser than our parents” May 31, 2007
Posted by Ken in life, opinion.Tags: discussion, Experience, Expression, life, opinion, View
16 comments
This is in response to comment, I got on my previous post “can we be wiser than our parents.”
Darshana,
I agree with you that expression is missing in the quest. One primary reason is that we believe and do certain things on face value, blindly, bind either by faith or basic cultural values.
We never question our rituals which are thousand year old. I have nothing against system of caste, language, religion and class. In fact at time I support it. It was required and was necessary when it was created. There was rational thinking and logical reason involved. It had its own advantage. It was created in time when survival was primary concern of any living being including humans. Caste, clan, class, religion and language bound people in groups, and these groups worked together for the welfare of each other.
can we be wiser than our parents May 29, 2007
Posted by Ken in after thoughts on articles, opinion.Tags: discussion, Experience, Expression, life, opinion, View
4 comments
This is not my new post. It is just paragraph I lifted (or wanted to share with all) from an great essay by Paul Graham. The original essay is on very different subject and has title “Why Not Not To Start A Start Up“
The parents who want you to be a doctor may simply not realize how much things have changed. Would they be that unhappy if you were Steve Jobs instead? So I think the way to deal with your parents’ opinions about what you should do is to treat them like feature requests. Even if your only goal is to please them, the way to do that is not simply to give them what they ask for. Instead think about why they’re asking for something, and see if there’s a better way to give them what they need.
Note: People who do not know Steve Jobs; can think of Bill Gates, Laxmi Mittal or Warren Buffet.
halwawala aa gaya May 22, 2007
Posted by Ken in movie reviews, opinion.Tags: Fun, humor, movie reviews, time pass, Travel, View
7 comments
Last Friday I was traveling to Bombay (Mumbai) from Pune in MSRTC Volvo bus. This days traveling between Pune and Bombay, has become really comfy. Air conditioned Volvo coaches, push back seats, video on the go, free news paper and bottle of water. It is very much like flying. I am waiting for the days, when drinks will be served on board (coach).
Some times these things can actually become a problem, like ACs, at times they are extremely cold for an Indian. Music played can be unbearably loud remix, and crap movies on poor pirated prints. Usually they show cheap comedies, recent flops flicks, or if you are lucky one of the Hindi version of Priydarshan’s (self grinded) Malayalam movie.
choice, perspective, spirit called life May 18, 2007
Posted by Dreamer in guest bloggers, life, opinion.Tags: life, opinion, perspective, View
8 comments
I was toying with this idea for sometime. I was not able to put a post in place for long now. Last one was more of scribble then post. I wanted something new and real. This great idea came to my mind. I do remember a friend of mine has used this idea. He invited friends to write post for him.
Since then I had this on my mind, I was wondering whom should I invite. First few who came to my mind could do good job, but they had their on blogs. Hence it would have become perfect example of copy and paste. We IT guys are very famous for and in awe with copy and paste.
Finally I zeroed on in my most dedicated reader. Some one who is first to read and comment on almost all my posts. Invariably she praises all my post, I am not sure why.
Here it is……
in conversaion with angel April 23, 2007
Posted by Ken in opinion.Tags: conversation, dialogue, discussion, Experience, Expression, life, opinion, View
5 comments
me: I believe everything u say ..
but then this things r not in ur control..
dreamer: when i say ,,it will be that ways,,,,,,,,,,,,i knw,,,,,,,,,cause i believe………
me: do u believe in God?
dreamer: patah nahin
me: say yes or no,
dreamer: arre its not yes or no for me,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
i do not believe in the wordly definition of GOD
thats for sure
me: then do u believe in the concept called god? its existance?
trail mix March 28, 2007
Posted by Ken in life.Tags: Experience, Fun, life, opinion, rambling, View
10 comments
It is being long I logged on to my own page. Nothing much has changed since last post. I went to India and had very good break from miseries. I was suffering in office, in my apartment and in Chicago. In office work was boring; people in the apartment were irritating and in Chicago weather was nasty. It was freaking cold in January and February.
A friend of mine said, I shall write. We were chatting and she found me either boring or bored with life. Here I am to scribble. To be very honest, there is nothing to talk or write about. Life has been very much like what it was in Dec, Jan and Feb. Let us have walk along trail while I am eating trail mix.
February 24th, I returned to Mumbai, India. I was trying hard to convince my manager that I shall not come back. But he was ruthless, and cared about nothing but project and money. I am happy that I did not have work permit otherwise I would have never been able to go back.
ramblings of unfocused mind and lost heart February 12, 2007
Posted by Ken in life, travel log.Tags: Experience, Expression, Feeling, life, opinion, rambling, View
8 comments
Past few weeks have been very strange part of my stay here. I am enjoying life, I am not enjoying life. The work in office is completely opposite of what I want to do, and personal life is lot better. Week from Monday to Friday eve is like burden on donkey’s back. I desperately wait for that Friday evening to get lost and run away from office, my roommates, and my professional life.
Then come those happy Friday eves, Saturdays and Sundays when I meet my friends staying away from downtown. Sometime I feel why am I here? I am not adding any great value in office to my work. I just do it as there is not alternative. While working on the PC eyes always stare at the clock on the wall. I wait for 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30. Then all the people will be gone from client’s team and it will be okay to leave with all issues hanging. Run away home, and watch TV to forget that pain. Eat and sleep.
