Socrates was sitting outside of the gates of Athens when a man came up to him and said, ‘I am thinking about moving into Athens. Can you please tell me what it is like to live here?’
Socrates replied, ‘I would be happy to tell you, but first would you please tell me what it was like in your previous home city?’
The man quickly roared, ‘Oh, it was awful. The people stab you in the back and rob you blind. I am not leaving any friends, only enemies.’
Socrates frowned and sadly continued, ‘Well, you best be on your way because you will find the same thing here in Athens.’
A little while later another man stopped to speak to Socrates and inquired, ‘I was considering moving here to Athens. Can you tell me what it is like to live here?’ Socrates again replied, ‘I would be happy to tell you, but first would you please tell me what it was like in your previous home city?’
The man smiled and said, ‘Where I come from the people all work together and help each other. Kindness is everywhere and you are never treated with anything but the utmost respect.’ ‘Welcome to Athens,’ smiled Socrates,‘ You will find the same thing here.’
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Difference of Life and Death ....
Strolling along the beach, a woman catches sight of a young man who appears to be dancing at the water's edge. The young man bends down, straightens to his full height and then casts his arm out in an arc.
Drawing closer, she sees that the sand is littered with starfish and he is throwing them, one by one, back into the sea.She says, ‘There are stranded starfish as far as the eye can see. What difference can saving a few of them possibly make?’
Smiling, he stoops down and tosses another starfish out over the water, saying, ‘It made a difference to that one.’
How a Tech Lead works in a Team....
This is an old parable about the grasshopper who decided to consult the hoary consultant of the animal kingdom, the owl, about a personal problem.
The problem concerned the fact that the grasshopper suffered each winter from severe pains due to the savage temperature. After a number of these painful winters, in which all of the grasshopper’s known remedies were of no avail, he presented his case to the venerable and wise owl.
The owl, after patiently listening to the grasshopper’s misery, so the story goes, prescribed a simple solution: ‘Simply turn yourself into a cricket, and hibernate during the winter.’The grasshopper jumped joyously away, profusely thanking the owl for his wise advice.
Later, however, after discovering that this important knowledge could not be transformed into action, the grasshopper returned to the owl and asked him how he could perform this metamorphosis.
The owl replied rather curtly, ‘Look, I gave you the principle, it’s up to you to work out the details!’
The problem concerned the fact that the grasshopper suffered each winter from severe pains due to the savage temperature. After a number of these painful winters, in which all of the grasshopper’s known remedies were of no avail, he presented his case to the venerable and wise owl.
The owl, after patiently listening to the grasshopper’s misery, so the story goes, prescribed a simple solution: ‘Simply turn yourself into a cricket, and hibernate during the winter.’The grasshopper jumped joyously away, profusely thanking the owl for his wise advice.
Later, however, after discovering that this important knowledge could not be transformed into action, the grasshopper returned to the owl and asked him how he could perform this metamorphosis.
The owl replied rather curtly, ‘Look, I gave you the principle, it’s up to you to work out the details!’
Company Policy
There was an interesting experiment that started with five monkeys in a cage. A banana hung inside the cage with a set of steps placed underneath it. After a while, a monkey went to the steps and started to climb towards the banana, but when he touched the steps, he set off a spray that soaked all the other monkeys with cold water. Another monkey tried to reach the banana with the same result. It didn't take long for the monkeys to learn that the best way to stay dry was to prevent any monkey from attempting to reach the banana.
The next stage of the experiment was to remove the spray from the cage and to replace one of the monkeys with a new one. Of course, the new monkey saw the banana and went over to climb the steps. To his horror, the other monkeys attacked him. After another attempt, he learnt that if he touched the steps, he would be assaulted.
Next, another of the original five was replaced with a new monkey. The newcomer went to the steps and was attacked. The previous newcomer joined in the attack with enthusiasm!Then, a third monkey was replaced with a new one and then a fourth. Every time a newcomer approached the steps, he was attacked.
Most of the monkeys beating him had no idea why they were not allowed to climb the steps or why they were joining in the beating of the newest monkey.After replacing the fifth monkey, none of the monkeys had ever been sprayed with water. Still, no monkey ever approached the steps. Why not? Because as far as they knew it was the way it had always been done around here... and that is how company policy begins.
The next stage of the experiment was to remove the spray from the cage and to replace one of the monkeys with a new one. Of course, the new monkey saw the banana and went over to climb the steps. To his horror, the other monkeys attacked him. After another attempt, he learnt that if he touched the steps, he would be assaulted.
Next, another of the original five was replaced with a new monkey. The newcomer went to the steps and was attacked. The previous newcomer joined in the attack with enthusiasm!Then, a third monkey was replaced with a new one and then a fourth. Every time a newcomer approached the steps, he was attacked.
Most of the monkeys beating him had no idea why they were not allowed to climb the steps or why they were joining in the beating of the newest monkey.After replacing the fifth monkey, none of the monkeys had ever been sprayed with water. Still, no monkey ever approached the steps. Why not? Because as far as they knew it was the way it had always been done around here... and that is how company policy begins.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
A Rainy Day . . .
It was raining like cats and dogs, while I started off for office today. I picked up my umbrella and came out. I reached office half an hour late as its normal for buses in Delhi to run late in rainy days. But, its very unusual to rain at this mid-May time of the year. Because monsoon will take nine more days to come to the coast of Kerala, where it comes first in India. And in Delhi, not before July. But for me a change is always welcome.
Besides that there is a different charm in getting wet in the rain; it gives a cool comfort from all the tensions. If at home, then enjoy it with the junk foods and a nice movie. If the movie turns out a boring one, then it is like a blessing-in-disguise. You can sleep peacefully by listening to music. No …not any Brian Adams or Britney Spears or Bollywood, but to the music of rain. It is really sweeter than any one you name.
But, what about a poor chap like me, who has to go to office, otherwise his Boss will turn into a devil-ready-to-gulp-him-down the very next day….?
Besides that there is a different charm in getting wet in the rain; it gives a cool comfort from all the tensions. If at home, then enjoy it with the junk foods and a nice movie. If the movie turns out a boring one, then it is like a blessing-in-disguise. You can sleep peacefully by listening to music. No …not any Brian Adams or Britney Spears or Bollywood, but to the music of rain. It is really sweeter than any one you name.
But, what about a poor chap like me, who has to go to office, otherwise his Boss will turn into a devil-ready-to-gulp-him-down the very next day….?
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
When I became a cause…
I had a wish to be a cause for some change or some new things in my organization. I think like me everybody would like to be so. But I had never thought that the chance for that will come so soon and in such manner.
What happened last week, I was busy in some work in my office. Suddenly I realized from the hustle-bustle in the office, that it was the time to leave for home. But when I looked my watch it was 6:05 pm. I had to catch my office bus which starts at the dot of 6:10pm. So logging off my system quickly, I virtually ran from my 2nd floor office. I was in so much hurry that I had no time for giving a look at the lift, whether it was available at that time or not.
So I opted for the staircase to go down. After that I started my run again towards the main door. In that hurriedness, it did not come to my mind that the huge glass door of that new office was to be opened before coming out. So DHADAMMMM….I rammed into the glass-door. Before I understand anything, flow of blood came out of my nose as my face was badly hit with the door.
The guards on duty rushed to me for offering help. Even after all this, I was still worried for missing my bus because that would have cost me walk for one kilometer to the bus stop. So wiping the blood with my hanky and assuring the guards that I was ok, I again resumed my run for the bus.
Guess what happened when I reached at the garage. ….
No, it had not left, but had started to leave. So I ran into it and taking a seat, breathed a sigh of relief, as if the battle is won finally. After then my attention went to the hanky I was holding on my nose. It was completely blood-soaked then.
The next day when I came to my office by the same bus of course, I glanced at the main door on the ground floor before entering into the office. I found red-colored tapes were pasted in some geometrical pattern to make the people aware of its presence when it is open.
I had no doubt about the cause factor for this change in my office.
What happened last week, I was busy in some work in my office. Suddenly I realized from the hustle-bustle in the office, that it was the time to leave for home. But when I looked my watch it was 6:05 pm. I had to catch my office bus which starts at the dot of 6:10pm. So logging off my system quickly, I virtually ran from my 2nd floor office. I was in so much hurry that I had no time for giving a look at the lift, whether it was available at that time or not.
So I opted for the staircase to go down. After that I started my run again towards the main door. In that hurriedness, it did not come to my mind that the huge glass door of that new office was to be opened before coming out. So DHADAMMMM….I rammed into the glass-door. Before I understand anything, flow of blood came out of my nose as my face was badly hit with the door.
The guards on duty rushed to me for offering help. Even after all this, I was still worried for missing my bus because that would have cost me walk for one kilometer to the bus stop. So wiping the blood with my hanky and assuring the guards that I was ok, I again resumed my run for the bus.
Guess what happened when I reached at the garage. ….
No, it had not left, but had started to leave. So I ran into it and taking a seat, breathed a sigh of relief, as if the battle is won finally. After then my attention went to the hanky I was holding on my nose. It was completely blood-soaked then.
The next day when I came to my office by the same bus of course, I glanced at the main door on the ground floor before entering into the office. I found red-colored tapes were pasted in some geometrical pattern to make the people aware of its presence when it is open.
I had no doubt about the cause factor for this change in my office.
Friday, April 18, 2008
A Story on Engineers
Once upon a time three people were walking through the woods and suddenly they were standing in front of a huge, wild river. But they desperately had to get to the other side. But how, with such a raging torrent? The first guy knelt down and prayed to the Lord: “Lord, please give me the strength to cross this river!”
The Lord gave him long arms and strong legs. Now he could swim across the river. It took him about two hours and he almost drowned several times.
BUT… he was successful!
The second guy, who observed this, prayed to the Lord and said: “Lord, please give me the strength AND the necessary tools to cross this river!”
The Lord gave him a tub and he managed to cross the river despite the fact that the tub almost capsized a couple of times.
BUT… he was successful!
The third man who observed all this kneeled down and prayed: “Lord, please give me the strength, the means and the intelligence to cross this river!”
The Lord converted the man into an ENGINEER. He took a quick glance on the map, walked a few meters upstream and crossed the bridge.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Hate to Work ...
Nobody loves work, especially when the work is assigned to you by your Boss. But there are some people who are dying for some work to be assigned to them. Why I am this, because now I am going through the same experience.
In my company, the project I was working in is postponed recently from our client side. So my manager shifted me to another project. Coming here I found that the first phase development work has been finished and has been delivered. So the new team is waiting for the new business requirement document for going ahead with the second phase development work.
This means there is no work now except some stupid documentation work and some daily updating work. I was very happy while I came here after knowing this. So I started enjoying my time by sending mails to friends and browsing net, for which we have only a moderate restriction in the company.
Few days went by with a lot of enjoyment. But after a week, now I feel very bored in doing all these. I want to do some work now. The urge to do something is so high now that, I am checking my mails on hourly basis, whether there are any mails from onsite with some blessings of some work. Even before coming office, I am affected by the
No-work-blues.
I am not the only person having this feeling. There are many people in software companies at one time or other must have gone through this feeling. At least those who have been or are in resource-pool (Bench) will agree with me.
In my company, the project I was working in is postponed recently from our client side. So my manager shifted me to another project. Coming here I found that the first phase development work has been finished and has been delivered. So the new team is waiting for the new business requirement document for going ahead with the second phase development work.
This means there is no work now except some stupid documentation work and some daily updating work. I was very happy while I came here after knowing this. So I started enjoying my time by sending mails to friends and browsing net, for which we have only a moderate restriction in the company.
Few days went by with a lot of enjoyment. But after a week, now I feel very bored in doing all these. I want to do some work now. The urge to do something is so high now that, I am checking my mails on hourly basis, whether there are any mails from onsite with some blessings of some work. Even before coming office, I am affected by the
No-work-blues.
I am not the only person having this feeling. There are many people in software companies at one time or other must have gone through this feeling. At least those who have been or are in resource-pool (Bench) will agree with me.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Client-Visit
After the lazy weekend, Monday is a real disaster for a guy like me. Getting up early in the morning and preparing for the Office is really a boring stuff, especially after two days break from regular work schedule.
The real disaster came when I reached in office. I found all have reached early; only I was late. It was a real surprise for me, not because I always come earlier than others, but because there are some guys who are even more late-comers than I.
I was very surprised to find this unusual thing. But feeling ashamed of my fault (about which I had still no clue), I hurried up to my seat and jumped into my work (not any important, just checking mails for any updates from onsite) pretending as if really serious about work. This is because my project manager, who looks always busy in his work, but keeps a hawk’s eye on every employees in the team, sits only few meters away from me.
After an hour, when my dull mind started working properly, only then I remembered that I had received a mail on last Friday about our client (our GOD, do not read in reverse) visit. Hence we were told to come half an hour early and maintain the decorum.
Now only I realized what my fault was. I thanked GOD (I don’t mean our client) for He made me remember the things at proper time, I mean before any attack from my boss. Now I can think of any sad looking, but believable excuse utilizing the time in my hand to defend me.
The real disaster came when I reached in office. I found all have reached early; only I was late. It was a real surprise for me, not because I always come earlier than others, but because there are some guys who are even more late-comers than I.
I was very surprised to find this unusual thing. But feeling ashamed of my fault (about which I had still no clue), I hurried up to my seat and jumped into my work (not any important, just checking mails for any updates from onsite) pretending as if really serious about work. This is because my project manager, who looks always busy in his work, but keeps a hawk’s eye on every employees in the team, sits only few meters away from me.
After an hour, when my dull mind started working properly, only then I remembered that I had received a mail on last Friday about our client (our GOD, do not read in reverse) visit. Hence we were told to come half an hour early and maintain the decorum.
Now only I realized what my fault was. I thanked GOD (I don’t mean our client) for He made me remember the things at proper time, I mean before any attack from my boss. Now I can think of any sad looking, but believable excuse utilizing the time in my hand to defend me.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Bathroom and Human Behaviour
I have spent nearly ten years of my life, staying in hostel as I had to leave my home after my matriculation. In those days I have observed one thing, which I think is an interesting fact about human behaviour.
In Hostels Bathroom Bottleneck is a common problem, where each and every room does not have an attached bathroom. One have to wait for taking a bathe as there is a wide gap between the number of members and the number of bathrooms. So in this type of situations, while waiting for my turn for bathroom entry, I have got ample oppertunity to do some research work on the role of our great(because of there scarcity) bathrooms in showing the behaviour of a person.
I observed while waiting, some persons are spending more time than others. After observing people for this, I started to think the reason for this. As I was taking less amount of time than some of those annoying mortals, this was giving me an etch to find the reason for their love towards a place not very nice place to spend. Then I made a list of those persons in my mind and tried to find the answer by analyzing their behaviour.
Then I found that those, who are taking much time are mostly the kind of persons, not very open in their behaviour. They are somewhat reclusive in nature and while the matter of communication comes they are very reticent. Exactly the opposite was found in case of the other group of persons.
So the conclusion I reached is that : "The persons who are Extroverts by nature, they tend to spend less time in bathroom than their Introvert counterparts."
After analyzing this for some more time, I got some answer which I think is logical to some extent.
As Introverts avoid public attention and prefer solitude, what can be a better solitary environment than a Bathroom. The chance is more increased if a person is not staying alone in his room. As he needs some time alone for him, the next best place he finds is Bathroom and that is why he spends more time there.
Even some of those people give a vent to their suppressed emotion there by either crying, shouting or by making strange gestures or by speaking vulgar words. I have heard some sobbing sounds and sometimes some expletive words from the doors of bathrooms. Even some people have found talking with themselves there. It is not any psychological disorder, but a way to destress the mind.
But Extroverts feel suffocated when they are alone. They always want somebody's company or attention. So they try to avoid all places of solitude, be it Bathroom or any such places.
So friends, if you want to judge a person's behaviour, you can do it by watching his toilet behaviour.
Thank You.
DreamerBoy
In Hostels Bathroom Bottleneck is a common problem, where each and every room does not have an attached bathroom. One have to wait for taking a bathe as there is a wide gap between the number of members and the number of bathrooms. So in this type of situations, while waiting for my turn for bathroom entry, I have got ample oppertunity to do some research work on the role of our great(because of there scarcity) bathrooms in showing the behaviour of a person.
I observed while waiting, some persons are spending more time than others. After observing people for this, I started to think the reason for this. As I was taking less amount of time than some of those annoying mortals, this was giving me an etch to find the reason for their love towards a place not very nice place to spend. Then I made a list of those persons in my mind and tried to find the answer by analyzing their behaviour.
Then I found that those, who are taking much time are mostly the kind of persons, not very open in their behaviour. They are somewhat reclusive in nature and while the matter of communication comes they are very reticent. Exactly the opposite was found in case of the other group of persons.
So the conclusion I reached is that : "The persons who are Extroverts by nature, they tend to spend less time in bathroom than their Introvert counterparts."
After analyzing this for some more time, I got some answer which I think is logical to some extent.
As Introverts avoid public attention and prefer solitude, what can be a better solitary environment than a Bathroom. The chance is more increased if a person is not staying alone in his room. As he needs some time alone for him, the next best place he finds is Bathroom and that is why he spends more time there.
Even some of those people give a vent to their suppressed emotion there by either crying, shouting or by making strange gestures or by speaking vulgar words. I have heard some sobbing sounds and sometimes some expletive words from the doors of bathrooms. Even some people have found talking with themselves there. It is not any psychological disorder, but a way to destress the mind.
But Extroverts feel suffocated when they are alone. They always want somebody's company or attention. So they try to avoid all places of solitude, be it Bathroom or any such places.
So friends, if you want to judge a person's behaviour, you can do it by watching his toilet behaviour.
Thank You.
DreamerBoy
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