Software Idiosyncrasies

Was so annoyed when I got back from work this afternoon! I have Windows 7 on my machine. I had locked my machine prior to leaving for lunch. My password had expired. When I tried to log back on, I got an error message “Your password has expired. Click Ok to change your password.” So I hit Enter and it just blanked my password without giving me an option to change my password. So I went through the same hoop all over again. Third time over, I decided to use my mouse to “Click OK” as they had requested. No change! Grrr …. Swore against the developer in my mind! That was three times over! Either change your error message OR change your code to represent the error message! Is it that difficult?

So I had to logoff. Enter my username and super long, super safe password, all over again, to be prompted with “Your password has expired. Click Ok to change your password.” And it finally worked!

Is there a place where we can submit these defects to companies? Would there be a prize for catching these defects, even though you are not an employee of the company?

On being a Mom – 2

To follow schedule or let go, is the question. For the most part, I control Nan’s schedule, thereby the entire household’s schedule. I know for a fact that not following schedule leads to meltdowns. To list two of Nan’s BIG meltdowns:
#1 – On the train while returning from NYC to New Jersey
#2 – Dinner time at Buckhorn Lake
The meltdowns lasted 15 minutes and they came on because we (sharply) deviated off her nap schedule.

But if I put the 15 minute meltdowns on a scale and weigh them against the fun we had at NYC or Buckhorn Lake last weekend, the obvious choice would be the fun, deviating off schedules.

To Nan’s credit, she has behaved wonderfully on our trips out of town. I was listing the cities we have visited with her for her daycare project (yes! “All about me!” project!). We have visited Atlanta, twice, via road, Florida, Gatlinburg, New Jersey/New York and more recently Buckhorn Last State park. Not bad for a 20 month old, huh?

Yet, between Sunday night and Friday morning, I am all about following schedule for myself, and Nan, and thereby the mister. . I have known to be quite unwavering, even when I was at home with Nan and did not really have to report to work.

Sometimes I am envious of those mom’s who don’t follow any schedule for their babies and yet have happy babies. Something tells me that any mom will be successful at it if they try it. On the other hand, when I see mom’s who don’t step outside the house when it is their child’s lunch time, I feel glad that I am beyond that restriction.

I have seen myself growing as a mommy! From being extra careful with the little one till she was six months old, to choosing not to (over)medicate her for an ear infection. Some choices work well, some not so much! As of now I am glad I have the control (or so I think) of when to make the choice of following schedule or deviating off it. I’ll take it, as I learn newer and exciting things about being a mom.

Travel time

Reading this post from The Hindu, reminded me of my daily travel from Andheri (West) to TTC (Vashi). On paper, the journey was an hour and fifteen minutes. It probably took us around that much time (give or take ten minutes) in the morning. But on the way back, through the polluted and crowded highways of Mumbai, not to forget construction work, it took us as much as two and a half hours (give or take ten minutes). So what do you do with so much time? Well, you build relations for life, you speak your heart out to someone, you play cards, you scream if someone cheats at a game, you laugh and much more!

I traveled for a year in this manner. For the first part of the year, I used to sit with U, a friend from my neighborhood who I grew really close to, in those three to four months. (I think people would wonder if we were sisters) Towards the beginning of November, U had to leave for a posting to the United States, and thus started a new chapter in my life. I met five of the most wonderful people I have known. It is sad that I am in touch with just one of them (Rash), but I am glad that Facebook provides me with that opportunity.

I remember very clearly, there used to be a bus that would leave at 5.45PM and another one at 8PM. We would delay our departure, if the other members of the group could not make it for the bus at 5.45PM. We would play “Bridge”, one of the smartest card games that there is. The best part of the game is that it is played with two teams and hence the superb camaraderie in the group. We would have a terrific time, picking the perfect partners, bidding for a win, playing the game and screaming if someone from the opposite team cheated. Many a times we drew a stern look from someone, who might have been sleeping, to keep it quiet, but I don’t think it ever deterred our spirits. We would even have sufficient energy to eat some snacks at the Merwan’s cake shop or Thakkar, before we headed our individual ways.

Life was fun back then! Super simple too! When I look back, I wonder if would I have been able to carry out this three hour plus journey every single day, and take care of a baby? Perhaps not! But that is what carefree youth is for! Cheers to all my friends, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, I hope you remember me once in a while, like I do!

On being a Mom – 1

I think I could write a series of posts on being a mom! Today is about a visit to the zoo. A few weeks ago, Nan, the mister and I made a trip to the Louisville zoo. I loved the zoo visit! It was a place where most moms were dressed in comfortable clothes (read loose t-shirts and shorts) and had a slight paunch (of course, from the birth of their child). Most of all, no one stared at you when your child let out a wail or threw a tantrum. To Nan’s credit she did not do much of either, but it made me realize, how much pressure I felt in the regular populace. I was totally relaxed at this venue.

Three cheers to the trip!

Update: – Recently visited the circus and felt one with the crowd too! Heh!

Quotes

I was reminded of this dialogue from the movie ‘Music and Lyrics’, while driving to work and listening to a wonderful song. The mister and I discuss the importance of music versus lyrics on many an occasion. It seemed like this dialogue provided the answer to our banter.

“A melody is like seeing someone for the first time. The physical attraction. Sex. But then, as you get to know the person, that’s the lyrics. Their story. Who they are underneath. It’s the combination of the two that makes it magic.”

Totally off topic, I read “Dear John” by Nicholas Sparks a couple of weeks back and wanted to pen down this inspirational quote somewhere.

“When you are struggling with something, look at all the people around you and realize that every single person you see is struggling with something, and to them it’s just as hard as what you are going through.”

Between the lines, I read – Don’t glorify your struggles. They are a part of life. Fight them and move on.

That’s all for today! Have a wonderful day!

After a long time

I think this event deserved an update – two of my favorite cooks coming together on a show. I forgot to DVR it, but so was glad that I could catch it online.

http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/segments/view/rachael-ray-of-india/

Talking of favorites, India won the world cup! (And in my mind) For another favorite of mine, from 20+ years, Sachin Tendulkar! I have always wondered whether I will follow cricket after Sachin Tendulkar. Just the fact that I don’t follow IPL and T20 is a harbinger. (Sachin kept away from it for the longest time.) But I think I have a new favorite, Gautam Gambhir. He seems to be a very promising youngster, with a very cool head. I think his performance in the world cup final was very controlled. Agreed, he missed he fell short of his 100 by a mere 3 runs. And everyone remembers the big hits by Dhoni towards the end, but imagine playing like he did when the whole world thought that the world cup was out of India’s hands, given that Sachin and Sehwag were out. Kudos to Gambhir! My man of the match! The mister says that he is terrible at fielding. I hope he improves. And maybe I won’t give cricket up, after Sachin retires.

Back to work ….

… after a long hiatus. I stayed home with Nan for the first eight months after she was born. I wasn’t keeping too well; took me all this time to get on my feet and (hopefully) endure an eight-hour work day.

I thought it would break my heart to leave my lil one at home and sit at a desk, but it has not been bad so far. Maybe it is the fact that I can work Tuesdays and Thursdays from home. Maybe it is the fact that I work close to home and can head back for lunch. (Ok don’t get jealous!) But it does feel good to be more than just being useful at home. (I actually organized the Mister’s closet. I have folded loads and loads of laundry. Not to mention perfectly organized items in newly purchased boxes that will be heading to the basement this week.)

I wonder if it feels this way because I have a working mom. I think it must be a tough choice for mothers, who have had stay-at-home moms. Many a times over the past eight months, (like all new moms) I have wondered if I would like to work or just spend my time with my lil one while she is little. As of now the answer is “Yes, I would like to work”. Possibly it is due to the comfort factor that Nan is with her grandma at home. Once she starts daycare and work gets hectic, will the answer be the same? Only time will tell.

Just like that

Ok, so I don’t intend for this post to be satirical or deeply reflective, but you have to pardon me if it ends up being one. So, the MIL (mother-in-law), the mister, Nan and I went to the Hindu Temple this weekend as a part of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi. We meet this lady, who is distantly related to me, is a year younger than me and has two kids. (Let’s call her Mrs. X. And let’s hope she does not stumble upon this blog, cause she will know I am talking about her.) So here’s how the conversation went.

Mrs. X: So is Nan in daycare?
Me: No, but she is going to join in November when MIL heads back to India
Mrs. X: Which daycare?
Me: A branch of the same daycare, which my office colleague L is sending her son to (Unfortunately Mr. and Mrs. X know L, so the conversation did not die at this point.)
Mrs. X: You know that L is going to send her son to our daycare soon, don’t you?
Me: (Silent)
Mrs. X: You know that it is a Christian daycare, don’t you?
Me: (Cloud over my head) I don’t care. I went to a Convent school myself. And I don’t think I am any less of a Hindu than anyone else I know. Besides I also know a ton of stories from the Bible. (/Cloud over my head) (Out aloud) (Silent) (/Out aloud)
Mrs. X: Our daycare is the best. It was very tough to get admission for my elder one in the daycare. They took my elder one only after we had the second kid.
Me (at this point, ready to pull my hair out): (Cloud over my head) Why are humans social beings??!! (/Cloud over my head)

Why do people feel the need to justify their choices to other people? And why do they think other people would care about it? I am a person of few words. (I hope) I don’t speak when not needed. I don’t give advice to random people, unless they ask for it. I don’t want other people to be exactly like me, but they could try to understand my personality a bit and just BACK OFF.(Phew! My blood is boiling even as I write this post.)

Anyways, writing this post watching the Nadal-Djokovic US Open final and hoping that Nadal wins. Only (a little bit of) time will tell. I can say though it is a highly explosive and inappropriate match for children to see. I happened to turn it on when Djokovic was smashing his racket alternatively on his feet, head and the ground. Both Nan’s and my eyes popped out of sockets. So I have resorted to seeing the score once in a while. Vaamos Rafa!

Happy Teacher’s Day

A very Happy Teacher’s Day to all the wonderful teachers over the world. Remembering a few of my favorite teachers:

Miss Nophilia Suares – the best primary teacher ever! She was my class teacher in the 3rd and 4th standard. The only teacher I am in contact with these days. I am so glad I got to wish her on Facebook. I learnt that she is going to retire by the end of this year. The school will miss her for sure.

Pandit Sir – My inspiration and great support in 12th standard. Someone who believed in me and told my mom to do the same. I wish there was some way in which I could get in touch with him. I have tried hard and failed. I will try again the next time I go to India.

Tulpule Sir – Engineering Drawing prof. We took tutions from him. My friend M recommended him to me, (and boy! though I hated the very few tution teachers I went to,) and he is one teacher I cannot forget. He would draw engineering diagrams at 180 degrees to his line of vision; meaning he would sit at a table and we would sit facing him and he would draw diagrams such that they were reverse for him and straight for us. I was in touch with him for quite a few years after I came here, but am not right now. Time to log into rediffmail and shoot him an email.

Professor Finkel – Operating systems guru at the University of KY. I am glad that I got a chance to take an independent study under him. Although I got a C grade in that subject I learnt so much. It prepared me for my career and a job duty that I love. I still have the final operating systems answer paper in which I got 99/100 and a remark of ‘Good’ from him. Aah, I do miss student life and such memorable ‘pat-on-the-back’ moments. Somehow the ones at work don’t make the cut.

A very special wish for all of these teachers.

Movie Week!

Last week I was on a roll watching movies, Hollywood and Bollywood alike. I ended up watching:
- I hate love stories
- Rajneeti
- Kabhi Kabhie
- Sleepless in Seattle
- Sherlock Holmes, and finally
- Inception

Liked all the movies with the exception of Kabhi Kabhie.

- I hate love stories – because it was the first movie I saw within a day, after quite some time
- Rajneeti – liked everyone’s performance. Wondered what Naseer was doing in the movie
- Sleepless in Seattle – wonder how I missed this sweet romantic movie for such a long time. Also, “Love” appeared to be much simple that it is in the movie (real?) world, today. (Example: Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna) So it was much easier to digest. Totally feel good movie!
- Sherlock Holmes – It stars Robert Downey Jr, my current favorite actor. Need I say more?!
- Inception – Mind blowing! An action thriller in the theater after a long time. I wish I had seen it in the earlier week, when there was less hype.

Kabhi Kabhie – I mean seriously, the movie was fine throughout. But I just did not understand the climax. What were Shashi Kapoor and Neetu Singh doing in the climax? And the just ended up rescuing each other. Pretty much a waste of everyone’s time.

Absolutely love “Netflix Instant Play”; and I am off to surf a movie to view today. Have a good day everyone!