Oil Rigs that did not survive

Alive to tell the tale

Nothing as big as it sounds. Didn't even get to see a single drop of rain during the hurricane. College Station and A&M are a great community to be a part of. Words would always be short to appreciate the perfect hosts played by Ritesh and Mandar. We were ready to brave the hurricne hoping the situation would not come and thats what happened. The hurricane literally danced in the gulf cost for a few hours giving us the jitters and finally unleashed its fury in SW Lousiana. Houston escaped to the extent that all operations including the oil rigs in the gulf will be fully operational by the end of next week. And that also means that I have more work this week.

But this experience did have its story to tell. Never seen like before traffic, panic at the super stores, price-gouging at gas pumps. Ya thats what you call when you have gas that should be sold at $2.50 a gallon and you sell it for $3.1. I know for sure that when it is $3 at the pump, it should be $95 a barrel in the international market. But these price-gougers sold gas for $3 when it was $68 for the barrel.

I had read an email stating the "difference between New Orleans and Mumbai" a few days ago. Well here are some of the difference that we need to learn from:
- 3 million people evacuated in 48hrs (they evacuated 14K from AP)
- No death in TX due to the hurricane.
- 5 days advanced notice of the hurricane.
- Shelters in place when the evacuation occured.
- TX seemed to have a disaster management plan after the learnings from New Orleans.


Evacuating Houston, Our Sentiments on the board, Panic at the stores, Gas hungry vehicles

Its Mandatory now

F**k. I have used the four letter magic word too many times now. But I no longer worry about that. Jerks who laughed yesterday when I mentioned College Station have woken up to realise that its officially been made the hurricane shelter today. Jerks. Jerks. Jerks.
In a few hours I will be gone, hoping to start back early next week. The county sherriff has ordered a mandatory evacuation starting 6pm today. What that means is that if you are not ready to get your arse out of this place by then, they would have to arrest you and enforce evacuation. One thing is for sure its going to be slow death (not in the literal sense).

Its going to start going to hell this friday. I don't want to get stuck. She is going to be a killer they say.

Calm before the storm

With the weekend approaching everyone is nervous. They said “Rita”- a category 3 hurricane is heading for Houston. The costal county of Galveston (60miles south of Houston) has started voluntary evacuation. A day more into the week and more precise knowledge of the hurricane path and there may be a mandatory evacuation. Doesn’t feel right. Everything that you have built over years, over generations has to be left as is and the place evacuated.
Flood insurance is very common in the Gulf coast. But everyone hopes that the situation to claim insurance doesn’t arise in the first place. Right now we have hot weather and high pressure in Houston, which is good (anti hurricane conditions). I am just hoping that I don’t have to spend the weekend driving north. What I hope is being able to capture some pictures of the hurricane (which is highly unlikely). The storm chasers group isn’t going to chase this one.
Hurricanes, unlike the Tsunamis and earthquakes are a slow death. You actually follow their path while it’s approaching. That it will hit is a given, you hope its not you, not your house, not your city. Good thing is that the met department gives a 72 hrs advance notice to the residents of the prone areas. And those warnings are damm accurate. Couple of noticeable headlines: “Turn around, don’t drown” for those who refuse to evacuate and “Atlantic Storms may go Greek” because they are close to exhausting the names on the current list and would start using Alpha, Beta after that.


We stay at the black dot in the picture, less than 10 miles from the zone

Lessons learned

It has been almost a year since I moved away from writing cheques to getting direct bank deposits. The learning curve has been rather steep during this time. Some of the things I learned in school, some from past experience, some from my mentor (he is not my boss btw) and some from “honest” mistakes. But one thing for sure I learned them fast and have “prevailed” till date. Here are some of the lessons that I have learned:-
1) SURVIVE in the group of BIG people. Don’t even think of showing your leadership skills here. Look for the attrition to happen and then lead the team that will actually work your project.
2) When you have conflicting assignments/meetings/projects and the boss says- DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO, DO WHATS RIGHT FOR THE BUSINESS. Meaning, do what he has in mind and nothing else because that IS the right thing for the business.
3) Most important. Don’t let anyone other than your boss to be your boss. Listen to all, do all projects but the ones that are ‘right for the business’ come first.
4) Remember- Open mind does not always mean an open mouth. So shut up where you don’t absolutely have to say something.
5) Email your boss with the latest Dilbert on Appraisals just before he does one for you. He would try not to be Dilbert’s boss and you will benefit. (subject to boss being receptive to frwd emails)
6) Don’t ask for work. Believe in, as someone put it as- The one who gave you this job will give you the work. I actually got buried in work, not following this when I started out working.
7) Work hard, play harder (not the vice versa).
8) Ask if you have to. Do ever assume and dont stop short of asking. (this is true everywhere)
Pit Stop and the Champions Wall

Perfect Ten!!

What started as a tough week in the office has finally come to an end on a great note. The big boss confirmed that I am still in the top five percent of the bell curve, second time in running. That is as good as it gets for now. Workplace is certainly a diverse place for me to learn different things. My coworker is from Trinidad and its fun to be talking cricket with him. More than that, he is a Phd. I learn a lot from him.

Its Ganpati Visarjan this weekend. I am a believer and am happy we celebrated Ganpati at our place. Also confirmed that I could actually remember all the artis from years ago. It was a great fun week, taking arti turns (or shud I say responsibility), abstaining from the ‘prohibited’ food, using sober language (most of the times). More than everything it was great to get together with everyone and just talk for hours.


Houston or Mumbai, the Faith remains

Mi Chuklo

Aaj Sarkhi aai chi athvan yet rahili. Vichar karta karta vatle- kiti vela aapan aai shi neat bol lo nahi, kiti vela chid chid keli. Never ever will I say it again-
Jevan avadle nahi.
Tumhi jevun ghya, mi nantar baseen.
Mala thanda jevan chalel.
Lavkar uthnar nahi.
aaj kahich kaam karnar nahi.
TV var match suru aahe, tujhe serial aaj rahu de.
Shevti pahate phone kela, aai shi bolalo. Kaal jya gostinchi kimat navti tyanche mahatva aaj kalte ahe. Mi chuklo.

The Urn has turned

Followed England on the internet onto a fine Ashes victory. The Urn has turned…. ran the headlines everywhere as England regained the Ashes after a thousand years. Witnessed the jubilant faces of my English colleagues. Realized that there was almost a generation of Englishmen who had not seen their team win the Ashes.
I have seen a team used to getting knocked off in the opening rounds of school cricket make it through to the semi finals beating bigges like Shardashram (btw thats Tendulkar’s school). Some matches went as close as one run victories but they won them all. And then when the year of glory was over the best player of the season got asked to sit out and concentrate on studies. He never played any cricket again and will always wonder of what could have been.


From what was to what could have been

Rain Rain Go Away

Usually when it rains heavily it means no school no nothing. A full paid hoilday in my city. Pan aaj paus nako sa zala aahe. Aaj amchya gharchya Ganpati che visarjan. Uttar puja houn sagle paus thambnyachi vaat pahat aahet. Mhanun aaj paus nakosa zala aahe. Aai mhanali ki paus or no paus saat vajta amhi visarjanasathi nighnar. Sagle natevaik aslya mule jasta kalji vatat nahi pan tari paus thambla tar khup chan hoil. Also realiased that this is the thrid time I have been at the wrong place during Ganpati. But not being at the wrong place was never an option. I will make it... someday....

Another man who will be desperate for the rain to stop is Ricky Ponting. After all if it rains at the Oval for the next two days he will have the dubious distinction of loosing the Ashes Ern that has been with Australia for sixteen years. So pray hard Mr. Ponting for the rains to abide.

Some interseting readings on the game which they say has lost its charm!

Kimi did it again today in Belgium. Alonso finished second and is almost assured of the championship. JB (of the button up fame) got to the podium. I am waiting for the next season where Schumchi will avenge his 05 defeat. Hopefully I get to go to Indianapolis sans the frustration of 2005.



Indianapolis F1 GP 2005 when I witnessed the stalemate and Matthew hayden wonders what wrong has he done!!

Music Musings

Music they say is a great healer. No doubt about that. Music they say also reflects your personality. May be right to some extent, may be wrong sometimes. I listen to the music that I can connect to, lyrics that I feel have been written for me, rythm that makes your feet tap.
Three favorite Artists:
Bryan Adams (anytime anyday everywhere)
Santana
Eagles
Honarable Mentions: Maroon5, Kelly Clarkson, Shania Twain

Ganeshayan n maha

Ganesh chaturthi always brings good memories to me. Memories which make me so nostalgic these days as to want to go back in a jiffy. I am so previlaged in the sense that my maternal and paternal families have Ganpati festival. So the festival time was (and is) always fun until the last three years when I sit ten thousand miles from where I should be.
Since last year we started having the festival at ND's place here and thats the best thing Holly Hall 1410 have. Good news is that it wasn't a one off thing and we are going to get together for the arti tomorrow.


Shrimant Dagdusheth Ganpati in Pune

Lovebugs not loved

The travel to College Station comes with the package of driving along the TX-6 state highway which is a treat to your eyes in early spring. Hoever its hell to drive in the fall during the lovebug season. Maiting season for lovebugs!














And hell for travellers. Imagine something like this glued to the windscreen and all over the car. All i can say that it gives me enough reasons to wash my car.

One of the movies I saw lately: A lot like love. A very uncomplicated, heartfelt movie. Some of the background tracks are very well placed in the movie. Its also one of those movies that you dont like instantly, but kind of keep ruminating in the mind and you actually start feeling good about the story.

Whats the difference

Someone just said: "The only thing I like of America is the 1:43 ratio and that gap is closing as well". Very true on both counts. There are great aspects of life here, a sense that human life is valued more than anything. But what I saw from the recent happenings during this disastor is that there is no difference between America and the so called "third" world nations when it comes to real urgent situation. There is the same lack of application from the officials, relief reaching late, people left neglected and the list goes on. Atleast I did not hear of looting neighbourhoods and supermarkets in Latur, Bhuj or Orissa. Pity that in such a situation they cannot even ask for help because that goes against their claim of being a first world nation.
Same latitude

Fast trains don't maketh a nation, people do.

Not so long ago...

Not so long ago the Fall semester began. Someone mentioned that its tough to drag yourself to school after a three month lay off. Huh? Realised that I could never afford a lay off. Summer vacation was never an option for me and many others. Always had to provision for the winter to come!!


This is where I went the first time I took a break: Heaven is just overrated, Sears towers in Chicago

Why does everyone blog?

Why does everyone blog? Some have great ideas to pen. Some have an interesting life to share. I have neither. I do it for the heck of it..........or as i say just for kicks!!!
With gas prices rising sky high going around just for kicks has come down and car pooling is IN. Right now its around the $3 mark. I would only hope that this is temperory.