Yes, i am guilty for my long absence. Its pardonable, of course. My writings on this blog affects only me . So I can not prosecute myself, for promising to write and failing to do so! I was in hibernation for no specific reason. I think I was depressed, or was I happy ! Cant explain, so i will let it pass. So where was I, during my last blog post.
Yes, I was in Plano, TX. Trying to keep myself cheerful in that morose town. Nothing to do, nowhere to visit! My imagination of US of A was taking a beating. I had thought of tall skyscrapers, jazzy clubs, punks and tramps, snowfalls........and Plano was devoid of all this. It was a place for retired folk, for people to hide in obscurity after all their wordly sins....it was not a place for me. Cause lord, let me sin first and then come to plano for divine ablution !Saying so, I headed to the west coast. A bit north as well.
Now, I am in Seattle. The city that I am falling in love with. New people, new project, new client, new challenges, new chaos, .....Sunny today, wet tomorrow,....
I arrived here on 4th October and since then have not spent a weekend at home. Its a crime, if you stay back. Have been to Mount Rainier, The snoqualmie falls, the BOEING factory, the PIKE PLACE MARKET. Love the downtown! Seattle is home to some major corporations - Microsoft (my current workplace, it looks like little india out here), BOEING, Nordstorm, STARBUCKS...and maybe more!
For someone like me, who has stayed almost all his life in Bombay, the weather here is a blessing. Its like Bangalore, a bit more chillier! But unlike the east coast, like NY, where my friends say, the weather is biting cold!
Today is halloween. At the Microsoft campus, I am told that children would scamper around, and say, trick or treat....I had got a few candy pieces, I ate them all ! The children would hate me, for sure !
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Make hay while the sun shines
I am not sure how many folks are aware of the ERP boom. Well for many non IT folks, the IT boom is the time when dot com companies went bersek, and so did the bourses. It was the time when everything went up. Stock, Real estate, salaries, bonuses, girlfriends, marriage count, remittances, ego, personal worth, rent, and a host of other things! This was during the late nineties and till the big bad crash in 2001.
I work in the ERP space. ERP boom was part of the IT boom too at the same time. Organizations were desperate to find people who could implement ERP products like SAP and Oracle for them. They were ready to pay as high as 400 $ / hr, for a year !!
The senior folks that I work with now have been part of this boom. And the bust after that. But when the time was ripe, these folks have made millions. Forget 400 $, just take 150$ an hour, for 5 days a week, 52 weeks! Close to 300 grand!
I realize that I have been a late comer in this gold rush. When I graduated from engineering, it was 2001. Then as per the laws, everything that had gone up, was coming down, at breakneck speed. People were laid off, many gold miners were forced to return home, many survived (guess the genuine good ones).
But today, it seems the market has matured. Although its way better than the days of the bust, its nowhere close to the days of the boom. But the desperation for good folks to work on these multi million projects still exists. The fake CVs still float in the market and headhunters are still making merry.The only difference is that market has matured a bit. Organizations have become street smart after burning their fingers before.
End of the day, as organizations grow, as more entrepreneurs enter the market, as more engineers and business professionals get into the ERP space, it seems theres room for all. Genuine good resources will make merry, whether its the good or the bad times.
I am happy that I am in this space. Better late than never. Best part is that currently I am enjoying what I am into! Not for the money, but for the kind of work. And being employed to an Indian company means I only make pittance. Soon a day will come......................
I work in the ERP space. ERP boom was part of the IT boom too at the same time. Organizations were desperate to find people who could implement ERP products like SAP and Oracle for them. They were ready to pay as high as 400 $ / hr, for a year !!
The senior folks that I work with now have been part of this boom. And the bust after that. But when the time was ripe, these folks have made millions. Forget 400 $, just take 150$ an hour, for 5 days a week, 52 weeks! Close to 300 grand!
I realize that I have been a late comer in this gold rush. When I graduated from engineering, it was 2001. Then as per the laws, everything that had gone up, was coming down, at breakneck speed. People were laid off, many gold miners were forced to return home, many survived (guess the genuine good ones).
But today, it seems the market has matured. Although its way better than the days of the bust, its nowhere close to the days of the boom. But the desperation for good folks to work on these multi million projects still exists. The fake CVs still float in the market and headhunters are still making merry.The only difference is that market has matured a bit. Organizations have become street smart after burning their fingers before.
End of the day, as organizations grow, as more entrepreneurs enter the market, as more engineers and business professionals get into the ERP space, it seems theres room for all. Genuine good resources will make merry, whether its the good or the bad times.
I am happy that I am in this space. Better late than never. Best part is that currently I am enjoying what I am into! Not for the money, but for the kind of work. And being employed to an Indian company means I only make pittance. Soon a day will come......................
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Random musings
Phew! A weekend finally....Time to just relax and unwind....not for some of us!! Got up at 6 am to play cricket....yes amidst our huge Indian IT population here, there are few blokes who still want to play this game. So every weekend, Saturday morning, they play or rather make an attempt. I joined them, my first cricket game and boy it hurt! With an almost broken wrist, I set out to bat, bowl and field. Blame the craze or simply the carelessness. by 9 we had to wind up cause of the heat! Its really hot here and going out in the day is simply not recommended.
But, my desperation for a car is increasing day by day! Here, cant do basic things without it. But when I think of it, this is how the Car and the Oil Companies want it. They dont want the state to provide any basic public transportation. They want more and more people to buy their cars and burn out the fuel. They dont want to see any hybrid or electric cars on the road! If man can send man on the moon, definitely man can produce super efficient hybrid cars. Tell me, building efficient hybrid cars is not as difficult as building rockets. Not that they dont do it already, but we dont see people buying hybrid cars, do we? Only reason I can think of is that Vehicle Manufacturers and Fuel Companies have this big cartel and an even bigger scam. Right in front of our eyes, but nobody wants to see it!
If everyone starts using hybrid and/or electric cars...Imagine what would happen to the fuel cartel thats spread across the world and more so all folks who benefit from it. Imagine of gas prices fall, and fall so low,...............Newayz, untill anything changes, I will have to join the bandwagon. My search for used cars is on and hopefully I will be able to strike gold !!!
At work, it was a hectic week and next week is only going to be worse. We are supposed to 'GO LIVE' (which means the user community of our client organization would start using stuff that we have developed/implemented for them). And as any football game, there is high drama, last minute changes and heated debates. No, not always, but sometimes it can go to any extent!
But the main difference here compared to home (mumbai in my case), is that people can actually concentrate in excelling at work! They dont have to worry about the basic stuff in life, cause all that is taken care of. Dont have to wait for the maid, dont have to stand in the bus queue to office, dont have to wait in long traffic jams on crater filled roads, dont have to yell or honk wildly at the vehicle ahead of you, dont have to plan your way back home in the evening, dont have to worry about electricity going off, dont have to worry about water entering your home in every mumbai monsoon, ....................
I forgot to take my camera out this entire week. Next week, camera everywhere! :)
But, my desperation for a car is increasing day by day! Here, cant do basic things without it. But when I think of it, this is how the Car and the Oil Companies want it. They dont want the state to provide any basic public transportation. They want more and more people to buy their cars and burn out the fuel. They dont want to see any hybrid or electric cars on the road! If man can send man on the moon, definitely man can produce super efficient hybrid cars. Tell me, building efficient hybrid cars is not as difficult as building rockets. Not that they dont do it already, but we dont see people buying hybrid cars, do we? Only reason I can think of is that Vehicle Manufacturers and Fuel Companies have this big cartel and an even bigger scam. Right in front of our eyes, but nobody wants to see it!
If everyone starts using hybrid and/or electric cars...Imagine what would happen to the fuel cartel thats spread across the world and more so all folks who benefit from it. Imagine of gas prices fall, and fall so low,...............Newayz, untill anything changes, I will have to join the bandwagon. My search for used cars is on and hopefully I will be able to strike gold !!!
At work, it was a hectic week and next week is only going to be worse. We are supposed to 'GO LIVE' (which means the user community of our client organization would start using stuff that we have developed/implemented for them). And as any football game, there is high drama, last minute changes and heated debates. No, not always, but sometimes it can go to any extent!
But the main difference here compared to home (mumbai in my case), is that people can actually concentrate in excelling at work! They dont have to worry about the basic stuff in life, cause all that is taken care of. Dont have to wait for the maid, dont have to stand in the bus queue to office, dont have to wait in long traffic jams on crater filled roads, dont have to yell or honk wildly at the vehicle ahead of you, dont have to plan your way back home in the evening, dont have to worry about electricity going off, dont have to worry about water entering your home in every mumbai monsoon, ....................
I forgot to take my camera out this entire week. Next week, camera everywhere! :)
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Saturday, July 29, 2006
A week already
Well, have already spent a week here. Mixed bag actually.
Reached here on Sunday (23rd July) evening 7 PM and it wasnt dark at all. Sanjeev was at the Dallas FW airport to pick us up. Sanjeev's wife was also traveling, in the same flight and boy was he glad to see her ! :)
The first few things that hit me about US, is... customer service, the Texas heat, broad open spaces, and the sheer independence.
Yes, on many occasions, I will keep comparing things here with the way its done back home. Thats natural, isnt it.
Here, the folks behind the counter make you feel like a king! Lacks a lot in India, except in high end restaurants or shopping malls. Next, there are no people stamping on each others shoes. Theres so much open space, that sometimes its hard to find people. For a Mumbaite, this is a wierd, uncomfortable phenomenon. We are so used to forcibly sniffing others armpits in our local trains....not finding a single soul for miles is too unnatural! :) Yesterday, I went to a WAL MART store(we had read so much about retailing in our MBA classes, and WM was a favorite example, that i was very excited to visit the store). IT WAS HUGE! Probably our VT station in Mumbai was as huge! And i could see, folks loading their pickup trucks with probably a months supplies.....
Heat was ok.. For me, the west was always a cold place. I was well aware that it is summer season here, but never thought that summer here was as bad or as good as Mumbai.
And yes, no bus, no train, only cars. No folks manning the petrol station (yes yes, its gas here)...all do it yourself culture.
Anuj, my project mate and an Infoscion, visited and invited me to his place for dinner. His wife and mother had joined him recently. His house did give an impression that he is quite settled here! After 23 hrs of being airborne (Mbai to Paris, Paris to Atlanta, Atlanta to Dallas and Dallas to Plano by road), edible home made indian food was a welcome respite.
Last time when I was in Hong Kong, for nearly three monhts, I learnt one important lesson. Whenever you travel abroad, and intend to stay there for long, do remember to take the HAWKINS pressure cooker along ! A lifesaver...:) I had erred in HK, not this time. I was ready with my arsenal...All essentials like the Indian Masala, Spices, Pressure Cooker, Medicines, were well packed.
Monday, and my first day at work. Our client's workplace is not far from our apartment block. Anuj picked me up from my house (i had a minor bike accident in India a weeek before I left...Was limping and still have a sore hand) and reached office in 15 mins. The client knew me well as I was working in Pune for the same project for six months. My job was much easy here...Didnt have to make a good first impression !! :) Within 30 mins, My desk wass setup, my laptop allocated and security badge ready, and I was raring to go. Only for a small hiccup...Jet Lag !
It was noon, when i started to feel the effects of a mundane 23 hr journey. I was so sleepy ( i hadnt slept well the night before), that I had to throw water on my face on more than one occasion. I guess everyone at the workplace knew (most of my colleagues would have faced this too). The client didnt discuss many project related activities either!:)
By wednesday, the Jet Lag was almost gone. I also got busy taking care of some personal stuff, like getting a bank account opened. It was so easy. At WELLS FARGO, the service was so quick, that within 15 mins my account was ready. They made it so simple, even for an alien (any NON US Citizen, is an alien!!). No snide remarks, no suspicious glances (they are so used to Indian IT folks now).....Go to an SBI branch in India and you will spend the first 15 mins in queue!
One interesting point...Rutwik (one of my project mates) was kind enough to take me to Wells Fargo (in his car). The first thing the gentleman at the counter asked was 'Do you want to open a joint account?'. And thats when I was 100 % sure that I had arrived in the US!! :) The GAY WORLD does exist here...and probably a lot of gay men do walk into banks to open a joint account! A small chuckle from me (i was offended though) and a reply 'NO' was good enough to start the process...
Next week, I need to get my SSN and initiate the process for a DL. Moree later....
Will post photos...soon
Luv
~Prakash
Reached here on Sunday (23rd July) evening 7 PM and it wasnt dark at all. Sanjeev was at the Dallas FW airport to pick us up. Sanjeev's wife was also traveling, in the same flight and boy was he glad to see her ! :)
The first few things that hit me about US, is... customer service, the Texas heat, broad open spaces, and the sheer independence.
Yes, on many occasions, I will keep comparing things here with the way its done back home. Thats natural, isnt it.
Here, the folks behind the counter make you feel like a king! Lacks a lot in India, except in high end restaurants or shopping malls. Next, there are no people stamping on each others shoes. Theres so much open space, that sometimes its hard to find people. For a Mumbaite, this is a wierd, uncomfortable phenomenon. We are so used to forcibly sniffing others armpits in our local trains....not finding a single soul for miles is too unnatural! :) Yesterday, I went to a WAL MART store(we had read so much about retailing in our MBA classes, and WM was a favorite example, that i was very excited to visit the store). IT WAS HUGE! Probably our VT station in Mumbai was as huge! And i could see, folks loading their pickup trucks with probably a months supplies.....
Heat was ok.. For me, the west was always a cold place. I was well aware that it is summer season here, but never thought that summer here was as bad or as good as Mumbai.
And yes, no bus, no train, only cars. No folks manning the petrol station (yes yes, its gas here)...all do it yourself culture.
Anuj, my project mate and an Infoscion, visited and invited me to his place for dinner. His wife and mother had joined him recently. His house did give an impression that he is quite settled here! After 23 hrs of being airborne (Mbai to Paris, Paris to Atlanta, Atlanta to Dallas and Dallas to Plano by road), edible home made indian food was a welcome respite.
Last time when I was in Hong Kong, for nearly three monhts, I learnt one important lesson. Whenever you travel abroad, and intend to stay there for long, do remember to take the HAWKINS pressure cooker along ! A lifesaver...:) I had erred in HK, not this time. I was ready with my arsenal...All essentials like the Indian Masala, Spices, Pressure Cooker, Medicines, were well packed.
Monday, and my first day at work. Our client's workplace is not far from our apartment block. Anuj picked me up from my house (i had a minor bike accident in India a weeek before I left...Was limping and still have a sore hand) and reached office in 15 mins. The client knew me well as I was working in Pune for the same project for six months. My job was much easy here...Didnt have to make a good first impression !! :) Within 30 mins, My desk wass setup, my laptop allocated and security badge ready, and I was raring to go. Only for a small hiccup...Jet Lag !
It was noon, when i started to feel the effects of a mundane 23 hr journey. I was so sleepy ( i hadnt slept well the night before), that I had to throw water on my face on more than one occasion. I guess everyone at the workplace knew (most of my colleagues would have faced this too). The client didnt discuss many project related activities either!:)
By wednesday, the Jet Lag was almost gone. I also got busy taking care of some personal stuff, like getting a bank account opened. It was so easy. At WELLS FARGO, the service was so quick, that within 15 mins my account was ready. They made it so simple, even for an alien (any NON US Citizen, is an alien!!). No snide remarks, no suspicious glances (they are so used to Indian IT folks now).....Go to an SBI branch in India and you will spend the first 15 mins in queue!
One interesting point...Rutwik (one of my project mates) was kind enough to take me to Wells Fargo (in his car). The first thing the gentleman at the counter asked was 'Do you want to open a joint account?'. And thats when I was 100 % sure that I had arrived in the US!! :) The GAY WORLD does exist here...and probably a lot of gay men do walk into banks to open a joint account! A small chuckle from me (i was offended though) and a reply 'NO' was good enough to start the process...
Next week, I need to get my SSN and initiate the process for a DL. Moree later....
Will post photos...soon
Luv
~Prakash
Howdy
Well, its my first trip to the west! And I guess, I will be here for a while!
Already miss my India and my home! But, these days, India and Indians are everywhere. And a lot right, here in downtown Dallas!!
~kash
Already miss my India and my home! But, these days, India and Indians are everywhere. And a lot right, here in downtown Dallas!!
~kash
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