Category: Personal

Why do I Blog?


I’ve been blogging from 2002 but I’ve become a consistent blogger only for last one year. So that made me a avid blogger? 

  • I want to express my thoughts & experience to as much as possible.
  • Want to document my experience and I can refer back to my good and challenging times and cherish them.
  • After blogging my perception of looking at things got changed. I look for experience in every moment in life. When I come across traffic jams, corrupt bureaucrats I’m able to flush out my frustration by Blogging out.
  • When I feel lonely I can engage myself because of Blogging.
  • Blog is wonderful tool to market my company & thoughts.
  • When I post a blog about any problem / challenge I get lots of help / solutions from my kind readers.
  • After blogging I reduced on doing crap things that has saved lot of time & money for me.

There are more benefits I’m reaping because of blogging. I started blogging casually but I was taken by things I was able to gain and became a serious blogger.

Relationship terms


Yesterday I went to a cousin’s marriage and I was often confused with these relationship terms thought they are simple. So I wanted to draw a chart to clarify things… 

Common

Child

Grandchild

G-grandchild

G-g-grandchild

Ancestor

Child

Sister or Brother

Nephew or Niece

Grand-nephew or niece

G-grand-nephew or niece

Grandchild

Nephew or Niece

First cousin

First cousin, once removed

First cousin, twice removed

G-grandchild

Grand-nephew or niece

First cousin, once removed

Second cousin

Second cousin, once removed

G-g-grandchild

G-grand-nephew or niece

First cousin, twice removed

Second cousin, once removed

Third cousin

Cousin (first cousin)

Your first cousins are the people in your family who have two of the same grandparents as you. In other words, they are the children of your aunts and uncles.

Second Cousin

Your second cousins are the people in your family who have the same great-grandparents as you. but not the same grandparents.

Third, Fourth, and Fifth Cousins

Your third cousins have the same great-great-grandparents; fourth cousins have the same great-great-great-grandparents, and so on.

Removed

When the word “removed” is used to describe a relationship, it indicates that the two people are from different generations. You and your first cousins are in the same generation (two generations younger than your grandparents), so the word “removed” is not used to describe your relationship.

The words “once removed” mean that there is a difference of one generation. For example, your mother’s first cousin is your first cousin, once removed. This is because your mother’s first cousin is one generation younger than your grandparents and you are two generations younger than your grandparents. This one-generation difference equals “once removed.”

Twice removed means there is a two-generation difference. You are two generations younger than a first cousin of your grandmother, so you and your grandmother’s first cousin are first cousins, twice removed.

Unplanned travel & Happy results


Until 6 PM yesterday I was not sure what am I going to do. Whether to go to Chennai or Coimbatore or Stay back in Bangalore. It was very drowsy feeling and nothing was happening till 4 PM. I was still on the bed browsing and watching T.V, didn’t take bath, lots of cloths to wash, house was dusty.

By 4 PM I realized that I can’t do anything with the Sales Tax work after 4 o clock. I thought I must do something to make the day productive and I broke my laziness and I went one to wash my cloths and it was 5 PM by then.

Then I sweeped the house, had a perfect shave and had a nice bath and it was 5.45 PM. Then again back watching T.V, browsing and thinking what to do next. Then I thought I can check tickets for Chennai and thought if I don’t get a ticket I can think of next choice.

I logged into KPN travels site and found 4 tickets were available for the last bus which was very expensive (cost of a ticket is Rs.706/-). Last bus was always my choice when it comes to travelling between Bangalore – Chennai. Then there was no second thinking. I booked tickets and found KPN has got a new facility to collect tickets on counter upon providing a PIN unlike before where in we had to carry a printout of e-ticket.

Then I travelled to my cousins house in BTM had dinner with him and he dropped me in Bhommanahalli and I boarded the bus by 11.45 PM. I was eager to know what is special with the bus as it costs so much. On boarding I found it was a big bus with 42 seats. I was surprised to see how come they charge so much for having more capacity. When volume is more cost has to come down that is the theory of economies of scale.

Anyways I didn’t bother as I was able to take a decision because of availability of ticket. Then after boarding the bus I made couple of calls until the bus reached Hosur by 12.20 AM and I slept by then. The bus reached Porur by 5 o clock sharp. I woke up exactly before Porur. Thanks to the driver for playing FM songs and switching on the lights. Normally nothing perturbs me on sleep but this time it was unusual and again I’m not going to complain as the result was good as I got down near my house, had good sleep and comfortable travel.

Overall it was very much unplanned and all ended up comfortably and now I’m in Chennai posting this blog.

Home Alone


For the whole day I’ve been at home all alone. Yes no mom’s nagging, no travelling, no meetings and no friend’s visits. But was picking calls and was online so some office work is done. So what is special staying alone at home?

It means a lot time to; 

  • Think back and cherish the best moments in life.
  • Think back into horror moments and see how we overcame those situations.
  • Understanding our mistakes and thinking of solutions.

Over all got a good opportunity for self-realization.

Secondly staying alone means freedom. 

  • Got up very late.
  • Didn’t take bath till evening.
  • Had some grub by evening.
  • Then washed cloths @ 10 o clock in the night.
  • Staying awake without mom’s interference at 4 o clock in the morning and blogging.
  • Watching TV channels of my likes. No Airtel Super Singer or reality shows.

Whole day lived a life which was total indiscipline and been myself. Again back to business from tomorrow and let me close the day without knowing if I’ll get a chance again like this.

Signing off for now… Good Night…

My new hobby


For last couple of years I’ve cultivated the habit of creating new hobbies. Couple of hobbies I’ve started in the recent past and I’ve been successfully doing is; 

  • Vagabond travel trips where in I travel to places in India in all local transport / low cost transport. In this one year I’ve travelled to Kodaikanal, Munnar, KaniyaKumari, Coimbatore, Andamans etc.
  • Investments
  • Reading
  • Social media activity and I’ve become a consistent Blogger, Twitter and actively participating in Linkedin and Peerpower kind of networks.
  • Long drives and finding new routs in and around Chennai.
  • Amateur photography.

Other than this I’m adding an additional stuff to this list. Last week when I was in Coimbatore I visited G.D.Naidu’s museum and I was carried away by seeing his collections.

I always think ahead which people thing I must be crazy. When I was in college I booked my domain name WWW.AnandNataraj.Com for Rs.4000/- then using all my savings. When my parents and friends questioned my I said when I become Bill Gates one day and when I don’t get the domain I might feel bad. Though I’m not to the level of Bill Gates I’m happy that I’m the owner of the Domain name which has my name.

Likewise when I visited the museum I thought even after my death there must be something I did or I used and I thought I must start collecting something different. All my hobbies are low cost or inexpensive. So I’ve decided to collect designer articles. The first in the list is a Key-Chain in the design of shock absorber which costs Rs.350/-. So what is special about this key chain is it is GM’s Official Design.

Next thing in my list is to buy a designer wooden showcase to display all my collections. It is time to get stingy and save money for new goal.

4th Block memories


Today I took my mother and grandmother to Jaya Nagar 4th Block. This was a spot which we use to frequent almost everyday for shopping. Yes 12 years back when I first visited Bangalore my father took me to shopping to 4th block. For me everything looked different compared to Chennai. The language, the people, the culture and I really enjoyed the new place and culture. From then on I use to frequent this place when ever I’m in Bangalore.

Though 4th block had one-way traffic system even 12 years back but a lot of things changed other that that too. It was not this much crowded and one can see lots of retired old people gathering and talking with each other. The climate was even better than now. The bus stop was one the corner in an open space.

After the malls started occupying importance I stopped visiting this place from the year 2002 though I frequented to Bangalore.

Today the bus stop was changed into a commercial building. Traffic has gone really 10 fold more without exaggeration. I can’t see any old gentlemen.

Today it was really nice to walk down the memory lane. Walked through nook and corner of the place. I remember how I nagged my parents for all nonsense things (I feel them nonsense today), but which I thought of importance then, the I got on the platform shops, paw-bajji on cool joint, then juice and ice-creams.

Today I’m independent and can buy what I like but those were special day. But nagging parents to get something and cherishing the past is cherishing historical moments…

Back to active blogging


It’s been a long break from active blogging. The reason is not that I was busy but it was because of technical issues which took time to get sorted… 

  • My blog and company websites are all hosted in a single host and we have reached a point that we have to move to different host because of support issues.
  • We were unable to transfer the files to new host because of Iframe malware which affected our web server.
  • So we had to clean all the systems in the organization and then we had to clean the web server.
  • Cleaning 30 systems which is used by developers and web server which is also actively hosting all websites is not a small task.
  • Finally after all hard work for last 20 days we finally changed to a new host.

Now I’m happily started blogging. I must thank Kannan & Co for their efforts to make this happen amid all challenges.

Rahul Gandhi Blocks Traffic


Rahul_GandhiYes our wonderful Youth & People’s leader is in Madurai today. Coming to the story I started from office to have dinner in Bell Hotel in Tamil Sangam Road, Madurai. Then entire Tamil Sangam Road & roads leading to the road were blocked as he was travelling through that road.

I got irritated because they call themselves as People’s Leader and the end up creating all sort of agony to public and my hunger added up to my frustration. Then having no other choice I parked the bike again near office and decided to walk to hotel.

After reaching Tamil Sangam Road we notice both ends of the road were filled with people who wanted to have a look at Rahul Gandhi. While we were walking on the corner of the road we were interrupted by a cop asking us not to walk and asked us to stand. This again made me wild but I didn’t want to show my piece of mind to the cop and disobeyed him and kept walking and thought that would be the best way to humiliate him.

On reaching to the hotel we had to cross to get into the hotel. When we tried to cross the road we were again interrupted by the cop who said we are not supposed to cross. This time my temperament reached its extreme and it got exploded. I shot back to the COP claiming I was hungry and it took me more than 30 min to reach the hotel which is less that a Kilometer from my office. I said the COP to explain how a People’s Leader can cause so much trouble to innocent public.

I asked the COP to justify the agony faced by people who are returning home from hectic day, students who returning home etc. By this time the COP has realized that he has touched upon a frustrated person and I think he didn’t want any scene to happen when Rahul arrived. He allowed me to cross to the Hotel on allowing us a couple of people who were denied to cross the road also crossed the road.

Then I went into the hotel and placed my order only to find all the chef has gone out to have a glimpse of Rahul. This time had no option other than to laugh. Having left with no option I also went to the Hotel window waiting when our People’s Leader will cross so that I can get my dinner. Finally he crossed after 15 min.

Then I laughed at myself thinking how people in power misuse their power in the name of security. Then entire stretch was blocked an hour ahead of he travelling in that road which was less that 2 min.

Long live our People’s Leader and Long live his service to people I said to myself and I walked back.

Ten years back – Part I


Life runs so fast that when we turn back we can believe that itz been so long. Ten years back exactly on same day we went to Ooty trip along with college buddies. Yes we were in our final year and we know if not then it will never happen together. And we were right after that we were unable to make it as a team till date. Some one or other will miss because so some other priority.

Coming back it all stands ever green in front of my eyes the planning we did. Initially we thought of going as a class trip. But we had some problem; 

  • As usual there was a set of folks who said they cant spend money on tours.
  • Then college said we have to take some faculty along with us if we had to take girls.

We were so mean those days that we scraped the idea of taking girls as we were not ready to pay for a faculty. Also we thought we can go along with core group of friends so that we can have ball of a time.

Then it was time for planning we collected all the tourist spots from TTDC and thru other sources. Then collected college bonafide certificate from college as it gave us concession in train tickets, dorm rooms in youth hostel & concession in theme park. 

Then came the D-Day we packed our bags on 05/09/1999 where in we all planned to take Electric train and meet assemble at Mambalam station. So fun started from there where in confusion started from there; 

  • Venket boards a train and joins Balaji from Palavanthangal.
  • Both of them will join Karthik from St.Thomas Mount station.
  • All three will join me from Guindy Station.
  • We all join other folks other than Saravanan in Mambalam station.
  • Karthik has a habit to sleep when he stands. So we were unable to pull him down at Mambalam station because of crowd. So, Balaji caught the train and said he will pull him down at park station and he did that promptly.
  • Then we all joined at park station and crossed the road and boarded train to Mettupalayam. And it was fun from then on.

anand2Joy in Train: Venket took control by himself and claimed himself as the captain of the trip. Who cares we didn’t give him a damn and we were in our own world. So first step of control Venkat took was to lock all our bags and he was good at that and we were relieved that someone took care of our belongings.. Then he took all the snacks which we brought (we planned to have snacks for whole 5 day). But when Venkat slept we finished off all the snacks we brought within minutes.

Then we were shouting, talking, playing cards and didn’t sleep the whole night. We were pulling down each others socks. 

anand5Then finally we reached Metupalayam by 7 AM and we ran to board Ooty heritage train. It was a 4 hour right and we enjoyed first 2 hours by running behind the train. Taking snaps on the falls that pours en route. Then we got bored. Then we reached Ooty and we were sitting in a park before we found the youth hostel.

We refreshed our self and it was already 2 PM and we proceeded to Lake that day and we returned back as we were tired as we didn’t sleep that day. Then we returned to Hostel and slept.

As we stayed there for 5 days we need 5 parts to cover the entire episode as each day was an epic by itself.

Tribute to teachers


To start with I’m not a great admirer of teachers as I was always a below average student in my academics. But as usual I’ve my handful teachers who were very supportive and helped me come up. So these are the great ones to whom I’d like to pay my TRIBUTES; 

Jacqulin: She was my class teacher when I was in Class II in Alpha Matriculation Higher Secondary School, CIT Nagar, Chennai. She was young & good looking. I always had her affection and she was very supportive to me. Since she was a primary class in charge she did play an important role in my career. But she help to lay good foundation which was helpful in later stages.

Poonam Motwani: She took Biology when I was in Class IX in AV.Meiyappan Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Virugambakkam, Chennai. Class IX I came terribly low in my academics but I really excelled in Sports. In this year I represented my school in Zonals in Football, Basket Ball & Athletics. Poonam mam was newly married then and was a fresher to profession also she was gorgeous in her looks. I was pet student of Poonam mam as I was very naughty, mischievous & bottom topper in the class. She treated me like her brother and she really took lot of pains to improve my standards. But all her results ended in vain as I didn’t show any interest to learn. The very next year her husband got transferred and she left Chennai and I’m not sure where she lives. But I’ve high regards for her. 

Malathy: She took English when I was in Class IX, Class XI, Class XII in AV.Meiyappan Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Virugambakkam, Chennai. English is one subject which I was above average. Malathy mam was my well wisher and she keeps advising me to choosing a career path and she has shared a lot of her personal with me. She is one special person and I’d keep her at No.1 position compared to other teachers. After my schooling I didn’t take efforts to maintain contact with her and I feel ashamed for that. 

Usha Sundar: She was my HOD in by UG where I did Bachelors in Computer Science from Dhanraj Baid Jain College, Thoraipakkam, Chennai. She is one lady who stood as inspiration in my life for her courage and for her problem solving skills. Also today I dedicate my success to her. During farewell day she said; 

“You are all ending a life which is just filled with Fun and no worries.
You were shielded by your parents.
Now you are stepping into real world.
Real world is so cruel.
If you are successful it will take as its own success.
If you fail it will treat you miserably.
So, don’t take Success for Granted;
Failures to your heart;
Learn quickly;
Best of Luck.”

All these words hit me hard and since I ventured into business immediately after college I came across all the things she said and her words helped me to overcome struggles. You can understand as you can see I’ve typed her golden words even after 9 years. Again this lady is my courage, inspiration and a mentor.

Raghu Iyer: This man is a real legend when it comes to Finance, Teaching & Humor. He enlightened me by showing power of Ms-Excel as a tool to maintain finance. He really inspired me with his teaching style that I started developing admiration for Finance. He was my Finance professor at Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai.

In this list I’m in touch with Usha Sundar Mam & with Raghu Iyer thru linkedin.com. With other I’ve lost tough once after 1986 with Jacqulin, 1994 with Poonam & 1997 with Malathy. Let me see the power of internet and see if I’m able to get in touch with them.

Once again let me thank these important people as without you all I’m not what I’m today.

Also I’d like to thank Mr.Gopal Ramanan for igniting my inner self to atleast write about these great ones. He asked me to do it over chat and you can check his Teachers day tribute here.