Managers-You get 'em all

Well, unfortunately, i got stuck at my first job for almost 4 years. May be if i had switched more sporadically, i could have met varying kinds of managers who would enlighten me with information and strategies of how to treat the humble person reporting to you. But i should say, even my uninspirational, unrewarding and always-reprimanding stay at my job has bought me across quite a few managers.

But, i should say, the worst of all are the people who dont really care a damn for who you are, as long as they get their job done. I mean, there is no people management, its all work management.

A very good anecdote i can recall is the just recent promotion i got. For the love of God, i thought it was my freaking hard work and the blood(hyperbole), sweat and tears(again hyperbole) that i put in the company/project for the last 3+ years that had yielded me the feel of the next level.

But No, i got a realty check. I was not a deserving Software Engg. I had not done enough to convince my managers of my abilities. It required divine intervention to put me through.

Thanks Almighty!! Thanks!!

You know what, think about it again. I dont want this change. I would rather get it on merit rather than people begging for me. Sorry, someone had to beg.

Yes, friends, you guessed it right. I am a underachieving. poor soul with no capabilities and I have got a very undeserving present.

Please take it back someone, Please!!

Ok, forget... Ill take a leave...

Cya,
Ashley

P.S: All is fictional. no resembelance to reality, whatsoever.

Cricket Vs Hockeys

All my friends frequently ask me one question, how much dough did Adrian get for the last triump? What are his match fees? Does he endorse any product?
I dont feel bad to reply no to most of the answers. I dont feel bad, because it is the bare truth. Its a fact that sport-persons other than cricketers have to live with in this country of ours.
Hockey for one is our National sport, but the support it gets from the government makes me ask them, whether do they even know that such a sport exists.

For example, there is one Astro-turf in Mumbai. It is present at Churchgate, near the Wankhede stadium.Ok, so now that i mentioned Wankhede stadium most of you guys have an idea of where is must be located. :)
Mumbai, has produced Olympians all the while. I will just mention the recent one's, Jude Menezes and Adrian D'souza. Both of them were goal-keepers. Here's the interesting part. I suppose, if you have even once seen the goal-keeper, then you must have thought, "Hey he is one big fella!!". With all the hand protection, leg guard and helmet, they do look burly.
The reality is different. Adrian weights 62 kgs, he used to carry the kit, nearly 1/3 his weight all the way from Malad to Churchgate. A complete distance of about 30-40 kms. He used to travel by train. Train is another nightmare all together. Yes, so why dont we have more astro-turfs?
Why can't the goverment spend some money for the poor souls who want to take up hockey, but cannot because of the unavailability of facilities.

JC, the current coach of the Indian Hockey team, has rightly blasted all the government folks who showered loads of cash bonanza on the cricketing demi-Gods. We are not against cricket. No, we are not. We are against being recongnised for our hard work. I have seen how hard the team works. I have a brother who has been playing hockey for the last 10 years. He has stayed away from family since 16. He has had numerous injuries and has visited 2 Appllo centres in unconsicous states. But, he has had absolutely no support from the quarters he expects from.
The support if any has to come from Family and Friends. AD, skipped the Azlan Shah so that he can compelte his graduation. I still rememeber when one cricketer from Gujrat was to miss his exams, his board rescheduled it for him. Can this be applied for a Olympian hockey player.
At the age of 23, AD has played almost all the top level hockey events. Olympics, World Cup, Asian Games, Asia Cup, Champions Trophy, Junior World Cup, Champions Challenge, Azlah Shah.

Its a sad state of affairs i must admit. But at the end of the day, My Mom, Dad and I are proud that AD took to hockey and not any other sport. He is a person who is living his dream and passion. And believe me money does not really matter much to him. It is recognition i think he deserves.

Go India Go!!!

Happiness!

An emotion which makes one feel merry, a moment in time when all worries are forgotten, a time when u feel like embracing your worst enemy..
There are a quite a few things that we all mortals look forward to, things that we hope will bring happiness into our lives. It is this feeling of expectation that keeps us going.

Day after day, i walk into this Infotech Park(Pun Intended)! At 8:30 AM i reach my desk, read my emails, surf the net, update myself with news from all over the world. I make sure i dont miss any hockey news and search the microscopical hockey news for any updates.
Here is where i feel happy. If i find an article on 'Hockey' i feel nice. When half-done with the article, i call up my brother AD, tell him about the news and ask him.. "Did u know about this". Usually the answer is 'Yes'. :) then i say 'Ok' and hang up. Looking for more 'Hockey' news that the Indian Hockey team goal-keeper is unware of.. believe me this is hard!!! But once a while i succeed and then i am VERY HAPPY!!!

Going forward, i wait for my fiancee to buzz me. 9:21 AM sharp and 'Hoobastank' brings melody to my soul. This is what 'seventh heave' must be like, eh?More happiness, more smiles, more fun-filled childish talks...

And then abruplty my happiness is taken away, she's got to get back to work. Time for the call to end... I want more i say, can i just speak for some more time, can I? Nope!

Then for the next 3 hours, its pure anguish. Doing the same kind of a thing for 3 years does make you feel robotic!! Am i a 'Golem'?? Am I?
This is the phase, where i am least happy, least satisfied, least interested in whats happening.
I am as they say 'world-weary', tired, fagged out, jaded.. give me a break guys...

As i sit throug those gory hours and think, is it that they should give me a break, or should I be brave enough to take one for myself.
After all, this is my life, my spirit, my soul...

Its half a day gone, and all i am doing is longing for happiness. In the already spen 12 hours of the day, so far ive spent about 10 minutes, when i've really felt nice..

The rest.. time i can never bring back, moments which are lost forever..

Am i really that helpless, cant i do something?

Time to get real and think!!

Cheers,
Ashley

The remaining 12 hours, tomo! :) good nite

Tough Day!

Life sometimes make me stop and think..
What am i doing here.. so late? at work?

my friends, boss, colleagues all have left..
i am stranded all alone...

and mind you, this is not a rare case...
this is my state for the past 3 years..

now i really have started to believe that i am totally incapable of handling work..
i am bad planner and my productivity is negligible, if not "0"!!!

i just wonder, will this persist even after marriage!

i am sure not!! :)

cheers,
ashley

Better Late than Never!

Sometimes, the wait is endless...
The first blog i am about to pen is after an endless wait of almost 2 years..
My friends, Adi, Sharma and Co. had started a blog, we wrote, we laughed and we forgot...
But it was not my baby..This one is..I plan not to forget this one...
I have set some targets, some goals and i hope to keep to atleast meet them if not over-shoot them..

Anywayz, all said and done..here i am, sharing my not-so-unique story in a so-damn-unique world!

peace!
~ashley