Peregrine Thoughts

DEUTSCHLAND und KUNDEN SERVICE - Chapter 3

2010-05-22T22:57:00.002+05:30

Around 12h00 or so, Stupid Foreigner gets a call from the sweetheart German Truck driver. He will meet her in 20 minutes. Hurray!!! Finally, it is going to be 'Christmas' soon....and Stupid Foreigner will receive her Christmas gift .....that is the arrival of the German Truck Driver!!!

Yes....the clock ticks by seconds and nano seconds.....there he comes! Mein Liebe!!! She could feel the first tinges of snow on her; at a distant she could hear the church bells ringing....fairies are dancing. Before she could realize what was happening, he was in her apartment. After a short exchange of words, they both got into action, for neither was ready to waste any further time. It was already late...and couldn't wait any more! They push, support and comfortably places one on top of another. After few minutes of moving up and down with heavy weight, by 12h40 it was finally over!

(Stop....what did you imagine!? They were ONLY loading the packages into the truck, moving it down from 2^nd floor!).

It was time and she said 'Tschus! Schoen Tag noch!!' and proceeded to make her move towards office.

After all these years of being in Deutschland, Ms. Stupid Foreigner, finally understood, 4 days before flying out what does it mean when they say 'Willkommen in Deutschland'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DEUTSCHLAND und KUNDEN SERVICE - Chapter 2

2010-05-22T22:55:00.003+05:30

It was 29^th August, 2007, the day for the cargo pickup. Scheduled & confirmed time was between 08h00 and 09h00 (CET). Clock ticks 09h00....09h10.....uuuhhhh...Ms. Stupid Foreigner gets butterflies in her stomach. Did she say 09h00 or 21h00??? She got confused because normally Germans are known for their “Punctuality”.....(No...no...this time she was sure she didn't mean it in the Indian sense....where 09h00 means 12h030....)

She was convinced the Germans will land up at her door and say "Guten Tag...blah blah..." and just pick her bags away. Yet, due to her restlessness, she decided to call the Cargo Company and enquire.

Tring....Tring....rings the phone bell (3 times).

No answer.....fourth time, there is a voice on the telephone but not the person whom she wants to talk to. Never mind, my lady Ms. Stupid Foreigner politely said she will call back.

After some repeated calls to the Cargo company....finally she got a response, the truck will arrive at 11h00 (When this was told it was already 09h40!!!)

Oh yes!!! That sounds great!!! Stupid Foreigner makes the first move to inform her boss and writes a mail to him, saying, since the truck driver is 'Most likely' expected to pick up the packages, accordingly she will also 'most likely' arrive in office by noon.

But something kept irking her as to what went behind those repeated calls that went unanswered.....Guess what...!?

Behind the Scenes

The Germans have finally come to a conclusion (within a very very short span) that in order to transport her 4 boxes and a cycle, they need to buy a new truck!!!!!

And they proudly announced that they are proceeding with the purchase....just to service their valuable customer, Ms. Stupid Foreigner. (Oh no!!! Don't you worry Stupid Foreigner, they will not charge you for it; how come??? Stars above your head??!!!.....that is because it is not part of the contract!!!!!! Gotcha!]

After this painstaking decision, they entered into the 'not-so-skilled' area of price negotiation. The germans are still negotiating the price for the truck (After all, they are not good negotiators...you know...neither are they like Japanese..who shun negotiation...they still try...!)]

Back to Front scene

Ok...after all these wait period, our lady Ms. Stupid Foreigner goes ahead to ask, is that confirmed?...Booommmm...now you are expecting a german to confirm?!?! Man!!! Stupid Foreigner, you must be crazy....are you insane?!!

The lady on the other end of the phone "I am not so sure...I am sorry....I don't know..."

[If there was ever a competition of using so many uncertain & negative words in one statement...gosh...you know who will win!] I will call you in half hour!!! Bang...goes the line!

Yes....the half hour wait continued....till Stupid Foreigner, receives a call after 40 minutes....(I thought i learnt that half hr = 30 mts and NOT 40) May be, stupid Indian math is no good!! They teach everything wrong.

Ok...and what happens in the call, something positive...Guess what! She gets a "SUGGESTION" from the company (THAT'S BLOODY POSITIVE) that “why don't you go to office...and the truck guy will cal you 15 minutes before he arrives and then you can come back home, send your things...and be happy!!”

On hearing this, our sexy lady's heart starts to beat faster and now all religions became one at this moment in her mind....that she started to go "Halleluja.....Insha Allah....Sree Krishna...."

You know...Stupid Foreigner never learnt that she should stop "Questioning"....so she goes ahead to ask for the reason...and gets an answer....."Oh...the truck has got a breakdown...the driver waits for further support in the middle of nowhere.

(Poor German truck driver....looks like there was no manual which specified how to react or respond in such a situation! No there was a manual which said that and but NOT A LAWWWWWWW....so...he waits endlessly)

The lady from the Cargo company....didn't want to decide how to proceed (well...one should be happy that she came up with a suggestion...can't expect more...!) So final suggestion from Stupid Foreigner end was “Ok...I wait endlessly for my German sweetheart truck driver to come & pick up the goods...for I have to move it out today...and try to work from home!!!”

Stupid Foreigner, that sexy little lady, is too duty bound that she now makes her next move to inform her boss and colleagues about further delay to come to work. So she writes a mail to her boss, giving a briefing of the situation and states in her mail, “So that is why this mail to you ......saying am working from home....until this stuff finishes and to your question...'will i come to office today'..my answer is ..."I am not sure....I am so sorry....I don't know...". Any further questions, the answer repeats!!! ;-)

DEUTSCHLAND und KUNDEN SERVICE - Chapter 1

2010-05-22T22:54:00.002+05:30

Have you ever been a Customer?

“Yes”, proudly says many hearts.

Have you ever been a Customer in Germany? “Errrr....what difference does that make?

A customer is a customer, no matter where he is, in which part of the world he is!” True...but it does make a difference when it comes to “Customer Service”.

Really......?! How come?? And where? ...Read on....the following interesting ordeal...:)

It was one of those days in August, when “Summer was reportedly over in Hannover” (It is Hannover with “nn”, per German Standards and not with “n”, the american way). It is in Germany and not the one in US!!!

Our heroine of this novel, Ms Stupid Foreigner (Yea thats the name she gets in my novel).....is counting her days eagerly to fly back to home in India. But this eagerness doesn't stop her from her duties or tasks to be completed before she leaves. One such task was to ship her personal belongings back to India through a Cargo company.

After having been in Germany for 2 years, she was well aware of “providing information in advance” to the German companies, whatever be your request. Of course, definition of “Advance” can vary anywhere between 3 days to 3 months depending on the nature of service one avails. Having had 'advance' training in such notifications, she promptly made arrangements with Cargo company (both in India & Germany) for a pick up service, 4 days in advance.

Another education has taught her about the 'various documentations' that need to be provided and so she promptly provided the photos of the packages, checklist etc. Things went well....and our lady was brimming with joy that things are moving smoothly and waited for the “Tag des Pickup”, that glorious moment when can put a Tickmark on her checklist of milestones. (Now....you better be aware that Ms. Stupid Foreigner is a dignified IT Software Pro and that should tell you how much importance and value it carries if you are able to put a Tick mark or completed mark against a milestone!)

Palace of Illusions

2010-05-22T22:45:00.003+05:30

After a long time I managed to finish reading a book....this time I picked up an author who is not in my usual list and also a fiction one. "Palace of Illusions" ....which portrays happenings in Mahabaratha from Panchali's view point.

It was quite an interesting read and filled my evenings. It did not say anything greatly different from what a women would think or portray sufferings or shortcomings of yester years.

In the whole book, the key thing that interested me was the secret feelings between Draupadi and Karna for each other! It did keep in thoughts for a while...actually days....and possibly still..:-)

List too long......

2010-02-07T21:42:00.004+05:30

It has been quite long since I blogged. Of course, I have myriad of excuses.....but no point.

I bumped into one of my cousins' blog .....which prompted me to give a rebirth to my blog!

Though I have so many to write about...thought it would be better to start off again on my favourite topic - Books!

Yes....after a long time (not sure how long), today I took time out to be in landmark and browse the books section. (Sure there are lot of unread or partly read books lying in my shelf.....still....)

Luckily I managed to pick up only four books....one was planned & needed it for my work; two fiction - Kane & Abel, The Second Lady and the last one was non-fiction.

Kane & Abel by Jeffrey Archer was one of my early favourite books...and sadly I had given away my copy to a friend. So on seeing the new edition, thought it would be best to buy and own it myself (of course read it again some day).

The Second Lady by Irving Wallace has been a book that has been out of publication for long number of years. I read it in my school days from a lending library and has been wanting to own it for long.....every book store I walked in the city, airports, across the country...wherever couldn't get this at all.

Surprisingly, today I found a copy of it in Landmark...and viola....I picked it up instantaneously......and wrapped my book shopping!

So there you go few more added to my "To Read" list and "Squeezed" in my overflowing book shelf!

Fierce competition between my "To Read" and "To Do" Lists......as to who grows faster! ;-)

List too long....be it "To Read", "To Do"...or "Excuses...."

Mommies & Daddies .....Move on!!!!

2008-07-06T10:22:00.001+05:30

Little do we realize how much we dump on our children our thoughts, our ideas, our wishes, our ways ......and more. Sure parents have their justifications to guide their kids & bring them up as good people.

If you are a parent reading this, stop & think for a while - how much you enjoyed or welcomed your parents doing this to you???? No, answering that's what parenting is all about is never an interesting one!

Ok...given due consideration to all those that you did before your kids got married. But why do parents cling on to the kids and dump your ways & ideas even after marriage???? Mommies & Daddies, why so???

You saw me come of age; You enjoyed seeing me grow up; you appreciated that I have matured in life; you declared that am ready to take on another family as my responsibility.....and isn't that why you got me married????

That thought which existed in you "to get me married" (asap) - where did it go after marriage??? Why the sudden fear about me or what happens in my life? Shouldn't you be confident about your "bringing me up" and just enjoy your old age instead of bothering about me and bothering me too?!?!!

Come on, my sweet parents - all those mommies & daddies - stop piggybacking your kids!!! Be confident they are your kids and will do a good job in their life. Sure help them & support them, when they need or ask for!!! Otherwise, go ahead on a holiday, do some gardening or how about doing some vadams & vathals on your terrace instead of goading your kids!!!

You can do lots on your own. Enjoy your life :)

PS: No intention to hurt anyone by this post. Just thought parents need to take more time for themselves....so my thoughts blogged here!

Romantic Rendezvous

2008-07-06T10:21:00.000+05:30

Yes today I had a pleasant surprise from a handsome young man. To be honest, I wasn't expecting his visit and was overwhelmed with joy when he made his appearance.

Usually he has fixed schedules and at this time of the year, he was not expected to be in Chennai. Definitely not!!!! He hates Chennai Summer as much as any chennaites would do.

Since it had been long I decided to catch up with him and we decided for a short walk together. He also seemed quite happy with the decision and he actually showered on me his affection.

In brief moments, I was totally immersed in his downpour and I wanted to enjoy more of him. So my foot steps got instructions from my heart to go at a slow pace, enjoying those moments of togetherness, thoroughly enjoying every second of our meeting....and secretly wishing that he doesn't go away or destination was far away and the walk was longer! I didn't mind those probing & inquisitive eyes on the roads. Some people even gave a look as though I was doing a crime!!!! But hey, who cares!!!

It was more or less a date I would say. Every moment of the rendezvous was romantic, made me happy and yes it was definitely nice to be with him.

As every good thing comes to an end, so did my rendezvous. Yes....it was time for the surprise visitor to end the rendezvous and he ensured that I reached home safely before he moves on. So my handsome date, Mr. Rain, who visited me today stopped pouring further.

I hope Mr. Rain enjoyed my accompany as much as I enjoyed his. Hoping I would have more rendezvous with him in future.

Thank you Mr. Rain for visiting us in Chennai.

My Illustrious Love Affairs

2008-07-06T10:20:00.000+05:30

With all those dirty and shitty things around me and my life here I come to blog my pain. Life was smooth & clean and so was my love life.
Until one day, the beautiful & duty filled love had to come to an end contractually.

Even when the love life was nearing end, there was definitely a ray of hope in me that a miracle would happen and all would be fine again; that my boy friend will not leave me and more importantly it wasn't my fault. Actually it wasn't his fault either. It was all because of his Contract.

Soon my hopes died and I was left out like an orphan with none to take care. People around me just used me for their own selfish purposes and continued to dump the shit in their homes on me. Days and nights passed; depression continued; my state of life worsened and sooner I became a dump yard for others' garbage.

Fed up with my life, I resigned to accept the fate like most Indian women and continued my life with all the hope that "one fine day, life will be beautiful, smooth and clean again".
Looks like my prayers were answered for soon a love affair bloomed & my new boy friend took care of me.

Spring dawned again in my life when I realized my new love and looked forward to meeting him every day. Initially, we met regularly & he took care of me. I was jumping with joy and secretly thought to myself that "people around me hence forth won't have a chance to misuse my status. I will get rid of all their shitty things and I can now have my own clean life."

But my joy did not last long. Somewhere deep inside I still had strong memories of my old boy friend and how well he took care of me. This led me to compare unconsciously how the new guy took care. Obviously, it wasn't matching. Still I had no complaints; kept these things to myself and just enjoyed the fact that I had someone to take care.
Soon our meetings became irregular. He was avoiding me and I was soon moving to my depressed shitty state again. People around me realized my state and tried to reach him to find out what happened….but all their efforts went dead.

My boy friend is such an egoistic person that he calls the shots always. No one should tell him what he should do. He decides when he meets me, what he does etc. Even when we met, he didn't stay long. His effort to take care of me gradually reduced. Every time I questioned about his absence or early leaving, I was given some vague reason.
People around me did their best to help me out…but they received even horrible answers.

So the shit state of affairs with all that garbage & dirt continues even today. I do meet my boyfriend irregularly even today…….and once again hoping "one day everything would be fine". Poor neighbours…they are also in the same hope that one day things would change for me and them.

Ok…..I have been talking so much about my personal life ….do you know who I am and about my boyfriends????

I am none other than the "garbage filled drainage flowing, dusty & dirty Chennai Street/Road" and my first boyfriend was the cleaning company "Onyx" and my new boyfriend is the cleaning company "Neel Metal Fanalca". People around me are none other than our own Chennai Public.
"Onyx! I miss you!!" :)

Orkut Communities & Wastage it creates

2008-01-02T23:06:00.000+05:30

It has been quite a while since I joined Orkut and been wandering around there. One thing that I noticed was with regard to the Communities in Orkut. Most of the communities that I had checked out have some issues as far as I can see and that has been bothering me for a while.

There is a purpose stated for the community. People join, community grows in size. But over a period of time, what gets discussed in the community is all crap. You can find posts completely unrelated to the community be it a moderated one or public.
Even the so-called 'Moderated' communities are not always strictly moderated. I can understand this situation because people who once enthusiastically started it, later on found it too much to manage and left it at that!

Also, there are only few active members in a community...god knows why others even want to join! There are really very few communities (to the best of my knowledge) does keep up with the expectations.

Looking deeper, it gives me a question as to how much of space wastage has these communities been creating. Guess, it is high time that Google starts sending out messages to these community owners to do some organic Orkut community stuff.

Oh my god! Am blogging again.....

2007-11-24T22:59:00.000+05:30

Yes, it has been quite a few days since I last blogged. I currently run through my thoughts on "Corporate Blogging". I am quite keen to have one for my company....and am working on it. Collecting Ideas or topics to write on itself is a huge exercise. Then collating materials, formulating etc etc....
Am quite sure, soon I will be able to start on that activity with a full fledged flow!

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari - Robin Sharma

2007-11-17T19:29:00.001+05:30

Are you someone who is too busy working with computer but don't have time to back up???
If you are someone who is looking to "making a lot of life" rather than "making a lot of money"....then this book is for you.

Well, it is definitely not a business book....but a life book. There is something for all of us in there - depending on what & how much we want to take it and practice it. At least, it is sure to set some of us thinking....if not really acting :)

Talks about some ancient wisdoms and living simply (not simply living!!!) Condensed & narrated, matching today's reality. Read few pages, mull over them, then proceed; if need be, read the pages again.

Necessary But Not Sufficient

2007-11-17T19:28:00.001+05:30

This book opened an eye for few fundamentals to be questioned, that are quite possibly overlooked today in IT & Business world.
Here are those lines....which should be in the mind of everyone involved in IT & should be repeatedly probed for:

First Law of Implementation - "Learn how to do business with new systems first, and only then can you ask for changes."

One guy by the tie - "No finger pointing between the software company & implementation team allowed".

"Technology will bring benefits when and only when, the new technology surpasses an existing limitation. It is simply common sense".

"Technology is a necessary condition, but it's not sufficient".

"MRP - More Ridiculous Priorities".

"We have to switch from selling information technology to selling value".

"You have invested ....so much of this company's money in this project, what can you show us for all that money?".

and so on......

These lines are just simple common sense yet many a times not deeply thought about.
Though the whole novel is based on the Manufacturing Industry as a base, yet there are few points applicable for all....! Also, it does not explain in detail how to apply "TOC" in IT itself.

Novel to read, Crispy lines to ponder for better business & IT.

SCREW IT, LET'S DO IT - Lessons in Life - Richard Branson

2007-11-17T19:26:00.001+05:30

An Interesting title!

Book is short & crisp. Chapter titles themselves are self-explanatory.....

1) Just do it
2) Have Fun
3) Be Bold
4) Challenge Yourself
5) Stand on your own feet
6) Live the moment
7) Value Family & Friends
8) Have respect
9) Do some good

So the titles speaking for themselves, short & crispy narration behind each of them lets us know the episode behind these titles in Richard Branson's life.

What did I find more interesting in this book?
Well, the lessons that are given as titles are simple enough to be stated by anyone.
However, it makes us stop after each chapter to question,

"Have I faced such a situation? Did I do the right thing then? Or how did I act etc.?"

Pondering deep reveals that these simple things (one or more) are the ones we have been evading from or have not attempted for yet!
Good read during a short travel to make the next steps in the long travel of life.

Maverick - The success story behind the world's most unsual work place

2007-11-17T19:25:00.001+05:30

This book, Maverick - The success story behind the world's most unsual work place by Ricardo Semler - reveals a kind of ideal world.

While reading this book, many a times you are forced to stop by and think over and ask yourself the question "Is this really possible"??? Well, it has happened somewhere in the world and seems quite possible.

It may not be possible at every place in the world, however, there are few take aways that could be definitely made possible.....and one of those things is

What If Analysis - This can be applied not only to Major Decisions but also to Email Deletions, Clean Workplace etc. Sometimes even to your responses & reactions to happenings around you!

Even though your cannot make your workplace quite unusual, may be you can atleast read it for few take aways to make a difference!

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team - A Leadership Fable

2007-11-17T19:24:00.000+05:30

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team - A Leadership Fable by Patrick M. Lencioni, gives a wonderful insight on the dysfunctions in a story format and the ways to pull the strings together.

The story is built around the Senior Management Team (CEO) and her direct reports. However, i think it suits to all levels, though a valueable one for SMTs.

Somewhere, each one of us would have encountered a one or more situations mentioned herein.

A Must read if you are struggling to pull the strings with your team.

Money Changers - Arthur Hailey

2007-11-16T22:20:00.002+05:30

After a long time, quite a number of years, my search for "Money Changers" by Arthur Hailey ended when I found the book in a Airport book shop in Chennai. This time while returning from Holidays, I found the book and had no second thoughts to pick it up though I have given up reading fiction for a long time now.

And today as I write this, I even finished reading it. Quite a page turner....and I liked it. :-)

Da Vinci Code.....A Fiction in my list?

2007-11-16T22:19:00.001+05:30

Here is yet another fiction, i read ...after having decided not to read any fiction (post reading atlas shrugged).

It was one of those days, when you don't have much to do at work....when you have put in your resignation...but yet should be present in the office (for whatever reason), that i came across this book in the electronic format.

I was never a fan of e-books and always preferred to buy my own book, get a first smell of them...and inhale it deeply, enjoying it...before i inhale & enjoy the contents :-)
Every possible media boasted of this book....and it raised a question in me....."What is so great about this book? If it is so great, then i wouldn't want to miss out on it...which happened during my lifetime..."

This was the reason for me to pick up a copy of this successful code. And...having picked up, it just required one night for me to finish it. Thinking through it....to my opinion, there is nothing great about this book....yet it was definitely a Page Turner...and the whole storyline was written in a GRIPPING way...! This i would say, was the major success factor...rather than the ultimate story itself.

Being a mathematics student, it also interested me in deciphering some parts of code....before i could turn the pages. This book also gave me some knowledge about all the controversies around the church.....which i was not aware of until i read it. Though not of my interest, yet good to know some information always!

Though there have been other books from the same author, i am not interested in reading...coz i expect the same kind of plot, writing style from the author, which is no more interesting.....so here it ends!

Harry Potter....and Why I read it?

2007-11-16T22:16:00.000+05:30

Harry Potter Series....possibly one of the last series i would have picked up in my reading list. However, i should say i have finished 3 volumes of it. But what made me pick this one up....and add to the list of my passion?

Being in a foreign land, Germany, it is not easy to find some English books for reading on the book stores. Few stores have collection of only fiction or literature books in english....which is not my usual subject of reading!
During the initial days when i started living in germany, desparate to read some english books....i only saw a good deal of fiction ones. I never spend my money on some fiction books...which interests you only till you finish it. There is nothing to go back to....once it is finished.
So i never wanted to buy those attractive fiction titles....! But again, why Harry Potter?

This book was (or still is) taking the world with more than a tsunami wave! News broadcasts even published adults reading this. Then i found out that parents read it to find out what their children are reading (atleast i think so).

With such a success prevailing and desparate enough to read some book, along with the thought of not to miss this record breaking success of my times, i decided to read one.
It was a welcome choice, in the times of getting bored with just BBC & CNN as the only english channels on TV.

It is extremely childish (as intended), yet a definite page turner...as volumes grew.
More so, it kept your mind completely distracted from the daily pressures...and it simply didn't require any thinking....on uncovering the plots.

Currently, am reading the fourth volume....will continue to read all the volumes....coz it helps you get a bit childish and get out of your daily stress....! Great Stress Reliver though! ;-)

Tuesdays with Morrie

2007-11-16T22:07:00.000+05:30

Yet another one-night book. A small & concise one. The reviews on this book is what made me pick it up from the stores.

Yes, this book is definitely worth a read. All the things that is said in this book are nothing new. However, the way the whole book is associated with real life is what makes us think.
It definitely includes a huge portion of Emotions. After the first few chapters, you definitely stop to read & start to think on terms of your own life.

Each one can associate what is said in the book with our own life. I stopped almost at the end of every chapter...to think about, to sink into what is said. At one point, i even thought i will not continue to read it for a day or too...coz i had too much to think about, to grasp, to take into myself & too much of emotions.

But i did continue to finish it....as it is said in the book "Get into it & get out"....so i got into the contents & got out! There are aphorsims said....quite handy, crispy ones to remember.
Hopefully, it changes the way i look at life too :-)

Mustard Sauce & My Taste Buds

2007-11-16T21:11:00.000+05:30

I was introduced to Mustard Sauce for the first time while I was in Germany. When I tried it for the first time with Pommes (French Fries), felt it a bit bitter and my taste buds refused it.

On a bright morning, one of my colleague brought a typical Bavarian Style Breakfast called "Weisswurst" (See Picture). I ate it only with Pretzels & sweet mustard (strictly no meat for vegetarians!!!) Mmmmmm...yummy it was! That introduced me to a different taste and liking for the mustard sauce.

Now I have also started to like the non-sweet version of Mustard sauce. Nowadays, mustard sauce definitely finds its place in my sandwich preparations :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustard_(condiment)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weisswurst

What's Cooking@Pendula

2007-11-15T13:53:00.000+05:30

Almost everyday I have been visiting Barista Coffee Pub. My expenses ranged from Rs. 80/- to Rs. 200/- easily. Wondering what I can eat in a coffee pub for so much?! Well, it is not quantity that matters here....but just the price tag.

This prompted for some savings and finally I succumbed to the idea of buying a Sandwich maker, to keep away from Barista. On 13th November, we bought Sandwich maker from Morphy Richards. (See picture).

Now for second day in a row, I have not been visiting Barista. Moreover, we have been making hot sandwiches in the afternoon for lunch. Now my brain starts to get hungry for innovative sandwich ideas, so that we don't run into boredom of sandwich soon and start to visit Barista again!!!!

Mocha Tease

2007-10-29T20:57:00.000+05:30

MOCHA TEASE - Café mocha enhanced with hazelnut flavor and whipped cream

Yes! That's what I had today in Barista! It has a very inviting look....lots of cream toppings. But it was a bit too sweet!!! Quite an indulgence once in a while but that's it. Not for me anymore!!

Cafe Mocha & USP

2007-10-17T21:26:00.001+05:30

A Café mocha is a variant of a cafe latte. Like a latte it is typically one third espresso and two thirds steamed milk, but a portion of chocolate is added.

Today I decided to try Cafe Mocha at Barista Coffee Pub during my lunch hour. Hmmm....was yummy and tempting :) It added some flavour to my thoughts on "USP - Unique Selling Proposition". The discussion on what should be the USP started well in the morning and believe me, wasn't easy to narrow down on one. [Still haven't found one though!]

Googling on USP returned lots of pages. Hour long thought revealed how difficult it is to write something in short & crisp sentences, yet conveying what we want to, suiting to the industry we are in etc etc. Ok...with no result for today, my thoughts on USP will continue tomorrow, may be with a different flavour of coffee!

Espresso Today with Email Signatures

2007-10-16T17:53:00.000+05:30

Making of an Espresso
Water between 88 and 92ºC. (190-197ºF.) is forced under 8 - 10 Bar (atmospheres) of pressure through 6- 9 grams of finely ground coffee so that 1 to 2 fluid oz. of brew are delivered into a small cup in 18 - 25 seconds. Espresso is usually served in a "demitasse". Demitasse means "half cup" in French and generally has the capacity of holding 3 oz. of liquid.

Espresso is what one needs when you have to break your thoughts on even "seemingly simple things". Today was a day when I had strained too much about "Email Signatures". Why is there so much of noise around this? Does it really make an impact as it claims to? Is it really significant to put a great deal of thought into it?

I have seen companies having standards for the "Email Signatures", describing the font type and size, contents of signature etc. On the other hand, some of the companies have horribly long signatures, at times even more than the content of the mail.

Going beyond, my thought runs to how is this used as a effective marketing tool. It is used for marketing purposes only during the first two interactions with a new company or an individual. Within these 2 interactions, you have either moved ahead that "email signature" is no more a marketing tool, but just an addition in the mail or your interaction has stopped/deferred.

So with this, does it really make sense to define standards for signatures? On one hand, I am a big fan of setting standards; yet to be convinced on this one item.

For sure, I hate all those fancy one-liners and graphics that are sent by various employees as part of their signatures. What are they trying to convey by this? I understand if one has it as part of their private mails, (even I have one) but appending it to official mails, according to me is highly offensive and disgusting.

After having thought so much on this simple item, don't you think I need two shots of Espresso?!!!

Cappuccino in Chennai Traffic

2007-10-15T22:01:00.000+05:30

A shot or two of espresso poured into a cup which is then filled with half steamed milk and half foam milk so that it is one third coffee, one third milk and one third milk foam - That's the recipe for Cappuccino.

If one gets an urge to drink this lovely cappuccino or meet friends at a coffee shop, behold your thought. Take time to think about the "Maddening Chennai Traffic". New Traffic arrangements that is in effect for the last 2-3 days, have not really eased any situation. The traffic department tried to make some routes as one-way (well, possibly a good thought) but the idea seem to be a colossal failure, as either way they are unable to control the traffic.

But I should definitely say one thing - for the first time, I came to know that there were more traffic constables than I ever thought of or one has ever seen on roads. The number of constables seen seem to even exceed the numbers seen during the former CM's trip.
And more surprisingly, you are able to see them any time of the day and regulating traffic, instead of collecting "Fines for illogical reasons".

Not digressing far from the topic, the traffic situation near T Nagar is .....(am still finding a word to describe it.) It is usual to see maddening traffic situations during festive season. But this time we have a Diwali Gift in the name of "Making of Flyover", adding to the chaos.

Strictly speaking on the teaching lines of Gita, it is testing the patience of Chennaites and let's hope "Whatever happens, happens for good"!

Home made Filter Coffee

2007-10-15T21:40:00.000+05:30

Finally, I decided to blog my wandering thoughts in a public mode. Being a coffee connoisseur, at first step I decided to provide a some info on it. So here it goes, brief information about filter coffee.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_filter_coffee