Peak Day Blues

Kodaikanaaaal, we are coming!! We are going for our Annual Trip from Office to Kodaikanal this time, starting tomorrow. We will be staying at Highland Resorts there and have a superb itenary of visiting some tempting places and other fun activities. We will be back on Monday evening. The places we will be visiting - Silent Valley View, Caps Valley View, Fire Tower, Berijam Lake view, Berijam Lake, Chettiar Park, Bryant Park, Coakers Walk, Golf Club, Pillar Rocks, Guna Caves , Pine Forest, Moier Point, Upper Lake View. Activities Planned - Boating, Cycling, Horse Riding, Shopping, Indoor Activities, FIFA World Cup Q/F :-)

In the first match of the third day of the league, Indiana Pacers took on Chicago Bulls. In the closely contested match, Chicago Bulls won by 2 goals to none. Goals: Thiagu (2) In the second match, Sacramento Kings defeated Dallas Mavericks by 2 - 1. Goals: Vinodh (1), Bala (1), Antony (1) Chicago Bulls will take on Indiana Pacers in the finals next week!

As the dust settles down, it's time for the last 8 remaining teams out of the total 32 to take on each other for the glory called Fifa World Cup! Come Friday & Saturday, it will be the Quarter Finals which will decide which 4 teams will take on each other in the Semis. And then the mega final!! Now, for my dear Peak Day Blues' readers, here's a chance to predict who will win this time. As usual, the poll is given on the right hand side of the page. Go ahead and select ur favorite team and vote for them!

The upcoming last two league matches tomorrow will decide which two teams will go to the finals on Friday. Today morning, the whole tournament was turned upside down because of some unexpected results. In the first match, Indiana Pacers took on Sacramento Kings and the match ended in a draw. Goals: Hari 1; Bala - 1 In the second match, Chicago Bulls lost to Dallas Mavericks. Goals: Antony - 1; Thiagu - 1; RC - 1; Juby 1 Here's a look at the team standings

Another chilling fraud at HSBC's Bangalore call center has come to the limelight with leading UK newspapers making a merry of it. Nadeem Kashmiri, who worked at HSBC Bangalore is charged with defraduing 20 customers of HSBC in UK and taking away money to the tune of Rs 1.5 Crores! Read more While these kinds of frauds happen around the world, people against outsourcing will have a gala of time glorifying this incident.

History was in the making during today's second match at the FRM Premier League. Honing the skills of Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo into one, the great Roberto Krishnan (read: myself) scored a superb goal in the match, beating the goal keeper by a mile or two! One of the best technical goals I've ever scored in my short football career! :-)

[Chicago Bulls] [Bulls ready for an attack!] [Indiana Pacers] [Dallas Mavericks] [A stretch out session during half time] [Hari who scored 2 goals in the first match] [Johnson a.k.a Jo Beckham who scored 2 goals in the first match]

In the opening match of the FRM Premier League, Indiana Pacers defeated Dallas Mavericks 4 - 0. Goals: Hari R (2), Johnson (2) In the second match, Chicago Bulls beat Sacramento Kings 3 - 1 Goals: Manohar (2), Thiagu (1), Patrick (1) Click here for the team list

By now most of you would have read about Warren Buffett's generous $31 billion "gift" to Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This marks an unprecedented donation in the history of mankind and will surely help billions of poor people in many ways. I've been an admirer of Warren for a long time and what he has done is the right thing. Bill Gates and his wife have been running the foundation for a long time and instead of creating his own philanthrophist foundation, Buffett decided to donate it. It also makes sense that Buffett can confidently give his 85% of wealth to the world's richest man as there won't be any misdeeds in utilizing the funds. Hats off to both Bill & Buffett. Now, let's see how it comes in action!

Yep, apparently that's what Nostradamus had predicted it seems. "The Spanish king and his army will cross over the Pyrenees at the end of the sixth month of the sixth year. The king will win the battle with Beelzebub on the fields of Central Europe, and the army will return the Holy Grail to Spain". Read more

Cementing the age-old Indian tradition of pursuing till you reach your goal, steel-baron and Europe's richest man, LN Mittal finally got hold of Arcelor after a much sought-after battle of wits where once Arcelor CEO even made deregatory remarks against Mittal. But after watching all the news channels grabbing a pie of the action and as the news trickled down, I somehow felt that Mittal has given up so many things in pursuit of Arcelor. First of all, Guy Dolle, the CEO of Arcelor will be Chief Executive of the now christined Arcelor Mittal, the current Chairman of Arcelor will be the non-executive Chairman and Mittal only being a President of the company. He has raised his bid to an optimal 49% more than what he offered initially. Equal number of Board members from both the company! Anyways, well done Mittal! Update: Guy Dolle won't be the CEO of the new company and will only be helping the company in its smooth transition!

Keeping up with the football season, we've organized an internal football match within our department and add to the excitement of the most lovable game in the world, Football! Last time when we had a cricket match, we gave the teams famous Football Club names. This time, when it's football, we've decided on famous Basketball Club names! Will write more details about the contest later... So, until then, it's Time Out!

1. Falling in love. 2. Laughing till your stomach hurts. 3. Enjoying a ride down the country side. 4. Listening to your favorite song on the radio. 5. Going to sleep listening to the rain pouring outside. 6. Getting out of the shower and wrapping yourself with a warm, fuzzy towel. 7. Passing your final exams with good grades. 8. Being part of an interesting conversation. 9. Finding some money in some old pants. 10. Laughing at yourself. 11. Sharing a wonderful dinner with all your friends. 12. Laughing without a reason. 13. "Accidentally" hearing someone say something good about you. 14. Watching the sunset. 15. Listening to a song that reminds you of an important person in your life. 16. Receiving or giving your first kiss. 17. Feeling this movement in your body when seeing this "special" someone. 18. Having a great time with your friends. 19. Seeing the one you love happy. 20. Wearing the shirt of a person you love and smelling his/her perfume. 21.

A few days back, Suresh N forwarded me a mail of a so called airport where jets fly just above your head. Initially, I thought it was a clever work of a photoshop enthusiast, but on further googling, I found it to be real. So, here's some breathtaking views of how a flight lands in the small beach island! For more, check Google Images

Mukesh Ambani promoted Reliance Industries big retail push, which investments to the tune of $5 to $6 billion is finally in the offing with tentative date kept as August 1, 2006. Initially, according to sources, it will be targeted at Tier 1 cities of Gujarat and Punjab. In other news, Reliance is planning a mega Rs. 4000 crore investment in the left dominated West Bengal. "The proposed project primarily entails investments in the areas of retailing and gas distribution. Besides, the group is understood to have discussed taking over the Haringhata Dairy farm." PS: It is to be noted that BPO/IT industry comes under the Essential Services Act in West Bengal, which entails BPO companies to work even on a bandh/harthal day. WB is the first state to do so. Kerala, are you listening??

"I've been on a diet for two weeks and all I've lost is two weeks." - Totie Fields

Indian Inc is currently under a mini turmoil. The much talked about and eagerly anticipated billion dollars worth deal between Jet Airways and Sahara Airways is put off according to reports from news sources. In another story, Tata has sold its entire stake in Idea cellular to the Birlas after a long-fought cold war between the two. In order to continue the sustained growth Indian economy is currently experiencing, especially the telecom and aviation boom, I feel that such sour deals will only threaten to derail the boom. And the star of the masses in the aviation sector, Deccan Airways always felt the market pinch a few days back when its IPO got embroiled in the sudden bear market fluctuations.

said Tuesday it is opening in late summer its fourth information technology center in India, at Coimbatore. "Initially, services provided from the new facility will include processing highly complex and knowledge intensive, high-volume, high-value transactions for our health care, life insurance and finance and administration customers," said Vardhman Jain, managing director of Perot Systems' Business Process Solutions operations in India. Perot already employs more than 5,000 people at its Indian locations in Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi. The facilities provide services including IT applications, infrastructure and business process outsourcing. Perot's operations worldwide employ more than 18,000 workers. Source: AP

I have featured many videos here, but none will match this ever! I was rolling on the floor laughing (ROTFL) after seeing this video. The storyline goes like this. A "mallu" software engineers life in a Multi National Indian company is chronicled here.... A must must must must must must see!! Pls don't miss it! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AT ANY COST!

Go read the issue now!

As promised, here's a list of books am currently thumbing thru... 1. Freakonomics 2. The Toyota Way 3. Blink Out of these three, I enjoyed reading Freakonomics. Blink is also good, but at times boring. The Toyota Way basically is a handbook on improving efficiency/productivity at work and how they developed Six Sigma. Freakonomics explores many of the economic principles which were never asked before. Like why do drug peddlers still live with their mom? Do teachers cheat etc. An excellent read. Blink is all about taking split second decisions which have helped some people come to the right conclusion. Will put up short reviews on these books once I complete it (hopefully!) I recently orderd The World is Flat via web and once it reaches, will make sure I am finishing it. Books I have at home lined up to read: 1. Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus 2. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People 3. The Art of Man Making 4. Mein Kampf

Do you know Shashi Tharoor ? Yes, the same guy who at times writes for Hindu's sunday magazine and a high-profile UN diplomat is India's official candidate for the Secretary General of the United Nations. Kofi Annan is retiring by year-end and the UN is on a lookout for a new secretary. But the race is going to be tough for him as many ex-Presidents, ex-Prime Ministers, Prices of the world are vying for the post. Let us wish him all the best! PS: Tharoor, named in 1998 by the World Economic Forum in Davos as the global leader of tomorrow, is well versed in the inner workings of the UN. He held a number of important positions including heading the UN's peace keeping operations and worked in the UNHCR.

You know where a majority of the iPod's are made? Yep, in China. But lately, Apple is under the scanner after a UK tabloid alleged that working conditions are similar to "sweatshops" in China where these cool iPods are made. Apple has quickly backtrapped and have said they will investigate these issues. On a sideline, for all you planning to lay your hands on an iPod in India, there's good news. You don't have to wait for your cousin/friends from US to bring. HCL Technologies has signed an exclusive deal with Apple to offer iPods in India through its dealerships with service warranties! PS: Ranjith has got a brand new iPod Shuffle with him... Contact him to check it out :-)

WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE SONG, IF SUPER STAR IS A SOFTWARE ENGINEER IN BAASHA! Naan software-kaaran software-kaaran naalum therinja PC-kaaran mainframe-la COBOL-kaaran internet-la java-kaaran cut and pastu velaikkaaran logic ulla moolaikkaaranda naan yeppavumae logic ulla moolaikkaaranda Y2K-nna ajakkuththan,Y2K-nna gumukkuththan Y2K-nna ajakkuththan,Y2K-nna gumukkuththan (naan) Project perusaachchu, code-um perusaachchu bug-ga yedhirpaarththu paadhi vayasaachchu appappoe bore adichchaa chat pannu limita use pannu yahoo mailu naan bookmarks-i clear panni thaaraemma unakku TAT-um achieve panni thaaraemma nambi vandhu paaru,idhu namma softuwaru microsoftu product, adhu windows-unnu paeru logic ulla moolaikkaaranda naan yeppavumae logic ulla moolaikkaaranda (naan) Y2K-nna ajakkuththan,Y2K-nna gumukkuththan Y2K-nna ajakkuththan,Y2K-nna gumukkuththan ISO audit-i aabaththil vida maattaen CMM level 4-i maattaennu solla maattaen TAT padapadakkum naeraththilae Email window-vin oraththilae Naan H

I have been wanting to write on a few things for the past 1 month or so, but because of the lack of time and the irritatingly slow Internet speed at home, have put them in my brain's backyard. Here's a quickie on what I wanted to write about. Hopefully, will put up these in real pretty soon. 1. The Great Khali WWE SmackDown has introduced a new superstar called The Great Khali who hails from Punjab, India. According to a few sources, he was in the Punjab police and was wrestling in Japan all these years. WWE is serious about them, as they let him win over The Undertaker during a pay-per-view event. 2. Zee's Dish TV Had bought the Dish TV a few months back and wanted to write a review about it with increased queries from my friends. As a kick on, from yesterday, they have added the One India alliance into their bouquet. This effectively means you get around 150 plus channels. One India alliance includes Sony, SAB, Max, AXN, Discovery, Discovery T&L, Nick, Animax, MTV 3.

In the days of AXE deo's Voodo fragrance which claims to attract women when you spray it in your body, there was an offbeat story about a Voodo magician coming all the way from Togo. People who follows FIFA World Cup will already be knowing this, but for the benefit of those who didn't hear about this news, let me repeat.... Togo took on South Korea today in their first round match and a Voodo priest apparently has done some black magic in order for his team to win with the Togo Government's support! He even predicted a score of 2-1. The irony is, South Korea won the match 2 - 1. I think to Voodo priest got the team "worng" :-) BTW, this priest has the same practices as that of our Indian swamijis. According to a report - "He normally oversees 650 naked priests and priestesses who worship in a sacred forest!" Ada Paavi!

Canada's richest man and the former Chairman and controlling stakeholder of Canadian based Thomson Corporation, Kenneth Thomson (82) passed away. Official release from Thomson, had this to say Click here to read an obituary News via: DD Bala!

As I have already reported here , IBM hosted its annual analyst meeting in Bangalore and said it is planning to invest another $6 billion in India. So, where is IBM planning to pump in so much money? What are its long-term plans?? Here's a FOOL's review of what to look out for. Link via: GK Additionally, click here to access the Bangalore webcast

I am a regular viewer of the Prannoy Roy promoted NDTV 24x7 news channel since its inception... While the journalistic standards have been above par, I always wondered why South India was ignored by NDTV at large. When Rajdeep Sardesai quit NDTV and started out CNN-IBN, I expect it to cover more Southern specific topics, but he was largely following his ex-employer.... South India has one of the largest English news following population vis-a-vis North or any other region, but it was conveniently forgotten by all the leading English news channels in India ranging from NDTV to the newborn TimesNOW. Now, finally after much debate and frolicking, NDTV has finally flagged off its South India specific venture. In a news release, they stated - NDTV 24X7 today announced the launch of 'Southern Edition' a daily programme of news using the OPT-OUT telecast technology for its viewers in Southern India. Starting June 12, the viewers in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala will b

Okay, it's a fact that I've gone crazy after excessive repulsive television viewing over the past 2 days... So, here's a few questions I want to ask you. 1. How will you put an elephant in a fridge in 3 steps? 2. How will you put a zebra in a fridge in 4 steps? 3. The King of the Jungle, the lion, is having a wedding ceremony. All of the animals come to attend the ceremony except one. Which one is it and why doesn't it come? 4. A man has to desperately cross the river to get from one place to the other in a Jungle. The river is known for having deadly alligators in it. There is no boat. How is he going to make it to the other place? Hint: All the four questions are related to one another! PS: I know that the first 2 are easy. Didn't get it????? Scroll.. Scrawl... 1. Step one: Open the fridge Step two: Put the elephant inside Step three: Close the fridge 2. Step one: Open the fridge Step two: Take the elephant out Step three: Put the zebra inside Step four: Close the

You can remove an egg's shell after you boil it... but can you remove it without boiling? Even I never thought it was possible, until I read about this so called " Naked Egg "

Vooof! What a weekend it has been for a sports lover like me... It's been years since I watched TV for so long continously... As a kid, during summer vacations, I used to be in front of the TV to catch up on all the cartoons in DD-1 during Sundays... It starts from Mahaaabhaarat... Duck Tales, Disney etc. etc. If it was women's singles finals on Saturday, then it was men's singles finals on Sunday @ The French Open If it was qualifying on Saturday, then it was Race Day at Silverstone @ F1 If it was Sehwag's 100 on Saturday, then it was Dravid's 100 on Sunday @ WI Vs. India Test match.... And then the ultimate - watched all the 6 matches of the FIFA world cup on Saturday & Sunday.... My eyes are sore!

Two days back, IBM held its first analyst meeting in the sprawling Palace Grounds in B'lore. Other than Sam Palmisano, CEO of IBM, our Indian President, Dr. Abdul Kalam, Airtel chief Sunil Mittal, B'lore CM and others attended. In this meeting, IBM promised an investment of $6 billion in India over the years.... Here's a run down on what happened that day, which is touted as a mix between a rock concert and a Bollywood Bonanza!

Time is ticking... come Friday, the most expected event in recent history, the Fifa World Cup officially kicks off..... The teams are ready, fans are ready, let the drums roll.... My bet is on Argentina. My dream final - Brazil Vs. Argentina. But the sad part for me is that most of the matches start after 18:00 hrs Indian time and will get over by 01:00 hrs the next day, which coincidentally is my office hours ;-( But will have a gala time on Saturdays and Sundays! Since there's no representation from India, we can all be neutral spectators and enjoy the game... Keeping the football spirit alive, here's a compilation of the 5 most funniest goals in soccer! PS: Click here to get the match schedule

Here's a "mallu" parody to the famous Eagles song Hotel California! On the road to Trivandrum Coconut oil in my hair Warm smell of avial Rising up through the air Up ahead in the distance I saw a bright pink tube-light My tummy rumbled, I felt weak and thin I had to stop for a bite There he stood in the doorway Flicked his mundu in style And I was thinking to myself I don't like the look of his sinister smile Then he lit up a petromax Muttering "No power today" More Mallus down the corridor I thought I heard them say Welcome to the Hotel Kerala-fonia Such a lousy place, Such a lousy place (background) Such a sad disgrace, Plenty of bugs at the Hotel Kerala-fonia Any time of year Any time of year (background) It's infested here It's infested here His finger's stuck up his nostril He's got a big, thick mustache He makes an ugly, ugly noise

India has been in the limelight for economic reforms and development for the past few years and I have showcased many such stories here. Now, here's a new one, with a lot of in-depth coverage coming from the most respected b-school in the world, Harvard. Economic reforms and a young, entrepreneurial workforce have lifted India into the global economy and raised its hopes for social development. Harvard Business School alumni talk about doing business in a country that has captured the world's imagination. From HBS Alumni Bulletin .... PS: Must Read!

On June 6th 2006 (tomorrow), at 6 min and 6 seconds after 6 O clock, the time and date will be 06:06:06 06/06/06. Via: Murali S

IF anyone of you has the song titled "Shyama Sundar Kera Kedara Bhoomi", which is the intro song of Asianet, I will be delighted if you can send it across to me via e-mail. This was a song done by AR Rehman before he hit big time. It is telecast every now and then in Asianet... Pls pls... Urgent matter! PS: I searched over the net, but culd get only 2 lines of the song, that too somebody else humming!

When I bought a new Compaq computer a year back , many of my friends raised their eyebrows when I quoted them the price I paid for it. For the record, I paid 37,500 for the system a year back. Even at that time, you could get a basic laptop for that price. The reason why I paid "so much" was for the original Windows XP software. It's a common practice in India to have pirated versions of Windows as your operating system, especially if you are assembling your systems. I had read somewhere that time that Microsoft is planning something huge to track all pirated versions and once it is done, the pirated copies will either seize functioning or your will be penalized. Many of my friends didn't believe it and said that's a rumor. Well, according to this report , starting this Thursday, Microsoft will be scanning all the systems conntected to net to see if you are in the wrong!

A village in Gujarat believes that playing/singing Himesh Reshammiya's "Jhalak dikhla ja" song will invite ghosts and possess the person singing or listening to it... :-) Couldn't believe that people in India still are so stupid and believe in such superstitions! Must Read!

Keeping the spirit of the upcoming World Cup alive, here are the best bloopers in Football!

The most loved spectator sport in the world, the FIFA World cup is just 8 days away!! And here's what guys like me are prepared for :-) Extremely important advice and recommendations to be passed on to wives, girlfriends, fiancés, mothers, sisters, daughters, etc. (to all women in general) These rules are to be communicated prior to the World Cup in June/July this year... LIST OF RULES 1. From 9th June to 9th July 2006, you should read the sports section of the newspaper so that you are aware of what is going on regarding the World Cup, and that way you will be able to join in the conversations. If you fail to do this, then you will be looked at in a bad way, or you will be totally ignored. DO NOT complain about not receiving any attention. 2. During the World Cup, the television is mine, at all times, without any exceptions. If you even take a glimpse of the remote control, you will lose it (your eye). 3. If you have to pass by in front of the TV during a game, I don't mind,