Jungle of Thoughts

A short sci-fi fiction about astronauts visiting a planet to check on the species they mutated a long time ago. Now they want to see how the species is doing and take potentially tough decisions if required. What decisions were taken? What would happen to the mutated species? 

The Mission:
Zeek was at the same excited as well as nervous about this particular journey. He was specially chosen for this trip. Although he was trained and was an expert in many space travel related engineering, he had a feeling that he has been chosen as nothing but a test case and not due to his expertise. With these mixed feelings, he put up his space mask on his spacesuit. As soon as he clicked the mask, the suit ballooned to create pressure around his body. He again nervously looked at Shema, his companion, who gave him a comforting look and a big smile. Zeek started feeling good and climbed up in the shuttle.
The shuttle was a huge spaceship with artificial gravity adjustment to keep their body intact in t…

It was an out of state day trip for a whole day training. Obviously, my day was going to be hectic. Hence after landing back to the airport, I was tired and wondering whether or not I'll be able to strike any meaningful conversation with my uber driver.

With expectations already lowered, I hopped into the Uber. His name sounded like he was from Russia or the surrounding countries. We exchanged usual Hi and Hello and in few minutes the car was on the highway. 

He asked me if I was from India followed by the next obvious question - Are you in IT? By now, I am very used to being assumed as an IT person and don't feel anything bad about it at all. That's what people see more of us in the USA so can't blame them. Sorry, doctors.  

When I mentioned that I work "with" Google, he assumed I worked "for" Google. This happens a lot by the way. I've observed that people hear what they want to hear (myself included). To this, I promptly corrected him and explai…

Uber Experience # 1

Following is a pretty boring description of small actions/events that many of you have experienced -

It was my morning ride to the train station for a day-trip to meet a client. As usual, I scheduled the Uber in advance. I got up in the morning and got ready waited for Uber to arrive. The Uber arrived. I got in, said hello to the driver as per my regular habit and off we go. It’s just a 15-minute ride.

This is where it started getting interesting

The radio was playing my favorite song - Smoke On The Water. Before I knew, I started tapping my feet to the kick drum and hands took over the snare, and my head started wobbling on the groove. I casually mentioned to the driver that it is one of my top favorite songs. He burst into saying 'Oh yeah!! Same here. Anyone that starts playing guitar wants to play this starting lick' Then he mimicked the starting lick. We both laughed in agreement.

But he didn't stop there. He went on explaining to me how quite a few songs ar…

This could feel like part II of the $1000 hourly rate post but that's not my intention really. Its been almost a year in my new job as Sales Executive and life has been nothing but a rollercoaster. It has suddenly changed from a rule where I was NOT allowed to work after my hours (Govt. Job ) to I work anywhere, anytime, any place! Add to that, I made a lateral career move from solution architecture to sales!  Icing on the cake? - At age of 54.

If some of you feel this is freaking amazing, I'm with you as I also feel it. It is similar to jumping into rough waters where your swimming skills are - being able to stay afloat. Yet, in my past life I have taken such decisions by gut feeling and has worked out well. I have started to understand what Steve Jobs said that your heart knows what it wants, you just need to trust it.

There are many moments where I need focused attention, calm and composed approach in the face of demanding situation, learn to be responsive than reacting. All …