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Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Samsung Galaxy S II

It's been about 3 weeks now since I'd started using this phone. My first impressions so far in these initial weeks of usage...

1. The Android OS - quite intuitive, learning curve wasn't much at all.

2. Excellent hardware specs - awesome camera with flash, processor, RAM, GPS, etc. As good as carrying a powerful laptop in pocket!

3. Thin enough to go unnoticed in the pocket too

4. Impressive battery life - was initially hoping it'd last at least a day per charge. But it exceeded my expectations by a long way. With moderate usage I'm having to charge just twice a week! Not just that, even when roaming & very little coverage, drain on the battery has been minimal. My old Nokia phone would've just died in a few hours!

5. The screen is just too good. Browsing experience is superb - probably the biggest plus so far! I don't mind the large size at all, it's actually good to have a large screen!

Overall, a very positive & totally blown away by the experience so far.

Only crib is regarding the OS itself. It seems to be starting up processes randomly for efficiency sake - even though I don't use apps that frequently during the day! This causes an unnecessary drain on the battery.

P.S. Those who wish to write ugly comments, read this

Friday, July 08, 2011

Super Weekend - The Mumbai Experience

30th June 2011
Not too long ago I was informed that I've been picked to go for the superday (a recruitment drive) at Mumbai, to be held on the Saturday 2nd July. Flight bookings were done by 6pm. The original plan was to reach Mumbai on Saturday morning, take interviews, get done by around 6pm & return to B'lore by night. However, I changed plans, as it usually happens.

We were allowed to stay on until next day & return on Sunday night or Monday morning because the ticket costs were almost the same. I thought returning on Sunday night would be a better option. Only problem was where to stay.

Called up Varun first, though he was going to Hyd that weekend, to get Chidvi's number. I had the number, but wasn't sure it was the right one. Called up Chidvi & confirmed that I could stay at his place. Thankfully, he wasn't going anywhere like Varun, so I could stay at their place.

1st July 2011
Came back from office normally around 8-9pm, packed up until midnight & got a few hours of sleep.

2nd July 2011
The adventure began.

Woke up by 03:30am, before even the alarm rang. Probably too much excitement got the better of me. Wasn't feeling sleepy though. Got ready & was out by 04:25. The company cab, Ford Fiesta, was waiting since 04:05 though the pick up time was 04:30.

The driver took a longer route, and on top of it was driving slowly. He drove below 60kmph even though everyone else around was zooming past us, even some of the bikes! Anyways, it didn't matter. Reached airport around 05:45, which was well before time. That was because I'd started early, and also there wasn't any traffic at such an ungodly hour.

Met all of our colleagues since we were all traveling on the same flight. Checked in. Sat around for a while gossipping about various things such as sports, phones, etc. Finally when the boarding call was announced, got in to the flight.

I wasn't very fortunate, got an aisle seat with a kid sitting on the window seat beside me. Between me & the kid was the kid's dad. The kid's constantly pestering his dad was a bit annoying for me. I put on my headphones & tried to pay attention on the screen before me. There were just 4 channels playing - one playing Lage Raho Munnabhai, another playing Golmaal 3, another one playing F.R.I.E.N.D.S., and the last one showing the flight's position, distance, stats, etc.

I'd seen all 3 of the items being played on these channels. My preference would've been to not watch any of them. However, to divert my attention from the annoyance at the window, tuned in to Golmaal 3. The nice air-hostesses brought snacks at time, and that was my breakfast.

Reached Mumbai by 08:45. 2 Innovas were waiting for us. Hopped in & reached our destination (someplace in Goregaon East) in less than an hour.

There was a test conducted first, could call it an elimination round. We waited in a conference room until the test was done. I was constantly thinking what would happen of me when I get to take interviews. I'd never taken back-to-back interviews.

In the meanwhile, pizzas were ordered for lunch.

The test for the candidates was objective type paper. We evaluated the answer sheets in about half-an-hour. More than one-third of the candidates got thru this round. Interviews were scheduled starting 12:40pm.

So then from 12:40, I started taking interviews. Somehow a strategy got in place automatically: if a candidate is not good, spend a little more time & eliminate them in the first round itself rather than ask them to wait around & eliminate them after several rounds with a lot of frustration. I know how it feels like since I've been in such situations before. Been there, done that!

The candidates I passed on to next rounds got thru to the end up to offer stage. Felt very good about it. Also fortunately, for those I rejected I didn't have any 50-50 opinions. They were all straight rejects.

Each of the interview lasted about 30-45 mins each. In between the interviews, I was having a small portion of my lunch, i.e., a piece of pizza. This went on until around 18:30 in the evening. We had to call it a day then since others had to leave by the flight. I too left along with them.

Plan now was to get to Chidvi's place. Suggestion from Chidvi was to get to Lower Parel station first & call him for further directions. Thanks to Deepak, one of my team mates & a Mumbai localite, he gave some good introductions & instructions to local trains, stations, etc. Best of all was to make best use of the night at Mumbai!

There was sunlight though the time was 19:30. It got dark by 20:00

As told I got to Lower Parel station, called up Chidvi once again & got more details on how to get to their place. Got into a taxi, got down at Worli Naka signal. Waited near the Petrol pump since Chidvi would be coming there. In a few minutes he turned up & once done with the pleasantries, walked to their apartment in about 10 mins, it wasn't too far.

Reached their place by 20:45. Freshened up, met some of his friends who stay in the same apartment, had dinner & was thinking what to do next.

Chidvi, being a nice host, took me to Worli Seaface. It was pleasant by the sea. Odd thing was the crowd at that time. It was 23:30 and there were couples walking around, sitting on benches having private conversations, single women roaming around in shorts, skirts, etc. Seemed like a strange place at first. Never saw such crowd in any other city in India at this time of the day.

After a while, as suggested by Varun, we went to Bandra to a pub called Elbo Room. Went by a taxi along the Sealink from Worli to Bandra. The sealink might be a multi-million dollar project, but wasn't that awesome. It's just a bridge built on sea to cut through the city traffic.

Getting back, Elbo Room was a singles bar. We were allowed inside, but there wasn't any place to sit. One of the bartenders requested us to stand outside and have something. We didn't feel that comfortable, the place was too small and seemed over-crowded already. So had to walk out.

Next went to some other bar close by. I guess Chidvi was impressed by the crowd which looked quite stunning. As I'd suspected, stags weren't allowed. We had to look for another place. Next on the radar was Toto's in Bandra.

Went there by auto. It was just around midnight, but the streets were still busy, people walking around in all directions, and some shops such as stationery stores which you don't expect to be open were still open!

It then started raining, we got a little drenched but not that bad. Asked around & finally got to Toto's. There wasn't any place to sit here either. But this was more lively, spread over a wider area than Elbo Room, and the crowd wasn't that bad.

We both took a drink each, while standing itself, hoping to get a seat by the time we were done. Unfortunately, being a Saturday night, everyone was happily sitting around, no one even seemed to be thinking of leaving for home unless pushed for it. Chidvi then thought best to go to the good ol' place everyone loves: HRC.

And there we were, took a taxi back to Worli and got into Hard Rock Cafe! There wasn't any place here either. We put a lot of pressure on the folks to get us a place. Within a few minutes we were sitting, facing a crowd that was the best I'd seen so far. Lost in the music, dancing away to the tunes being played. But was very loud, so we had to shout in each others' ears to talk.

We were sitting on 1 side of a 4-seater table. Since there was a space crunch, the service boys seated 2 ladies to the front of us & 1 on the side. Our table now had 2 males & 3 females. A rare occurrence, which we didn't really mind initially.

Upon closer observation, one of them looked like a male to me. Chidvi insisted it was a female. I had to agree since she was sitting beside him & I couldn't hear them talking. The other 2 introduced themselves as "girlfriends", which shattered all hopes of Chidvi since his mind was obviously contemplating something else. I didn't mind talking to them though, what have I got to lose?

They offered us their starters since there was obviously a lot of it. We politely refused, so they got it packed. Then came an offer to have Tequila shots with them. Politely refused again. But got into talking about our jobs. They were obviously impressed about our backgrounds. Both of us IITians, both of us working in well known banks. The "girlfriends" were both film-makers & made some documentaries. Tried convincing Chidvi to make friends with as many people as possible and maintain a diversity in friends. There'll be more learnings that way & more "chances".

In all I took 2 drinks & Chidvi took 2 too. Difference was mine were cocktails, Chidvi's were mocktails. I was almost knocked out & dizzy with the first one, but the second one made it even worse. I was afraid I might throw up. Fortunately nothing like that happened.

Around 01:30 the music was stopped & it was time to leave. It was raining heavily outside. We stood near the door for a while. Chidvi borrowed an umbrella from one of the girlfriends, Paroma, to try his luck in getting a taxi. However, taxis weren't allowed near that door. Before we bade goodbyes to each other Chidvi exchanged phone number with Paroma! Hope he builds & maintains a friendship.

So we had to run in the rain to get to a taxi. Found one quickly enough but it was raining very hard, so got soaked to the skin.

Reached the apartment by 02:30, it wasn't raining there. Changed some clothes & slept within a few seconds of closing my eyes.

3rd July 2011
Woke up by 07:30 & ready by 09:00. Was fresh & ready for a new day. Nothing from the previous night remained. Breakfast was dosa; the chutney was good, everything else decent.

As suggested by Chidvi, we then left for Gateway of India, which was in Colaba. Took a taxi to get there. On our way saw several buildings and landmarks that are famous for several reasons. For example, Ceejay house, AirIndia building, bungalow of one of India's richest man, etc. Also got an idea of the soaring real-estate costs! No beating that anywhere else in India.

Saw the Taj hotel for real, which I've been seeing in the news for past couple of years on TV & newspapers, since it was a target in the Mumbai attacks few years ago.

Walked around a bit, took some pics & went to a Barista which was close by. Started back by 11:30. Had lunch after reaching home. Then Chidvi suggested going to Phoenix Mills Mall. Got there by around 02:30.

As suggested by Chidvi, to not carry my bag around, deposited it at Lifestyle & took the token. It was much easier to get in & out of shops & do as much window-shopping as possible.

There were 3-4 blocks in all. One of them was stunning, not just the interiors, but also the crowd. Reminded me of a mall I'd visited at San Jose. Not as good as that one, but was decent enough.

Went into some of the shops, especially ones with gadgets, like croma, Bose, Apple store, etc. After a while went to Costa Coffee & had some frappe. It was 16:15 by the time we were done.

Just about the time we were coming out & I was thinking about how to get to the airport, Deepak calls me & says he's already at the airport! I really didn't have much choice but to take a taxi, go by the fastest route, i.e., the sealink, and get to the airport. Reached by about 17:30 & checked in.

Got a window seat, but couldn't really enjoy the view of the city because the window was right on top of the wing! Could mostly see the clouds, and was dark by the time we landed.

Reached B'lore by 20:15. Since the company cab pick-up time was 20:30, had a juice to kill some time. The cab came by 20:20 & called. So got back asap & got to the cab. This time it was a Chevrolet Optra. Not as great inside as it does outside. Anyways, the super-weekend came to an end.

Back-to-back awesome weekends. Hope it stays this way!

Less than 24 hrs in real Mumbai, but left an everlasting impression on me!