My First Day at Work...

After innumerable number of delays (starting from a slow computer at home until purchasing a season ticket) I finally caught my train, the connecting train and reached office with a five minute delay on the reporting time of 10:30 a.m. Another 6 people joined today along with me. The day started as predicted with the now familiar HR guy. He briefed us upon the agenda for the day and had a few forms for us to fill. Then he embarked upon the origin of the company and dutifully explained its vision and mission.

From then on, it was as informal as if I had gone to a friend's place for a gettogether(pardon me for a bit of exaggeration). The HR took us first for a tour of the office, introducing us to most of the the existing staff (which numbers upto only 56 including 2 Americans, a Mr. Workaholic and a Ms. Workaholic). Then we headed for a sumptuous lunch (free of cost at the company pantry). After lunch, the company's Chennai head had an interaction with us. We got bugged away from the original rendezvous by constant drilling upstairs (RMZ Millenia II is yet to be fully furnished) and again ended up in the pantry (no food this time).

Then we had a 'no nonsense' presentation given to us by the maintenance guys who clearly mentioned that there are no restrictions on internet usage as far as we do our work. We should be getting our terminals in a day or two. It was 4 in the evening and we guys were chit chatting around. The HR made a reappearance and accompanied us in pairs to our cabins (nice and clean). Then came our senior staff with something looking similar to a telephone directory. She told us that we'll need to familiarise with the book(Perl language manual) within four weeks. That is to be the training part.

Around 5, all the new joinees headed for a late tea at the pantry (milk, tea, coffee, biscuits etc etc). We were just discussing about when to leave, when someone carried in a cake, samosas, soft drinks etc into the pantry. We were told to wait for sometime there as there was a regular end-of-month party to celebrate the birthdays of people born in August!! One among the new joinees was also August born (cake had his name too!!) Almost everyone turned up and it was nice to interact with them again.

My first impression: A very friendly, work while you work and play while you play, workplace. A very nice place to start working.

My Costliest Suburban Experience

The past few days have seen a lot of trips to the Chennai Central Railway Station and the Chennai Airport for those fortunate and unfortunate few of us who are still in this heavenly home. It was one such send off that was before me today. Today the difference being it was in broad daylight rather than the not so chilling night. The plan was to be at the Airport by 4 p.m. As is the case, when I normally go out these days, I take along my mobile's earphones along wherever I go. But today, I was forced to go without them in spite of turning my room upside down in search of it. Later I found out to my astonishment that my mum had mistaken it for her own and hence put it inside her handbag for safekeeping. Anyways, I normally prefer to take my bike, or rather a humble scooty pep, all the way to Airport with the earphones plugged in just to attend calls. But, like the timing, my mind also was thinking something different today. As I am to start working from September 1st, I planned to check out the parking system available at the Chetput station and hence use the suburban services to reach my destination. Whenever my mind works that way, my mobile steps in to break the loneliness and keep me company during the journey. But with no earphones, that trip seemed to be uninviting. After much contemplation, I preferred the suburban locals over my beloved bike for the trip. Then, I hardly knew that how much it was going to cost me!! The plan went on smoothly and I purchased a return ticket from Chetput to the airport and was on time for the send off. After the send off, we were pondering the possibilities of further time pass. But as fate would have it, we all headed back home. With a return ticket and more plans already made for the evening I was happy to head back home. The moment I reached the platform, a local was coming in. I was careful to skip the vendors and head into a normal coach. The scene unfolded as the train started. I turn into the compartment to see a child performing some 'kutikaranais' and moving like a rubber in and out of a small hoop. I couldn't stand watching it. I tried to stand near the exit, but my way was blocked by some guys who were too engrossed in the performance. Luckily, the next station came and I chose to get down and find a compartment further down the train. I found a relatively much emptier compartment with nice cushioned seats and hardly any of them occupied. My heart leapt with joy and I took a window seat wondering how this compartment was so empty. I looked around and was unnerved to see LADIES written in bold across the inner sides of the compartment. But, there were other gentlemen in the compartment, which is why I got on in the first place. So seeking further explanation, I looked around and saw that I had unwittingly chosen a first class compartment. My instincts told me to get down at the next station and find another compartment. But my mind was debating that being a sunday, there will not be any checkers to corner me. I gave in to my mind and I persevered. Meanwhile, the train had reached Saidapet, and an unassuming character got on the train and asked me for my ticket. I knew then, I was cornered. After I handed in my ticket, he told me 'This is first class' and moved away to check others grabbing my ticket. I went behind him and he told me the fine is Rs 295/-. I dont know if he expected anything else, but I conceded it was my mistake and I'll pay. He was slightly taken aback and told me to sit down. Then I guess he expected me to try and reduce the fine, but I took out 300 bucks and he slowly started writing my first fine ticket. By then, Mambalam had passed. I offered to get down in the next station and change compartments. I know it was too little too late, but always better late than never. To my surprise, the checker stalled me saying you can continue travelling in this compartment. I was slightly taken aback, but I had no reason to complain. He chased down a slightly physically challenged couple down to the platform on the next station and moved out of sight. Just as the train was about to move a new checker had come aboard and asked me for the ticket. I explained to him that I just paid the fine and that the guy who fined me told me I can sit here and complete my journey. His immediate retort was 'Still you continue to sit here' not hearing my second part. Now that was really worrying because I couldn't have managed to pay the to be coming fine. Thankfully, my co passenger came to my rescue and told him that I was tellling the truth. The checker accepted it and left me in peace. I was utterly bemused after the second checking and in my confused state I got down at the place I started and headed for the parking lot. On my way home, the first signal I was to pass was changing from green to orange and was to change red in a second. I would have stopped for the signal anyways, but today being special, I was proud to be the first to stall at the STOP line and while I waited I wondered how true was the saying 'Once bitten Twice Shy'....