Let the weekend begin

Tired would be an understatement for what I felt as I sat on the couch this morning at 2:30am. I had just returned from the unofficial House-warming party at Kirk's and was listening to some music as I procrastinated the task of changing into sleep gear. I couldn't get myself off the couch because for the first time all week, I was enveloped by a sense of sanguine. Music sounded better, the couch felt more comfortable and I almost went to sleep when the phone rang.

The phone snapped me out of my stupor; I changed and went straight to bed - 3am, lights out! As has become the norm, if I happen to be awake before Noon, a phone call is to blame. Cheech and I spoke for a while before I insisted that I needed more sleep and she hung up in a huff (sorry Cia). The next thing I knew, it was 1:45pm on a dreary Saturday afternoon! You kinda get used to this kinda weather in Seattle, 75 degrees all week and 45 degrees on the weekend.

So what are the spoils of the day? Kirk and Tiff are official. The nights are booked out with activities and I have to workout twice this weekend in preparation for the squash tourney coming up in the last week of May. There used to be a time when I was all about discipline but now, I don't think I can spell beyond dis :). It hurts that I have a slow metabolism but I think I have found a way to speed it up. This might have nothing to do with my metabolism but I'd like to go to the Pro Club and work out instead of talking to everyone and their mother (time efficacy). So Kevin and I have a pact - I help him with his computer, he helps me control my talking habit.

Contrast this set of problems with those my brethren in India encounter everyday :) Here is an issue they must deal with on a daily basis: Chaotic Traffic. Dwell on this for a moment, be entertained and have a great weekend!

Are active listeners opinionated?

As a Microsoft employee who's core work hours are spent in meetings, I have learnt to actively listen and provide feedback when needed. The thing with feedback is that it can be critical and invasive at times; you want the person receiving the feedback to know what you are talking about - sometimes that requires finding fault or pointing out something that wasn't thought through.

Feedback derives from knowledge and insight, judgment derives from opinion. The difference is subtle and it is this subtlety that causes the two to be mistaken: feedback for judgment and insight for opinion. I am human and therefore subjective so opinion does creep into my statements at times but for the most part, my feedback is fact or insight based. Does the fact that I have feedback make me opinionated though?

Yes and No - I can't go out on a limb and say that I am opinionated because there are some things I plain don't care about. Hockey, Politics and basket-weaving I don't care about. My friends I do care about. If they relate something to me, I might have an insight, a story to share or have an opinion to express. Whatever be the statement, speaking it almost always lands me in trouble - it's a theme this week isn't it? First my blog, then ...

I know why I land in a soup - I walk the line with my words and push boundaries. I should stop; I should know when to be quiet and listen and when to weigh in with my thoughts. It all boils down to perceiving when people will be receptive to my statements. Or is this the week's moment of ah-ha - the moment when I realize that my experiences are not generic enough to apply to the life of another. Whatever it is, this insight might help me communicate better with the people around me and just for that, I opine that this might be good!

The Hollowness is overwhelming

But this, like other phases will pass. You will be a stronger man Manoj, stronger man!

As the Rush Comes

Captain's Log, 04/27/2006

This day at work was a total wash. I got to work late, attended meetings but had no real input, stayed late but didn't close any bugs and didn't cross out any items on my to-do list. It is days like these that make me want to hit the squash ball as hard as I can, break squash racquets and pound them weights. I didn't workout tonight at all though because the boys were going to come over. The previous episode of House, M.D. was on the menu, as were cranberry martinis and dessert.

The show was fun, more so because of the company. We talked for a while after the episode and been catching up with all them people who called me today. I'm finally done catching up with Veronica Mars too, renewed my lease and am ready for bed. Hopefully, you have great weekend plans...

Nonplussed

I have been at a loss for words all day. The steady escalating feeling of foreboding is driving me nuts. Maybe it is nothing but I have never been wrong about such stuff!

V for Vendetta

Instead of droning on about the movie, I present you with a quote:

Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is it vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose so let me simply add that it's my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V.

I watched the movie at Cinerama this past Friday night and loved the experience. You should go watch it if you are the sort that liked 1984. Might help if the after party includes alcohol, dancing and cajun fries...

It's down to the wire

Anytime Minutes left in plan: 33
Number of days remaining in billing cycle: 4

Gotta stop talking on the phone so much...