Past All Regrets 2016

Just realized that I have skipped my blogpost for 2015. Anyways, no point digging that.

But first ever trek in my life was a life-changing experience. Himalay is beautiful, and remote places in that around 14,000 ft height, makes it more charming. First ever attempt of astro photography which went well.

Its been year to this photo. First Astro photo, is always special. #FirstAstroPhoto #TarsarMarsar #MilkyWay #Repost

A photo posted by Vikram (@vikramuk) on Aug 14, 2016 at 11:01am PDT

This year was roller coaster ride. From a not-so-well-prepared decision of shifting my focus, jumping into something which hasn't at all explored before, and spending too much time in making sure to keep things perfect, this year went by like anything.

This year highlighted a fact, my true strength is my family.

No long roadtrip this year (but an adventure, more about it later)

Investments

1. Finally, finally, I have a new Yongnuo flashgun, to replace my older  & battery guzzling Vivitor 285. I was low on budget, as I have stopped my main business, so settled for Yongnuo 650, instead of Nikon one. But it works, and works amazing.I recently covered a wedding assignment and flash performed amazingly.
2. Avenger 220 - I am now owner of a godlike machine. This bike is one of the on-the-spot decision, which I rarely make. I went around to have a look at something which can replace my honda activa, found advertisement of Bajaj V bike, went to showroom & finalized 220 Cruise instead. I am no fan of famous Royal Enfield bullets, and its thumping sound. Avenger I found more comfortable, cruise-y and subtle.
   
   Here is the beauty
   

   You beauty! #BajajAvenger #MyBike #AtHome #bikelife

   A photo posted by Vikram (@vikramuk) on Sep 5, 2016 at 7:30am PDT

   
   
3. One more of long awaited upgrade is my desktop. Got a new desktop, courtesy to my generous wife. It is a long time dream coming true, performance and budget balanced system, with my favorite brand components, Corsair. Its Core i5 6500, 8GB Corsair DDR4 RAM, MSI motherboard, Corsair (once again) V550 SMPS, Kingstong SSD 120GB, Cooler Master custom cooling solution, enclosed in Corsair (third time) Case, with one side transparent & LEDs with 3 fans. This system looks sexy, and performs amazing. My Win10 professional install went clear in 9.30 minutes, pretty fast compare to older workhorse. Got to learn few cabling lessons as well.
   
   This system helped me to focus more on my work, without worrying of multi-tasking and lags. New workflow is now set & stable.

A photo posted by Vikram (@vikramuk) on Oct 29, 2016 at 5:50am PDT

In my break the tradition year, me & my better half did a risky, night time 200 km ride on our new bike. This was many of my firsts

1. First ever bike ride outside town on geared bike.
2. First ever long distance ride on two wheeler (earlier was 20km)
3. First ever on Avenger
4. First ever in the night on two wheeler.
5. First ever in Jungle on two wheeler.

This made me realize that I can push myself, in whatever unfavorable or fearsome the situation will be. It took us 8 hours to cover 200km, mainly because of bad road & speedlimit of 50kmph on bike. But it was a memorable (& scary) experience overall. I will not repeat this by choice.

After that we did two more visits to hometown, but in the daytime, exploring scenic landscapes like this.

A photo posted by Vikram (@vikramuk) on Sep 5, 2016 at 9:18pm PDT

People
 
This year made me realize that people, with whom you work, to whom you help, to whom you smile, helps. Even after misunderstandings, difference of opinions, and arguments, this is your true wealth & worth.

Ending this year on not so great health side, Second time in my life I have to get hospitalized, (first when I was 8 year old), my friend Ram, helped a lot, I cannot imagine what situation I could have been without him. I am recovered now, that incidence took toll on my fitness, will take couple of more months to get into normal life.


Experiences

This year was rich on that front. I purposefully dropped my style of think, plan, backup & execute, going ahead with AdHoc decision, and results are impressive.  I should try this more often.  Met few of the insanely talented people, and exploring further ground in the newfound territories. Got into cloud optimization & DevOps side (SysAdmin tasks focused on WordPress), and I must say, entry has been quite happening. I am enjoying this, and hopefully will make it a commercial service soon. More of good people I found this year. a good omen never-the-less.

I challenged myself to prepare and complete first ever trek in my life. I am more of like Lazy cat. But wife suggested me to try it & I am glad that I accepted. Tarsar Marasar lakes are in central part of Kashmir. Total of 8 days trek was to cover 200 km, at max altitude of 14500 ft from MSL. It was an experience, something which I have never imagined, it rained like anything, it was super cold, but it was beautiful and calm. That was a way to think & explore about myself as well. Anyways that was in 2015. I tried to execute that in 2016.

Over to you 2017.

Plans ahead
I have mentioned even previously about a stealth startup project, now I can share that it is progressing well, expecting to shade the stealth mode in first half of 2017.

Planning of a PoS platform as a service for Indian shops, along with card payment facility. This thing is more complex than I thought.

Looking forward to grow Cloud & DevOps business.

and, a must do visit either to some island (long long overdue), or Kinnaur Again in to the mountains.

Getting a new mobile is now a necessity, I am open if someone want to do giveaway! Otherwise, Pixel is yummy, but settling for OP3T instead.

Driving bike more, is in the plan.
Studying more about new found love for Architecture, is on top priority.

I am looking at 2017 as 5/25 Rule to say NO kind of year. I am listing my 25, this year I will take top 5 & try to make best of that.

PAST ALL REGRETS... Good bye 2016!

Here I am

Here I am, lost in the light of the moon
That comes through my window

Read more: Inxs - Afterglow Lyrics | MetroLyrics

 

2014, went gloomy. I am aware that I missed my tradition of writing year summary on 31st Dec every year. This year was like that. At a time I felt, nothing much to share, but on the positive note, many many more things are around to inspire & to write.

Highlight of this year was, two things which has nothing to do with my business or my earnings. Ingress - highly addictive real life game, occupied most of my spare time & most of the spare battery of my Nexus4. It started with a minor suggestion on twitter, became a huge pile of activities, even sometimes it started hampering my work. Then I quit, willingly. Addiction of anything is bad, and only selfcontrol can get one out of that. and then I started again. But this time, with control. turning off notifications helps a lot. You meet new people, explore city like no other. Networking is key. I loved this game, the community. People who spare time for some smaller things, co-ordinate stuff well. Fun indeed.

Finally, our first outing, after honeymoon. Came after almost 2 years. It was again Himachal Pradesh but a bit on unknown side. Kinnaur district of Himachal, is where nature blessed best of its ideas & creations. My visit to Kinnaur (Sangla, Chitkul, Kalpa & Nako) was a bit cut short than original plan, but it was worth. I have written on medium about it, Part 1 is live, part 2 is yet to be written. Locations like kinnaur, offers you a much needed peace of mind, which will help you to listen to your own inner voices. Helps, a lot...

2014, was much more of a learning... hope it helps in 2015.

BTW Today is my birthday and as usual, its on the typical note, which I have seen many time in 2014. Getting older is scary, except you can add it to your experiences count. Turning 30 without achieving much is frustrating. But I can build over it only. I cannot change past till now.

Plan is the key factor & implementing those plans is priority for 2015 I believe.
Wish me luck

Aks - Reflection of my life

Thoda sa garaj hai, thodi sa samajh hai

chahton ki daayre main ruknaa faraz hai

koi kehta hai, ki ghar aa gaya hai

arzoo bhi arz hai padhte jaana

Yet another year is done. 2013 is now officially part of History. I am trying to keep up with my routine of writing a blogpost on every 31 December. Here it goes.

This year was purely a reflection of my life. I can relate the things from past to my experiences, situations & incidences I faced this year. It's always fun to walk down memory lane, more than wisdom, it gives you a peace of mind. Atleast for me.

This year, an average year for my venture, again few trade-offs & compromises were there, now a part of life I guess. I am glad that I ticked on few of pending TO-DO things. I was regular with blogging, and got some appreciation for it as well. Got my dream handset thanks to my brother in US. Finally finally finally I am a proud owner of DSLR. Nikon D5200 is a great gadget & I really enjoyed its power.

Started something new, I never thought I will take an assignment as a photographer someday. Thanks to Veerendra & family. They offered us a chance to shoot once in a lifetime moment. I am happy with the results, I hope they have enjoyed our pics too. Check it here.

This year, I always felt like I am living my life again. Its like AKS - the reflection, of my emotions, my karma & my life.

Lets welcome a brand new year, with open arms & open mind... May the best of all the worlds is written under your To-Do list

Celebration ~ all around us!

After couple of years (yes, I was very busy last year, esp. during Diwali season) I am writing again about Diwali & over-all celebrations.

Diwali, annual festival of lights, signifies the spirit of a lamp, to fight against the darkness. 

I remember, I was very much enthusiastic for Diwali. My father used to bring a huge box of firecrackers. Then it was my routine to sort them for each day celebrations. Earlier I used to sort it simply total fireworks / number of days. Then I realized, for first & last day I need to arrange more etc. etc. it was all part of planning at that age, might be. Then came the indirect lesson of careful spending/planning your expenses or whatever else corporate name you can give.

I was in seventh standard, my papa gave me Rs. 1000 and asked me to buy some decoration material, akash-kandil (lantern) & fireworks. He asked my uncle to accompany me with instructions that,  "Let him buy whatever he wants, do not allow him to spend more than what I have given." I was happy as this was a rare occasion I got direct money to spend, on my own will. 

My plan was simple, for me decorations are least imp things. I was planning to spend max Rs. 100 on it. Another Rs. 100 for akash-kandil & remaining Rs 800 can bring some good amount of fireworks for me (it was 90's). But problem started, when I went to buy decorations items the list of things I had was costing around 200 Rs. I said alright, lets buy remaining in 50 Rs & 750 Rs of fireworks, a good deal. But again akash-kandil costed 150 Rs & my plan crashed badly. Another game of choices was to select fireworks, which will be more in number, but should not cross my 650 Rs. budget, also there should be some fancy things like 7-shot rockets etc. With all permutations & combinations I finalized the fireworks, but before packing I realized that few items are not much of use (like some noisy sparkles) & I am buying them. I decided not buy those things & finally I came home with my set of fireworks, and all necessary things. With some 75 Rs spare.

When I handed over everything to my father, he was happy. I was too small to understand why...

I got a surprise (additional) pack of fireworks right on the very first day of diwali. Again I never asked why it was... I was just happy that I got more things to play, enjoy & celebrate.

Years later, I joined MBA in Bangalore, that was the first time I was away from my home, even during Diwali. (some assignment/something else don't remember). That was the first time I was staying in Hostel, not much aware about the local language & most important all alone there. That Diwali I realized the importance of celebration, importance of being at home, with family & that was something really more valuable than firecrackers or any other gift. I never missed any diwali after that.

It was 2011, again I was away from my home. Was struggling to get things in place & somehow I was thinking,  "it's really not important to celebrate diwali". Rest of the story you can read in my previous post here. That was dramatic, I was working whole night to make sure, my client's website will be online for his Diwali muhurt, in the morning 5.30 got a call from friend that he is coming down to my place to pick me. I simply slept in bus. Straight for 6 hours. Finally bus conductor woke me up saying, no further stop to this bus, "utha Dapoli aale". When I saw my home again that day, that was the feeling, the bliss! Just 24 hours before, I was planning some excuse of work so that I need to not visit home & spend my productive hours there, working & earning money, & now, after finishing all my deadlines, I was there to celebrate with my beloved people.

This year many things are covering this Diwali. Low markets, less leads in business, increased prices, crumpled (may not be the right word, but feeling) weather & what not. Our twitter discussion was about the same, "Its not feeling like fun, this year!" I was worried, as this might be the result of I am growing old, maturing with experiences. 

Anyways, Looking forward for this fun-filled vacation. Let me throw out the negative thoughts & come back with a new energy. Hope everyone will enjoy


P.S. - It was quite a lengthy post, if you are still reading this... a Special Thanks for reading! 

Happy DIWALI everyone

Fixing Indian Systems

I proudly admit that I am writing this post considering myself the part of 90% community of idiots, referred by hon. rtd. Chief Justice & Chairman of PCI Mr. Katju. I have never seen a wise & straight forward person like him. He modestly said about 90% of idiots, I now suspect the number is much more, and it justifies all the issues we are facing. Respect Mr. Katju!

We used to follow Cricket considering its a game of chance, talent & gentleman. But after repeated attempts by cricketers to clarify the situation, now I got a chance to reintroduce the fool in myself. I always felt sympathy for Sreesanth, esp. after Bhajji slapped him. Another reason can be lack of medium (considered to be FAST) bowlers in India. After J. Shreenath, V. Prasad (?), Zaheer & Neh(a)ra, not many names around. But finally it's all about money. Now I realized.

"Why you follow IPL? It's all fixed, Now see that guy will get a six on last ball & they will WIN", one of my "I KNOW IT ALL" friend told me. He was the same person who earlier claimed similar things about Kejriwal, "Kuch nahi hoga, yeh bhi party banayega aur Anna election ladenge". After success of half of his statement, now I feel I should believe in him.

"I hate IPL, its nothing but wastage of money, water (important now) & imposes western culture on us.", One more of Current Affairs GURU told me. I cannot deny all that. But again, why one is using personal hate opinion for something which is also offering some opportunity for young cricketers, and providing some entertainment. Gentleman, I havn't seen you wearing Dhoti & Kurta either. When you wear Shirt, Tie, Jeans, is that coming directly from ancient Indian scripts? also do you really care for water while washing your car? and most effective,

If you HATE IPL, simply stop following it. Do not watch that TV channel, do not buy tickets, do not prefer IPL merchandises. That's the easiest solution to achieve peace of mind for you & others.

You are free to express your opinion but the problem starts when you try to impose that.

Now the other side. This includes all the popular & familier names. Media, Politicians, Cricket Experts & may be some fixing experts as well (remember Azar, Ajay Jadeja etc. etc.)

Corruption and making the things happen using money, is now deep rooted part of Indian system. But closing the system may not be an option always. As pointed by all time hit Navjyot Singh Siddhu on twitter

Crows & little birds may defile temple domes with their waste. Rain washes it away, and the temples retain their splendor and sancity. #IPL
— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) May 18, 2013

The irony starts when Politicians call it Indian Paap League and ask for ban. Wait I am not favoring IPL either. But what if we impose similar law on all the ministries where corruption is proven but processing is pending. What about Commonwealth, Whatever telecom G scams, Coal & all other things. This way we need to ban whole nation. But it doesn't really happen, because of 90% idiots. Banning something or someone may not be the solution. This includes ban on SRK in Wankhede Stadium as well (I am no fan of that ex-superstar still). Ban gives the message to others, that this kind of acts will not tolerated. If someone bans IPL & start something similar next year, I doubt the motive for that BAN. Few people demand purification of Cricket and the irony is sponsor for the team where spot fixing was spotted, are manufactures of Purifier only (Nothing personal against them. Just on lighter notes). Purifing or cleaning anything in which good amount of money is involved is THE IMPOSSIBLE task in India.

Few people have issues when Sherry paaji compared IPL with the highest house of democracy in India. With all the highest level of respect for Sansad Bhavan (Indian Parliament), I want to agree on his point

In spite of all the scandals, betrayals & controversies, if the Parliament can still be sacrosanct, why call the #IPL ‘Paap League’
— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) May 17, 2013

We Indians are always at our best when it comes to POINTING FINGERS. Same can be observed in Indian fielding as well. Remember fielders guiding ball towards the boundary line fielder?

With my little idiotic brain, I can make sense of this as, The outrage created by Politicians & NEWS channels cartel, against IPL is just another attempt to divert attention from main topics. When there are more people sleeping hungry, than the people applying for TV-EMI for IPL, we are missing on priorities. Whatever wrong is wrong always. I believe our judicial system will take care of wrongdoings & wrongdoers alike.

Lets not make it prime aim of our life. You might be king of your flat on SUNDAY, finally everyone has to go to office on Monday. Life goes on, with IPL & without it.

Keeping the past - 2012

After many happenings, good as well as bad, finally today is 31st December 2012, last day of the year. Now I hope the hoax of 2012 Doomsday is over and Mayan's better corrected their calendar. This is my take on the year 2012, how it was rather it wasn't.

Overall, 2012 was can be categorized as a bad year. Economical slowdown, higher inflations, poor political leadership, collapsed budget, loss many notable people and few of the most tragic incidences. Even Social Networks trended #NoMoreIn2013 listing the things they don't expect to see again. Remarkably this year is marked by growth and dominance of social media platforms in India. Many of the collective movement were crafted & co-ordinated with smart use of social media, which was good and bad both. While from anti-corruption movement to threatening message for North East Indians, social media dominated the news. Additionally, "Anonymous" the hacker group calling themselves 'Hacktivist', demonstrated another way of protest and marking the stand. Now ethics about the same are in doubt, but its indeed something new. That was more of big picture.

image from - smsblaze.com

On personal front, again this was a mixed year. Year started with marriage preparations, which was one of the happiest moment, in my life. Playing the second inning, is challenge, as well as fun, and makes perfect understanding of why there is a phrase, "shaadi ka laddoo". Indeed I am glad, proud & fortunate to have my life-partner. We shared many things together in the past, and now will be there for lifetime.

On professional side, got a great person as a business partner. We together moved to an office, first of its kind for Vikcon. This collaboration is marking some good results and eventually developed into venturing new territories, newer avenues of business and some big decisions together. Now we are looking forward for our stealth startup project, to grow and to launch. Additionally took some tough decisions, to discontinue some services and to add few. This was the year, who gave me a suitable answer who I am, and what I can do, which is a good thing.

To Do list is almost the same as previous year, learning a dance form, mobile app, regular with guitar & blogging are still seating on the top of TO-DO things in 2013. Never-the-less I achieved something this year, can expect everything else to be sorted in Q1 2013. Preferences change over the time, locations, situations and people. Now the top preference is something I never thought of. Looking forward for it. Will keep updating this blog at-least.

Learnt many new things. Most important is about how to decline, reject or say No. Several opportunities missed this year, esp. admission to Adelaide University for my dream, PhD. But when I got a chance, I was at a point of No return and I will never regret my decision. Now I believe in the statement by the great SIR Richard Branson, "Opportunities are like buses - there's always another one coming! "

Wish you all to have great opportunities in coming year. Have a great year 2013
 

End of the World

This year has been marked with many events, perhaps the most discussed is End of the WORLD theory by Mayans. 

For a month or more all social networks are actively trending gags and creative work demonstrating the END of the WORLD scenario.

This all sequence shows the corner of every mind, which keeps faith / respect / fear about some unknown supernatural power, however scientific or atheist people may pretend to be.

Lets have a look at the base of this so called event.

According to Mayan (2000 BC to 250 AD) time calculation mechanism, 21 Dec 2012, will bring the date 13.0.0.0.0 which is as per the theory end of 4th World, created by God. I had a discussion about this with a Psychic expert, who strongly believes in the theory. According to her, the process is just started. it will last for next few years and then world will be demolished.

As of today 21-12-2012 10AM IST, I haven't seen any direct signs of fireballs coming from the sky or earthquakes.

But when I think the other way, every day is new, every date is unique. In turn you can consider every day you have an opportunity to end your old world of hesitations, limitations and mindset, to try something new, something never done before, eventually you might landup with a success you never got before. This is what is done by many successful businesses, successful people and visionary leaders. 

Lets end our restricted world today, will have a broader view, larger ideas and courage to follow  your open mind!


Have a great reincarnation!