Since last few months, lot of oldies left Adobe, our team. Its a big blow to our team.

Ankit Rustagi left Adobe

Its an usual weekend, and we went to park to play. Some kids brought rabbit and birds in the park.

Bhavika was so happy to see them. Daksh and Bhavika both played with them.

Bhavika played with Rabbit

Pankaj Bansal from another team approached my manager, and he sugested my name to him as Java Expert to take interview for his team.

I focused on Java and little on Micro services. He was 9 years experience.

Overall, I rejected him with a strong No.

An Interview with a 9 years Experience Guy

Daksh learned https://www.photopea.com/, and learnt it quite fast. Its like Photoshop. I do not even know how to work on Photoshop. But, he learnt it well.

Daksh made Drawing - Happy Diwali

Its my daily duty to wake him up for school. In Covid time, its at around 7:15 AM. But, before that it was at around 6:30 AM.

The pain is not in waking up early because of him. I usually wake-up at around 6AM. But, he takes so much time to wakeup and put his feet on ground. Sometimes, it took somewhere around 10-15 minutes. It disturbs my schedule as well. 

He talks rude. This makes me angry, and I finally left and ask him to wakeup at whatever time you want. Then, he wakeup by himself. Not a single instance, that when I left he didn't wake-up. But, it feels very bad to listen to his rude replies.

Sometimes he says, remove my name from school. He said, I will email to principal to remove my name :)

He takes time to wake-up. Rarely it happens that he wakes up in few minutes and with a smile.

But, its not a complaint. It is just a memory. I love him, and he knows that.

Big Pain - To Awaken Daksh Each Morning

Its the Karvachauth, and out of the blue, I decided that I will also have fast. Kanika did not force me. Even, I was just at our new flat for the work. I did not even took water, still I was not feeling the need for it.

I came back home at around 3, and I took milk and a barfi just that Kanika also took it in the early morning. However, Kanika said if you did the breakfast, you should not have eaten barfi.

Anyway, I did the fasting successfully. Ending the fast at around 9:30 PM. I was not feeling very hungry, and it was manageable.

Kanika also felt good because of my gesture.

I had my First karvachauth Fast in 12 years

So, today I had to go to the following work:

I drank milk, and went to work without any breakfast.

I purchased cleaning stuff first and went to the flat. The work was going so slow, I don't think we can shift to flat.

I then went to the IGL office, where I asked the formalities needed and where can I get the affidavit. I then, went to the authority office for the affidavit, came back. The lady then asked me to get the signature of Kanika as she was the co-owner. I said, I will do it. She said, no. She said, take this form, get it signed by your wife and courier to us. I thought, its a long process. I asked, do I also need her ID. She said No. I tried my luck, I said she is sitting in the car, let me go for her signature.

I went out for few seconds, did her signature and came back. She knew I did it by myself, still she took it. Relax. Its done,

I then went to a shop where Kanika asked the shopkeeper to prepare our stuff. But, he has not prepared it. I had to wait. I then asked him that I have other work and I went for electrical stuff.

After that, I came back and get it loaded into the car.

I then went to Sector-9, searching for shops. I found one where I can find Le-Grand switches. I gave him the list, and he was preparing my order. At the end, he gave an amount to which I said, I will do Google-Pay. He said it will come to my account. I said so what, you are the business and you should pay taxes. He said, he will need to pay taxes. I said, by asking for more money you are taking taxes from customers, not paying by yourself.

I was so pissed off, and stood from there saying that I have wasted my time here. Let me know if you are doing it. The bill was for 12700 Rs and he asked for 800 Rs more. I offered that I could do it 13000, else I'm going. They agreed.

On returning, I get the items off-loaded in the flat and went back to the house. Where I first took the lunch. I was so hungry. I had to meet Abdul, but couldn't meet as I was feeling tired and slept.

Went to market for so long with no food

Its been so long that there is a public function celebrated at Jaypee Klassic. Thanks to Covid lockdown.

So, Navratre is going on these days. And, people at Jaypee decided to collect some money and have a funcntion. They decorated well.

Yesterday, we all went there. Daksh and Bhuvi were excited to go there. There was one stage, where kids were singing and performing. I saw, Kanika was standing with Bhuvi. Bhuvi was looking excited that she wanted to sing or say something on stage. But, she didn't come. My kids are shy just like me.

But I saw, she was dancing silently. By keeping her hands in her ear, the music was loud. Daksh also enjoyed, howevere there were no friends for him. I also saw a lot of new faces.

I bought some cold drink, juice for kids. Later, Daksh wanted to eat Momos. He is fond of momos.

There were also some counters for businesses. I had a talk with a commercial property guys, Orian. Its beingn launched near our Jaypee.

A Nice Public Function at Jaypee Klassic After Long Time

This is hopefully a new beginnings of things to come. I started listening to Jordon Peterson shortly after my 2nd Wedding Anniversary when Aravindan recommended me a video of him. Coincidently, my wife also decided to gift me one of his books - 12 Rules of Life, based on recommendation from Prakhar about him; but at the last moment, she decided not to get it. Its surprizing enough that he's been an internet sensation for the past 4/5 years, & I haven't come across him. I guess there had to be a fateful event for this. 

I lean towards the right when it comes to moral & societal views. I find it practical & comforting. After years of being in revolutionary mode in my 20s, I understood that evolution is what is possible & not revolution. Also, evolution takes time. Evolution happens at individual level, in smaller units of society & not larger chunks of society say at a country level. At some point I decided that any changes that I wanted to see, first I should live to the change & then try to assert influence within my family. 

That's about me. The spectrum from where Jordon Peterson comes from got me attracted to him at once. He's one of the most articulate persons I've heard out there. If there's controversy surrounding him, surely there's something that he's saying right. I'm not bothered about all the woke nonsense anyways. While this happened, I also came across the book from James Clear - Atomic Habits. I read this book as though I were reading a textbook for some examination - which involved taking notes & discussing the themes examined in it. The whole book went around what he calls it the Habit Loop - CUE, CRAVING, RESPONSE & REWARD. After I finished reading the book, I got filled with hope. Lots of hope. I crave change & this change will be atomic. I hope the energy that I draw out of it will truly be atomic in its nature & indeed powerful. 

Thus, this is a new beginning - of things to come. I want to start writing everyday, & I found this wonderful website. Looking forward to more things here. 

New Beginnings

Devansh called me, to have casual chit-chat. Our talk was due since last Sunday.

He always has all the updates from our team. He already left Adobe and joined Microsoft. But, he knew about everybody even now. He gave me knews that Prakhar selected into Microsoft and Google and he is joining Google. I was like, WOW.

He was telling me that you should also try as they are hiring at much higher pace and is giving good salary. It was very tempting to listen.

I listened, and told him my view point and my vision of my future.

I told him that I'm not going to change anymore, Read more here. 

I was very clear in explaining my perspective and my thoughts. He understood it very clearly, and respected it. 

I know, its very tempting to see when everybody around you are going to big companies, and you can also do better. But, I want to take a pause from this rat race.

I'm reading a book: "Psychology of Money", and there I read that we should stay away from social race.  And, I know I'm earning decent enough that I do not need to go anywhere else. Work life balance is dawm good here. So, why do I leave? Just for social pressure?

I'm happy for Prakhar. He is a brilliant guy.

I told him, that my long term goal is not this. I even suggested him to meet at regular frequencies to discuss any ideas that we might have, and may be we can make it big. We have decent amount to bootstrap our ideas. He liked the idea. Lets see, how we can materialize it.

Prakhar selected into Google - Talk with Devansh

I'm working in Adobe systems, drawing a decent salary. Actually way more than I spend. 

My prespective about life has changed a bit. I'm fedup of this salary and rat race culture. I was actually frustrated since long in my current job.I tried studying multiple times. I couldn't clear companies in which I was interested. It is very difficult with load of work and kids at home that I can do anything else.

This year as well, I started preparing myself for the interviews. I do believe in hard work, and I do not afraid of doing hard work. But, one thing stuck. What am I doing? What if I goto some other big name, I would be earning little more that my current salary. What after that? What if I also started feeling same as now?

And, I'm actually fedup of this corporate culture. I think I can do better. I decided to build something for the future. Something that can give me fuel to run my remaining life. I'm good in building things, software, web etc.

I decided not to look for any change further, and starting building something of my own. Be it some passive income, or being teacher, or doing freelancing etc. But, not job.

I'm very confident this time that I can do better with this. I do believe, that there is no limit of earning. I know the days when I used to earn so little. I was living even then. I'm slaving myself to the salary. I'm doing shitty work sometimes at work just for salary. 

I want to live life, on my terms now. Lets set a goal for myself to be retire from job by. year 2026.

My Decision of Future

I had an off today from office, which I did not tell at home.

I wasted that complete day by just watching useless facebook videos. I did few stock market classes, but they were not useful. Overall, a wasted day.

In morning, Kanika went to our flat where Sudhir came for first time, for carpenter work.

Once she came back, she was in no mood to prepare lunch. We ordered a Pizza that Daksh loved it. We ordered two pizzas, one that Daksh loves, second that Bhavika can eat. There is no room for our choices :(

In evening, we got our stuff for carpenter like boards, ply etc. Those stuff was not going through lift. Guard was also troubling them. I had to go there. Me and Daksh went there by cycle.

They had to load those heavy boards by their own through stairs.

I entered the flat, and saw the progress by POP work on walls. The walls were butter smooth by their work, it was awesome to see that. The flat is looking nice. It gives a feeling of a wider/open flat.

A wasted day

My old macbook was giving some trivial problems from past few weeks. The problems were like:

Some keys were pressed multiple times by one press. This caused major issue. Example: I was pressing single key to close browser tab. It closed multiple tabs.

Once in a month types, laptop shutdown without warning

Although, everything was working fine. Those were not the issues for which I personally buy a new laptop. But, the problems were really frustrating me sometimes.

Piyush(My manager) posted in our group, whether someone in need to replace their old out of warranty machines or problematic hardware.

I raised a service desk request for my laptop issues after that. The support guy straight away told me that your laptop was out of warranty, and I suggest you to raise request for new hardware. I conveyed same to Piyush. And, it got approved within few minutes. I was like, WOW.

And, would you believe, in evening, I got a call that they want to deliver the laptop to my home. I could not believe. I mean, such a ffast service.

Next day, 12:30 PM, I got the laptop in my hands. Thanks Adobe.

Got my new Macbook from Office

It was my quarterly feedback from Suman. We had a 1:1 meeting. I was not expecting good words from her, some intuitions.

You are doing good, infact very good. You have taken the ownership. You know whom to talk, how to talk, whom to involve. You are fetching people contact outside team as well. Thats good.

You are handling Shriya, Parag with nno conflicts. Thats good. 

You are asking people to take care of work, be it Parag or Mudit. 

You are looking after bigger picture of project. You are deciding which tech stack to choose, which LB, DB, infra, git etc.

You are doing good code reviews, there are always some comments. And, people are doing those changes.

You have prepared very nice document, that contained details. We normally doesn't do documents.

You have taken ownership of USB data validation, thats good. You are doing it with good responsibility.

1. Help us to kickstart the project. First cut of project. First cut is difficult, then team will handle. After that, you might be involved in other project.

2. Make an impact on external world, like write blog on security, ticketing, think of patents, think of new technologies, think of doing security belts etc.

3. Ensure team follows best practices, like PR review, branches standardization, PR templates, deployment workflow etc.

I was not expecting lot of good words. But, it was lot more than expectation.

I got quarterly Feedback - Checkin with Suman

Daksh had to speak on one of the Nobel Prize winners. We choose Albert Einstein.

Albert was a mathematician and physicist.

He won Nobel prize in 1921 and won the Copley Medal in 1925.

He won Nobel price for his explanation of Photo-electric effect.

I chose him because he was very smart in Maths and Physics.

Albert Einstein was born in March 14, 1879, Germany.

He faced lot of trouble in his childhood financially.

He also loved  to play classical music and violin.

After his death, doctors removed his brain for study.

They found that the area which is responsible for 3d visualization and mathematics was 15% wider than people who have normal intelligence.

Daksh's preparation for Nobel Prize Winner - Albert Einstein

Kanika's been requesting to take a leave from office so that we can goto market to explore few things for our flat. I agreed to take first half.

We went to Sec-18 market, and a showroom for Hop/Chimney. Those were good. I always wonder in using latest things vs old working things. Our 10-year-old Gas hop is still working super fine. But, we have to replace it according to new things :)

We were roaming in Sec-18 market, we went to a book shop. Who sells duplicate books. My interest in books is increasing these days. I bought 2 books:

I asked the book shop owner, don't you afraid of selling duplicate books in a well-established market. He said no.

Kanika had told mom to prepare rice if we came late. We went to our new flat while returning. We reached home in time. Kanika prepared food. She is a super expert in these things. I admire her for this. She never shy away from doing work, even after coming from outside.

In the evening, my parents had to return to their hometown.

Tour to market, Kanika request and bought 2 books

My parents were here for a quick visit. They stayed here for around 10 days. They went back today.

They booked a bla-bla car, which is really a fantastic service. He was so confused on picking up which timing. I had to leave my running meeting in the middle to drop them. But, its ok.

Papa badly wanted both the kids to drop them. The time for the car was: 5:20 PM. Bhavika was sleeping. Papa went in the room and said something to Bhavika to which she wake up. But she slept soon.

So, when we were standing in front of the lift, I was almost iside the lift. I heared Bhavika's cry. I went inside, and took her with us as well. Papa was happy. Kanika was not :)

So, we reached there, and dropped them. Bhavika started crying, seeing her grand parents were going. All right. Bhavika cried 3-4 times while returning as well. She said cutely: "My Amma, My Baba ji".

I asked Daksh, aren't you feeling sad. He said, OK-OK. He never expressed himself. He really loves their company. Last. time, he cried badly. I haven't seen him lately cried for someone.

Parents went back. Overall a nice memory

Although, its not a good title. But, i"m really pissed off with Ankit. I'm already not a big fan of his lateness.

So, it started with a website work that he wanted. I brought Abhinav in between and let them work. Its been more than 2 months now. Abhinav is also doing stupid work by not completing a small website. 

Its me, who is bringing both of them on meeting. Its me who is telling to give Abhinav a Demo to them. They never come on time in meetings, they are not giving their social pages. They are not giving him their actual images that they want to use. They gave few images, that after repeatitive messages from me.

Its me, who bought their domain name, I purchased their web-hosting.

I did setup our last meeting to bring everybody on same page. Nobody came in that meeting, I was so angry with both of them. Actually, three of them. Shivam was also invited. 

I dropped a message on whatsapp, anybody coming? Abhinav responded 20 mins later. I was already exited the meeting. I did not reply. I had made my plan not to involve in any of their work.

Shivam called me, and said he was in some office work. I just said, you guys see yourself now.

I tried calling him few days back. His phone was busy. I expected that he will call me. But he did not. Wow.

Yesterday, I called him again. He picked up the call and said, I will cal you back. And, he did not.

I was in so much anger and pissed off. I will not call him and straight away going to tell him that you manage your work.

Being a close relative, it was their duty to call me back when they promised. Its actually an insult.

He called next day, at around 10. I did not pick his call. I thought of calling him next day. He called on Kanika's phone. 

He started by saying he came late from shop and his health was not good. So he couldn't call. I just said ok. He talked about somethings, I was just not interested in his talking. I just said ok, formality kind of. I wanted to make him realize that people do feel bad.

Pissed-off with Ankit

Well over the years, I learnt some Rules. One of the rule is that you should never hire your relatives for any kind of work. Your relationship will never be the same after that work. There will always be some hiccups. Neither you or they will be able to communicate their unhappiness over work, if you do, it will be a disaster.

Jija ji did purchased a plot in YNR, and building a new house. They called Kanika and asked her to make a raw drawing for their plot. To give them a plan of rooms architecture, and given their requirements. 

Now, being in relationship, its difficult to refuse them. People should understand this.

I hope when someday Mannu read this, he will not take this in bad way.

I mean, Kanika was not doing any professional work because of her busy life, kids and all. And, she was also super busy these days in our flat and Ankit work. They know that we are also building a flat. And, Kanika is super busy there.

She prepared few designs and their response was also super quick.

The bad thing is, in those days, Bhavika and Kanika was having birthday. And, nobody called them in that day. It was a really-really bad way. I did not like it at all. Read this  for more details.

Later they told, that they are hiring a local architect as he can visit the plot as well. So its all good.

Now, few days back, they called again. And straight away said, Kanika you have to do our interior work. Kanika was again stressed. Again, our work is going in full swing and she is busy. And, she can not refuse them as they are our relative. We were out, so she told them that she will call them later.

She called them, and looks like everybody was busy. She talked to Didi and she told that Mannu will call you. And, the call did not even after 3 days. Kanika has a reason to be angry with me. 

The thing is, we try very hard that nobody would feel bad, by responding as quickly as possible, but nobody gives heed to us.

Mannu called Kanika about Interior Work

17th July 2021, was the birthday of Bhavika. We received calls from our houses, Bhai, Kaku. But not from our respected Didi and Mannu.

And, on 19th July, it wsa Kanika's birthday. And, now Kaku also not called.

I felt so bad about this. I'm the guy who is calling everybody, literally everybody be it a 1 year old kid or an adult. After my marriage, I also forced Kanika to call each one of them.

And now, nobody called. I really felt bad and was in anger. I felt bad as not even Mannu called.

And, on top of it, there was some work that Kanika was doing for our Didi (Mannu's house), and they were in constant touch. The really bad thing is, Didi called on 18th July, stating that they were very busy yesterday and couldn't call on Bhavika's b'day. And, straight away discussed about the work. And, they did not call on next day as well (Kanika's bday)

It was a super mean thing by them. How would they feel, if I will not call them. Obviously they will feel bad. I wanted to tell Mannu straight away, but did not. As, I turns rude sometimes and it might hamper our relationship. Mannu also visited our house after few days, but I did not mentioned anything.

That day, they lost a little respect from my side.

Very few called on Bhavika and Kanika's Birthday

Since so many days, I wanted to call to few relatives and friends. I did not miss it today.

I called my BigB, and did a casual chit-chat. I did tell him the work going on in my flat. I also did talk to Bhabhi ji. I'm glad I did that. 

Next was Abhinav. I called him to close the website work that he was doing for Ankit. This time, I clearly conveyed my unhappiness over not attending the meeting on time that I fixed last time. I told him, I was unhappy with both of you. But, now its your responsibility to finish this, I'm not involved in this anymore. And, we did few technical chit-chat. It ended on good note.

It was Sachin's birthday (one of my old friend from YNR). I did not have his number, I messaged him on facebook and he gave me his number. I called him. It was a good feeling talking to him. Its been so many years. I remember, last time I talked to him regarding Tinu (who did took my money in wrong way). And, Sachin was also not helping me as he was living near to him. Anyway, I felt happy talking to him.

Next, I called Chacha ji. For first full or minute, he was just saying: "Aaj kaise kar liya". I just smiled, and wondering did you call? It also felt good talking to him. It was a regular chit-chat. He continuously told me I think you called me for some work, you did not call me just like that. I was like, come on. Its a usual call. It was also a good call.

I also called Ankit. He usually never called by himself (Very rarely). I called him just like that and to tell him that finish your website work fast. He picked my call and said that he will call later. And, he did not call that day, until now (next day). I was super angry to him because of that. He always does that, and thinks he is super busy in this world. Super non-professional. Actually, non-sense behavior.

Calls to relatives/friends after long time

OMG, I've been waiting for this since so many days.

Today was also another day, when the fabricator promised to deliver the railing. I went there at 3:30 in another hope. And, to see rest of the work going on in the flat.

The work was going in full swing, it is just that the whole house is in mess. Its all dirty, thanks to our contractor.

My eyes were all on the main gate, continuously searching for the railing. In few minutes, I saw lot of guards were looking at our flat. I was afraid, as what if they will again ask for FMG. I prayed so much at that time. I could see the guy was waiting for guards to give them clearance. I could see, the main guard talking to someone on phone. I was really afraid what if he will not allow now. I could see, he is shaking his head. May be on our railing, or on something else.

After about 5 mins, one of labour went down. The guy must have called him to come down. I was just continuously praying. I was watching the whole scene closely.

Fially, I could see the two labourers lifted the railing and entered in the premise. Oh, I was relaxed. Untill the railing could enter in the flat, I was in so much tension.

When it entered our flat. It was like, something precious thing coming. I wanted to touch it. 

Now, its all settled. But, now I'm worried about the installation. I hope they will not put any more issues in that.

I have to get premission for welding work tomorrow.

Finally the railing is inside

We were out in market to buy tiles. We got late. Daksh is really helping us these days, by being brave and responsible. He agrees to remain at home along with Bhavika. She takes care of Bavika when she wake up.

Usually, Daksh do something that caused Bhavika to wake up early. Either by his TV or tablet sound.

In the meantime, Bhavika wake up and she did potty. Our dear Daksh helped her cleaning it. I remember its the second time, he did it. It was a big help.

Daksh helped Bhavika clean 

I don't know, how much I prayed GOD for this. I lost few of my sleep because of this. I regret my decision of buying this flat because of this.

Today, the guy promised that he will bring the railing. The main hurdle is that Jaypee guards should let it come in. Its the main hurdle. I'm in so much tension.

The fabricator guy is so useless that he refused even today. Come on. Its been so many days, I think around 15 days. I'm listening from Ramesh, that he promised today, now after 2 days, after 2 days. I warned Ramesh that I had a bad experience with the same guy. How can these people do their work.