Shopper's paradise

I am in Bombay for a vacation and have been shopping till I drop ;-). People who know me will be VERY surprised to hear this because usually I avoid shopping like the plague (other than for provisions) .

But... Bombay is different. Aside from the fact that everything is available a stone's throw from where I live, there is a VERY strong professional ethic and a desire to win over customers, that sadly, I do not see elsewhere.

Here is an example. I was looking for a new data card for my camera. I surfed, found a number and called. I was told that the data card could be home-delivered where I was. The data card costs Rs 600. It was duly delivered to me along with a brochure for cameras that I could upgrade to. Sadly, the data card wouldn't work with my camera. Before I could say anything, my money was returned. (Of course, I chose to keep the card as a memory backup, but I was at no point pressurized to keep a card that I had already opened to try with my camera!).

This wasn't a store that I had been a regular customer with, or knew in any way.

I can only dream of getting this kind of service in other cities.

Mmmm... Food

I have been on a recipe-trying spree lately, pulling stuff to cook off of the net.

Increasingly, I find myself drawn to cooking blogs rather than websites of famous cookbook authors. This is because what I am looking for is a variation to home-cooked food (slightly different spices, small change in steps to cook everyday vegetables) in order to widen our taste choices and alleviate boredom of eating the same vegetables week after week, and NOT fancy or elaborate recipes.

Thanks to Google and blogging (and the fact that EVERYONE's mom cooks differently ;-)), I'm in luck. Also, thanks to the fact that I am experimenting with Indian cooking -- it gets even better -- I so far have 4 different ways to cook carrots (and haven't even begun to explore recipes from the East!)

I've learnt to make sweet potato paranthas, moong dal paranthas, chana dal laddoos, carrot n coconut palya, ragi dosas, minty tomato rice and kerala sambhaar from bloggers :-).

One blog that I follow a lot is Archana Doshi's. Aside from the fact that she has a wide range of homey recipes, her measurements are close to perfect and her steps easy to follow. She also has small variations to traditional recipes which make a world of difference to the taste.

Looking forward to trying beetroot rice, vegetable biryani, urad dal paranthas and lots more in the days to come :-).

The art of getting help

We use a lot of open source software at work, and I subscribe to user-group lists.

(Some) users of the sub-continent have an amazing ability to annoy user-group lists by posting stuff like:

• I am new. Where do I start? (There is a well setup website with LOTS of examples to get your feet wet AND start swimming)

• This is my situation. Please help. (Without having searched archives)
  

• This is my situation. Send me some code I can use. (Why should someone else do *your* work?)

• Repeated requests for help on the SAME topic. (Open source mailing lists comprise of other users who *volunteer* help and not paid tech-support)

• I am getting an error. Please help. (With no attempt to troubleshoot or debug)
  

• Incoherently asked questions with incomplete information.

Is it too much to expect "engineers" (yes, that is probably what most of them carry in their titles) to be able to post queries that:

• Are clear and concise
• Display what attempts the seeker of help has already made to try and solve the problem - - yes this implies that you DO try and look for a solution instead of running to others for help immediately
• Do not beg for help
• Do not expect a ready made solution that can be swallowed as-is in the next 20 minutes
• Are grammatically coherent?

My dream job

In order of priority:

1> 20 hours a week
2> Flexible working hours, with occasional work-from-home days
3> Pays ALL bills
4> Smart peers
5> Mentally challenging work

I should just ask for the moon and be done with it ;-)

What nice homework

My 6 year old gets a pile of homework each weekend, but once he starts, he actually enjoys doing it. Given that his Literature textbook is Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss, it is no surprise.

Inspired by Cat in the Hat, this weekend, he had to write some of the rules of his house. This is what he came up with:

1> Do not go out alone.
2> When you come from any place wash your hands with soap.
3> In a shop dont get lost.
4> Do not eat much junk food.
5> Do not break toys.
6> Do not tear books.
7> Do not throw things.