Wordle

"...that was indeed ambitious..."

"...what a silly mistake...!"

"....I should have thought more..."

"...that's awesome...!"

These and other such lines probably get exchanged daily between friends across the world post midnight. Not 12 am IST or EST or GMT, but 12 am in their respective zones. If not in the few minutes post midnight, then probably in the first few hours of the next morning. 

Wordle has definitely taken the world by storm. It's like a mini-addiction that you would not mind getting addicted to. Because you know you just cannot lose much by getting addicted to something that's fun yet can only cost you a few minutes of your time daily. It has definitely ignited communication channels where friends end up literally discussing the word of the day and the way they approached it. It also  has showed us how people can control their excitement (and mind their conduct in a way) and not spoil the game for others by not disclosing the word of the day once they know it ( I remember unfriending someone I barely knew on FB in 2012 when I read him post "Kareena bhoot hai" while I was on the way to watch the movie Talaash ).

Another wonderful aspect of this game is how everyone approaches it. Almost everyone starts of with the aim of getting the word in 6 attempts. We even miss a few wordles early on and then it starts to challenge our competitive spirit. So then comes the tightening of the process. Some start with 2 or more vowels, some have a set of letters they feel are more common than the others, some (or may be its just me ) have the practice of starring with the same word daily ( more often than not, I start with "SUGAR" and the one 1st row &  2nd row hits were thanks to the sweet word ). The discipline to not touch the greens and to include the yellows in subsequent rows slowly firms up & you end up bettering yourself daily. While the game definitely needs a lot of luck (like any other game or event in our lives) it somehow does act like an exercise for the mind. Everyone watches how many attempts  their friends took to crack the word for the day and it further sparks a drive to do better & improve their skills & approach to the game.

I guess any sport or game that we play brings out our character in some way and it then requires us to mould our character to ensure we can thrive in the game. Wordle though simple, is no exception to this phenomena I believe. If you carefully dissect how you approach it daily, you'd probably end up learning more about yourself.

Here's my grid so far. The first few attempts where I took it lightly cost me the chance to get to a 100%. I know I can play this game forever and yet I cannot get a perfect 100%, but the idea is to get as close to 100% as I can, one wordle at a time.

"Please change his designation from Senior Manager to Manager"

"Please change his designation from Senior Manager to Manager..." read the email from my then-manager.

I was stunned! Let's call this demoted guy "Kachra" (not to demean him, but just a reference to the famous character from Lagaan). 

Initially, Kachra soared in his career. He achieved his first promotion in 6 months, subsequent ones every 12-18 months. During that period, he was a senior manager. A year before this incident, Kachra transitioned to a new business unit (BU) reporting directly to the unit head (let's call him Andrew). Andrew was convinced that Kachra was no good. After a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), he recommended either termination or demotion to a manager. The HR leader (let's call him Ishwar) agreed to the demotion. However, the story didn't conclude there. A few months later, Andrew decided to let Kachra go. Ishwar, after reviewing Kachra's past performance, believed he deserved another chance. Coincidentally, at the same time, one of the leaders (let's call him Bhuvan) was looking to hire a manager to manage a money-guzzling process. Ishwar convinced Bhuvan to give Kachra a shot at it, and the transfer happened.

Kachra knew this was the last chance to prove his metal. He put in the efforts and hours to learn about the new role and started addressing the challenges that Bhuvan was struggling with. About 18 months later, not only did Kachra embrace the new role adeptly, but he also showcased substantial savings through process improvements. Bhuvan & Ishwar were pleased to promote him back to Senior Manager, and in the subsequent years, he continued to rise up the ranks.

While this episode underscores Kachra's resilience, it also raises concerns about role mismatches and the pitfalls of premature promotions. To be fair to Kachra, perhaps he matured at the right pace, but several factors could have hindered his progress:

1. Kachra might have been better suited for an execution/Individual Contributor role, not yet ready for a more strategic position.

2. The skills valued in his initial BU may not have been appreciated or applicable in the new BU.

3. Despite performing at his capability, he might have fallen short of Andrew's expectations. Reporting to a BU leader for the first time could have overwhelmed him.

4. He could have been going through a personal struggle during his transition, and that compounded until a point of no return, becoming a lost cause for him and Andrew beyond a point.

5. Inadequate guidance and resources may have hindered his performance in the new role.

While other reasons could exist, Kachra demonstrated his ability to deliver. For various reasons, he was a misfit in the new BU role, and it was a commendable decision by Ishwar and Bhuvan to invest faith in him, providing a second chance with clear goals and ample support to ensure success.

Most individuals deserve a second chance, if not a third.

Less Biscuits, More Mouths.

Less Biscuits, More Mouths.

While jogging at the beach this morning, I saw this interesting sight. A guy with a bag of what appeared to be Parle-G biscuits was feeding some stray dogs. As I jogged a few steps further, I saw two more parties appear at the scene. The crows and a kid. I did not want to stop and make the good man conscious, so I passed by but I could notice he was probably pulling out some biscuits out of the bag for what appeared to be a hungry kid. I guess he may not have bothered or rationed for the crows as they are anyway widely seen as scavengers. 

A moment later, I pondered what would he have done if he had limited resources at hand. What if he had just a handful of biscuits but quite a few dogs, the kid & the crows as potential consumers? No, in no way am I comparing the plight of the kid with that of the dogs and the crows. What if he had a pack of 5 biscuits but 8 dogs, the kid & the crows wanted to get some of it? Would he pick one to feed or would he pick two (or all three parties) and spread out what was available in a proportion that he deemed to be fit. And what if it was someone else in his place in the same situation?

I guess we all face similar challenges in our personal and professional lives. Resources ( Time, Money, Energy, Promotion Slots, Positions, Budgets etc.) are often limited and we need to spread them across multiple things/people that require them. Some at the exact same time. Some might (figuratively speaking) pick the kid and give him everything ( if they feel the kid needs it the most) , some might still want to give it all to the dogs (for whom the resources were originally meant), some might spilt it between the kid and the dogs, some might give it to just selected ( and not all ) dogs and yet others might also feed the crows ( after all, some of us consider them as our ancestors and feel good if a crow comes to feed from us).

None of the above ( and more such ) options are probably "wrong". The distribution of limited resources will always depend heavily on the mindset and goal of the entity ( a single person or a group ) wanting to distribute it and, hence, there will always be three perceptions that will be formed no matter what methodology/thought is used to distribute the resources. One set will feel they were short changed and got none/less of it, one set will be grateful and feel that they got the resources, probably because they deserved it and one set will be indifferent to the outcome. 

Biscuits are always limited. Allocate them judiciously if you are an entity. Cut the entity some slack if you were expecting to be a recipient.

Fazlani Nature Park Review

Fazlani Nature's Nest is a beautiful 68 acre property and one of the best we've been to as a family so far, situated outside of the city limits between Lonavla/Pune (place called Vadgaon), in a calm and serene set up.

Things to look forward to if you plan to visit:

1. Unique check-in where the staff comes to the couch you are seated on and you don't need to go to the desk.

2. Golf cart & bicycles for movement within the property.

3. A beautiful lake at one end of the property with benches (and a machan) to sit on for a nice peaceful time.

4. A horse stable where you can feed and ride the horses.

5. A goat milking activity.

6. A flora tour (we missed it so can't share much).

7. An agro tour where they have a large variety of fruits and vegetables being grown.

8. An open bird park where ducks, turkeys, pheasants and other birds move around you. They also have more caged birds in various parts of the property. 

9. A bullock cart ride.

10. A nice trek through nature, ending at a nice point on the lakeside.

11. A school and hostel on the campus for kids adopted by the founders and a hobby centre in it for kids who visit ( pottery, glass painting etc). 

12. Bonfire at night.

13. The restaurant focuses on health. Good food but with less salt and sugar. Jaggery provided as an option for tea etc.

14. The rooms were clean and decent. We took the base option. 

15. Staff is very helpful and courteous.

16. Kids play area/game zone.

Cons (which arent that bad):

1. Just 1 restaurant and a tad bit expensive. Since it's a cut off property, you cannot go out for food. The food taste needs work for sure.

2. All activities end by 6 pm. So post 6 pm you can just chill at the property.

3. A con for some but not all - the property is a no gutkha/smoke/alcohol place. They even make you sign a declaration to abide by it.

4. They don't accept Diners Black Credit Card.

5. Erm...not too cheap. But it is worth spending the amount on a night for sure! Definitely peanuts compared to the joy that your kid experiences!

A must visit place for couples and families. Our  7 year old daughter just could not control her excitement for the 27 hours we spent at this heavenly property.

...and then I heard that sound... that dreaded sound...

...and then I heard that sound... that dreaded sound that one always wishes they had not heard. The sound of a cloth getting torn... I knew the pants bought from a local vendor weren't well stitched and it wasn't just a small tear. It was a huuge tear, right between my legs.

Everyone has brilliant memories of their honeymoon and so do we. But there is an embarrassing memory as well. Embarrassing for me, amusing for the wife. 

It was February 2012, and after a mesmerizing island hopping tour at Langkawi, Malaysia, we got off from the boat and I heard the dreaded sound and I froze. Somehow, I managed to walk like a duck till our car, but we had a few more activities (including a para sail) to be done near the local market. The wife had a good laugh when I told her about what had happened. But her amusement did not end there. We reached the market and I realized there was no way I could get out of the car now. Luckily the wife had carried a towel along & so I wrapped a towel around my waist and walked out, looking for a store that would sell me a new pair. While the others around in the market (Pantai Cenang I guess was the name) gave me the look and the wife couldn't stop giggling, I walked with swag to show that the wrapped towel was nothing unusual, and as if it was by plan. I was trying to play the cool tourist walking around in a towel. Somehow, we managed to find an apparel store and I was able to get out of my misery.

Puchho Zara Puchho

Scene (yesterday): Booking a hotel.

Wife: "Ask xyz, I think there is a 30% discount available".

Me: "Nope, I checked the net, no such deal".

Wife: "What's the harm in asking him?".

Me: "But why? I checked. I am sure. Let it be".

Result: There was a way to get a 30% discount which I got to know from xyz post the booking.

Loss: Money.

Scene (today): Trying to search for a misplaced object.

Mom: Ask the wife, she might have kept it.

Me: No way, she wouldn't touch it.

Mom: Just in case she  picked it and kept it somewhere?

Me: No, doesn't make sense, why will she!

Result: After wasting some time, I called my wife as a last resort and she mentioned she had kept it safely in the cabinet.

Loss: Time, Energy.

Scene (has been happening for the last 10 years): Trying to find the right way while driving.

They: Let's ask someone.

Me: No, I know the way.

They: I think we are lost, let's ask a local guy.

Me: Not needed, I'll figure.

They: What's the harm in asking?

Me: Relax, let me manage!

Result: Most of the time I end up asking at a later point or if I don't, we often land up at the place after a lot of struggle.

Loss: Time, Fuel (money), Peace 

Something that I (and probably many like me) need to still learn. It requires us to bring about a behavioural change. It's okay to ask. Asking doesn't always make us look needy/bad. Most of the time we don't ask due to silly inhibitions/egos (very true for most men, I believe, when we are driving and are struggling with directions).

This is one reason I always use Google Maps (in a way, I ask the app to help me) everytime I use my car - even if it is on my usual route to work or back from work. Coz I know the Google Maps lady is kind enough to keep nudging me with directions and better routes after assessing the traffic ahead.

Ask. It doesn't cost anything usually. You might actually get what you needed and might end up saving on money/time/anxiety/energy. The worst outcome - you won't get what you were looking for.

"Sheba is finally back at the beach!..."

"Sheba is finally back at the beach!..."

...exclaimed Neha, absolutely overjoyed! 

So around 2 weeks back, the authorities shut the Juhu beach 24x7 to arrest the spread of Covid. It was a bit of a setback for most of us who went to the beach in the mornings to stay fit, but I reckon the government has to make decisions that are in the best interest of the citizens. A couple of days later, I messaged Neha ( if you have read my post around Sheba, the three legged dog, I had mentioned her then - link to the post in comments) to ask her if she could notify me if and when she came to know that the beach had reopened. I used to see Neha & Sheba daily morning so I knew if the beach reopened, they'd be the first to know.

"Sure, I will let you know. I hope it opens up soon, Sheba is struggling a lot" she said, sounding distressed. Sheba is a 13 year old dog and is an amputee. She also suffers from arthritis & a spinal disease. Due to these conditions, she can only walk on soft sand and not on hard surfaces. The beach shut-down had stopped her walks and exercises and that was worsening her mental and physical wellbeing, Neha told me.

Yesterday evening, I again checked with Neha if the beach had reopened. While I got to know it is still shut, Neha was ecstatic to share that Sheba had got a permission from the police to walk on the beach! "How??" I asked her, intrigued. "I had heard that ACP Sudhir Kudalkar is an ardent animal lover & so I approached him with Sheba's predicament. He immediately connected me to Senior Police Inspector Sudhakar Shirsat at Juhu police station who very kindly gave permission to take Sheba to the beach so she can get her exercise therapy" she added, excitedly, like a little girl who had just found her long lost favorite doll back.

While I still wait for the beach to be thrown open to the general public so that people like me can resume their daily morning routines (especially all the wonderful senior citizens who are seen doing their fitness regime daily morning), the news that one of us, Sheba ( probably the grittiest of the morning visitors at the beach) was atleast able to get back to the beach was lovely to hear. She probably is one of those who needed the beach back the most and thanks to the compassionate police officers and her mom Neha's persistence, she finally got back the access to the beach before us all.

Thank you ACP Sudhir Kudalkar, Inspector Sudhakar Shirsat and Mumbai police for your big heart and love for our animals.

With deepest gratitude from Neha & her beautiful warrior Sheba! 

P.S.: As mentioned in my previous post, Neha is not present on any social media and hence I am unable tag her.

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