Vacation Labs: The Internship That Was

I joined Vacation Labs in the last week of November 2012. I started a software internship coming fresh out of, you heard me, an MBA (chuckles!). Yes I followed the herd and went in to do an MBA after a B.E. CSE (Isn’t it obvious. Everyone’s doing it...)

But my real passion for what I wanted to work on began when I started looking at investments specifically in startups. Now startups are BIG in “the valley”, and the startup scene is just about heating up in India, with Bangalore in the lead. So that’s when the third eye somewhere in my head opened up and I decided, this was it.

Ha! That was easy. I knew what I wanted. I wanted to do stuff. Write code...

But how do I get there??

Most startups have limited resources. Which means they prefer people who will immediately fill a position and be productive from the get go.

And I didn’t know zilch!

How do I crack this! I approached a few startups and described my predicament. I was hungry, I was passionate, but nobody wanted me...:(

Around this time I heard about Vacation Labs, an interesting start-up based out of Goa. I looked up the team, and a few desperate e-mails here and there (masked brilliantly with some MBA bullshitting :)), and I managed to get myself an internship, which was unpaid for the first month, and if I could manage it right, a small stipend for the next 3 months...

Hey what the hell.. I get to learn stuff right. Smooth sailing! I’ll be through this like a ninja!

Well not really....

My arse was on fire in the internship! Quite literally. I hadn’t written code in two years. I was out of touch with programming concepts, with Maths, I had pretty much forgotten all concepts about web technology (blame that on that stout boring lecturer who made the subject so drab!).

Most importantly, I HAD TO DO IT..There was no giving up. I was pushed through a steep curve, I questioned myself and wondered sometimes if I would ever do it. But I never gave up. Giving up was never an option (Why? Because that all knowing third eye told me so..Seriously??? You had to ask...)

I worked harder than I’d ever known. What I couldn’t make up with my lack of talent, I tried my best with just hard work. It was tough man..Words cannot describe it..Sometimes I saw office more than I saw home, for weeks.

I faced some terrible lows during the internship. Sometimes the pressure got to me. I would stonewall against random software issues spending hours, sometimes days to solve a simple problem.

But that paled in comparison to when it finally pieced together. To put my effort into perspective, I was able to pick up at least six different technologies and complete 2 client projects, all this in the course of 3 months!

Every project I completed made me look back in disbelief at what I’d achieved. My progress and transformation was the best high I’ve ever got.

Now I’m here, a full time developer at Vacation Labs, and a firm believer, that there is no substitute for hard work, and sheer perseverance.

To all the others out there like me who struggled for months on end to find the “right” job. 3 words make all the difference

NEVER

GIVE

UP

The reason its difficult to find the right job is, BECAUSE its the right job.

The reason IT IS the right job is, BECAUSE it challenges you.

You push your own limits. You question yourself and eventually learn that, YOU CAN DO IT.

If I had to go back in time and make a choice, for an easier job, I’d take this job all over again.

Why? Because my all knowing third eye told me so ;)

What's App Issue on Nokia Lumia (Solved)

I reckon most Windows Phone users may have faced this issue with What's App, that of notifications not displaying in the conversation window.

Annoying as it is, in today's world of socially driven phones, often this can relate to real world drama("What!? Not on what's app?? Not Cool!").

Worse off, its embarrassing admitting that your expensive as hell "smartphone" cannot handle What's App.

Well, fortunately, the issue can be resolved, and it isn't very complicated as well!

Without getting into the technicalities of the matter (Explained brilliantly by What's App themselves here: http://www.whatsapp.com/faq/en/wp/21068167 ), 

the issue is NOT with your phone, NOT with What's App, as I incorrectly assumed.

The issue is with your service provider (In my case, Idea).

The internet settings do not know how to handle non-web based connections like What's App or any other chatting service and hence doesn't know how to handle the incoming messages.

The workaround to this would be to configure the APN settings yourself, by doing some internet research. Like so: http://www.digitalgalleryindia.com/apn-access-point-name-internet-settings-2g-3g-4g-global.php

Once again, I do not guarantee the APN settings listed here will work. Consider it an example website. If the APN works for you, then it's just your lucky day.

Great you got the APN settings, but where do I input the APN settings!

Earlier, Nokia released an app called Network Settings that allowed you to input the custom APN settings and you're good to go.

I went through this method.

Unfortunately, this app got pulled from the Windows Marketplace due to security concerns.

Hence, go to Settings > Mobile Network > Add APN. 

This is assuming your Windows Phone is running the latest update. Add your custom APN and test What's App.

I haven't tried this method practically, solely because the earlier method worked. Why fix somethin if it ain't broken eh!? :)

I would suggest those who have gone through this route could suggest what they have done. Reason being this is a trial and error process. The APN settings also might be different

Till then happy chatting!

"You Can Make Money Without Doing Evil"

Google recently launched an ad campaign, apparently based on a true story of G.Rajendran.

Google, an American multinational company, is known for primarily its search engine technology. But the major revenue streams for Google are from advertisement to the extent that 99% of Google's revenue is driven by advertisement and smart marketing (Google AdSense and AdWords).

What impressed me about this advertisement was the 'personal' element of the campaign. Being an Indian it certainly touched my heart that Google went out of its way to understand its Indian customer (in this case, we the Indians as well as G.Ravindran, the original user of Google's AdSense and AdWords services).

While the advertisement is certainly aimed at boosting its own revenues, it gives me the feeling that Google wants its customer along in its growth. And for that, Google has earned a fair bit of respect from me. An Indian customer.

In this age and time where advertisements, and marketing in a broader sense need a moral revamp, it is certainly refreshing to witness some creativity and innovation.

As well as socially responsible behaviour.... (Check: http://www.google.org/).

Bryan Adams Finally Made It!

Finally Bryan Adams made it into my blog! :)

All the delays thanks to: (Drum Roll....)

My laziness of course!

Oh, so you thought I was faking. That's allright, its expected of jealous species like you. And compassion and empathy are my greatest strengths.

Anyways, I shall break from my egoistical rantings and proceed towards deflating yours.

It was a night to remember! Like I said, I'm not a big fan of Bryan, but it was still good. The sound was amazing.

Best part was, I had front row VIP access. Great huh, considering I must've paid just 200 Rs. for the effort! ( I know, I know..You don't get more authentic Indian than this :))

Oh, I almost forgot, there were a few performances before this, by Highway69, Models from JaiHind and Reeva Rathod.

Got to see them face to face inculuding the great Music Director/Singer Roop Kumar Rathod( Father of Reeva Rathod) as I was part of the backstage group of three.

Notably saw some models who appeared on TV like Aditi Govitrikar, Milind Soman(not on the day, but the previous day).

Got to speak to them too (including Aditi), but don't ask what.

.
.
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Ok I know you're curious so I'll tell you what Aditi told me at the backstage room:
"Can we have some extra mirrors here, and an extra fan too (smile)"

Yes, that's right!, I was their handyman or whatever! :) No pride in that yeah :)

But then it was all worth it. Was fun hanging out backstage, Highway 69 guys were cool, so were the Reeva Rathod team.

Bryan and his crew rocked!

And kicked us out too! :D

Well the actual story is, once it was time for Bryan to perform, all the backstage crew, including event management team 16by64's team were politely asked to leave. Bryan's team took over all operations backstage.

So there, it was a day (or rather days) to remember :)

(Bryan) Adams Ne Khaya Indian Apple

So Bryan bhaiyya is coming to town,

And hey guess what.

I'm somehow gonna be somewhere in his vicinity :0

Photo Please:

Do i smell something burning?

Oh and btw, if you haven't recovered from brooding,

I TOTALLY loathe Bryan Adams, I mean he needs to get a load of his tired ol' 80 somethin ass and do something more worthwhile other than coming to India with his (boringly)evergreen reverie of songs(read: Summer Of 69) while his recent albums have fared worse than Rakhi Sawant's reputation.

All that is India ever seems to be obsessed with in Rock music is Summer Of 69, November Rain and a dose of some clinkering clattering metal.

Whatever happened to melodic alternative metal( read: A Perfect Circle, Snow Patrol etc..), some classic 'ol crooning a' la Ozzy, Ronnie James Dio, Deep Purple..sigh..

Anyways for all those seething, jealous fans out there cursing the fact that someone like me, could be so close to your ooh so adorable “Bryan bhaiyya” :)

Adios,

I'm off to see Bryan Adams in the Autumn of 2011 ;)

Welcome To The Oaf Fish!

So, finally I joined blogspot.

And, my first golden words on Blogspot:

Yay!!

So well I didn't start off as planned ;)

I started this blog  to..well just to start a blog, so I could bring my usual rantings to the Internet :) Haha, let me unleash my hubbaloo to the Intah-net!!

Well, Oaf - Fish is, a stupid ol fish I guess, but it struck me in a rather unusual way.

Remember when you wanna say the all beautiful hymn, Oh F*** and you go like Fish!!

Well, there started The Oaf Fish :)

This blog will contain everything that I am passionate about, from Automobiles to Food, Music, Sleeping, Green Projects, everything.

So tune in and have loadsa fun. I revel in my sometimes not so green and grossly practical humour :)

Au revoir ;)