Train Journeys...and another review!

This was written a few days ago, but for some reason, it did not get uploaded...so here goes!

I spent the last two days in the Samparkranthi Express headed for Delhi. Usually train journeys are an excellent opportunity to observe the different types of people there are. I have had many a train trip which had wailing kids, and peanut swallowing dads!
This one was depressingly normal. My only entertainment was found with this doctor who was travelling with me. Poor chap was studying for some entrance exam. Call it sadistic, but I really enjoyed watching him struggle through 3 thick books filled with multiple choice questions! I guess the word "Schadenfreude" was made for this sort of situation. :-)
In other details, the AC compartment was AC only in name. There seemed to be little cold air circulating, but at least it was not oppressively hot! And the railways have thoughtfully provided a laptop charging point in each coupe. I only wish that someone had told them that every laptop charger I have ever used uses a three pin plug for earthing. Something that the railways thoughtfully did not provide!
So I was forced to going through my stack of books that I had saved up for the road trip to Manali. I had found a hardbound copy of the second book of the "Memory, Sorrow and Thorn" Trilogy by Tad Williams, so i guess I should review the series.
Book 1 of the Series -- "The Dragonbone Chair"
The book is set in the mythical land of Osten Ard, where humans are now in the ascendency, and have destroyed most (if not all) of the previous powers, the Sitha (fairy type creatures). We follow young Seoman, who is a scullery boy in the Hayholt, which is where the king rules from.
The king of the realm, Prester John is a mighty warrior, as well as a splendid diplomat. But his days are numbered, and the actual action of the book begins after he dies of old age.
His son Elias takes over the crown, and initially all seems well. But with the entry of the evil Pyrates, his priest, there is soon trouble brewing, and Simon is caught up in it. He soon finds out that more than just the fate of the kingdom is at stake. For there is an evil from the north, which seeks to destroy the world as we know it.
So far, it seems like a fairly normal fantasy novel. But his descriptions are stunning, and the quality of writing is very Tolkein like. Now of course, I am not the biggest fan of Tolkein, but Tad Williams moves a bit faster than JRR, and has a bit more brooding menace as well!
The series moves fairly quickly, and there is the standard romantic sideplot as well. But there is an intriguing side plot, where you have a Christianity type religion, with the equivalent of the Pope.
All in all, its worth a read. If you are a fantasy fan, its even worth a buy. Its quite good, and his imagery is extremely good.
Well, that is all folks. I shall update more as and when I get access to the net!

Finishing Up!

The last week has been really eventful. Finally, after much delay I finally went and installed my first pump in a customer's machine on Monday.
Well, actually it was given free, because I wanted to see how it works, and the data from actual running, while the customer got a free pump...if it worked! Thankfully, it did, and so far, after 6 days, no problems so far.
I spent Tuesday feeling good about myself, and finalising drawings. Wednesday...ditto. Thursday...again the same. Friday saw another customer agreeing to be guinea pig, Saturday was spent furiously tying up loose ends, and Sunday saw me installing the pump at the customers place. This looks quite good as well, but I still have my fingers crossed!
I am quitting on Monday...and I dread the paperwork that is waiting for me.
So, what did I get out of my job of 1 year?
A lot of experience of the practical parts of engineering. As a fresh graduate, I am honest enough to admit that I was a dreadful engineer. Now, I can honestly say that I am an adequate engineer, and I owe most of it to my company.
My job involved meeting a lot of people...from very different backgrounds. From initially reporting to the no.2 guy in the company, to telling a subcontractors' machine operator exactly how I want my part machined. I learnt something about communication there. And that the best way to be with people is to be completely natural with anyone. It works...strangely enough! :-)

Now what did my company get from me?
They got a guy who was willing to slave for them for 6k!
A pump...which may or may not work perfectly!
Pending bills! (I hope to clear them tomorrow though!)

Anyway, that is it for today. I am off to watch the Indians bat, and then read a book...or maybe play a computer game!