Out of Sync

Sun Cluster Framework vs System Management Group Bowling Brawl

After delivering a feature rich Solaris Cluster 3.2 2/08, our dedicated engineers started working untiringly on delivering the next block buster features of the HA world.  As if taking a cue from the scorching pace set by the engineers (which was welcome), the weather Gods also decided to turn the heat on (which is never welcome)! Fortunately they couldn't sustain the intensity like our engineers do   and finally we had relief in the form of big downpours which has cooled Bangalore a bit.  It reminded us that we need to unwind and chill out!  What better way to chill out than a decent lunch and a closely contested 9 pin bowling match?

Last time, for the first time in the history of mankind, the framework team lost out to Systems Management Group.  The SMG team had the task of proving  that it was no fluke while for Framework team, it was time to regain honour!  Due to people moving internally between teams, the composition had changed. Till the last time, matches were always lopsided - to put it plainly, framework used to send SMG hiding for cover except once !  

 After hectic haggling by the lead players  (Harish & Venu for Framework,  Ganesh & Madhur for SMG) for the new comers and interns, we settled on what appeared to be a balanced combination on paper. The bidding would've put IPL to shame!!!!  Since we are a team of self motivated engineers, we didn't feel the need for cheer leaders! There were tacit attempts by members of both side to get the opposite
team intoxicated beyond imagination and framework scored the first
victory of the day in this regard!

 The match started with normalcy being restored - framework team taking an early lead before our manager Munish ably assisted by Madhur started turning the heat back on framework.  Inspired by their heroics, rest of the SMG team rose to the occasion and they started getting their nose ahead.  Suddenly the framework team started looking like Australia in VB series finals! They were making blunders and the basics were missing.  That is when Harish, Venu, Shekar and Sreenidhy decided enough is enough and threw a challenge.  It became a fight to the finish.

At the start of the last round, the scores read:  Framework: ~550 ; SMG: 576. After a series of perfect shots by the framework heroes, the scores were 683; SMG: 676. It all depended on Ganesh.  He definitely had the potential to flop because of  the pressure in the form of jeers from the framework team and the expectations from SMG.  He scored only 5 in the first strike. He kept his cool and cleaned up the rest with his last attempt! 

And now the tables are turned head on! As a losing member of the framework team, I can swear that we will prove that it was just twice lucky!

Posted at 06:35PM May 01, 2008 by Madhan Kumar Balasubramanian in SunCluster  |  Comments[2]