M

MunVaRay

👋 I'm a solution architect by day, diving deep into the world of tech. My tech love affair doesn't end with the workday; I'm always learning to code 💻, buried in my Kindle📚 and Audible🎧 libraries, or tuning into the latest podcasts 👂 to keep up with tech trends. But there's more to me than just tech! I'm on a mission to decode myself, physically 💪, mentally 🧠, and spiritually 🌟. Think of me as a human machine in beta-testing—constantly updating and troubleshooting to operate at my best 🔧. And yes, I have a soft spot for humor too 😄. OMG! Yes this is the alt-ego here. 🫠

The Age of Krakoa Reading Guide through Collected Editions

July 13, 2024•3,092 words

As a big fan of Marvel and X-Men, I wanted to get up to date with the latest storylines. However, I quickly realized that if I want to start from the Age of Krakoa storyline, which is just concluding, there's a lot of reading ahead. The sheer number of books, omnibuses, and volumes can be overwhelming. Since I prefer collected editions and specifically volumes over single comics, I embarked on extensive research to compile a list that would help me and others navigate through this era of X-Men. ...

RE: Examining the PPP 2024 Manifesto through a Climate Justice Lens

July 12, 2024•86 words

Yeah, I must admit, I was naive to trust Bilawal’s words after watching him on a few podcasts before the 24 elections in Pakistan. https://munvaray.com/49343/examining-the-ppp-2024-manifesto-through-a-climate-justice-lens He seemed so convincing in all those discussions and made me buy his manjan, but once he realized he couldn’t secure the top spot, he disappeared. There's no need for him to apologize or explain—he probably won’t. We can all see how much 'leverage' PPP has. In a few months, ...

Admiration to Reconnection

July 9, 2024•746 words

A Journey Through Time Growing up, I always looked up to my older cousin, who was more like an older brother without the bossiness that usually comes with that role. Back in the 90s, he was abroad for his studies, and I could barely see him. When he visited home, I would wait eagerly, looking out from our balcony. Those moments of anticipation were pure excitement. Who hasn’t wrestled with their siblings or cousins during the Hulk Hogan days? We certainly did, and those memories are golden. Fa...

The Age of Krakoa Reading Guide through Collected Editions (Volumes)

July 6, 2024•2,785 words

As a big fan of Marvel and X-Men, I wanted to get up to date with the latest storylines. However, I quickly realized that if I want to start from the Age of Krakoa storyline, which is just concluding, there's a lot of reading ahead. The sheer number of books, omnibuses, and volumes can be overwhelming. Since I prefer collected editions and specifically volumes over single comics, I embarked on extensive research to compile a list that would help me and others navigate through this era of X-Men. ...

Cringe: When Sahil called a woman Jahil!?

July 3, 2024•581 words

This infuriating video featuring Sahil Adeem popped up on my feed recently. Now, I don’t usually follow him or the channel, but this time the internet was in an uproar, so I thought, why not check it out? Uh! #Cringe, Big mistake. What I witnessed was nothing short of a disaster. Here’s the lowdown: Adeem had previously made a ridiculous statement claiming that 90% of women are 'jahil' (ignorant, illiterate, rude). In this latest episode, a brave woman asked him to apologize for his previous re...

گوگل اور ایپل کی متوقع ڈیل: کیا ہونے والا ہے؟

July 1, 2024•556 words

سنا ہے کہ ایپل، گوگل Gemini میں دلچسپی رکھتا ہے۔ ایپل کو میٹا لاما نے کچھ متاثر نہیں کیا، اور اب Siri کے پیچھے گوگل Gemini کا استعمال ہو سکتا ہے۔ ہو سکتا ہے کہ ایپل کی باقی Apple Intelligence بھی اسی پر چلنے لگے۔مزہ تب آئے گا اگر ایپل آپ کو "Bring Your Own AI" کا آپشن دے۔ اس طرح صارفین اپنی پسندیدہ AI ٹیکنالوجی کا استعمال کر سکیں گے، جو کہ واقعی ایک انقلابی قدم ہو گا۔ لیکن، میرا خیال ہے کہ اتنی بڑی کمپنیاں صارفین کو مکمل آزادی دینے کے لیے تیار نہیں ہوں گی۔ وہ ہمیشہ اپنے کنٹرول میں سب کچھ رکھیں گ...

The Pakistani Experience - just another day

June 10, 2024•398 words

I recently joined a live session of a podcast by a stand-up comedian and satirist on YouTube, and let me tell you, it was a riot. The host, known for his razor-sharp roasting skills, invited his followers to join the session live on air. It was the perfect blend of humor and interactivity, with the host sharpening his jokes and fans throwing back some solid comebacks. Everything was going great – people were taking the jabs in stride and dishing them right back. Then, it happened. A young lady ...

Defending Your Right to Happiness

June 1, 2024•830 words

Dealing with the Hypocrites Who Criticize Your Happiness I'm mad and pissed off. It's incredibly maddening when people enjoy their own happy moments but feel the need to criticize others for sharing theirs, especially by using serious issues like the situation in Palestine as a weapon. You post something about your personal happiness, and immediately these assholes jump in with, "Why are you celebrating when children are dying in Palestine? You should be doing something about it instead." They...

HubSpot: The Missing Piece in Google's Customer Interaction Management

May 24, 2024•460 words

It struck me that HubSpot could be the crucial component Google needs to create a seamless B2B2C solution. When you look at the competition, AWS has Connect and Contact Lens, Microsoft has Dynamics and Nuance, and Salesforce boasts Service Cloud Voice (SCV), Omni, and Einstein. These platforms provide robust customer service and engagement stacks. Google Cloud Platform (GCP) needs to develop a similarly comprehensive solution to stay competitive. Recently, Google has been making some big moves...

Life Beyond Laundry

May 20, 2024•287 words

I'll start with the famous golden words from Baldev Singh: "Ja Simran, ja jeele apni zindagi." These words have always resonated with me. They echo the freedom and joy of living life on your own terms—a concept that's both liberating and daunting. As we go through life, it's easy to get caught up in the endless cycle of responsibilities—work, family, bills. It often feels like there’s no time left for ourselves. But here's the thing: once you've got your family fed, healthy, and the bills ...

Musk in China 2.0

April 29, 2024•248 words

Elon Musk's meeting with China's Premier Li Qiang is an interesting development that shows how tech companies work with national governments. The shifting dynamics of global tech leadership and Musk's engagement with one of China's top officials are not just about business. Musk's visit to China, his second in less than a year, comes at a crucial time. China has promised a welcoming environment for foreign businesses, stressing an open market and better service guarantees. This is significant f...

📝

April 24, 2024•74 words

مجھے بار بار صدا نہ دے. میری حسرتوں کو ہوا نہ دے. میرے دل میں آتشِ عشق ہے. میری آگ تجھ کو جلا نہ دے. ...

Tuesday, Apr 23, 2024 at 2:36 PM

April 23, 2024•322 words

I always try to exercise caution in my communication, particularly when it comes to delegating roles or expressing needs within a project. For instance, I consciously avoid making statements such as, "We really need you for this specific aspect of the project." My concern is that such expressions might confine someone to a narrowly defined role, potentially causing them to lose sight of the broader value they bring. This could lead to a reduced sense of their overall contribution, which I find c...

Pride and Puzzlement

April 17, 2024•126 words

🌟 Feeling a mix of excitement and skepticism today! I've just received an invitation to be profiled in the Who's Who in America's 2024 edition. It’s truly an honor to be recognized, and part of me is thrilled at the possibility! 🎉 However, I can't shake off a bit of doubt – am I really deserving of this recognition? As a small-time technologist, it feels surreal to be considered alongside some of the most influential figures. And, of course, there’s that nagging worry: I hope this isn't one of ...

The Curious Afterlife of Your Ex-Phone Numbers

April 16, 2024•234 words

Have you ever thought about what happens to your old phone numbers once you're done with them? It's worth giving it some thought, because just like expired domain names, scammers and spammers are quick to claim these abandoned numbers. Imagine this: your old number is still floating around on the internet, and even though you’ve moved on, someone might stumble upon it and try to reach you. But instead of finding you, they end up talking to a debt collector or, even more bizarrely, connecting to...

Secret Lines and Sesame Street

April 15, 2024•443 words

When you're a junior engineer at a tech giant, you never expect your daily tasks to intersect with global security issues—let alone involve troubleshooting for figures like the Secretary of Defense under President Obama back in 2010. But life has a funny way of dialing up the unexpected. It was just another day at the office when I was handed what was possibly the highest-profile job a voice engineer could get: fixing a secure communication line used by none other than Robert Gates himself. No ...

Light Up Your Garden: The Enchanting World of Firefly Petunias

April 5, 2024•1,766 words

As an amateur gardener with a modest backyard, I recently stumbled upon a gem in the realm of gardening that immediately caught my eye - the Firefly Petunia, also known as the "night-glow" petunia. These fascinating flowers, celebrated for their ability to emit a soft, luminescent light at night, were introduced to me through a blog post last year, sparking an instant fascination. Eager to delve into this new gardening venture, I quickly placed an order for these enchanting blooms. Just a few da...

GCP 101

April 2, 2024•366 words

🌐 GCP is Google's suite of cloud computing services, offering a wide range of tools and services for building and running applications in the cloud. With its vast ecosystem, it can be daunting to know where to begin. That's why I've curated a focused learning path to help you navigate GCP with ease and unlock its world of possibilities! 🚀 Think of GCP as a massive toolbox filled with various tools (services) that enable you to build and run applications efficiently in the cloud, without worryin...

Salesforce 101

March 27, 2024•271 words

🌟 Jumping into Salesforce? 🚀 It's way easier than you'd expect, and I'm here to share why and how! After navigating through the maze myself, I discovered tons of resources like Trailhead's game-like learning and supportive communities. I'm passing these gems on because I know how tricky starting can feel. If my journey can ease yours, that's my goal achieved. Let's dive in together and make this learning curve a fun ride! 🎓✨ For someone with basic CRM or technology understanding, here's a focus...

AWS 101

March 14, 2024•364 words

🌐 I've been receiving a ton of questions from folks asking about the best way to start learning Amazon Web Services, AWS (referred through the blog). 🤔 AWS is a comprehensive cloud computing platform provided by Amazon, offering a wide range of services for storage, computing, networking, and more. With the vast AWS ecosystem, it can be daunting to know where to begin. That's why I've curated a focused learning path to help you navigate AWS with ease and unlock its world of possibilities! 🚀 Thi...

CTRL + ALT + DEL | Pakistan Rebooted

February 12, 2024•751 words

As a former Karachiite, the recent political developments in Pakistan hold a special significance for me. Observing from afar, the unfolding scenario post-election paints a vivid picture of a nation at a critical crossroads, seeking to redefine its democratic identity. This reflection offers a glimpse into the complex tapestry of Pakistani politics, where the aspirations of its people for a more transparent and accountable governance system are becoming increasingly evident.In a surprising turn ...

Examining the PPP 2024 Manifesto through a Climate Justice Lens

February 3, 2024•620 words

Building upon my initial exploration of climate change, ignited by a surprisingly profound YouTube podcast by Shehzad Ghias and his guest Bilawal Bhutto, I have delved deeper into the intricacies of this global challenge. My updated response to this post: https://munvaray.com/53037/re-examining-the-ppp-2024-manifesto-through-a-climate-justice-lens This journey led me to the Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) 2024 manifesto, a document outlining ambitious plans for climate resilience and sustain...

A Curious Dive into Climate Justice

February 1, 2024•600 words

Climate change wasn't initially a topic I followed closely. But then, a casual YouTube podcast featuring Shehzad Ghias - a Pakistani comedian, and Bilawal Bhutto, the PPP leader himself piqued my interest. They discussed the issue in a surprisingly insightful way, sparking a curiosity that sent me down a rabbit hole of internet research. While I'm by no means an expert, I was struck by the concept of climate justice. The numbers paint a stark picture: since the Industrial Revolution, the world...

Beyond the Main Character

January 31, 2024•789 words

As a solutions architect, my life's work revolves around constructing frameworks, finding fixes, and piecing together the elements that turn chaos into order. This pursuit, while professionally rewarding, quietly seeped into the fabric of my social existence, shaping not only how I viewed problems but also how I engaged with the world around me. Here, I reflect on my transformative journey – from striving to be the main character in every narrative to embracing the role of a supporting character...

Impulses - Tuesday, Jan 30, 2024 at 2:14 PM

January 30, 2024•230 words

So here I am, thinking about impulsivity, and it's like waves crashing in my mind, one reckless decision after another. It is this jigsaw, and sometimes I shove the pieces in without looking, without thinking, and wow - the picture, it's all wrong, isn't it? Sideways glances from colleagues because I've put the bars in a place that's, well, offbeat, let's call it that. It's those moments, and I'm sure there was another, right? It's on the tip of my tongue, this... this other thing I did. Hold on...

Thought of the day - Friday, Jan 26, 2024 at 1:16 PM

January 26, 2024•135 words

Was I indifferent to competition, joking that everyone else is vying for second place? Ha, perhaps that was a bit over the top – I apologize for that. Seriously though, each one of us is uniquely outstanding in what we bring to this project for our client. Our presence here, especially considering the challenging times (yes, I'm referring to those dreaded layoffs), speaks volumes about our individual capabilities and contributions. I want to express my sincere respect and appreciation for eve...

Things to do in Allen Texas in 2024

January 26, 2024•395 words

Ok since you insist on visitng Allen, TX, against everones advice. Here are some places and things to do here. Hope you have a good time here and please keep our city safe. Allen Community Ice Rink: Perfect for ice skating enthusiasts, this rink offers lessons, skate rentals, and other amenities. It's located at 200 E Stacy Rd #1350. The Village: This shopping center houses over a hundred stores, including beauty salons, restaurants, and fashion outlets. It's at 190 E Stacy Rd. TopGolf: A fun...

Whispers of the Mother

January 25, 2024•243 words

It's been quite unsettling lately with all these news stories about assassinations and murders linked somehow to India. There's been a worrying increase in such incidents over the past few months, not just in India, but also plots unfolding in the USA and Canada. Similar things have been happening in Pakistan for years too. Just look at today's news, for instance. Cyrus Sajjad Qazi, the Foreign Affairs Secretary, spoke about catching two Indian agents involved in target killings in Pakistan. Sh...

Dear Pakistan of 2023,

January 4, 2024•542 words

Dear Pakistan, My heart sinks as I type this, my fingers heavy with a disappointment you know well. I left your soil almost two decades ago, seeking brighter horizons, yet a part of me will always bleed green and white. So, it’s with a heavy dose of hope and a growing dread that I embark on this mission – to find accomplishments of yours in 2023 that make your people raise their heads high. I scoured news, devoured analyses, and spoke to friends back home. While Arshad's Silver was a historic ...

Concluding My Cultural Treasure Hunt

December 27, 2023•331 words

My recent quest for a Ms. Marvel action figure led me on an unexpected journey across countless Walmarts and Targets. Imagine my amazement 😲 when, after visiting what felt like the 20th store, I finally struck gold at the Walmart in Sugarland on Alt-90 Highway. Not just one, but multiple Ms. Marvel figures! And there, nestled in their modest comics section, were Ms. Marvel comics too. It suddenly made sense – Sugarland, with its vibrant Pakistani community, kids mirroring Ms. Marvel's age and ba...