Inaccessible google sheet…

..and a few hours of troubleshooting

Movie Reviews Sheet Error

In the late 90s, the word troubleshooting was synonymous with Microsoft Technet discs, as most of our work was related to MS platforms. Microsoft on its part was pretty systematic in terms of publishing all the related updates, support information that was the first goto for anyone who had to troubleshoot.

Cut to 2021. It is all on the internet now and even if you had to find about a glitch/issue about Google Search, you can use Google search.

Well, I had a problem with Google sheets and it costed me a couple of hours.

I created a sheet a few months back and I am the owner plus only one with access. I open and edit it on multiple devices and suddenly I started receiving the above error. I spent a few hours on the internet via google, and tried out everything, but of no avail. Google Sheets allowed me to change the permissions (gave access to my other email id and tried to open) and other properties but it was not accessible on Desktop and not editable on other devices.(On Android mobile, the error was about a chnage in permissions!)

So I did the following.

  • As I was able to open the sheet in iPad, copied all the content onto a blank sheet and kept in reserve.
  • Made sure the above was accessible and editable on multiple devices.
  • Renamed the one I am unable to open. And voila it worked.

While I love the internet, and the myriad of options, I do miss the structure of Tech Net, both the offline disc and online versions.

Varavelpu (1989)

Having the best intentions and hard work to match it, doesn’t ensure good results, especially if you are a simple and honest person. Muralidharan finds this out the hard way in the movie ‘Varavelpu’.

‘Varavelpu’ is about a sincere and honest gulf-returned Muralidharan (Mohanlal) who pours all his savings into a business and struggles to keep it afloat. His seven years of labour overseas, helps the careers of his elder brothers, but when it comes to returning the favor, they back out. His sisters-in-law, who compete to serve him lavish dishes upon his arrival, quickly downgrade him to rice gruel. Left stranded, he is forced to fight a system that is callous to new entrants’ travails and progressive thoughts.

Though this movie is set against the social political background of Kerala in the late 80s, it still mirrors the current problem of entrepreneurs and small business people. Everyone dishes out free advice but do not step forward when things go south for the individual, and worse still, pursue their personal agendas at his expense. Union Leaders, Local associations etc, do not offer any assistance and even hinder the efforts of a few helping hands like that of the mediating labour officer.

Mohanlal shines in a character, that allows him to play its various shades of innocence, frustration and finally a stoic realization. The way he internalizes all that happens to him and conveys with a simple smile or smirk, is a treat to watch.

The Getaway (1972)

The Getaway (1972)https://www.instagram.com/p/CPo7l8FDYyY/

As they say a movie is made at the editing table. One can straight away see the brilliance of it, right at the beginning of the movie–‘The Getaway’. Just in a few minutes, the mental condition of the lead actor (Doc-Steve McQueen) is exposed and so is his adversary, set against the mundane prison conditions. If in the initial phase of the movie, we get to see how ordinary day to day stuff can be presented so strikingly, towards the end, the climax is anything but normal. But once again, the editing brings in so much to the gun fiesta that Steve McQueen hosts and makes sure he leaves no prisoners.

‘The Getaway’ movie gets away with quite a many faults and controversial themes, dipping into the fountain of the terrific screen presence of Steve McQueen. Rest of the contribute whatever they can, to the vision of director Sam Peckinpah–his style overtaking the substance.

Related links

Steve McQueen-a-palooza: Sam Peckinpah vs. Steve McQueen, and The Winner Is…?