Getting Closer: Day # 4

Lack of sleep makes my day dark and uninteresting. I was worried about bad sleep yesterday, but it was a fine one.

I woke up at around 7 AM today, my regular time. Being fall, it was complete dark. I opened my gmail to see if there are any updates from Thomas Cook and my employer. It is no surprise that my employer didn't mail and there was an update from Thomas Cook. I managed to get ready by 8 AM.

Picked my phone and called my employer, no response. I called my brother to get some contacts here. I know situation is getting worse. But while explaining him the situation, i am feeling it. After phone call, i couldn't keep my head cool.

I didn't feel like going to office. I sent across a mail at around 9 AM stating "Not feeling well, Couldn't come to office". After some time, a message popped up on my mobile. It was from my employer "will call you in 30 minutes". That was a welcome message.

All my room mates left to office, i felt constrained at home. I left to office. I got few emails from employer and there was some movement in extension process. So rest of the day was better than expected.

Though the process is not complete yet. Its certainly some kind of relief. So fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Getting closer - Day # 5

My visa validity (of stay) expires on 24th of this month. Still now no update about extension to current visa or new visa.

I am covering conditions off with various stuff like movies, shopping etc etc.

Few hours back i completed shopping, which was followed by "Zombie Land" in United states of Zombie land :). Movie was real fun and the rule # N "Enjoy all the little things", i loved it.

I know, it was 3 hours escape. Those girls at mall, romance at parking place (not by me, i was spectator), shopping, movie...everything served the purpose.

Now i reached home, i called Thomas Cook to postpone my flight to 24th. There is no availability on 24th. My agent is checking other possibilities. To reissue ticket, need money immediately. But money is in the air now traveling from my US account to Indian account. So i had to borrow money.

whats plan for tomorrow? Call my employer again -> If not received -> Call back after 2 hours, this time leave a voice message that you are so tensed and situation is going out of control -> Still no reply -> Leave a message and all other possible feat.

But planning to talk to some attorney as well tomorrow to seek some legal advice. Lets see how it goes.

Pre conceived notions

Not talking about my notions towards any gadget or towards any person. Its exclusive about others notions towards me.

Alright, now that i traveled across oceans and i have a job, i am the happiest soul in their circle. Few weeks back, i was having conversation with Friend1: As a thumb rule, we started with Hi and How are you? Instead of giving a formal response that "i am doing fine", i gave a honest response "i am little above Ok". His unacceptability dumbfounded me.

This is happening again and again (i have many friends ;)). This response took me different phases, Dumbfounded -> got irritated -> got frustrated -> Smiled myself. During the last phase, i decided not to exhibit self pity any more, I started responding "I am good". I decided to keep it plain.

Now it was about me, i wish to write about a "fraternity" as well -

Yesterday i have been to a temple, there was an announcement about a Swamiji visiting Seattle next month. A lady was sharing her experience, She was so excited about Swamiji's program and her speech revolved around "i am greatful to swamiji, you can see that in my face. After attending that program, my life is beautiful and Blissful"

whats wrong lady? Do you think others life has no charm? She is not the first lady(person) i am seeing, who ever attends such a program makes a statement "my life is beautiful now". I was never convinced with these "Subtle" sentences. I just wonder, will these programs bust all my problems? I will try my best not to allow any problems to over take my joy. But these guys never listen to me, they are never convinced with the fact that "Others life is beautiful without any programs"

Now talking about me,

I have a problem. My curiosity overrides my patience and purpose many times. He is taking care of my visa processing and it got denied once and we applied it again. Now when ever, he wont pick my phone, my thoughts crosses boundaries and i cannot stand on that. I become more n more curious and i wish to be loner. when some one invades my privacy, i get more frustrated. Now i will make an impression on this guy and it adds fuel every time i face similar situation.

I am trying to avoid it, let us see if i can avoid it without attending any "bliss engineering"

Wow...Bing visual search

I cannot encourage Bing for now, as i still have several google search pages around my head, but MS is releasing updates and add-ons to Bing every now and then. Recent update is Bing Visual Search.

http://www.bing.com/visualsearch

It is fun searching with the help of images rather than typing. Its a beta version, available only for US region? Not sure, i do not have answer to this Question.

One problem is, Make your computer MS. You need Silver Light installed on your system to use this coolest feature.

Image quality is good, Search is fast and effecient.

Go Bing. I Bing, you Bing :-)

Update: Yes, its Only for people in US region. ASDF...

Cricket screwing me again?

Come on you lazy game, you brought in so much trouble during my engineering. Now, you are all set to bring back some more trouble?

I am not the umpire for today's game, but some one from my team should do the umpiring. I voluntarily agreed to do this job for a match.

It is a sunny match. Final 2 overs to go. Team - B is chasing the target of 78 and have to score 11 runs from 2.1 overs with last wicket in their hand.

Batsmen has chosen a quick run and was almost run out. But there was enough confusion whether keeper handled the ball while hitting the stumps or not? I was about to have discussion with leg umpire. No team allowed me to complete decision and they group me, they shout at me...they do all possible nonsense there. Some one else from fielding side will say that "i am captain, talk to me" ...

It is now 2 overs, 10 runs situation...

One over completed with out any issues. I felt like moved to little comfort zone. Now 1 over 9 runs.

Again it started, batting side re-visited the score and said, it should be 8 runs and we are mistaken. Everything started again, Every fielder was coming and shouting " we will not play if this doesn't favor us" and one comes and asks other team captain to get off the field...

Now i dropped a complaint to League management about the rude behavior in a rude way. Is it going to put me in one more trouble? I give a damn, lets see..

On the occasion of Labor day long week end.....

We moved Monday morning Phobia to Tuesday. The images of recent portland trip during the week end are haunting. I am force requesting myself to concentrate on work. Felt like bunking meeting and write something about trip...So it went like this...

Considering economic conditions and time, we decided to take a bus trip from Seattle to Portland on Saturday and return by train...

Day 1:

we managed to get ready by 6:15 AM on saturday and started to near by bus stop to catch a bus to Seattle. Grey Hounds service to Los Angeles was standing there. No idea, if this is the same bus to Portland as well. We sought official confirmation from front desk regarding the same. We managed to get 4 seats for us near emergency exit. No offense, i just observed other part of US and i would make bus a final option when i plan a freaking trip. It is an experience. There was leakage from blowers in the middle of journey and water was leaking on to seats. I am sure, Its not a routine behaviour, but this is an add-on to my frustration or irritation or choose some good words you frequently use for discomfort. We reached portland at 12:00 PM. our friends picked us. We went to Chennai Masala for lunch Buffet (I must appreciate them for creating their mark by using the name "Chennai"). I loved Dosa and i had it after long time.

We are group of dedicated people, we headed towards Mt Hoods for some hiking, rope walk, what else....But bad weather punched back. We managed to get some snaps and moved to Multnomah falls. Excellent place to stop by if you are having interstate trip. Its crowd, a beautiful walkway and scenic view of Columbia river from the top of the falls are invaulable. We had nice dinner from PF Chang's, it was nice enough to get some good sleep...

Day2:

Headed to Astoria beach (Long beach). It was a drive on an undecent rainy day. With changing weather, we couldn't predict the weather at Long beach. But it was decent enough atleast for some time at Long beach. We took some grass at subway, sorry a sub from subway and completed dinner. As there was no activity left, we started to Canon beach which is 60 miles from long beach and presumed to be 20 miles. Thank god, it was sunny enough to get into river and enjoy the beauty of Canon beach. Those distinct rocks reminded me of Alibag beach at Pune. Beach is dog friendly and out pictures proves it enough. I feel, i must stay in the nearby hotel to enjoy the beach to the fullest.

Next stop is Tillamook Cheese factory, I could gain no knowledge about cheese but tasted different kind of cheese there followed by a heavy icecream. We had some brain storming discussion about evolution of world.

This is all one phase of the day, but the real good thing of the day(rather the whole trip) was nice dinner prepared by our friends (girls). some 7 members forming a circle, no dining table, etc etc added homely environment. It was truly a good one.

Day3:

Not much activity, couldn't plan one single thing but ended up with window shopping and a visit to water front at Portland downtown. It was enough pleasent and enough sunny to enjoy. Then farewell to our portland friends and caught train to Seattle.

We had enough fun during our train journey and it was a healthy discussion at dining bar with different people about different culture and 4 hours passed by in no time.

Not to miss out the little panic until we reached Bellevue from Seattle down time :-)

......

Time to do some work and start getting depressed about visa and all.

YS...RIP

My deep regret for the demise of our cheif minister YSR. I proudly say, we both hail from same place and may your soul RIP...

U turn

I should have waited before making the statement "Things started getting better".....not at all....It took U turn....Things started getting worst now...Good Bye for few days till i get the confidence that "things turned good"...

US doesn't accept other citizen's Blood!!!

On August 12th 2009, i booked a schedule to donate blood. I prepared myself for blood donation at 9:00 AM near campus,

I stepped into van, one lady took my details and gave some material to read. After reading the material, they gave long questionnaire to complete...

Few questions were focused on my health and rest(most) of the questions focused on other nations visited.

Were you in UK during this period?
Are you from Africa?
Ever had sex with African male/female?

i was uncomfortable to donate blood, but i was continuing as there was no 'India' there and my intention is just to donate blood.

Finally, after filling the application....lady opened a record and found out my city information. When i told 'Hyderabad', she told "we are sorry that, you cannot donate blood if you were in this place anytime for the last 3 years as there were reports of Malaria". As you visited US in 2009, you can donate blood only in 2012 if you continue to stay here...

Guys, this is so irritating....i know blood donation is for my good health but at the same time, for your emergency. I am sure, you will have sophisticated techniques to test donated blood. If you have all these obligations, put an Online form as to determine eligibility of the donor....F...disgusting...

How Music turns you On and Off

There were lot of hiccups in short time and slowly passing by. When ever i go down, i scratch my head and ponder "what went wrong?". At that time, i isolate myself from others and feel isolated. Though it sounds foolish, i accept that am a fool during some part of life. In that process, i curse others around me...It all happened all these days. Slowly things started getting better. But i ordered myself to be pessimistic till things get much better.

Going back to July 26th...After boarding on to flight...

I don't remember the music part a lot. But i only remember that i was more towards fusion, rock, kind of addictive tunes....no soothing or melodious tracks.....i wanted to move out every emotion/fear from my mind...British Airways didn't provide made it worst by not having movies. I was expecting journey from Heathrow to Houston to be much better because most of the flights operate in that way...To my surprise, It was much horrible than Hyderabad to Heath row.

Flight got delayed for more than an hour as it was not getting runway. To avoid pollution, Airport used same runway for Departures and Arrivals making it a nightmare. I opened "Quiver Full of Arrows" and started completing stories too fast. Finally we got some room to move and flight started. I know it is a long journey and as an add-on to my frustration with delay, there was no in-flight entertainment. I have to rely on books. I am not a continuous reader and i am not capable of doing that. I planned to share my journey between Books, Music and sleep. To concentrate on books, i relied on Music and i made a long stretch completing short stories and reaching half of "Alchemist". Some how, i completed that journey.

Now Port of entry, It is the hell i got scared of so many times. Lady was sitting there, i know dealing with ladies is the toughest thing. But Q pushed me towards her. I wanna act like i missed something, go back and come again so that i can reach a guy, but thought like "what if i meet same officer again?". I thought its fine, i will go. Interview went for longer time than first time and faced so many unexpected questions. I was expecting a question asking some documents (which i am scared to show), but she never asked me. I was happy with the result and headed towards baggage, Luck followed me, my baggage is delayed. I have to fill the form with my address to which baggage is to be delivered. I do not have it, i was not prepared for this situation....blah blah blah...finally i submitted form...

i bought some basic things and checked into hotel room. Took a nice bath and reached rolling hotel on top floor, had a nice wine along with some food. There was lot of fun there (one guy was on high)...i took nap for not more than 4 hours and headed to airport. This time no (vegetarian) food on flight. F......i switched on MP3 and went on with nice soothing melodious songs, while listening i recollected all incidents from the past and reached final destination....

I got my baggage after 4 days. It was so frustrating...even then it happens...things starting getting little better now...But one final thing to make it much better can change the situation...

Lets see...Sincere Thanks to God for what ever happened till date :-) Hope he will be with me for ............(no time frame)....ever :P

Short n Interesting Love story by Co-Passenger

Stories like this should make my blog interesting. After tired Saturday, i woke up early in the morning at 2:15 AM. I got ready and as it is supposed to be a long term trip for me this time, my Mom and Dad were not excited. I just rested on my Mom for some time and my Dad massaging my hair giving some safety instructions.

My Flight was at 6:35 AM and i reached Hyderabad Airport at 4:00 AM along with my Brother, Dad, Bhabhi and my room mate, My mom didn't come as she had to take care of my nephew and niece. I checked in Online and i had short Queue a head. One Indian lady standing to my side was having chewing gum at that early morning and showing excess confidence (unnecessary) in the Queue. She must be permanent citizen or serving other country for long time. She wanted to pass this message to all fellow passengers (that She is not the first time traveller) and she was quite successful in doing that in quite a irritating way.

I collected my boarding pass and i took some pad to fill up immigration form. I am down because i know i am going to miss my parents, friends for long time. One of the Co-passenger (should be of my age, around 26) who was filling the form beside me got a call. He dropped his pen on the board and picked his mobile out from pocket. Glowing face replied back the phone

"Gooooood morning dear, Happy to hear your voice. Will call you once i complete security check"

He looked at me and gave a smile. i returned him the same.

We crossed security check together, he picked up his mobile.

"I thought i will wake u up in the early morning, but u called me..I am so happy dear"

I left him for a while and walked here n there and later went to book shop to buy some books. I again found this guy there on phone

"Shall i bring DVD's"

i am not sure of response, but he listed few DVD's and finally went to some books and collected some books. Normally such phone calls irritates others, but this call was so interesting and this guy was not disturbing others moving to the remote places and keeping his voice low.

I followed him, as that is the way to my terminal.

"This is a very short term relation, but i am very excited about this relation with you."

Few miss you, love you's after that...i pretended as if i am not listening to anything happening there..

"Come to US soon, we will live together till we get bored"

i am surprised, how dare you are to say that? you should get a slap or phone call should end here i thought..

Now i asked my inner to concentrate more on this story. In between the words,

"Wait for a sec, there is a flight announcement, looks like they are calling my name, hold on for a while"

"mm, its not me"

"I want some coffee now, your coffee will be so good"

I couldn't get away from the scene and want to know what is happening as this is the only interesting thing in airport at that early morning..

"Why are you not around my age? atleast some 4-5 years gap would have made it easy, but certainly we had a wonderful relation for life time and expecting to see you in US and we will have some more tours and rides."

also cursing the marriage system for some time..

mm...now i got the point..girl must be aged (AFAIK,young girls are not that matured to hear all these crap and offer coffee at home ).

Finally, he hung up

"Looking forward to meet you soon there"

Again Miss u's and Love u's and a final bye...His glow continued for a while with a long call. But he was dull after the switching off his mobile on flight. Later i thought about it for a while and came back to my state.

I would tell him..

A passing cloud made the climate cool and interesting for some time..Enjoy your trip and go on with life. Be a friend to her, so that the relation would stay for long time.

this lady, i referred in my second paragraph travelled with me till the final port. Both of us lost our luggage, but i didn't initiate any communication with her. Still the same confidence seen...

As i said, this is a long trip and still have 2 posts pending...

Its 4:54 AM in the morning...Sleepless in Seattle :-) , not because i am missing something...because of jetlag...

very long trip

Very long one indeed, will write about it as soon as i get time...3 interesting things to be penned are -

-> A Short n interesting Love story by Co-Passenger
-> How Music turns you On and Off..Different phases of this long journey..
-> About the books on flight...

My baggage is missing and i am so tired to add anything now...but interest to narrate above things forced me to open the blog...So adding a post to convince myself...

Jason Bourne's love towards India

I felt very happy when little part of the Bourne's series happens in India. Matt is back in Hyderabad to fulfill the basic needs of a slum in Hyderabad maintaining at most anonymity. Hats Off to him. This is inspiring and encouraging....

http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/11/stories/2009071158690300.htm

New York - DVD Movie

Watched it at Inox yesterday night. Movie had unanimous average talk. But all i can say, movie is worth a rental DVD.

Movie is inspired from Crash, Traitor and i heard something from Khuda ke Liye as well (I didn't watch it though). I watch lot of Crash in that movie.

Back ground music, different lost characters in US, The way Americans treat some community.

point director wanted to make is, Americans create terrorists and spend time and money hunting for them. He is successful in that. Good music is another add-on. But 3 Hrs of movie is unusual and unnecessary.

Its a time pass movie, but you will never find any originality in it.

I get a doubt, whats happening with Hindi Cinema, i happened to see Kambakht Ishq last week. Its a poor remake of a South Indian movie (Brahmachari). Additional headache being Silvester Stallone's fight with goons.

These 2 movies got some similarity as well, both the movies completely run on foreign ground. Its better to spend some decent money on some good projects rather than these junk projects.

Its time to stop watch Hindi cinema in theater till some movie gets unanimous hit talk.

Coorg - Scotland of India

I never saw Scotland, but i just named it because i heard it from many people. So if i see Scotland now, i may call it Coorg of Europe. No Surprise, so do not bother about the title.

Now as i some times wrote, Bloody dream is hunting me and i may go out for long term this time to US. Last few weeks can be termed as busiest days for me. Nothing was in my way, Client was escalating regularly. All i wanted is some rest, much away from my regular work.

We wanna freak-out. We are not interested in sight seeing. We don't want that congested trip. We have 2 places in mind now,

1. Bandipur - This would be my second time if i visit again. I loved this place at first sight. So we thought of booking a resort here and enjoy the nature here.

2. Coorg - Hyped place and as i already mentioned in title, Scotland of India.

After lot of discussion, we decided to visit Coorg. We booked a farm house there (I think its name is Serene Home), we googled a lot and got some information of Farm Houses around Coorg and finally considering availability, likes and dislikes we booked Serene Home.

We started from Bangalore at around 8:30 towards Coorg. We took breakfast at a small and famous Tiffin center (Butter Idly). I was surprised to see a wine shop in every 5 KM's gap.

Our first halt after breakfast was at Tibetian village. You will not see many Indians there. Those small eyed tibetians. They seem to be little away from civilization but did some wonderful manual work to supply resources to their plants. Its just my observation and may not be complete truth as well.

Headed to Coorg from there, it is a long trip for us via ghat roads and Coffee plants. Complete greenery and big trees will make you feel like you are in the middle of thick forest. But you are not, they are just coffee estates. Finally, we met our point of contact (Navya and her son). We followed them to reach the farm house. We were worried about the distance, but it is such a wonderful place away from world. Except for watchmen and his family, no one stays. You will have water falls, coffee plants around.

I do not remember the name of the owner, but his family's gesture was so good. They brought us home made wine, food (Yummy !! isn't sufficient). Camp fire in the night in the middle of big trees made us feel like heaven and we enjoyed to the core. We played lot of games there.

The next day, we visited the entire coffee plants, water falls and started that afternoon. On the way, we visited TALA KAUVERI, the starting point of kauveri river. Thats a part of poor plan, we shouldn't have visited it. We missed the bus and we wasted lot of money there.

But this might be the last trip with my friends before traveling to US. It was good and we enjoyed it with in that short period.

10 @ London

One word, good experience. After lot of mess, i got my final travel date, May 25th. This time, it was Emirates and an unusual stop Dubai as a part of cost cutting. Dubai is wonderful place to stop by, but 16 hour journey to London is unusual. How ever, one of my friend always desired to see me in Dubai, i got a chance to stay there for 4 hours at least. I did some window shopping so that i can plan some purchase during my return.

Finally i landed at one of the busiest airport, Heathrow. It was 9 PM but i just felt like 6 PM. I collected my baggage and walked towards customs. I hardly saw 3 customs officers taking care of 3 passengers and rest of the people on their way to exit. I didn't expect this poor security check. I came out and i took a cab towards Harrow. I assumed some honesty with cab people and didn't check distance and fare much before. He charged me 69 pounds, which is thrice the normal fare ( I realized it on the 10th day).

I have passed all the congested roads and this cab driver has shown no mercy towards traffic. Finally he dropped me in front of a big apartments. I just entered my apartment, where 2 other office colleagues were staying. The kitchen was in horrible shape with lot of cockroaches and other insects (caterpillar i guess). The less i explain other stuff, the better i feel about the place i stayed.

Next morning, i took Oyster card and took tube towards client place. There is nothing much to explain from here as the days passed by like that.

On the week end, we visited near by pub and had some good time. Next day, i accompanied my friend during shopping as he was leaving to India. From that Sunday, i am alone at guest house (2 people left). On Sunday, I visited London Eye (which is supposed to give a clear picture of London during flight, as i don't have map or any other guide, The journey went on all assumptions about London). Next visit is to West Minister's abbey, which bags lot of history and it was amazing to see how English people preserve their old monuments. Next visit is to Madame Tussuad's or other wise known as Wax museum. It contains truly a wonderful collection to attract all kind of people from all places and some wonderful work. I got confused some times when i see the wax statue of some unknown person and a real person having photograph with it. It was a fun.

Next day, i booked a ticket for a cricket match(India versus Newzealand T20 match) at Lords. I always wanted to visit London once and i did it. Pleasure watching Indian team playing at one of the best cricketing venue. It was fun watching the match though India lost. You're not alone when you watch Indian cricket. I just walked back to Baker street station, on the way i saw 221 B, Baker street (The famous Sherlock Holmes Home).

I wanted to visit other places, but had to return to Mumbai on Friday due to personal reasons and turned back. Again via Dubai to Mumbai. I did minimum shopping at Dubai.

I could have made it to Oxford, tower bridge, Cambridge if i had some time and Rome, Scotland if i got schengen visa and time.

Overall, it was a good short visit to England. I enjoyed the public transport, the old buildings and Lords Cricket ground.

AP people extend support to Congress again

This is not like regular election. The battle was not one side or the battle was not between 2 traditional parties. 2 new parties emerged, Praja Rajyam and Lok Satta.

The founder of Prajarajyam being Dr Chiranjeevi, it started and emerged with lot of hype. Party president and family took the rein of the party and slowly at the end, it was completely a family party. Party president being crowd puller attracted many people to attend road shows but failed drastically to turn them into voters. Party was open to leaders from other parties. In this process, it concentrated less of cadre formation at ground level. At the end, Allu Aravind became the sole decision maker and Chiranjeevi was inaccessible for many people to receive and review any complaints. Both Chiranjeevi and Aravind were on high dreaming bigger picture and failing to capture reality. Party was a disaster with its president losing to gain confidence of voters in his own constituency.

The founder of Loksatta being Dr Jayaprakash Narayanan (Ex IAS), it emerged as more technical party and bagged lot of youth following. Dr JP with his powerful speeches attracted many young people and turned them into voters. Being an IAS officer, his speeches were little technical, motivating and attractive. But JP's words some time doesn't match his action. JP always try to forecast himself as a different guy in arena and avoids doing few things which people really need. There is no other known leader in Lok Satta party apart from JP.

TDP, a traditional party has left no stone unturned. It uses film stars from nandamuri family to the max and it joined hands with other parties like TRS, CPI and CPM. This alliance and the publicity attracted few voters and party performed better compared to previous term.

Congress, with its various schemes reached the borders. Waiving loans, Free cure in private hospitals, Houses to poor etc schemes has made congress single largest party. In addition, party will act very soft towards corruption or terrorism which bagged them lot of votes. Pure vote bank politics worked out in Andhra Pradesh and India. Ofcourse, other parties failed in doing vote bank politics as well. Congress looked like a better party compared to other 3 parties and voters decided to extend support.

All the best Congress and All the best Andhra Pradesh.

Back in Hyderabad

To Continue my last post, i got the passport in the same week (Friday). I have made my arrangements to return to India on Saturday. My Company's travel desk ppl were kind enough to execute my short notices. On Friday evening, i made some quick shopping to buy few things for my nephew and niece. Return journey was good as i was reaching my home. This time Lufthansa did some favor to me in the form of personalized seat monitor and set of movies to watch from Frankfurt to Hyderabad.

The days passed, My father came to visit me on Tuesday and i had plans to visit Pune that week end to meet rest of my family members. At the same time, i was supposed to travel to UK that week end. UK trip was uncertain and this resulted in cancellation of my Pune trip. Then UK trip got postponed. My inside asks me, when i will be good at taking decisions during uncertain times? I would say, soon, may be after 5 more such incidents. Anyway, i could not meet my family that week.

I think that week was destined to meet my friends. In the middle of the week, i had very good time with an old new friend. I have invited my friends to visit Hyderabad during the week end and they did it. Saturday being the D-day for our state (Elections results are going to be announced on that day) and the sun is right on our head, we did not plan anything out side. We started partying inside and we were eager about election results. Election results were little unexpected and disappointing. But the party didn't stop. The 20-20 match between Deccan Chargers and Kolkatta Knight riders was like a thriller added to our party. We partied till the morning recollecting the incidents in the past. Without sun, it would have been far batter, but take it as it comes.

UK trip is yet undecided....

Monday Morning

I was eager and was expecting something to happen last week when Monday started. I was waiting for my passport to come back. It was on 30th April (Thursday), my stay was getting expired and British embassy was still holding my passport(from 15 days) for Business visa processing. I know, i have a valid reason but am worried about remark on passport that i am staying longer than i was legally allowed to.

To brief something about process, it will take 5-15 working days for British embassy (Los Angeles) to process any travel visa. But they opened my packet after 10 days on receiving my application and they started calculating 5-15 days from the day they opened. We have asked them to cancel my application and send the passport back immediately, they didn't respond even to that. Looks like they have SLA of 20 days to respond to faxes. This sounds obnoxious, but will have to bare them.

Now we applied for extension on my stay for 1 more month. This Monday is quite good, fresh, no expectations, no nervous feeling.....Bare with boring stay for few more days for my passport and few bucks....Now uncertainty is all over, don't know the next day.

Paper Media on its way?

While it has been a month i heard about Chicago Sun times from www.hmm-m.blogspot.com, its now Source Interlink the magazine distributor and Publisher filing chapter 11 and going private.

Source also increased its magazine rates recently. Are people really giving a glance at the articles on tables? In my experience, NO in recent days.

If Honda releases a new car, a review of a magazine by source interlink after a month will be useless while internet world would have circulated lot many things about that car.

Paper media is not an easy thing to be wiped out, but it surely will become more or less like mails through post card.

http://www.foliomag.com/2009/source-interlink-files-bankruptcy-goes-private

Source is still in Business anyway, all the best for them :-)