Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[tikay]

Crowds lining the runway - WTF?

This is not, I assume, Norwich International Airport. No banjos is the clue.

[tikay]

I have to go get myself an "I-Visa" which is required as I have to go do some work in the US of A. (Thinly disguised "I'm going to Vegas" Post?). My appointment at the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square is next Friday, at the unheard of hour of 08.30, sheesh. I guess 3,000 others will have the same appointment time - note the reference to "queue wardens" (plural, ffs!), & I'm the world's most impatient queue person. Ah well, all good things come at a price I suppose.

Here's some of the "welcome" e-Mail the American Embassy sent me.

Please read this message carefully, but do not bring
 a printed copy to your interview -- this is not an appointment letter
 and does not grant admission to the Consular Section.

This message is to remind you that mobile phones, Blackberries, PDAs,
 music players, remote-entry automobile key "fobs", laptops and all other
 electronic devices are prohibited within the Embassy.

Also, security officers have been instructed to deny entry to any
 visitor carrying a large bag, backpack, suitcase or any other package.
 Visitors may only be admitted with briefcase, purse or similarly small bag.
 

PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICES, OR LARGE BAGS to the
 Consular Section on the day of your appointment, or your visa interview will
 have to be postponed or cancelled. You may wish to consider checking
 luggage at a transport station.

Finally, in order to be admitted for your appointment, please be sure
 you have carefully read the fulfillment package you received after
 booking your appointment. The Consular Section's queue wardens have been
 instructed to turn away unprepared applicants who do not possess all of
 the needed application materials. If you did not receive the fulfillment
 package, you should visit the Embassy website at

Where am I supposed to leave my bloody car-key?

Welcome to America.

[boldie]

you actually have to go to the embassy for a Visa? Is that just because you'll be working there or is that standard now?

[LLevan]

Where am I supposed to leave my bloody car-key?

Welcome to America.

Let the train take the strain perchance.

[kinboshi]

Where am I supposed to leave my bloody car-key?

Welcome to America.

Let the train take the strain perchance.

Was going to suggest the same, but you still might have to drive to the station.

[tikay]

you actually have to go to the embassy for a Visa? Is that just because you'll be working there or is that standard now?

I've never had to do so previously, but on this occasion I'm "officially" working, & Mr Sky is very "right & proper" about doing these things in a fully-compliant way. To be fair to them, they are sending out a Film-Crew & all sorts, so if I fell foul of the Authorities for not being correcly Visa'd up, it'd waste a whole heap of money & effort.

I never had an "I-Visa" when I went previously for Poker 425, or Poker Week, but Sky say I must have one, so that's fair enough. 

I gather an I-Visa is required if anyone is going out there to work, as opposed to recreation (poker) or holiday.

[tikay]

Where am I supposed to leave my bloody car-key?

Welcome to America.

Let the train take the strain perchance.

Well yes, "any excuse", you know me, but I cannot even put my car key in my pocket it seems!

You know how it is with the Americans though.

[kinboshi]

Where am I supposed to leave my bloody car-key?

Welcome to America.

Let the train take the strain perchance.

Well yes, "any excuse", you know me, but I cannot even put my car key in my pocket it seems!

You know how it is with the Americans though.

They don't like key fobs?

[boldie]

Where am I supposed to leave my bloody car-key?

Welcome to America.

Let the train take the strain perchance.

Well yes, "any excuse", you know me, but I cannot even put my car key in my pocket it seems!

You know how it is with the Americans though.

They don't like key fobs?

They could control WMDs you know

[tikay]

I joined the Railway Forum (.net) & guess how many were currrently Online there? 8. (Eight).

Intolerable.

[tikay]

Where am I supposed to leave my bloody car-key?

Welcome to America.

Let the train take the strain perchance.

Well yes, "any excuse", you know me, but I cannot even put my car key in my pocket it seems!

You know how it is with the Americans though.

They don't like key fobs?

They could control WMDs you know

The ones that never existed they never found?

[boldie]

Where am I supposed to leave my bloody car-key?

Welcome to America.

Let the train take the strain perchance.

Well yes, "any excuse", you know me, but I cannot even put my car key in my pocket it seems!

You know how it is with the Americans though.

They don't like key fobs?

They could control WMDs you know

The ones that never existed they never found?

Well they haven't searched you car, have they?..For all they know them things could be in there..hidding amongst all the coffee cups..in fact, how do you know Saddam didn't hide them in your car?

[RED-DOG]

Where am I supposed to leave my bloody car-key?

Welcome to America.

Let the train take the strain perchance.

Well yes, "any excuse", you know me, but I cannot even put my car key in my pocket it seems!

You know how it is with the Americans though.

Scuse the name dropping, but before Mrs Red and I went to Lizzie's barbie, we were vetted by MI5.

Those guys don't mess about. They take your entire existence, remove it's outer cover, lube up their metaphorical latex, and probe every nook, cranny, and pink twitching orifice. It's a scary experience. 

[booder]

Crowds lining the runway - WTF?

This is not, I assume, Norwich International Airport. No banjos is the clue.

 this is the airline that flew Trigg and me to Macau,a few months later they went busto and stranded hundreds of passengers in China.


My daughter works at Norwich Airport and you are gonna get a slap if she ever meets you.

[TightEnd]

Crowds lining the runway - WTF?

This is not, I assume, Norwich International Airport. No banjos is the clue.

It looks like that could be Farnborough or some other such show

Did Farnborough once, on "work". Like a giant car boot fair, with huddles of businessmen of various nationalities dealing in Migs and Eurofighters.