Well yesterday was another very busy day at the office. There is just so much going on at the moment, the day fly's by. I didn't leave the office until 19:00 and then I needed to go shopping as I had nothing in the fridge and was starving. Once back at the apartment with provisions. We still had a couple of ongoing issues and I think I finally finished up about 00:30.

Today was a national holiday so this morning I had a lay in. After lunch I went for a walk then returned to the apartment where I commenced laying on the sofa watching films.

That's it. A bit of a waste really, but I needed the rest.

Tags: Movies

Okay so I didn't get around to updating the blog yesterday but it's been a great weekend and I basically had better things to do.

So picking up from where I left off Friday morning I had my FRRO registration meeting. I was picked up at 10:00 by Rajeev for the 30 minute ride to the Ministry of paperwork. When we arrived it was like stepping back in time. It was just a large non-descript concrete building with rooms in every directions. In the rooms were old school like desks and plastic patio chairs. Outside each of the rooms was a bench that inevitably had somebody asleep on it. I was led up to the 3rd floor, past court rooms (based on the layout), and guards stations to another non-descipt room this time with aluminum dividing walls. You really wouldn't have known any official went on there except for the armed guards.

We entered one of the aluminum cubicles and I sat for about 20 minutes while Rajeev provided piece of paper after piece of paper, and the man from the ministry read each one three times, shuffled the forms he now had and requested others that Rajeev had to point out he had already handed over. Then he reached for a big book and filled it in before asking me to sign it and then stamping it with over 10 billion rubber stamps (okay, by this stage I was bored and I think he knew because he kept looking at me then the clock).

The next thing I knew is we were off, me, Rajeev, the man from the ministry of paperwork, the paperwork, and the big book were walking back down the stairs. We then approached what looked like an important area. This was apparent by the number of people with guns standing around. It wasn't until I looked at the labels on the door that I realized we needed to see the Deputy Commissioner of police and that he needed to sign the "book". We all bowed (well the other two guys bowed and I kind of thought hey this is cool smiled and nodded my head) and went in. The room was a lot more impressive. A single large dark wooden desk surrounded on three sides by green leather backed arm chairs. The book was presented to him, he signed it, they al bowed again and we left. (I think I waved as we came out I'm not sure) and that we all done. So I am now legal. I should get all the certificates this week, but work take care of that, but as far as paperwork goes I am almost sorted (just the UK tax office to go).

Friday night we had the COLT India Annual Event, aka "Spark" (Which I think was the name of the local Ind rock band that had been hired for the event). I must say the setup was very impressive and I would have a lot more pictures to show you if I had remembered to charge my Camera battery before going (I really need to get my act together on photo's and movies). The facilities guys really did a good job. I have some video footage that I will splice into a short film to give you an idea of the what things looked like, but I think it was agreed that it was a good night. I left about midnight and didn't need any rocking to get to sleep.

Saturday morning I got up and went to join the gym. After the tour and being told all about the facilities the sales director would not let me join until I has tried the facilities out at least three times free of charge. So I had about an hours work out, and an hour in the sauna and steam room before showing and leaving feeling great. I then headed to the shops and stocked up on a few essentials and then went home and cooked sausages, beans, and Mash potatoes.

After dinner I went for a walk for an hour before settling down with some traditional british rock and a book.

This morning (Sunday) I had a lay in and a lazy breakfast before doing a couple of hours work. I then had lunch and watched a movie (Zoro). About 15:00 Karan (my driver) picked me up and we headed for the Gym where I spent 3 hours. I came out and treated myself to a small domino's pizza, immediately putting back on the calories I had just burned off and probably a few extra besides, but I did enjoy it.

This week is going to be very busy but I am hoping not to stressful. Lets see.

Tags: Party, Beer

Okay so Tuesday was a standard busy day at work but nothing worth talking about. Tuesday night, as planned, Simon (The guy out from the UK delivering some training) and myself met up after work and I showed him around a little before grabbing some beers and heading back to my apartment. We chatted for a couple of hours while enjoying a few well chilled beers and then met up with Laurence and headed off to "Berco's" for dinner. Where we had another great meal. (Berco's being the place we went to Saturday)

Yesterday was once again busy but nothing out of the ordinary, and I just chilled out in the evening.

Today however was the "Day from hell". I was supposed to be on the training course that Simon was delivering but 10 minutes in and I was called by the Incident manager and advised we had problems. The rest of the day was a complete blur as we worked with the guys back in the UK to resolve the issue. I didn't get out of the office until 19:30 and hadn't eaten all day. So once back at my apartment the first thing I did was raid the fridge. It wasn't very exciting as I was too tired to really cook but beans on toast with a cheese topping and I felt a lot better.

So now I am going to grab a shower, chill out for an hour, and then grab an early night. I have my meeting tomorrow at the police station (to register) so want to make sure I don't look and feel like crap. We also have the COLT annual event, a company party at the Crown Plaza Hotel, tomorrow evening and I want to enjoy it and meet with a lot of the people that I haven't had a chance to meet or talk properly to yet.

So for now I am going to sign off, and my next update will probably be Saturday.

So I am into the second official week of my assignment and its been another busy day, but more about that later.

This weekend was time to catch up with some sleep and get a little me time. It was nice having the time back in the UK but I really didn't stand still, and having Wednesday off really just allowed me to avoid the jet lag and sort the apartment out.

So Saturday after a nice lay in (10:30). I had a spot of breakfast and watched a movie before heading to the office to check on some work that was being done. It was quick 30 minute visit, and then I headed to one of the many malls to meet up with Laurence and get some shopping. We both needed different things so we went our separate ways agreeing to met up at my apartment later so Laurence could check out the Apple TV.

There are malls everywhere in Gurgaon, and one of the most popular past times on a saturday in India is to shop. However Gurgaon is one large building site and everywhere you look they are building more apartments or malls. Everything is done by hand, you will very rarely see a wheel barrow let alone a JCB. The only time you see any real heavy plant is on the major office blocks or roads, which are usually backed by foreign investors. The throng of shoppers also brings out the beggars, but there are generally just ignored unless they get in the way of a police man or security guard. [More Photo's]

Laurence and I met up a couple of hours later and spent an hour messing around with the Apple TV, before agreeing to meet up for Chinese later that evening, after Laurence had finished at the gym.

Laurence's driver Naveen turned up at 18:00 (We have arranged to share drivers at the weekend if we are hanging out) and took me to the Chinese / Japanese restaurant where Laurence was waiting. We ordered some beers and some starters and then started chatting to the waiter and supervisor and asked them for recommendations. They immediately went off to find the chef who we were then introduced to. The chef after exchanging pleasantries described the ingredients he had, there origin, and suggested a chicken based course cooked in a variety of spices, but not too hot. We both enjoyed the meal and after 6 beers, two bottle of water, two starters and a main course for two we were happy to pay the £13 it cost and even left a tip. We then returned to my apartment to drink the beer I had left in the fridge before it went out of date.
.
Sunday was another lay in and a chilled out morning. I went out for a slow walk around Essel Towers and up to the malls after lunch. I leant Laurence my driver so he could go to the gym while I chilled out and called Katrina. We had agreed to meet up again that evening so I could get some information on gym membership, which I did, and then went for dinner at Harries (A revolving restaurant). Once again the food was good, but not as good at the previous evening and a little more expensive. After dinner, about 21:00 we headed home.

Once back in the apartment I wasn't particularly tired so I sat and started to watch a movie, but by 22:30 I was ready for bed.

So this morning my driver picked me up at 08:30 and we headed for the office. The work that was going on over the weekend had all been completed (Setting up a new NOC) and three new NOC (Network Operations Center) staff had started there induction courses. I had a full day of meetings, including one with the UK division of Price Waterhouse Coppers who are handling my UK tax return, which turns out to be a lot simpler than I thought it was going to be. I am however scheduled for a meeting with the Indian division tomorrow to confirm my Indian tax status which should be interesting to say the least.

Tonight I made myself cheese on toast, after eating midday at work, and have now settled down for a quiet evening. Not sure yet if it's a TV or book night. I need to check what's on. Tomorrow we kick off some more training and I have agreed to meet up with the instructor and show him around a little and grab a beer.

Tags: Shopping

Okay so Friday is here, and after having Wednesday off I can say it has been a pretty good week. It was another busy day at the office, but that seems to be par for the course and to be honest I would rather that than be bored. I need to pop into the office tomorrow and check on some work that's being done over the weekend, otherwise I intend to get out and about. As I said yesterday I am thinking of heading into Delhi but will see how things go. Otherwise I might just have a better look around Gurgaon.

This afternoon I did take another trip to the shops to pick up a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) as the power cuts out here were starting to become annoying. I am using my laptop which has a battery so isn't affected when the power does go off, but of course my internet line drops every time which is really rather annoying especially when trying to upload or download anything. I also managed to get hold of a component cable for my Apple TV although I am still trying to get the sound to work.

Otherwise nothing more to report, so I am going to open a beer and try and sort out the Apple TV then listen to some music and read.

Tags: Technology

Okay I had a few problems with the contact form which have now been sorted. Send me a message and try it out.

Tags: Web Development

Well today was a more productive day, mainly I think down to having moved into the apartment. I got up at 07:30 and enjoyed some toast and marmalade with some fresh mango juice. I don't remember trying mango before but it was very nice, if a little fattening according to the label. Leaving the dishes in the sink for the house keeper (I could so get used to this) I hit the shower and dressed for work. I had arranged for my driver Karan to pick me up at 08:30 and at 08:29 he called me to say he was outside the apartment when I was ready (Southwest Trains you suck).

The first thing I think I really noticed was the commute to work, about 10 minutes, and that was down to some silly cow in the road. No really it was a cow, and it didn't seem to be bothered by what anybody else's intentions were for the day, it was going to do exactly what it wanted. Compared to the two hour slog from Basingstoke to London however it was a dream.

I arrived at work for a pretty full on day but did manage to leave the office by 18:00. Laurence had told me of a market called Galleria, which amongst other things had a liquor store and some very western style shops. So I handed my diver my Blackberry with the name written in the notes utility (Which I am finding a very effective means of communicating, it certainly beats the waving of hands and pointing, as I have no idea where I am 90% of the time) and he confirmed "Yes - Market, we go now" job done. I picked up 12 bottles (650ml) of Kingfisher for the bargain price of RS600 (£7.34) and some western food including Heinz Baked Beans, although I opted not to go for the Heinz tomato ketchup as I quite like the one I picked up at Spencers, it has a little kick to it.

Now as somebody who has never really been taken with very spicy food, I think I am doing very well. I am still not into the eye watering dishes favored by the normal Friday night crowd, but I think the real Indian style of cooking is less about watching the larger swilling yob sweat to the point of passing out, and more about the mix of flavors. Now don't get me wrong I am sure they are out there, but to date nobody has attempted to kill me over lunch, well not with the food anyway.

So once back in the apartment, and with the beer nicely settled in the fridge (Note to self must remember fridges are for food too) I grabbed a shower and commenced chilling out. Which is where I am now. On the sofa with a cold beer writing this and thinking about the weekend.

Having yesterday off was a real plus as I think it allowed me to get my body clock a little more in sync and allowed me to find my feet. So I am thinking of heading for Delhi on Saturday afternoon (A lay in is still required) for a better look around and some shopping. One thing I am craving is meat. Cold ham and hot lamb chops. I have been given some pointers, but am kind of looking forward to having a look around myself.

Tags: Beer

Okay so after a really long lay in this morning I feel great. I woke up this morning about 10:00 to the sound of singing. I couldn't see where it was coming from, but I figured it was all part of the Independence day celebrations. So I selected to ease into the day with corn-flakes, toast with marmalade, and fresh orange juice. Then after showering (No shaving, its a national holiday) I dressed and went for a walk around Essel towers.

Essel towers is the name given to the entire development, it's a huge development and still expanding. Essel towers is then split up into a number of courts, and i am in Amber Court. I felt like the preverbal English man abroad in my shorts and t-shirt taking pictures of everything and anything, but It's 28 degrees and very humid. Half an hour was enough and I returned to the apartment.

This afternoon I need to complete my paperwork for my registration. I have to attend the police station within 14 days of arriving and apparently its paperwork hell. The HR department here in India do a great job however and make sure you have everything you need and make all the arrangements. I'll let you know how it goes.

The rest of Europe is also still working today so I will spend a few hours catching up with my email, but I intend to spend the majority of this afternoon preparing the list of things that I really need to get done and soon, like recruitment.

So it's goodbye for now. Check out the photo gallery where you will find the pictures I took this morning of Essel towers and my apartment, and don't forget to check back soon for the next installment.

Okay so I arrived safe and well in India yesterday morning at 08:10 IST, two hours later than I should of after a delay at London Heathrow. Once I had cleared immigration and customs I headed out of the airport to locate my cab. We drove to the Park Plaza hotel where I checked in and grabbed a shower and a change of clothes before heading, with my driver "Karan", to the office. At 13:00 I met with the real estate agent at my apartment and took the hand-over (hooray somewhere to live).

I finished up about 17:45 and headed back to the hotel with Chris, Sandra, Laurance, and John Hayday for a few beers. I got to bed about 11:30 and woke this morning with a hangover. However once showered and dressed I felt a little more human. I checked out and headed for my apartment to drop my bags off.

Lunch time today I shot out to one of the local shopping malls and and store called Spencers, which does a good line of European food. Tomorrow is Indian Independence day so I needed provisions for tonight and tomorrow, plus some general items like more coat hangers and washing powder. Then it was back to the apartment to unpack the shopping and grab something to eat. Going back to the office was hard work as I then just wanted to sort the apartment out.

Tonight I got home about 18:00 and unpacked. I am now sat in my lounge watching some stupid Arnie film (The one where he has a baby) catching up on email and this, my blog. Tomorrow I intend to have a lay in, hopefully avoiding jet lag this time around, and then complete some paperwork that I need for my registration interview next week. As it's an Indian holiday I expect I will have some work to do once the UK wakes up, but I intend to try and relax as much as possible.

I have also updated the movie gallery to make it easy to view the movies online and have uploaded some photo's of the Park Plaza hotel room to the photo gallery in "India - The Return". I will grab some of the apartment tomorrow and any Independence day events I see.

The only problem with a late flight is that you spend all day waiting for it. So I am now packed well except for my laptop which I have just unpacked, and everything is sat by the front door waiting. Only 7 hours to go.

Well that's not strictly true. I am popping around to Mum and Dad's for brunch and then they are going to run me the airport. It's a 2 hour check in to so I need to be there for 15:00 (17:10 flight) which means leaving Basingstoke around 14:15.

So for now it is good bye. I am not sure when my next entry will be because I am in a new hotel for the first couple of days, and I am not sure if they have broadband. However I should be in my apartment by Wednesday at the latest and will post again then, with pictures.

Okay, so it's been a pretty busy week sorting out the house and making the final arrangements, but I am very nearly there now. I need one last item, a suitcase, and I am ready. I fly out of London Heathrow tomorrow evening at 17:10 on flight BA257 and I am next due back in the UK on November 12th (BA142), as yet for an undefined period.

It hasn't been all work this week however. I have managed to spend time with friends and family and do a little fun shopping too.

Thursday morning I had to pop into town to sort out some last minute stuff at the bank, and I found myself in the Sony shop. 30 minutes later I was the proud owner of a new Sony HDR-SR7E Handycam camcorder. Something that i had fancied for a long time, but hadn't been able to justify up until now that is.

Thursday lunchtime I took my Mum out for a nice lunch at a place called "Bartons Mill". It's an old water mill situated on what was the Basingstoke Canal. We had a good chat, some very nice food, and a walk along the canal before returning home.

Thursday night I went to visit Katrina (my sister) and my nephew William for dinner. I got the warmest welcome ever from William who then spent the next hour running round in circles and going completely crazy, while also making a complete mess of the house Katrina had spent the last four hours cleaning. Once he was exhausted, bathed and in bed. Katrina, Rob (My brother-in-law) and I sat down to one of my favorite meals, Shepards Pie with fresh vegetables and put the world to rights. After dinner we had a couple of hours to chat and say our goodbyes and then it was home for an early night.

Yesterday, I headed to the Apple store in Southampton to pickup a copy of the newly released iWork 08 , and iLife 08. iLife 08 or iMovie 08 in particular now supports the AVCHD High Definition format so this meant that I could now get the film of the new camcorder in magical High Definition, and add a Movie Gallery to my site. Take a look now for a short clip that I put together of William from the footage I shot on Thursday night.

Today I am sat waiting for Parcel Force to deliver the Nintendo Wii that I am talking out to India for a colleague, but after I have finished updating the blog I am going to try and shape up the garden as with all the rain while I was away followed by the sun the grass is now 30ft high (Well nearly). After that I intend to pop into Basingstoke town center and pick up a suitcase and then pack.

Once packed I think it will be time for a few cold beers and a Pizza. Now that's living in the fast lane...

Tags: Technology, Food

Okay so today was my first day back in the office. The main purpose of going into the office was to sort out my visa, but I was a little ambitious and with all the other stuff it was 17:30 before I had the paperwork finished, which means I need to go back again. Not an issue in itself, its just I still have a lot of stuff to sort out regarding the house etc. These things have a habit of falling into place though.

It was great to see everyone again, and everyone was interested to learn about my experiences so far. I even got told off for not updating my blog regularly (Thanks Laura). I felt a little guilty coming home as I hadn't really had time to catch up with everybody, but that's how these things go and I am sure they will all be glad of the peace and quiet. One thing I will not miss however is that train commute. After 7 years its really no fun.

Tomorrow I have house things to do and I need to gather up the final pieces that I want to take to India (Marmite). At the moment the spare room is a mass of books, DVD's, and tooth paste (Don't ask).

Now however I am going to open a beer and try and drink it before falling asleep.

So yesterday was a day of relaxation. Mum, Dad, Katrina, Rob, William, and I went to the annual Balloons Over Basingstoke festival. Every year there is a large fun fair and arena shows and stalls and then hundreds of hot air balloons take off from the war mamorial park. The wind was a little eratic yesterday so no balloons could take the air but we had a great time just looking around and William was facinated with everything.

In the evening we returned to my parents where I enjoyed a nice home cooked meal and a little too much beer, Any way check out the Gallery as I have uploaded the photo's taken during the course of the day.

Today I have some paper work to catch up on and a report to write for work, guess that's what happens when you take a day off, but it was worth it.

Tags: Fun

Okay so I flew back from India yesterday on the 08:15 flight, arriving at London Heathrow about 13:30. I made my way home and enjoyed a well earned shower and a change of cloths before unpacking and setting up the home office again.

I tried to sit down and type a couple of reports that I had worked on during the journey, but my mind was fried so I popped round to my parents (who I had forgotten to tell when i was coming home exactly) and gave them the account of my adventure so far.

By 20:30 I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer and crashed. This morning of course I was up ad ready to rock at 05:00.

So this morning I have had a chance to look around the house and figure out that the kitchen waste water system is completely shot and needs replacing, the garden now resembles something out of an African adventure film and all the little items I need are now in India. So I while I wait for the shops to open so that I can get some provisions I am sat here making lists of the things I need to buy and do before I return to India.

Later on this morning however is an annual festival called "Balloons over Basingstoke" which I am going to go and see with my nephew William. I'll post some pictures later. Otherwise today I am going to generally chill out before launching into paperwork etc tomorrow.

Tags: Travel