London Trip

My much awaited trip to London has made me a bit nervous. being the first trip abroad this trip has raised my acidity levels to a new level. This is apart from the numerous butterfly that flap around time and again... But having a cool head and not showing the probable workings below has made others think that I visit Countries every other day.

I have been collecting 'data' so that I may survive the vicious onslought of Customs questions put forward to me.I even memorised pharases that do not lead to ''Branch questioning''.
So having got the details and operating procedures at the airport from a number of wellwishers I sat down to write a process doc on that !!Needless to say got fisty and dumped the entire thing.

As the BA flight ticket did not come thru I was happy to get a confired ticket on Srilankan Airlines. Then the news that I had to first fly to Colombo then take a connent flight to Heathrow Airport. Phew.... suddenly those goose pimples appear as my mind indirectly starts to associate with LTTE.You never know what these guys are up to next !! So I consoled myself seeing the number of enthu paasenger bound for Colombo .

So being up so early to take a flight has never been my forte. So I jumped as the Taxi guy come in at 0600 hrs IST to take me to airport. My flight was scheduled for 10.30 IST and luckly was on time !!

Contrary to popular belief the Colombo airport is lot more bindas and has the look of an International Airport.Seriously, A real good onewith clean toilets and clutter free pathways and decently carpeted the lounge room :) My flight to London was at 1.30 IST and the colombo bound flight from Chennai taking only an hour and 20 min only so I was dumbstruck as to what to do next !!

Suddenly out of no where I found a romantic couple Geee the Guy in shorts and white T shirt and the Gal in mini blue jean skirt and white halter top .Both were a treat to watch ;) That quite solved the problem as to how to pass the time

With the Flight is ready to board being announced I jumped at the oppourtunity to get inside the London bound UL 503 a Airbus 320-400. I found my seat without any problem as it was the same as the one I flew in From Chennai 23D asile seat towards the left.Alas I cud not see the window seneary as we typically get to do in the Railways ... So Railjourney has a edge on that front.

The Srilankan Airhostess have a unique way of wearing the sari ... typically showing the midriff a lot more than what is done by there Indian counterparts.There is a twist in the ''mundani'' that I was not able to identify with.Anyways it does not matter..or does it ?

The flight screamed to take off at 1.30 IST and within no time was touching 11000 feet after take off .I turned on the inflight entertainement to while away time , with nothing concreate on th block I switched off the system and tuned to Audio mode and tries listening to Arabic music !!
The plasma Tv showed that we were crusng at 34000 feet and I gently eased out of the safety lock.

Suddenly out of no where the Steward came up to me and served a meal which I did not ask for !! Being hungry I eat it ..only to realise that the others were served some thing different !!
Then seeing something scribbled on top of the cover I came to know that it was a Spl Hindu meal that was served to me as requested by my Travel Agent .

So next came the airhostess asking what i wanted to drink ..Phew ..What do u have ? I asked and she handed me a new that I found equally difficult to deal with. So I asked her for Arrack !!#
As I asked her if it was too strong and on getting a affirmitive rely I declined the arrack and settled for a more decent Cognac with Soda and ice. Was not as interesting as I though.Gave it a thumbs down as patiently waited for the hostess to reappear gain. the Brit next seat to me asked for Red wine with his Lamb ..Here I did not want to miss the opportunity though of trying out the same and settled for a Red wine . Tried swrilling around and smelled the wine as suggested by experts courtesy Discovery Travel and living but to no avail. Agreed it was pretty good.

Then went into a small nap and was awaked to eat somthing as Bun ,cheese and tea.
But where can all these fit when the bladder is full ..But with a single loo in front I decided to get entry and relied myself in 20 min after standing in a long 'Q'

The flight seemed never ending as even at 22.00 IST we were happily crusing at 38000 feet. Inthe mean time saw 'Varalaru' movie and was dissappointed that Asin was wasted inthe meaningless role.

Finally at 26 Feb we touched down at 01.30 hrs IST and I ran and got into a wrong 'Q' meant for Brit nationals at Heathrow immigration & Customs...So after much munching and pushing I landed at the correct counter with 4 row blocks full of passengers. Phew It took 4 hrs to get clear of then and get in fron tof the Immigration official.

He then stared to ask all sorts of ususal questions with me answering all of them .Finally his bladder gave way I think as he stamped my Passport and closed his counter to take a leak.

The next big challenge was to get to my Hotel but given that I cost GBP120 to take me there did not serve the purpose.So I decided to take the Tube but lo the counter was closed and I decided to ask around if any alternative was availalable. Finally some sane soul said that I cud get down at Canary wharf and pay for my journey.

I got into the Piccadally line and got down at Green Park a 18 stop journey from Heathrow airport. There I changed into the Jubilee Line to take me to Canary Wharf. After buying a new oyster card and topping it up with 10 pounds .I got out into the shivering cold wind that was blowing . I managed to get direction to my hotel and beagan my long trek to reach it .It was 06.00 hrs IST and I was still awake !!

Finally I managed to reach the Hotel with my Hands numb in the cold weather.And finally hit the bed onthe 9th floor only to awake in another 5.30 later to get back to work !!

Phew what a journey !!

Still no Girlfriend ??

Another Valentine day went by "Still no Girlfriend ?" was one taunting question that was put across by a brave soul.

So thought it would be one of self interest to introspect and analyse one why I Still do not have a Girlfriend ...

Basically its a mind set. If I were to want one shd have no problem in getting one !!
So what is that, that prevents me from going for one ?

Apart from "Liquidity " constraints,being a very analytical person I tend to "investigate" and get to know the other person without thir knowledge.

This takes time and time in a Relationship time can make things go crazy. By the time I get to shortlist the "Person" it wud have re-rated it self and beyond my reach !! and needless to say I have to scout for the next potential one.

So the next best thing is to wait for a "correction" to happen as we generally tend to operate with a high priced stock in the capital market.But from past experience I found that once the "scrip" has taken of it become beyond my reach.Some thing inside me tells that the scrip play might turn out risky.Why take unncessary risk and burn fingers ?? play it safe...

So what do I do ?

I generally recommend the "scrip" to potential investors who wud have taken a fancy for the "scrip" !! Why stop a deep pocket individual who has the risk taking potential and the drive from going for the kill ??

I am right now trying to rectify my operation after reading "Reminiscences of a Stock Operator" where Jesse says that "Act first and then take a decision" I beieve the same can be applied in personal life but putting a "stop-loss" is a big problem.

As once U get entangled in a relationship maze its heavenly difficult to get out of it.I dont want to take that risk so will wait..

Plan B ... what will that be ??

Got to wait and see...