AdamGiles.com

One of my best mates Mike turns 30 today. Best birthday wishes mate, looking forward to Nov!

… Indeed I do.

Following multiple requests from multiple people for a photo, here’s a couple from last weekend when we attended Abbida and Rafiq’s wedding.

More on the FlickrStream

Finally got my vistitors visa approved. I’m now legal till the middle of January.

Via an email chain….

Security levels raised.

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from “Run” to “Hide“. The only two higher levels in France are “Surrender” and “Collaborate“. The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France’s principal white flag manufacturing facility, effectively paralyzing their military.

It’s not only the French who are on a heightened level of alert.

The Italians have increased their alert level from “Shouting Loudly and excitedly” to “Elaborate Military Posturing“. Two more levels remain, “Ineffective Combat Operations” and “Change Sides“.

The Germans also increased their alert state, from “Disdainful Arrogance” to “Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs“. They have two higher levels: “Invade a Neighbour” and “Lose“.

Seeing this reaction in continental Europe, the Americans have gone from “Isolationist” to “Find Somewhere Else in the Middle East Ripe for “Regime Change“. Their remaining, higher alert states are “Take on the World” and “Ask the British for Help“.

Finally, the U.K. has gone from “Pretend Nothing’s Happening” to “Make Another Cup of Tea“. The higher levels of security are “Remain Resolutely Cheerful” and “Win“. In parliament today, the British attitude level was raised from “Miffed” to “Peeved“. Soon though, it may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross“.
Londoners have not been at “A Bit Cross” since the Blitz in 1940, when tea supplies all but ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorised from “Tiresome” to “A Bloody Nuisance“. The last time the “A Bloody Nuisance” warning level was issued was during the Great Fire, in 1666.

This is perceived as the absolute limit. If these terrorist chaps have a grievance, why can’t they just write an angry letter to the BBC?

5:30am txt’s from Sian (waking me up) asking me to call EMB at 4:45am to wake him up. Aren’t timezones wonderful?

Fear believes—courage doubts. Fear falls upon the earth and prays—courage stands erect and thinks. Fear retreats—courage advances. Fear is barbarism—courage is civilization. Fear believes in witchcraft, in devils and in ghosts. Fear is religion, courage is science.

Robert Ingersoll.

I’m pleasantly surprised. Who would have thunk it?

The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised.

- George F. Will

PS: I’m right.

Quick dash to Singapore for a work related workshop. Three days of late nights and arguments with co-workers. What fun.

Wow, that went quick. One year to the day since I arrived in MY.

Pros:

• The money on the current package is good
• Travel to places that I wouldn’t have been able to visit prior
• Falling in love

Cons:

• It’s bloody hot
• Worrying about timezones when calling home is a pain
• Everything here is just so inefficient
• Food poisoning on a semi-regular basis