Around the world in 430 words
Yesterday I reviewed some work that people in the new office in India have written. Well it wasn't good at all but then it can be expected as our product is complex and the management are struggling to recruit people with some experience because everyone there wants to work for the big names in I.T.
Talking to my boss yesterday, he said that, if I wanted it, I could go to India for a while. I replied that I wouldn't mind going for a couple of weeks but he thinks that it should be for a month. So I just told him that I had a number of holidays booked for the next few months and he countered that I could spend them there!
But we both agreed that it is not the right time to go as it's monsoon season (plus I cannot imagine a whole month without Adrian!)
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The expensive reproduction furniture that Adrian sells is made in Vietnam.
Somebody was telling Adrian that he tried to contact the boss' wife there (also an employee of the company). But first she was stuck in traffic in Ho-Chi-MinhCity (I assume chauffered around) and it was too hot to talk; and later she said she couldn't talk as she was eating a pear. No wonder that she's known as mad Lizzie!
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Yesterday I saw this in the news: US to tighten visa restrictions
From next year we'll be required to register on-line before we travel to the US. This should replace filling in the form on the plane (giving more time to the authorities to carry out background checks) but sadly not the interrogation and cross-examination at the airport. Maybe one lucky day the immigration officers will be replaced by robots with good manners who do not assume that you must be a criminal just because you are a foreigner (I'm exaggerating - but only in part).
Until then, it would be wiser to stick to dear old Europe if it wasn't for the exchange rate with the euro being so unfavourable. But I still hope to visit Slovenia and Croatia next year.
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That is if I'll still have a job!
Today we had a redundancy round; needless to say it didn't involve anyone in India but only here in London. The guy sitting next to me is one of the people whose job is now officially "at risk". It's such a shame as he's a really nice chap. We are all sad today at work.
One of the alternative they have offered is permanent relocation to India.