Taxi booked, bags packed, ready for the off. No guitar for nearly 3 weeks unless I can find one over there; can't believe that is beyond my mighty intellect.

Just had a look on interweb for things Minnesotan; looks like a grand place. Apparently 60% of them all live in Minneapolis and St Pauls; that's 3 of the 5 million. That must leave a lot of empty space, I wonder what's in there?

And the state bird?

The Common Loon; that just makes it a whole lot better

I am still chuckling at the two wonderful people who gate-crashed a White House party, that just rocks; yes it shows up massive holes in presidential security and is probably quite scary for whoever is responsible - hope they don't get sacked, no one spares a thought for the henchmen as Austin Powers says - but it is one of the truly great events in the history of democracy.

Just had a haircut, nothing interesting there, but the barber was from Kurdistan and very happy to chat about Kurdish independence; I must say I am in some agreement with him. Seems like Kurdistan is split into 4 bits looked after by Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria. No idea how big the move for independence is in Kurdistan, might have to look into that, but he really is not fond of America, not fond at all.

And so it came to pass that an over-stressed employment agent rings 2 days before I am meant to fly out to USA;

"Anyone told you about your visa and travel insurance?"

"No" says I,

"Oh" says she.

Fighting the urge to scream and hold my head in desperation, I follow her bright idea of ringing an insurance company; that's one thing sorted for a measly £50 (claimable on expenses I believe).

A couple of emailed questions later; "have you ever been arrested, do you have any convictions" both answered no - I wonder what would have happened if I had said yes! - the non-existent visa issue is sorted as well. If this is the shape of things to come over the next 6 months at least it wont be dull!

Must remember form I-94W when I check in.

Off to Minneapolis on Monday 30th November 2009; never been out of Europe before. New job, new world, sub-zero temperatures - mid 30's F I believe - 18 days of training and, apparently, lots of fun things to do at the weekends. Deep joy.