A couple of
weeks ago  I received the details that I
needed from Cal State University Los Angeles for the US
embassy in London. 
I am travelling on 4th and needed details for my visa.  “28^th December is the first date for your meeting” said the woman sternly on the
telephone at the embassy.  “28^th”
I exclaimed “28^th” she replied.

So I got on
my bike on 28^th and rode to Mayfair,
 to the US Embassy clutching a folder of
forms justifying who I was where I was going and why I was going there.  I  sat
inside the embassy and waited for my number to be called via a computer screen.   I was
sat in one of the most threatened places in the United Kingdom. 

My number
was up and the visa interview was over in minutes, after a pleasant conversation
with the immigration officer about what a writer in residence actually does.  It makes me realise how much I love what I do when I find myself passionately  explaining it through reinforced glass to an american woman.  The interview ends and I  then stand
in line for SMS Secure Mail Services.   My  passport and visa  will be  delivered to my home address via SMS for which
I must pay.

“five days
sir” said the teller.  It’ll be five days
before I get my visa from SMS. “five days” she says again.  My flight
leaves on 4^th January.  I pay for my visa to arrive before 10^am .
It all seems possible, except new years eve and new years day and Saturday and Sunday
are not counted as working days.  If I
don’t get my visa on 2^nd or 3^rd of  January I miss my flight on 4^th.  It’s all a little tight.  A little against the wire.