Michael Currently, employers here in the U.S. are fortunately looking for software developers like crazy. The only problem was that for a foreigner like me, between the time the company makes a decision and the start of work, the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) takes months to process and produces a huge amount of paperwork. At U.S. companies, applications usually go like this: "When can you start?" "Tomorrow!" "Good!" But AOL was very interested because of my Perl expertise, etc., and they provided the lawyer who kept the authorities in check - and now I'm here!

Michael Yes, bicycle: I ride daily to the train station (20 min), take the train to San Mateo (25 min), and then ride up the steep hill to the AOL building (15 min, downhill takes half the time). Since Caltrain trains can carry a maximum of 24 bicycles and run only about every half hour in the mornings and evenings, and because the weather is absolutely world-class (maybe 2 rainy days since February), unfortunately, more and more Americans are discovering this way of commuting, and it often happens that you get 'kicked off the train.' But Americans line up politely, and it's first come, first served. Since it doesn't really matter when I arrive at or leave work, I take it easy, buy myself a coffee, or eat a muffin until the next train comes.

Cyclists in SF are currently staging a bit of a rebellion; every Friday, there are bike demonstrations downtown with minor disturbances because there's a debate about whether the new Bay Bridge should have a bike lane or not, and yada yada yada. Overall, cycling is slightly more dangerous than in Munich -- it can happen that someone suddenly swings open a car door or makes a right turn without signaling, but if you're used to it and shout loudly "Hey! You got a submarine's driver's license or what?" it works out. I just made up that line, though; you have to be very careful about provoking drivers in the US because some carry guns and can react very heatedly.

Michael As an AOL employee, you get a free AOL account and an additional one, which I will give to Angelika. Unfortunately, no more than that, so requests are pointless! AND I AM ALSO NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY BUSY PHONE LINES OR SYSTEM CRASHES OF AOL OPERATIONS, DEAR AOL USERS! At the moment, I am still getting used to all of this stuff since I previously had a different internet provider, silly me! From now on, I naturally have to promote AOL, so, folks, their stuff is really good, buy it in masses!

Yes, and it's really nice at the company: There are vending machines for drinks and snacks, for all-nighters and such. Fresh fruit is available every day, and of course, there's coffee too. There's a massage chair where you stretch out, press one of about 30 buttons, and then it rumbles and works, and your back gets massaged, very pleasant. Then there's a pool table. A small fitness studio with a rowing machine and so on. And since, as an AOL employee, you naturally have to use the AOL software, you might click around in the news, follow baseball games, or check the current price of AOL stock, which you also benefit from. You see: I'm staying here.

So, this letter was written on a laptop on the Caltrain on the way from San Francisco to San Mateo. I have to get off soon. And since Angelika always complains that she gets so few responses to her newsletters from you (if you're not one of the silent consumers, you're off the hook, there are also diligent writers among you, but just a few), the following verdict is issued: Anyone who doesn't write a response won't get anything next time! Don't mess with Schilli.

Habe die Ehre!

Your AOL-Michel.

P.S.: I had a good American joke explained to me yesterday: When you make fun of a name, you say it twice and add a 'Schm' before it the second time. "Did you ask Barry?" "Barry, Schmarry!" "How about Daniel?" "Daniel, Schmaniel!" This is truly the ENDLESS joke; I could recite it for hours. Angelika can't stand hearing it anymore...

P.P.S: A commendable feature at AOL offices: On Friday evening at 4, the locked refrigerator is opened, and lo and behold, wonder of wonders, it is full of beer! This is greeted with great excitement, and the stock is immediately set upon for consumption. With music and pool billiards, it's a lot of fun!