Nokia Siemens Networks, another beginning....

Without any complicity, I have made another switch in employers this weekend. April 1st will mark the birth of the newly amalgamated Network divisions of Nokia and Siemens to form Nokia Siemens Networks . Its taken about 9 months since the announcement of the merger and I think the overall mood is that the future is bright. As these things go, I will get a new job as I am not moving to Asia and will have to find something in Munich to do, I am told that there are some open positions. Looking forward to the changes... The knee is better , though immobile life is no fun. I have started walking a little more now, I am usually able to walk back from the Physio sessions, a few blocks aways, with several stops along the way. I stop for a coffee along the way, I am quite popular there now because as soon as I sit down the waiter appears with my Cappucino. My vantage point allows me to anonymously observe life in Gartnerplatz and I have noticed some of those many faces are the same everyday. A group of mentally challenged school children who walk by, countless window shoppers (the same shop everyday?) and the retired alcoholics who hog the bench in front and seem to believe that they are not loud enough are among the many that I notice and look forward to seeing every day! I suppose the only other set of people who have as much time on their hands as me but are still quite handicapped to the place where they can hangout are the mothers of toddlers and the obnoxiously rich who live there and don't have to work. My conclusion is that most of the mothers in my 'hood are also obnoxiously rich. Its not so much the Gucci glasses or the Armani rags that gave it away, its the Bugaboos that caught my eye. What is a Bugaboo? Its a 800 Euro pram that owners swear by which provides the agility of 'M' series beamer and ruggedness of a Landrover. Last I heard, there were even murmurs that perhaps even changing nappies will be part of the product soon? Thats 800 euros without accessories. If you think you child deserves the best, then this would be a minimum commitment to you yuppie wannabe parents. Domestic discussions have compared business cases of lease payments for a BMW and that of a Bugaboo! Officially I have 'No Comment'. Ever heard of a Manpon? Yeah, thats right its exactly what you are thinking, its a tampon for Men. But then you are thinking, what orifice does it protect? Well go find out for yourself, coz I ain't telling.