Salut Kermit - wow, no news should be good news but in my case not necessarily. Absolute radio silence, not a beep from the stupid INS or whatever they call themselves now. I talked again to some immigration lawyer in SFO today... more reinforcement for the position that the 180-day grace period begins with filing of the extension, not with expiration of the prior visa. So we're still looking at end of June unless there's a lottery miracle. *** Other news: Did some major x-country flying this past weekend, RHV to OVE with full radar services and a nice lake fly-over to finish things off, OVE to O48 and a sweet afternoon in Mendocino, and finally O48 to RHV with the full Class Bravo works with sight-seeing over the Golden Gate, the City, SFO, and the South Bay.

K... this is it. Eventually gotta break the news to everybody - tentative reservation for tix to DFW/ZRH on June 28. Call it resignation, call it a new beginning, call it a challenge to the lottery - whatever. At T-45 days there's no wiggle room left.

Yo K... just a quick update on the "stuff" that's happening (or not): There were indications today that the grace period of 180 days is now being applied based on the original postmark date of a filed application, not the receipt date or the actual former status expiration date. Clear text: Cut off another month of my stay here - we're looking at end of June to get my ass outta here. T-51 days, baby. I suppose I'll have to begin convincing all folks who are still in denial.

Hola KJ - wow, I *am* getting older... there's virtually no old friends left now that aren't parents yet. Miss R got the gift on my checkride day and JJ finished her job on the 30th. Congrats to all of you! Can't wait to see little D and the proud papa two months from now - finally, a good excuse to hit the beer gardens. Just mama will be getting on my nerves by quizzing me when I'll be joining the ranks. We shall see! Secured my first leg tix now for the one-year goof-off; I'll post a tentative schedule of events and locations soon. Remember to start saving that money to come visit me!