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some tales of life in my semi-tropical paradise
So, I went places and did stuff this week. And now you get to read about it. After a discussion last night over Japanese, I'm going to make liberal use of cuts, in the hope that this will spur others on to the use of proper sentence and paragraph structure. We can always hope.
The saga of the EAD filing
For those who are unaware (damn you all to hell), I require a little document called an Employment Authorization Document, before I'm allowed to take employment.
Now, why the US Government is so fired up to get $120 for processing that they're willing to give up on what will likely be more than three months of taxation revenue, I don't know. But they are. Ok, I know the reasons for the EAD card, but I think they do it in an excessively stupid manner. If you want the rant, however, you need to take me out for coffee. (See "Steak and Shake with Carolyn")
In order to get the piece of paper, I have to send the government many pieces of paper. A form, plus supporting evidence, and of course, ADIT photos.
I had the forms. I had the supporting documentation to photocopy. (Never send originals to US immigration. Just don't.) I didn't have the photos. Ross suggested going to Kinko's for the photos. I went to Kinko's, and stood in line behind a rather silly woman.
You know things are going down hill when the customer asks "Is this the brightest paper you have?", the clerk answers "no, laser printer paper is brighter, here's a sample", and the customer's response is "Oh. I have a laser printer!".
Finally, the paper woman was done, and I showed the woman the printed specification I linked to above. She explained that the camera was broken. Then she explained, in excruciating detail, why they might not be getting a new camera. I'll spare you all. She suggested Eckerds.
Tripping into Eckerds, I immediately spotted the photo mart therein. It was staffed by a much brighter individual. Unfortunately, that brighter individual didn't do ADIT photos, only full-face passport style. She suggested Office Depot, across the street.
At Office Depot, I was again plunged into the land of lining up behind the not so bright customer. ("How do you brighten or lighten copies on this machine?" Urg.) When I finally spoke to a clerk, she explained that they were out of film, but suggested another Office Depot.
Even numbers seemed to be the lucky ones for bright employees on Wednesday. At store #4, the second Office Depot, I found a very friendly, bright woman who knew exactly what I needed, and got it for me. And the post office was even still open by the time I was finished. And, she was able to give me decent directions to the nearest post office.
So the EAD application is in the mail, certified and return receipt requested. I should know in a couple days that it got there, and should have a "yes, yes, we're processing it, please wait a while" letter from immigration next week sometime.
Steak and Shake with Carolyn
Since the guys were going out for poker, cous_cous and I decided to have a ladies’ night out. However, by the time the guys headed out for poker, it was 9:30, so the most obvious pastime, shopping, was out, we sat at the Steak and Shake for a couple hours, and just talked. Then we went back to her place and talked some more over tea.
We did have a bit of an adventure when some young punks at the next table sent a spit-ball my way. C_c gave them the verbal smack down they so richly deserved, while I sat on in awe.
I had a really good night, though there are no really funny/painful stories, just a good time that I’m looking forward to repeating.
Kappa Maki and the Castle
On Thursday, Ross got word that he had a driving job on Friday evening, which left me with nothing to do and no-where to go. Because my husband loves me and is the most wonderful man on the planet, he arranged for missjazzygirl to pick me up and take me to tomakin’s birthday party and thence to the Castle.
So I finally got to meet M.J.G, zayna and her gang, and hook up with don and amy. Dinner was a blast, and we discussed live journal cuts and other sundry things. Also hockey. Grrrr.
M.J.G. and I headed back to her place where I met her husband, and then we went out to the Castle. Along with club staples like chatting, dancing, and people watching (because you see, scott, I was in no danger of falling asleep, I was just more entertained watching than talking), I was also treated to a clumsy attempt to hook up. I’m sure he was a sweet guy, but he needed a clue by four, since the prominent display of my left hand completely passed over his head. It wasn’t till I replied to the inevitable “So.. are you going to be here next week?” with “I doubt it. My stepson is going to be with my husband and I next weekend” that he caught the clue. And then started babbling about his own relationship woes.
I got home at 3am to find my husband still out. I finally went to bed at 5. Ross got home at 6:30 and then I had to wake up at 8 to make sure he got out of the house to go to work.
The saga of the EAD filing
For those who are unaware (damn you all to hell), I require a little document called an Employment Authorization Document, before I'm allowed to take employment.
Now, why the US Government is so fired up to get $120 for processing that they're willing to give up on what will likely be more than three months of taxation revenue, I don't know. But they are. Ok, I know the reasons for the EAD card, but I think they do it in an excessively stupid manner. If you want the rant, however, you need to take me out for coffee. (See "Steak and Shake with Carolyn")
In order to get the piece of paper, I have to send the government many pieces of paper. A form, plus supporting evidence, and of course, ADIT photos.
I had the forms. I had the supporting documentation to photocopy. (Never send originals to US immigration. Just don't.) I didn't have the photos. Ross suggested going to Kinko's for the photos. I went to Kinko's, and stood in line behind a rather silly woman.
You know things are going down hill when the customer asks "Is this the brightest paper you have?", the clerk answers "no, laser printer paper is brighter, here's a sample", and the customer's response is "Oh. I have a laser printer!".
Finally, the paper woman was done, and I showed the woman the printed specification I linked to above. She explained that the camera was broken. Then she explained, in excruciating detail, why they might not be getting a new camera. I'll spare you all. She suggested Eckerds.
Tripping into Eckerds, I immediately spotted the photo mart therein. It was staffed by a much brighter individual. Unfortunately, that brighter individual didn't do ADIT photos, only full-face passport style. She suggested Office Depot, across the street.
At Office Depot, I was again plunged into the land of lining up behind the not so bright customer. ("How do you brighten or lighten copies on this machine?" Urg.) When I finally spoke to a clerk, she explained that they were out of film, but suggested another Office Depot.
Even numbers seemed to be the lucky ones for bright employees on Wednesday. At store #4, the second Office Depot, I found a very friendly, bright woman who knew exactly what I needed, and got it for me. And the post office was even still open by the time I was finished. And, she was able to give me decent directions to the nearest post office.
So the EAD application is in the mail, certified and return receipt requested. I should know in a couple days that it got there, and should have a "yes, yes, we're processing it, please wait a while" letter from immigration next week sometime.
Steak and Shake with Carolyn
Since the guys were going out for poker, cous_cous and I decided to have a ladies’ night out. However, by the time the guys headed out for poker, it was 9:30, so the most obvious pastime, shopping, was out, we sat at the Steak and Shake for a couple hours, and just talked. Then we went back to her place and talked some more over tea.
We did have a bit of an adventure when some young punks at the next table sent a spit-ball my way. C_c gave them the verbal smack down they so richly deserved, while I sat on in awe.
I had a really good night, though there are no really funny/painful stories, just a good time that I’m looking forward to repeating.
Kappa Maki and the Castle
On Thursday, Ross got word that he had a driving job on Friday evening, which left me with nothing to do and no-where to go. Because my husband loves me and is the most wonderful man on the planet, he arranged for missjazzygirl to pick me up and take me to tomakin’s birthday party and thence to the Castle.
So I finally got to meet M.J.G, zayna and her gang, and hook up with don and amy. Dinner was a blast, and we discussed live journal cuts and other sundry things. Also hockey. Grrrr.
M.J.G. and I headed back to her place where I met her husband, and then we went out to the Castle. Along with club staples like chatting, dancing, and people watching (because you see, scott, I was in no danger of falling asleep, I was just more entertained watching than talking), I was also treated to a clumsy attempt to hook up. I’m sure he was a sweet guy, but he needed a clue by four, since the prominent display of my left hand completely passed over his head. It wasn’t till I replied to the inevitable “So.. are you going to be here next week?” with “I doubt it. My stepson is going to be with my husband and I next weekend” that he caught the clue. And then started babbling about his own relationship woes.
I got home at 3am to find my husband still out. I finally went to bed at 5. Ross got home at 6:30 and then I had to wake up at 8 to make sure he got out of the house to go to work.