Living among the Yanks...and other things

So its been a while since my last update. Mainly because not much has been happening. And when something did happen, i got very drunk and hungover and couldn't stomach sitting at a computer.

So on the administration front, I finally got my Social Security Number (SSN). It took 8 weeks, with numerous phone calls to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to finally get it. After 5 weeks, I was a little miffed. The letter said up to 8 weeks, and the lady at the SSA upon application says it usually take 2-3 weeks. So i thought after 5 weeks, I was okay to call the SSA and get an update.

I called up, tried the electronic/voice prompts, and got cut off 3 or 4 times. So went bugger it, ignored it all and pretended I was using a none touch tone pad. Finally get through only to be told they are waiting on Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) to confirm my arrival in the USA... Interesting, seeing as a copy of my visa and entry form which was stamped by DHS was copied by SSA.

Anyway, I accepted that it was in progress and waited another week. A week later, i call up again and ask, whats happening. Still with DHS??? Seriously? 6 weeks, and a simply check of the immigration records still hasn't been done.

I get to 7 weeks and start calling every second day. I ask if it can be escalated, can I talk to a manager. All met with, we (SSA) can't do anything, its with DHS. Grrr. 8 weeks go by, then finally, a little letter in my mail box with my new SSN!!! I am finally a real person, not withstanding I am already paying taxes.

So with my SSN, I can finally look at Car loans to buy a car. Except my bloody visa is only for 2 years, so finance companies are a little reluctant to offer a longer term loan. Looks like I will be buying a car outright. A little annoying as car loans/financing can range from 0% interest to 3%. Given savings earn >5% in Australia, would much rather keep the cash over the there.

I have also gotten used to driving on the right hand side of the road...Usually. Its not as hard as I expected, as long as there is traffic about. Last night managed to turn right and started driving on the left side of the road for 50m or so until I saw a parked car facing the opposite direction. First time I have done that, but also realised, its prob the first time I have been driving in a quiet street with no other cars on the road. Will need to be more careful.

My birthday came and went last week. Managed to have a few friends come out not withstanding an uninvited guest.

Made for an awesome party though. Some bars are pretty friendly to people with parties. For 2 hours, friends got $3 drinks (including spirits) and I had an open bar for those same two hours. The result was a great night, remembered by few. The hangover will not be soon forgotten though. My girlfriend though is a serious trooper who put up with me in a legless state, carrying me to the hotel room and giving me a pillow and blanket when i decided the bathroom floor was just as comfortable as a bed.

Have signed up for an ultimate frisbee team, playing with my old flatmate from the states, Bailey. Am sure he is not a stranger to those few who actually read this. This plus the fact my suit pants are struggling to fit have resulted in me doing multiple workouts a week in order to be able to lose those extra pounds which accumulated (too easily) in the past 2 months.

Have also been fortunate enough to have my sister in town the last few days. Her Summer Camp finished and she had a few days before flying to London. So we headed off to Southern Maryland for a long weekend with my girlfriend and her family. I was force fed some s'mores (Cracker sandwich with Chocolate and Marshmallows cooked over the fire) which are apparently supposed to be an amazing food. I wasn't terribly impressed. Tim Tam's still kick but when compared to any biscuit / cookie I have tried. Also tried some funnel cake. Which by its description, basically sounds like batter, deep fried, then eaten. Can anyone say, Obesity? By some miracle coincidence, after the weekend of eating these foods, my suit pants were a little tight. :-(

As part of the weekend, we headed out to the Pax River Naval Base for their annual Air Show. Some pretty cool things to see, including a display by the Blue Angels. Most have probably seen these on TV doing some very cool things. But I must say, its just as good, and maybe a little bit better seeing them live and doing some crazy shit. Like flying so close to each other that you have to check 3 or 4 times to know if its one or two planes. Or doing a couple of flybuys so you don't notice that plane that flys around behind the crowd and does a low flypast with afterburner scaring the shit out of everyone. After that one, everyone was always checking and counting the planes to make sure we knew where all six were.

Not much else to share. But will sign off with some very sad news. Coverage of the Rugby World Cup is quite limited over here. I can either pay $150 for online coverage of all the games or pay $25 per game on tv (pay per view). As far as I am aware, only the RWC Final will be shown on free to air tv (NBC). Extremely disappointing. When you see some of the programming that makes it onto tv over here, its amazing that the fourth biggest sports event in the world barely rates a mention. So if any of you back home are able to somehow record games to a hard drive, and figure out a way to stream the game to me, would be much appreciated.

Till next time