What's everyone up to right now?

[Esquilax]

We have the Visa Waiver Program in the US, in which certain countries don't have to apply for a tourist visa if they're coming for three months or less.  He was denied the ESTA, which is what you apply for in the VWP (he was denied it twelve years ago, too), because of a DUI he got when he was 18.  He had to apply for a tourist visa at that point, go for an interview, and then he came here.  A few weeks ago, he was denied the ESTA once again, for the same reason, and so he had to drive to Sydney today for an interview for a tourist visa.  They denied him.  He and I will talk more about it in the next couple of hours (he's headed back to Canberra right now); I'm a little fuzzy on the details, but it was something about him admitting to using marijuana twelve years ago, and then not admitting to it today.  

I'm fairly sure we're pretty much screwed for him coming here unless we get married, which we're only going to do if we get to spend some time together first, which means I'm flying to Oz in the next couple of weeks, I think.  It's just such a bummer: we're actually in, mentally and emotionally, what I think is the right place for this... finally; once again, though, we're dealing with a bunch of politics and bureaucracy.

Speaking as someone who knows firsthand how circuitous and touchy the visa process is, and how nerve wracking having to go through it for romantic reasons is, you have nothing but sympathy from me. The red tape involved is simply absurd, not to mention dedicated to wringing every last red cent it can out of you, and even then there's no guarantees; I've never been more nervous than I was heading through customs in San Fransisco, altogether too prepared and covered in documents... that the agent at the border didn't even bother looking at. The whole entry process took me literally two minutes.

But it's worth it. It's so worth it.

[robvalue]

That really sucks Becca, you have my sympathy too

[rexbeccarox]

We have the Visa Waiver Program in the US, in which certain countries don't have to apply for a tourist visa if they're coming for three months or less.  He was denied the ESTA, which is what you apply for in the VWP (he was denied it twelve years ago, too), because of a DUI he got when he was 18.  He had to apply for a tourist visa at that point, go for an interview, and then he came here.  A few weeks ago, he was denied the ESTA once again, for the same reason, and so he had to drive to Sydney today for an interview for a tourist visa.  They denied him.  He and I will talk more about it in the next couple of hours (he's headed back to Canberra right now); I'm a little fuzzy on the details, but it was something about him admitting to using marijuana twelve years ago, and then not admitting to it today.  

I'm fairly sure we're pretty much screwed for him coming here unless we get married, which we're only going to do if we get to spend some time together first, which means I'm flying to Oz in the next couple of weeks, I think.  It's just such a bummer: we're actually in, mentally and emotionally, what I think is the right place for this... finally; once again, though, we're dealing with a bunch of politics and bureaucracy.

Speaking as someone who knows firsthand how circuitous and touchy the visa process is, and how nerve wracking having to go through it for romantic reasons is, you have nothing but sympathy from me. The red tape involved is simply absurd, not to mention dedicated to wringing every last red cent it can out of you, and even then there's no guarantees; I've never been more nervous than I was heading through customs in San Fransisco, altogether too prepared and covered in documents... that the agent at the border didn't even bother looking at. The whole entry process took me literally two minutes.

But it's worth it. It's so worth it.

I know... unfortunately this isn't our first rodeo.  Thank you so much for your thoughts and your empathy.  We talked for a long time tonight, and I think we've got it figured out: I'm going to head to Oz; we'll meet with an immigration agent, and then we'll probably just get married because that's what will be expected.  Luckily, he's the only person I've ever wanted to marry

[rexbeccarox]

That really sucks Becca, you have my sympathy too

Thanks Rob.  We'll be ok.  You're the best

[Edwardo Piet]

I am currently wondering how to take charge of my impulsiveness, my habits and my addictive personality and seize hold of my life.

[Little lunch]

Me too. I only started wondering like 20 years ago, so I'll get around to do something about it soon. :-)

[Tonus]

I am currently wondering how to take charge of my impulsiveness, my habits and my addictive personality and seize hold of my life.

Stumble into a life-changing experience.  That's how I did it!

[Marsellus Wallace]

just took a really good old shower

What's an old shower like?

very hot with lots of shampoo and shower cream, and some sperm on the wall 

[Marsellus Wallace]

that awkward moment when i'm buying waxing strips, i'm like "yeah, SHE wants them waxing strips"

[SteelCurtain]

Watching the Kurt Cobain Rock Doc, "Montage of Heck" on HBO.

What an incredibly sad, dark, and incredible story. If you've got the old H-bo, check it out.

If you've got kids, tell them you love them, shit.