We had a black cat named sooty, my dad was a coal miner and was always covered in black soot lol.

You made a video of Cemetry Gates!?? Sounds intriguing (does Morrissey know about this? He would probably sue for a share of the royalties) and it's my favourite Smiths song - although I have many fave songs by The Smiths. The Queen is Dead is my favourite album of theirs though.

I've been away from VJ a while but the blingy photos are hilarious...



I reckon you'll have a bling-loving posse elsewhere in the forums!

Come on then babbles - where's your blingy photo!? And why am I the only person with mine in my siggy?!

one's enough

babbles -- the video for Cemetry Gates is here.

Went to World Market yesterday and made the boy happy by returning with some Bounty bars and a packet of Paxo sage and onion stuffing. Also threw down waaaay too much money at Sephora at the totally b!tchin' Glendale Galleria.

Feeling a bit blue today -- I'm off to Connecticut on Thursday for 2 weeks, but I alas will be alone. B is staying here in Burbank, and I will be running around like a maniac. I have visits to New York City, Long Island, Portland Maine, and then another NYC trip all in the space of about 12 days, plus two events to attend with some mega-captains of industry. So I have to find and wear work clothes for the first time in nearly four months (I've been in flip-flops almost every day since the end of June, god knows what heels are going to feel like), locate autumn attire and try not to feel too horrible about leaving my husband behind for nearly a fortnight.

Urgh - not fun Although saying that, I would love to get away for 12 days and visit all those places... but maybe if work wasn't involved and I had Jeremy with me

Oooh! And when you get back, if the car is ready, then we will have to go to Burbank anyway as well as Pasadena because our closest IKEA is in Santa Ana or Burbank... We want to get a table so we can actually sit down to eat dinner at last and, while not our preference in terms of decor and style, the one we have seen there is perfect for our little place because it all folds out and has extra storage! But don't want to make two trips down that way!

I cracked up when the dog appeared behind 'How to think like Leonardo da Vinci'. Very cool, thanks! There's a few cemetry gates tributes on there. The Jules et Jim rendition is particularly cute.

My sister-in-law is totally hooked on Sephora - in fact I believe she has more shades of lipgloss than they have. My UK money finally ran out so I'm currently scrabbling through the last remnants of make-up.

Great weekend that was. On Saturday we had quite the adventure. We headed out to Midlothian Illinois for a Scottish fair. We finally got there, but our journey wasn't helped when our CTA train caught fire!! Trip was worth it though, when I was able to sit down to some real haggis.

Was Ginger made to eat haggis?

She tried a wee bit. I think she liked it better than she let on. I know Ginger definitely enjoyed her fish n chips.

We paid $5 for a can of Irn bru!! Just as well we have somewhere local where we can get it for $1.70.

I lived in Scotland for a few years when I was a child and LOVED Irn Bru. Back when we returned to the US (mid 80s) the only place you could get Irn Bru was a few select places in Canada - Windsor being across the river from Detroit, though still a big effort to go for a can of soda.

Anyways, when I returned to the UK as an adult I remember being very excited about getting an Irn Bru - tasting it and then thinking, "how did i drink this syrupy $hit."

and I cant wait to get to the States for diet Dr Pepper Berries and cream but I could not get it on my last visit so now on the raspberry vanilla version ha ha

My husband tells me that Irn Bru is not made in Scotland with girders but made in Kent - can this be true?

Nicky - have you seen this?


http://www.irn-bru-usa.com/orderonline.html

Irn Bru is still made in Cumbernauld (near Glasgow). Its possibly your husband is referring to one of the imitation brands? There are several different firms that produce Irn Bru. Barr original is still made in Cumbernauld.

Yes I've seen that website. I'm not sure if I want to order from that site or not. Irn Bru is actually illegal in the US. So they have to make it with a different colouring additive. Anyone tried the US version? They use a different sugar as well I believe.

We have a import store, that sells the Glasgow stuff.

Holy cr@p people -- stop the presses. We had RAIN here in Burbank! I went outside and stared at the sky, like I had never seen the stuff before or felt the drops on my skin. I'm such a dork.

The video was great but I was dissapointed the dog did not have a cigar in it's mouth.

Btw...thanks for the compliment! I'll tell the property manager his center is bitchin'!




Liked it better than I let on LOL? It isn't the most horrible thing I've ever ate, but I don't fancy trying it again. Growing up my dad would make us kids liverwurst sandwiches, which make my stomach turn to this day. I could definitly taste the liver in the haggis...

I was out, and C actually called me to say that that it was raining!!

he also told me that his mum asked us to stock up on water and canned goods, you know, because the sky is falling down

Rain here too in Bakersfield. A few heavy drops and it passed, but the first rain here since I came here in March.

Funny, a friend of mine told me today to stock up on water and canned goods - as a result of Pelosi reportedly declaring a state of martial law. He (my friend) might have a point tho!

Well, if we are supposed to be stocking up, Bruce is set. I just threw down nearly $250 on provisions for him while I'm away on the East Coast. Some of the stuff from Trader Joe's looks so good, I am seriously jealous! All these taquitos and enchiladas... :drool: Also, by special request, 6 tins of Stagg chili, 2 tubes of Pringles and some giant cashews.

Can't believe I'll be back in CT in 3 days -- it feels like 3 years, not 3 months since I left. I'm looking forward to seeing the foliage turning, and crisp evenings, and my wool jumpers... God, I can't believe I actually want to wear wool, but I do! Gah, LA summer, when will you end?

her reasoning was if the water employee's weren't paid they might walk out, and us living in an effective desert. Well I had already left the grocery store, and I wasn't going to go back. I suppose she's coming from the hurricane mentality. Most people never have to deal with all services shutting down, she deals with it most years in Miami. (she never evacuates, cos she can't - she's a nurse, and they get called in to work)

well yep, I really wouldn't want to argue with her reasoning - especially considering the political and financial uncertainty right now.

I've thought about calling my grandma and asking her how to survive a depression. I imagine she would tell me to make clothes out of flour sacks and to start making chicory coffee!

WAHOO!!!! Gareth and I had our interview today for his Green Card.....he's approved! So excited!! Off to celebrate!

Congratulations

That's cheaper than the UK!!! Did you check the BBE?!?!? Also - do you remember the Irn Bru bars? I used to *love* those when I was in school


"Rain"? What's that?


Ohhhhh don't - we are on a diet as of tomorrow - I have been through our weightwatchers recipe binder which has made me feel quite hungry as some of the foo looks yummy!! But still... I want to live in TJs because I love it so much...

Totally hear you with the wool thing... I was reading something about someone who wanted to fill in their fireplace and wanted advice on how to do so. The advice was that every good American household should have an open fire to snuggle in front of. I'm thinking "yeah right - even in PS?!?!?!". It was in the local paper as well

I am thinking eventually we will move somewhere with four seasons - three months each of spring, summer, autumn and winter. I never thought I would say it! But I think with the UK is that it just rains all the time and it is so unpredictable that you don't even get a summer... We'll be on the lookout Right now though I am hankering after wearing trousers and snuggling up with the heating on. As it is it was over 100 again today... It doesn't help when I talk to mum who tells me about the dewy cobwebs and crisp mornings...


Great news! Gratz!! Still no news here - nothing online and nothing in the mail since biometrics on the 16th...

Hey, Aly, can I put you in charge of this thread? When it gets to 5000 posts can you start a new one and PM me to close this one?

Cheers, m'dear!

Ace in my space! The presentation I put together on one of our malls in New Mexico for the company execs was a success...apparently I put together nice visuals

Went and got some winter clothes for work from H&M yesterday. A new sweater and shirt to go underneath, a new button down shirt with a vest/waistcoat to go over it, a pair of skinny legged black pants, and a 60's-ish blue shirt and a black and white striped boat neck shirt.

Maven, I told my contact at Glendale Galleria you thought the place was "bitchin'" lol. He started laughing and asked if you were sure it was GG or if you meant the Americana across the street.

Congrats, ginger! And I know your visuals are nice -- I remember that sparkly blingy vision you put together just the other week.

Yep, it was the GG -- it is HUGE. I didn't have a lot of time to wander around but I can envision another trip in the near future to ascertain its continuing bitchin-ness.

My contact at Glendale is... *drumroll*

Mario Lopez LMAO!!! The poor guy's honest to god name.

Yes I do have a certain "creative" flair....especially with blingees

once I accidentally parked in the americana instead of the galleria, and I couldn't believe that place, it was the blingiest shopping centre I've ever seen. I got out of there quick smart, and back to the galleria.

Pointy...I love your Tina Fey as Sarah Palin pic...makes me laugh every time I see it!

The way the properties are is very weird...Americana almost sits in GG's lap. Huge lawsuit, we lost and well the company was hardly happy about it! But yeah Mario Lopez was telling me that it is pretty cool over there...however the average Joe can't really afford to shop there.

Ginger...you MUST post your story of how when you met Nicky and set his face on fire in the following thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...154269&st=0

LMAO...always a good story. At the last Chicago Brit meetup I think I repeated that story about 10 times...everytime some new people would join us I was made to tell the story again LOL.

I think I'll go dig up the thread I posted it on as I'm too lazy to type it out again LOL.

Speaking of good things with Nicky...he finally got his EAD in the mail yesterday! It's like the floodgates have opened...he came down on the train with me this morning to go get his state ID, then he is going to the social security office to get his new card that doesn't say "not authorized for employment" typed on it. Then he has an appointment with Bank of America to tell them to f*ck off. And then he's going to apply for some jobs.

Oh, and almost as great Depeche Mode is announcing their tour dates next Monday

Morning all -- off to CT today. I'll be missing Mr. Grumpy big time.

No problemo - of course, I will prolly forget and some kindly person will take pity and create a new thread for me


Aww Maven - it's only a little while and you will be busy enough that it will fly by Have a safe journey!!! And appreciate the autumn weather up north!! It's 90 here at the moment!!

Where did everyone go? This thread has been quiet for a while!

I'm here! In CT and it is cold, yay! I'm wearing tights and a sweater. Well, I'm also wearing a skirt for modesty's sake, but you know what I mean.

I've been (drumroll please) getting in to the union!!! I have 2 more things to do, but it looks like I'm in!! The letter from my last employer has done the trick!!

Can't wait to get my union card, and start working towards their amazing health plan. It takes about 6 months to kick in once you start working, but it's a really great plan from what I understand (I know nothing about how health insurance works).

Maven - glad to hear you are keeping warm A skirt is a sensible option although I would prefer jeans... of course I can no longer fit into my fatty jeans let alone my other ones so day 3 of diet is commencing.

Now I am trying to figure out if I want to leave the house in a $hit state today and just clean tomorrow as originally planned or get it all done today and have to do it again in a few days time to keep on top of it. I was also going to go swimming 16 minutes ago but I am procrastinating...

Pointy - great news on the union!! I don't really understand insurance either - all I know is that Jeremy gets full medical/dental/optical through work and I get the same which is good... not sure about the deductible but I think it isn't too bad either

Ok - I really need to get my rapidly expanding behind into gear and go swimming then leave the cleaning til tomorrow. With all the calories I burn cleaning, if I don't feel like swimming tomorrow I think I can be forgiven

Maven, I, too, am certainly enjoying the autumnal weather the northeast is offering right now! Although, the kids are complaining that I haven't turned on the furnace yet. Its just way too early in the season to start that expense. That's what duvets were made for, right?

Point, I am soooooo pleased to hear that you are well on your way to union membership! That is really great news and should make things much easier for you.

Aly, as I type this message i am procrastinating from doing my work. I rerally MUST get a few things done this afternoon.

So, where have dev and Robin been?

I am here! I have had 2 weeks of hell at work! Everything should be much better after Tuesday though. I also found out I'm being audited for tax year 2005 - ugh! We also sent our I751 out Monday before last though am still to receive the NOA1 - since I'm waiting on something else, I'm hoping the mail is just slow or something.

Great news about the union Pointy!

Congrats Pointy! So the letter worked?

I'm lurking...

I miss Autumn SO MUCH it's not right. We had 100° (record setting) heat on Wednesday! Today si only supposed to be 71, thank god. I think we will go to the pumpkin patch in a few weeks.

Then we send off the I-751 on Halloween!

looks like it did!! I was worried because it was supposed to have come from a HR dept or payroll company, but tbh I think that seeing that the person that signed the letter, they looked the other way.

I still have to attend a safety class, and have the whole thing rubberstamped, so of course I'm still worrying that at some point they will call me and say 'i'm sorry there's a problem with your application'. In fact I'm still positive they will! I won't believe it till I get the actual card, but it's looking pretty positive at this point.


Good luck with jumping back in to USCIS cr@p robin!


thanks, can't wait to see what she comes up with tomorrow night, my prediction is that she uses the 'shout out to all the 3rd graders' moment. That made me roar laughing when I heard it. I suppose the Dustin pic is lost on a lot of people, but whatever, Dustin for President!!!!

I do like the change of season...I just hate winter with a passion. I would be totally ok with 3 seasons a year. I did some fall/winter shopping at H&M earlier this week and I'm stoked to be able to finally wear my new cardigans and tops.



Congrats on the union! I bet it feels good to finally be able to get work! I know Nicky has been so much happier since getting the EAD.

It's been a tough week here. My company is having some problems, all of it directly related to the issues on Wall Street. Yesterday we watched our stock plummet to under $10 a share, so everything was a bit up in the air. We got some reassuring news today though, and it looks like my job will be ok. Still....it's scary out there.

But tonight is the American Girl Place at Water Tower grand opening gala, in which I get to work the door. It should be pretty fun!

you guys have to help me again, I want to send the guys in the NY office a present for helping me with the letter. It needs to be something I can order and have sent to them from here. The main problem is these guys have company credit cards, and get to go to lots of nice places on business, I don't think any old bottle of wine for example would do...
So any suggestions?

A handwritten thank you note, no lie! I do it for every interview I've ever gone on & one employer admitted it was a rare treat & helped me get the job.

And you could always include your business card

I am soooo jealous about the fall weather - It is still 100f here every day without fail. I went swimming this morning (and man am I out of shape - it was really hard work!) and it was only about 90f but then that meant the water was still a little on the cold side - I preferred its bath-like temperature when I first got here!!

Almost time for our halloween party! I hope people can make it Have sent an e-vite reminder out but I still don't trust that it doesn't send those e-mails to bulkmail folders

I think a bottle of wine is perfect. it''s not like you can have too many of them!

Gift certificates to spas always go down a treat in this office