Yep, that's what I'm saying. In fact, I think there's a post here in the last week or two saying that's exactly what happened to them.

Holy feculence Batman, the Cloacina twins are at it again.

I can imagine the surprise sister... but this too shall pass.... and before you know it, you'll see how a daily shower will not kill you.
Otherwise, you risk ending up looking like IR5's cat.... butter and all



You are officially on IGNORE. so there

Bahaha!!!

You guys are way too much fun. Either that or my social life is really pathetic

I had a prof in college (so flippin' long ago I can't even remember what class I was taking) who called himself a feminist. My fiance is more adamant than I am that the name-change thing is sexist.

To some extent, I think men are more constrained than we are by gender role expectations (just because we've done more to break out of them--men who are stay-at-home dads get more flack than women who work, for example), so male feminism makes sense to me.

Len is younger than me. How can she be superannuated, dammmmmmiiiiiitttt???

And our file has not been touched since October 24th! And I'm not even sure that was a real touch!!!!!!

I like being forthcoming.
So here goes.

I asked my sweetie last night if he considers himself a feminist.
(Remember I introduced this concept to him earlier this year.)

He squirmed.
Said he totally believes in women's right etc etc...blah blah blah.
And I know he does.
After all he is a sailor too and knows that women pull their weight on a boat, and knows that I am a karate instructor. Hee hee.

I pressed the issue.
"If we do not reclaim such words so that they do not have a bad connotation, then who will?"

Live by example right?

There is much work to do....

Amen, sistah. *highfive*

Ok, I haven't posted on here in awhile and I've got more to vent about. My mom is trying to send me a pkg from Canada here through UPS. Well we're having a hell of a time getting this pkg to just leave Canada. All of a sudden, UPS and apparently other courier companies are required by US Customs to get proof that the person your sending the things too lives in the USA. This includes xmas gifts, even if they are valued under $100 and not having to pay any duty fees.

WTF?? I sent my mom a copy of my marriage license and now 3 days after she sends it, they also want copies of mine and my sons visas and our passports. I dont feel comfortable just giving someone my personal info. Its supposed to only be seen by their customs dept, but yet, they need to attach my personal info into the outside of the box. This makes me really uncomfortable and I dont know what else to do with these people. I tried calling them and asking them about all this and they try telling me they've never heard of this policy.

My mom went right to the UPS store, so its not like she just went to some store to ship it. Has anyone heard of this? I called Purolator as well and they are the only one that has heard of this new policy with US Customs. Its stupid if you ask me.

Mary

Yeah that sounds strange indeed.. I had UPS USA tell me that they couldn't ship to a hotel address because of 9/11?? HUH??? CRAZY

Incredible!
What would happen if she simply went to Canada Post?
I had mailed large boxes earlier this year to the U.S. without a problem.

I should try this with my fiance. I'm guessing he would react similarly.

UPS has always caused me nothing but grief from both sides of the border. DO NOT GIVE OUT YOUR PERSONAL INFO. Ship via Canada Post, I just received a package from the States after 10 business days and that was using first-class mail. I've never had a problem sending stuff to the US and I used to trade tropical plants in an earlier life. I don't know what you can do at this stage, you've paid and they've got your stuff.

Len was born in a leap year and only celebrates her birthday every four years so that makes her 36 x 4 = 144 years old. (*looks around to see if anyone buys his explanation* )

We're here for a good time, not a long time....

Well I emailed the woman at UPS and heard back from her. She said she only needs a copy of the stamp that Homeland Security put on our visas, plus a copy of our Canadian passports. She said they need it to validate that I'm living here in the USA. That still doesn't make sense to me. She doesnt want a copy of our AMERICAN visas, just the stamp. Sounds fishy to me. She left a 905 long distance # to call her. I'm not spending money to talk to her. My mom paid them already and they have the pkg. She also said in her email that if my mom didn't put "personal items" on the customs form, then we wouldnt be having this problem. Well why not just send the pkg back to my mom, give a refund, let her take out the personal items, then re-send it? Makes more sense that way. My mom already paid them over $100 for a 54 lb box. What more do they want?

Mary

I'm in no way defending UPS. Over the years that Gene and I were dating, we had nothing but problems with them, and for that reason we will never use them again. But when I read your last posting I was wondering...

I remember when I posted about sending my things down to the USA when I was moving and I remember Reba stating that your articles can't come down before you do. As well, something about copying your I-94 or something on the box etc. I did look this up, and it was right. I know you've already immigrated, but I seem to remember that when you mail things, either way, you are supposed to put down gifts. If not, they think it's your personal belongings, and 1) they can't preceed you to
the USA, 2) you have to have been inspected already.

This might not have anything to do with your package, I'm just wondering if they think it's "goods", that you're having brought down, now that you've immigrated, and somehow, somewhere, it's true...you do have to have copies of your paperwork given to them.

You could maybe photocopy the stamp, or scan it, and send it to them, without revealing other information about you?

If you're really not comfortable about this, and the package hasn't left their office, I'd just get the package back, get my money back...have it listed as "gifts", and resend it.

Carla

I'm in no way defending UPS. Over the years that Gene and I were dating, we had nothing but problems with them, and for that reason we will never use them again. But when I read your last posting I was wondering...

I remember when I posted about sending my things down to the USA when I was moving and I remember Reba stating that your articles can't come down before you do. As well, something about copying your I-94 or something on the box etc. I did look this up, and it was right. I know you've already immigrated, but I seem to remember that when you mail things, either way, you are supposed to put down gifts. If not, they think it's your personal belongings, and 1) they can't preceed you to
the USA, 2) you have to have been inspected already.

This might not have anything to do with your package, I'm just wondering if they think it's "goods", that you're having brought down, now that you've immigrated, and somehow, somewhere, it's true...you do have to have copies of your paperwork given to them.

You could maybe photocopy the stamp, or scan it, and send it to them, without revealing other information about you?

If you're really not comfortable about this, and the package hasn't left their office, I'd just get the package back, get my money back...have it listed as "gifts", and resend it.

Carla

I just got off the phone with this lady and she said the whole reason for all this crap is cause of the "personal items" listed inside the box. If it wasn't listed as personal items, then theres no problem. I asked if this is a new policy and she said no. It started shortly after 9/11. She said if I don't feel comfortable sending her the information, that I can fax it over to US Customs, but that it'll take longer for the pkg to get here. She assured me that whatever info I send her, will be uploaded into their customs computer and there is nothing on the outside or inside of the box that has any of my personal info. Everything is in a bar code on the outside of the box that customs scans, then the box goes on its way to me. The last 3 days have been really crappy and this just tops it all off. Hopefully things will get better and I wont be so stressed by the time Christmas gets here.


Mary

My brother and I have both used UPS to ship items back and forth between the US and Canada. Even though they were gifts, we both wrote an itemized list of the contents including value and identified them as Christmas Gifts or Birthday Presents or whatever. Neither of us have had any problems in either direction. It is kind of rough to know that what you are getting or giving is listed for Customs Inspection, but that is the cost of cross border shipping.

Oh, I used USPS last year for Christmas - a 20 lb box cost me nearly $50 parcel post. USPS has done away with International Parcel Post and this year it would have cost over $100. I went the UPS route - the 20 pound box got there in less than a week for $26. Since the total value of goods per person was under the personal exemption limits there was no duty charged. I was impressed. I put everything in gift bags rather than wrapping paper so that they could be inspected easily without a problem. I think your mother may need to list the items out for example 'clothing, gift; perfume, gift; toyset, gift; book, gift, etc. or a list for each person's name titled 'Gifts' and then listing the items. That will probably resolve the difficulty.

NOPE, not buying it you lying piece of .... Uh-oh I apologize.... been spending way too much time reading in Off Topic

That is great accounting math. Ha!

I (we) am (are) wanting to get married on the 29th of February.
An auspicious and lucky day....we'll see.

Maybe I'll have better luck when I present it to congress.

Remember, prevaricators just lie there.

I glad you like my creative accounting skills. Double congratulations are in order, an interview at Montreal (on the date of the winter solstice that too) and your upcoming nuptials. Being a bit of a heliophile myself, once you finish your interview at Montreal, things are only going to get brighter, since it is the shortest day of the year.

This one's for Madam Comrade Leninovich.

OK, you're forgiven. For now...

I am seriously doubting that I accepted a good job. I cannot believe anything anyone in that stupid office tells me. I have been there 10 weeks and it feels like 10 years. I am thinking about finding a new job; however, I accepted a lump sum relocation from the company and it takes 2 years to work it off. Perhaps when I hit my 1 year mark, when I only owe 50% back, I will run like a bat out of hell.

Not to mention, immigration just sucks donkey balls and I don't think I will ever live with my husband again because I will die of old age before anything gets done. How can this possibly happen 2 times in a row??????

Take a relaxed attitude about work. Works for me.

It's hard when my boss, the director, likes to point her finger at me when it wasn't me or even anyone on my team that performed the indiscretion. She gets me in her office and rags on me about everything, regardless. She blames me for the color of her car.

And right now, I am late for the company holiday party. I so don't want to go...

She's jealous. She's got issues. Ride this out and she'll see that she can't get to you. Go to the party and smile as if nothing is happening. Talk to her and it will totally mess with her brain. Don't get upset, just remember, REVENGE IS A DISH THAT IS BEST SERVED COLD. Bide your time.

So I drove all the way to the place where they are holding the company party and I sat in my car and cried. I am just way too emotional to be in a quasi-professional-social scene at the moment. I would probably go off on someone and well, be the one that got fired at the Holiday Party that everyone would remember for years to come.

I need to have a serious heart to heart with the guy who is training me. I am supposed to be taking over his job as he was promoted but they are waiting for him to find a 'competent' replacement as the position is pretty vital to their biggest client. He owes me some explanations why I am caught in the cross fire between him (my mentor, if you will) and our boss (we report to the same director). She only seems to call me in on the carpet when he (the mentor) is out of the office, which is pretty back handed.

I am so sorry. If any of us could have been there for you, we would have been there in a minute. Sounds like office politics are getting in the way of job performance. I've been down that road before so you must clear the air as soon as possible. Your emotional and physical health will be much better off in the long term. Good luck and please keep us posted. Hang in there hun. If you need to vent, let it out. This is a safe place to let out your frustrations. Don't let those MOFOs get to you.

Oh sweet heart, yes we are here for you, in that loving virtual way.
Still, sometimes that is enough.
So do lean on all of us.
You are going through so much, they should crown Queen of Seeing Challenging Things Through (or something, feel free to improvise)

I haven't had to deal with that of crap in ages, so I have forgotten what it feels like, however a straightforward open communication where you are not simply eating anyone's sh*t, and you get to ask for what you need, and all will go well.
In other words, as Mumsie said, what is a job worth? Your health (mental and physical)?
I have always been the squeaky wheel and have uncovered that I always got what I wanted...quickly.
It was always for the better good of the department; rarely something just for me.

Give us some scenarios you need help with and we can try.


So sorry to read the state you are in...mmmm...are you feeling better today?

One of my good girlfriends here in Mtl has a similar boss.
A woman that rags on her constantly and kills any op for her to change departments by giving a bad reference.

Finally she cried on my shoulder about it and I felt which tack she could try:
I saw it like this....her boss must actually really need her to stay by her side because she likes her, and so gives the bad references...or else why wouldn't she just let her go?? Hmmm?

Guess what?
My friend has been going to work with this new way of feeling about her b*tchy boss, and her boss has been nice to her for weeks now.
I am also amazed!

It's all about energy.
And that starts at the core.

Ask her if she is having a hard time at home?
Be compassionate and melt her.
Ha!

Blah Delicia, that is really tough.

I'm sorry you have this on top of all of the immigration hassle. Oh office drama, why can't people just go to work and be nice to each other. There has to be at least 1 in every room.

I have worked in many places where there is some....well you get the idea, anyway, one thing I have found is that people will treat you the way you want them to treat you. It's in the way you stand, the way you work, the way you look at them. Don't allow these people to push you around, before she starts with you, give her that look that says - don't even go there - it really does work and doesn't have to be aggressive - people respond to the vibe you give off.

(barring the nicer approach that Spirit suggested - this is a - just in case the nicer approach doesn't work haha)

I guess giving the boss a swirly is out of the question.

I filed for SSN on Nov 26 and still haven't gotten a letter or anything!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas slowdown.

I miss you guys.. but it's hard to not have actual interaction with people here when you're pretty much stuck in the house.. it's poo sometimes

How many L & O episodes can you watch without going a little crazy!!!

Why are you missing us, why aren't you here??

and what is L - ok the penny dropped - law and order.

cuz sometimes it makes me sad that there's no one here... just VJ.. and it makes you miss humans more... =(

I don't know.. I think I'm just moody today

I think you all should move to Arlington, VA.. =)

hmm, umm, no. I hope that isn't the pic they use in the tourist literature.

Hey, we are human! Even IR5 is.

ya.. but I wish you all were non-e-human.. on VJ, that's what it leaves us as...

=)

I don't want to be an e-human

Anyhoo, I guess it all depends on how you look at it. I don't see us as e-humans, I just see us as people. It has never mattered to me whether the person is sitting across the table from me or on the other side of the world.

Although, I understand that some people really like the good ole face to face contact and miss it and if I was in Virginia I would come and have coffee with you, definately.

Since when, how come nobody told me.

Liz, is there a volunteer opportunity in your area that can keep you busy? Might help you cope better. Hobbies are always good and help you meet people from your area. When I'm bored, I read a book or do some work in the garden or go for a long walk. I guess it really depends on how social a person you are.

And bring the Coffeemate.

you guys are pretty good at the whole "cheer up" thing though...

I don't know.. maybe I'm just feeling whiny today

Hey Liz, we're in the same boat - I think I'm going to go crazy if I play another video game at the computer. And if you were in the area, I'd totally take you out for coffee.

As an aside, today was not a great start for us - I've been pestering Bee to call our congressman's office to see WTF is going on with our as-yet-unreplied email, and he said he wanted to wait until Monday since he didn't think they'd do anything today being a Friday. Finally when he realised he wouldn't get any peace in the house, he called them up. Ten minutes later, he hung up and sheepishly said, "Well, that was easy." Hopefully the office will call back by Wednesday - that's when we're going to call back if we haven't been given an update.

*sigh*

I had one of my minor cryfests today basically afterwards feeling like such a displaced person. I know this is going to end, I just don't know when.

*hugs Delicia* I hope things are better for you today though.

Oh, and I just called Service Canada and they told me that I wasn't eligible for EI because I am shy 15 hours (out of 700) of insurable employment from my three ROEs.

The good news is, if the unemployment rate goes up and the qualifying number of insurable hours drop, I'm allowed to renew my claim.

The bad news is, that might not ever happen.

15 hrs? Holy flipping Norah.. what a bunch of tightwads.. that's less than 2 shifts.. GAHHHHHHHHHHH Sometimes I'd like to go postal over Gov. red tape..