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saturn5man

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Posts posted by saturn5man

    Excessive gas prices could lead to prosecution

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    Good point. This gesture by congress seems a bit shortsighted.

    IMHO it's a populist move by a Democratic Congress that is short on approval ratings due to not living up to any of its election promises.

    I guess its because I'm a European and drive a fuel efficient car, but I just can't get that hot under the collar about paying $3 for a gallon of gas.

    I tend to agree, after just returning from the UK where the price of regular unleaded is now around $8.57 a US gallon !

    Which sportscar are you?

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    That was fun....I'm a Porsche 911 ! :

    "You have a classic style, but you're up-to-date with the latest technology. You're ambitious, competitive, and you love to win. Performance, precision, and prestige - you're one of the elite, and you know it".

    Just about sums me up ;)

    I'll have to sell my Eclipse and trade up now :)

    Small Request

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    My husband's twin brother was just diagnosed with testicular cancer. Please pray for him.

    He is scheduled for surgery next week. And then several rounds of chemo will soon follow.

    My husband is so incredibly sad. We are desperately searching for a means to purchase a plane ticket so that he can be with his brother.

    Until then, we need your prayers (L)

    Thank you, Tracy

    Caught in time, testicular cancer has an excellent chance of being 'cured' :

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/testicular-cancer/DS00046

    I had a work colleague who went through the same about 20 years ago and he came through fine :) Also, there are a few famous celebrities who have come through, one being Bob Champion, a jockey and from Yorkshire, England (as I am). A movie was made about his successful fight. Here's his website :

    http://www.bobchampion.com/

    Thinking of you all at this worrying time......Neil.

    Asking for some advice about health insurance.

    in Moving to the US and Your New Life In America

    Posted

    Depends on age...I am tacked-on to my wife's work-related BCBS policy and pay $400 a MONTH, not including dental or optical. I am 59 though...... Good Luck !! Neil.

    Health plans should not be able to discriminate based on age (does not mean they do not try). The most likely reason is the amount of the participation (subsidy) the employer contributes. Some company's contribute a much higher percentage to just the individual employee and then employee contributes a higher percentage when on the family plan.

    Thanks for that info....I didn't know this. I was just applying what I was used to in the UK, to the US. Obviously things are different here, in that respect.....Neil.

    Asking for some advice about health insurance.

    in Moving to the US and Your New Life In America

    Posted

    I am expecting my wife will be getting her green card in a short time.....we're nearing the interview stage of the I-130 process. One topic that we have discussed and I would imagine is an important issue for just about everyone whose spouse has arrived in the USA (or will be soon). That is........what is a good health insurance option to use for my wife when she comes here? I obviously don't want to wait until the last minute to prepare for this. Having her covered as soon as possible is a very important matter for me.

    What types of health insurance options do I have for my wife who , when she arrives here, will not have a job yet, and so will most likely be unemployed for a while?

    I DO have good insurance from my own job, but from what I have discussed with them (I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield), it might actually be more expensive for me to add my wife to my coverage than to have her apply separately. They told me I could consider enrolling her individually, and not as part of my own plan.

    That is an option.

    But, so far, those are the only options I am aware of at this time. To either enroll her individually with Blue Cross/Blue Shield......or to add her to my own plan (which I was told would probably be a more costly option).

    I would like to know what "other" companies there are that could insure my wife when she arrives? What are some other options that I have for her that might perhaps be even more affordable? What have some of you done to insure your husband or wife when they arrive in the USA, until they can find employment of their own and use that coverage?

    Thanks.

    I always thought that if you have health insurance coverage through work, that you could add your husband or wife to that policy - it's crazy that they're telling you it costs more. I would look into that - I have BCBS, and adding a spouse is only about $50 per month. Good luck!

    Depends on age...I am tacked-on to my wife's work-related BCBS policy and pay $400 a MONTH, not including dental or optical. I am 59 though...... Good Luck !! Neil.

    Happy Birthday Neil!

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    Hey, dear friends,

    Thank you so much for your birthday messages. Unfortunately I didn't see them until today as I was literally 'all at sea' on 20th. My wife and I were cruising the Caribbean ! :)

    The day turned out differently than we had planned/hoped as Eva woke with a sore throat on 18th and by my birthday she was 'quarantined' in bed with an awful head cold. I spent the day providing 'room service', fetching food, drinks and fruit from the buffets. She put a brave face on things for the Captain's Gala Dinner that night, so all was not lost :) (See pic).

    Now *I* am quarantined in bed, writing this, as my 'delayed birthday present' arrived yesterday morning.....Same symptoms as Eva's ! Thank you, darling wife...I love you too ! ;)

    Wishing you all a very happy Christmas season, Neil.

    post-2031-1166971200_thumb.jpg

    Law Enforcement

    in Moving to the US and Your New Life In America

    Posted

    As far as I'm aware to be a police officer you need to be a citizen. If he was interested in being a dispatcher, a green card will suffice...

    A dispatcher/telecommunicator job came up 2 weeks ago in my small town but when I enquired, I was told by the Chief of Police that I would have to be a citizen as accessing police records was part of the job and for that one has to be a citizen.

    Good luck for the future, anyway....Neil.

    "WHAT'S UP?"; "WASSUP?" !!

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    In the UK, if one says "what's up?" to someone, it means "what's the matter?" (as in....you suspect that someone is ill, depressed, or somesuch). Here, it seems to mean "how are you doing?" or "what's happening?" (in your life) etc.

    Just a little wrankle.......Neil.

    Credit Card Declined

    in Moving to the US and Your New Life In America

    Posted

    After working for a lifetime (40 years) in the UK banking industry and posessing several major credit cards with combined limits of tens of thousands of dollars, I was amazed to find that this carried no weight at all in the USA, even though the cards were with companies that were based in the US.

    It took me around a year after arrival in the US before I could get my US bank to give me a card that was totally my own (not a joint one, using my wife's good credit). However, the limit is currently a derisory $2,500. I have never had any credit problems in the UK but there is no cross-checking of that from the US and basically you have to start building credit anew here. I have even had to pay a deposit of $250 to get a cell phone on a monthly contract.

    Since I began using my new US credit card however, I have begun receiving offers from many companies, saying that I have been pre-approved for one of their cards....In fact, I got FOUR such offers in yesterday's mail alone ! :wacko:

    I wish you success in your own situation. Neil.

    I have a really good credit rating and history in the UK. Will I be able to use that in america or will I need to start from scratch again?

    Thanks

    Matt

    yearn for good indian chicken tikka masala

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    You might find this interesting, then :

    The Indian dish ‘Chicken Tikka Marsala’ is a good example. It was created from the available ingredients 25 years ago in Birmingham. Not a localization of an existing dish. Ironically, the dish can now be found in restaurants in India.

    Neil.

    ...the food there is more traditional than the English variant.

    [...]

    I've a feeling if I look around I'll probably find quite a few indian places in NYC. As with NJ though they seem to be quite expensive - the bill at the one I went to turned out to be $70 for two...

    $70, wow! NYC is full of cheaper Indian eateries. Kati Roll, for example, although that is more 'fast food' than restaurant. The food is great though, although my preferences are more towards the traditional preparations. I have no idea what an English curry house tastes like.

    Or if you feel like driving, check out Oak Tree Road in Iselin, New Jersey. Parking is on Middlesex Avenue, near the intersection with Route 27. Lots of Indian restaurants, fast food, etc. You should be able to get a meal for two for less than $30 in most places, less than $15 in some.

    We went to this place in Union on route 22 - I forget the name of it. Nice place, but 'upscale'. That was my congratulation dinner for getting my new job.

    The English curry experience tends to be a lot spicier - also there seems to be a larger variety of dishes - I think because our bastardised version contains a lot of Pakistani and Bangladeshi dishes rather than strictly Indian.

    The English don't have a national dish - unless you count fish and chips, so we make do with 'borrowing' everyone elses. I guess there had to be some upside to British Imperialism in the east ;) We'd all be a lot poorer without curry.

    I'll check out Iselin though - and NYC. We're usually only in the city for work - so if I can find in NJ I'll be happy.

    Going home tomorrow :-)

    in United Kingdom

    Posted

    Thanks and yeah I did finally make it :-) !!! Such a relief to finally be here.

    I was told by the immigration officers that the EAD was stamped on the back of the white piece of paper they put in your passport.. all I can see is a smudged red stamp with an expiry date 3 months away written by hand. Guess that must be it.

    Spent the weekend shopping for bits and pieces I needed, setting up a joint bank account and tomorrow I have my driving test so that I can get a USA drivers lisence and be included on my finaces insurance - wish me luck!!

    Maggie

    Hello Maggie and welcome to NC ! Sounds like you are already settling in, which is great :) We have a NC VJ meet-up group, generally attracting people in the Raleigh area. We would be happy to have you both join us when we have our next gathering. Watch this space !

    Meantime, best wishes for your new life in the USA and for your forthcoming wedding. Neil & Eva.

    Staying in touch!!

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    Well, I just wanted to say thanks for everyones help. I can't reply anymore because I'm going to go and get a life. I decided to go out this evening, I don't know what I will do but it will be something. I will work for awhile tomorrow of course but then I'm going to a Maryland Terps college football game. That should be great because I've never done that before. On Sunday I will hang out with my friends and watch football instead of staying in my house. I'm going to give Ania her space and allow things to happen naturally. I'm not going to pressure her or whine to her about my needs. If this is the way she deals with the distance than I can be understanding of that. I need to develope my life too. Thank you for all of your help!! I really feel better about this.

    That's great news ! Have a fab evening and weekend. Neil.

    Staying in touch!!

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    I just replied in your other thread. Is it possible in Polish culture women do not phone and pursue men. Just a thought.

    My wife is Polish (the USC but been here 14 yrs) and is certainly more laid back about those things. We have known each other for 6 years now and have been married for almost 3 (Anniversary next Weds!) but at times I feel that I am still getting used to the differences in our personalities. She would say so too, about me ;)

    I think it might be a 'cultural' thing. How old are you both, AndyMisiu, if you don't mind me asking? The reason why I ask is that my wife's life and experience in Poland was mostly under what she calls the Communist Campus and that might also have a bearing. We are in our 50s.

    Hang in there....Do try to get out and enjoy life as if you have no life beyond home then you are going to find it difficult to introduce your fiancee to people and life in the US. It will be quite a culture shock for her....It was for me as an Englishman !!

    By the way, we have a lot of fun now we are together but it was a full year or more before we knew which of each other's toes not to step on ;) Very best wishes, Neil.

    Buying a laptop/notebook

    in Off Topic

    Posted · Edited by saturn5man

    I bought a Compaq Presario 1010US widescreen about 2 1/2 years ago. It cost $1,000 and after just over a year (out of warranty), the screen stopped working !! I was told it would be about $500 for a new screen and so reluctantly I bought another laptop...

    This time I bought an HP Pavilion DV1217US (also widescreen) for another $1,000 ish and within a year the battery was holding a charge for less than 1 hour of the originally promised 3 hours. I was told that batteries are not covered by the warranty !! I have therefore had to buy another battery (at $90) from a non HP supplier and this is working great so far.

    As HP and Compaq are the same company, I will not buy products from them in the future. I am beginning to feel like an Apple might be my next purchase but they generally seem to be more expensive than other brands. Hopefully my current machine will keep working for a few more years....

    We have installed a home network and also have wireless capability (around the house and also the back deck etc.) which is great :)

    Good luck with whatever you decide to buy. Neil.

    Very OT:Why does fart not diffuse on a flight?

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    I flew trans-atlantic and farted at some point on the flight, but i noticed that the smell stayed with me for the rest of the flight (4+ hours)as opposed to diffusing and getting mixed with everyone so that no one could know the source.

    Anyone knows why fart does not diffuse on a flight at 38,000 feet?

    Well, whatever you do, if it happens again on a flight don't try to open a window !! :whistle:

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