This food service provider is much more...classy, I guess, than the usual (and previous) caf service, which leaned towards flavorless grey veggies from a can and oversalted soups. From huge cans. Generic caf food.

Now we have artisanal (what the hell does that mean, anyway) breads and gourmet mayos, exotic veggie fare (like...avocados! Ok, exotic for a caf.) And, of course, a 10-20% price increase.

The few times I've gotten food there I'd say the price increase is warranted-as the food is much better- but I'm too cheap to eat there regularly.

Happy Birthday, ita!

Much green card ~ma for Tom!

Oh yeah, definitely with the greencard-ma to Tom. Sadly, the INS is actively hostile these days, not merely indifferent. Still, if you've jumped through all their elaborate hoops, they have to grudgingly hand it over.

Sadly, the INS is actively hostile these days, not merely indifferent. Still, if you've jumped through all their elaborate hoops, they have to grudgingly hand it over.

Well, according to the lawyers, he's been a resident since December 14, and everything else is "purely administrative". However, "administrative" is where it can all go terribly wrong, is my fear. Also, just because in a database somewhere, you're listed as a resident, it doesn't mean much without the tangible proof, when you're, say, trying to travel internationally.

Happy Birthday, ita!

Tom, I hope everything goes well, with your Green Card and governmental dealings.

I have to go to Social Security some time very soon, and provide proof of my marriage and name change. I never did get around to doing that ten years ago, and now the Registry of Motor vehicles is being a PITA about it. I have to renew my license soon. This is small potatoes, and yet I dread even thinking about it, never mind doing it. I can't imagine the fun Tom has in store, today.

Thanks for the birthday wishes, folks!

Nora -- the gap between me being awarded my green card and acrually receiving it was huge, since I moved in the meanwhile, and the post office never forwarded the mail. It took two visits to the INS office to right things (never dream of arriving at the LA INS after 6am), but it was all painless once I got to a person.

It is slightly green. At certain angles.

It should be a real, Kelly green, or something. It's terribly disappointing to think it is only greenish.

Well, according to the lawyers, he's been a resident since December 14, and everything else is "purely administrative". However, "administrative" is where it can all go terribly wrong, is my fear. Also, just because in a database somewhere, you're listed as a resident, it doesn't mean much without the tangible proof, when you're, say, trying to travel internationally.

Want to talk about an immigration nightmare? My friend's husband is Iranian. He certainly got a warm welcome during his INS interviews.

I think he's supposed to get his passport stamped today, with residential status, so that's something at least.

And, yikes, Cashmere. How are things going for him/them?

I'm happy that we didn't do a marriage application for his residency. That way, the government should stay out of our business. Well, relatively speaking. (his green card is work-sponsored, in the works before we even got together)

Board ate my post! Grrrr...

Happy Birthday, ita!

And DX's brother! And my DH, who turns 31.

Also, DX, some of us in CT are not very fond of the Pats for exactly that reason. Of course, I am largely indifferent to football, but...stupid taunty team. We're still smarting from losing the Whalers.

Thank God we have UConn basketball or we'd have a complex.