Hello again, Rob!

Hi, Rob!

Aww, thanks all! I will try and hang around and post more!

Well, today's my birthday and I'm in a reflective mood anyway, so it seems as good a time as any to post.

Funnily enough, I don't really consider myself a lurker, because I read here every day and don't conciously not post, if you know what I mean (and still do occasionally), but I suppose I am. Like other UnAmericans, it has more to do with the time difference than anything else. I'm online in my mornings, when most of you are asleep.

Things are OK, but not great. For the first time in my life, Current Events are having a direct, negative impact on my life and are causing me a lot of worry. I am clinging to the forlorn hope that Brexit won't actually happen, but who knows? Let's at least make sure that it's the only insanely stupid decision made by the electorate of a western nation this year.

Also, I have been unable to find a permanent job for the past five years. I was second choice for something that came up recently, which is a slight consolation, but still didn't get it. I still teach Film part-time on a self-employed basis, though the pay and benefits aren't really commensurate with the amount of work I put in. But I do love the work, and the students are great, so that's something.

Otherwise, the kids are all right. B. is fourteen-and-a-half (boy, is he fourteen-and-a-half). Like many gifted kids, he's having motivational issues at school, and things are coming to a bit of a head at the moment, but he's bound to find his path eventually. C. is eleven and has her head screwed on right. She's just been diagnosed with mild dyslexia, which explains a lot, but is mastering that, as she seems to do most things in her life.

Mr. Fiona completed his MBA a couple of months ago and has a new managerial job in our home town, so he's around more which is great. We're off to his graduation ceremony in Edinburgh this weekend. Should be fun.

It's so nice to hear from everyone here! I too shall try and post a bit more often in future.

Fiona, wonderful to hear from you. Some of us are still night owls and you just may catch us online when you post.

I am clinging to the forlorn hope that Brexit won't actually happen, but who knows? Let's at least make sure that it's the only insanely stupid decision made by the electorate of a western nation this year.

Yes times a million. There's a good chance we'll be kicked out of the UK at some point if Theresa May gets her way. But my being Irish might save us depending on what they do with the treaties. Or, G can apply for British citizenship in a year or so, but that costs over £1000 now so isn't the ideal solution. I'm not really sure I want to be here anymore either, seeing as how we're not wanted and all.

So yeah, situation in total flux. Thanks, Brexit.

Some of us are still night owls and you just may catch us online when you post.

Ah yes, the night shift. We should revive that.

Gosh yes, Jars, being Irish puts you in another part of the Brexit Venn diagramm. The whole thing is utter, utter pants.

Because my partner and children live here, and because I need to be able to work here, I'm currently looking at taking up German citizenship. However, it's not only pretty expensive but would also mean having to give up my US Citizenship, which I really don't want to do. See that rock here and the hard place thataway? That's where we are. Thanks Brexit indeed.

However, it's not only pretty expensive but would also mean having to give up my US Citizenship, which I really don't want to do.

Oh no, is that a 'can't have 3 citizenships' thing? Because while technically that seems to be true, I know at least a few people who have 3 or 4. No one seem to cross-reference.

It's not the number of citizenships per se that's the issue, it's how and when you acquire them. If you automatically receive more than one at birth, that's no problem; my kids have three.

But if you want to take on the citizenship of another country, your original state may boot you out. The US doesn't recognise dual citizenship and will remove citizenship if you pledge alliegance to another state. German and UK dual citizenship is possible at the moment (but only has been for a couple of years) because they're both in the EU. That will change, so there's a bit of a rush.

ALL of my British friends here who are eligible have already taken German citizenship. I'm only dithering because of the complications.

Happy birthday, Fiona!

Get it together, nation-states, and stop screwing over your citizens.