biggish data

Confusion about Packets

QUOTE (willchels @ Sep 14 2007, 09:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is a big deal for us. I don't think I've ever been through something as stressful as this visa process! Everyday I wait with held breath to see if anything will come in the post. I just hate the uncertainty of it all. Even if the date is far away, I would rather know now so I can start shipping things and buying flights. My visa here is up on October 12th so looks like hubby and I will be separated, even though we started the process way back on 30th January.

When did you start, by the way?

Please let me know if you receive a letter from them, as you are a few weeks ahead of me.

have a peek at my timeline link below - you will see we have been through the mill since January 9th...

Carolyn's 12 mths for driving is up October 20 and she doesn't want no car or to take a UK test so she might just go to the U.S. ahead of me...

I got back home yesterday and there was a private and confidential letter postmarked London - I raced upstairs with it and it was a statement for a credit card which I cancelled ! DRAT !

Don't worry if/when I get a letter from London. EVERYONE will know as there are about 3 threads going on this subject and nobody really knows. Well MargotDarko is going for 1 letter and I really hope she is right but I cannot rest until a VJer who has gone that route can confirm it.

Went to my daughters house 2 days ago and she said 'dad your hands are shaking' I had surfable waves on my coffee !

Yes its stressful !
I sent an email to london embassy yesterday with just the ref number in the subject line..this is the response

THIS IS AN AUTOMATED REPLY. PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL.

Your e-mail was deleted without being read.

I think I will try that with the IRS letters when I have been there a year ! jeez govt depts all over the world are so , so, so IMPERIOUS !

Why can't they say 'due to..we are very sorry that...' Why can't they talk like that instead of swatting people down like they are insignificant flies ? Jeez I have zero people skills but these folk are in the minus zone !

alan

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-14 04:02:00

Confusion about Packets

QUOTE (willchels @ Sep 13 2007, 12:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Okay, I've just read the other thread about this subject. I hadn't seen it before I posted this one. I suppose we are still trying to figure out then whether or not a Packet 3 comes or if it is just Packet 4....Now that the case has left NVC, who can we call for questions?

If you find out let me know ! We seem to have a bunch of us CR1 via NVC people just now but there have been precious few for months (DCF doesnt count)

I suspect the only way we will find out is when a letter drops through my door as I am first of the current crop - well should be.

I have to go november 5th to get medicare at age 65 (5 years in country required).

I had lost of hope of that when i was working on pckt 3 then pckt 4 - but if the rumours of one letter are true then I think we might just make it. Interview waits are really all over the place but about 6 weeks seems average - I found out that people with 3 week and 4 weeks waits have spouses serving in the US military

My NVC complete date was august 17 and it left there august 23. I have heard NOTHING. You can call DOS washington but you get very little detail. What happens is the file is transferred electronically same day - the paper file goes courier . Then it gets fuzzy - I dont know if they then wait for an interview date which is what the DOS told me , in which case the first indication will be an interview date - or they send a pckt 3. The delay from 23 august makes me hope it will be an interview date - but I am a LONG way from sure.

Come on VJ people who have done a STANDARD embassy via NVC - is it one packet or two ? HELP !

ps there is up to 4 weeks delay if its two packets - add that to 6 weeks interview date and OCTOBER is definitely NO if it is 2 packets...

See what I mean ? it could be almost 3 months from now to interview plus x days after that before we receive the visa and fly....
This question is a big deal for you and I

alan

Edited by saywhat, 13 September 2007 - 02:12 AM.

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-13 02:08:00

If you were worried about being drafted into the army and sent to Iraq or Iran, it is true that residents and not just citizens can be drafted, but there hasnt been a draft since the Vietnam war and it caused such a hoo-har that I don't see it being reinstated. So if that was one of the worries then I would totally discount it..

Luckily I am too old for that caper and my glasses would glint too much in the desert

alan

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-21 08:10:00

QUOTE (Teddy406 @ Sep 12 2007, 07:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mate, its fear holding me back and fogging the issue, I didnt doubt that my fiancée was the one, I doubted that we could survive bad times, I thought/ convinced myself I'd answered something wrong on my medical/interview and they would find it out years later and I'd be deported ruining our lives, all that crazy stuff, and that the only way to avoid it was to punish myself now.

But how do you know they will happen untill these things from likely to EXTREMELY UNLIKELY happen?

I just have to stop thinking and worrying and do. Nuff sed.

I gotcha Teddy - I know that it's all the fears and not the thing itself.. that should make it easy of course but it doesn't

I was house imprisoned in Saudi once - long story - and I was under some horrible threats from my boss there - being put in a public cage with no toilet for 2 years and fed on swill because my wife was seriously ill and they would not let me go home to see her.

I was alone in a small room for 2 months living on bananas - they said when I ran out of em they would arrest me for vagrancy and give me the same punishment. You cannot leave the country unless your BOSS gives you an exit visa. I find it very hard to stay even in a motel room on my own as it evokes that time...

So I cope by never being in that position for more than a week. It's a workaround. Emigrating to a strange country where so many people have guns and the they execute people and the immigration system is as harsh as it is and if you don't have health insurance they will take your house - the US is a tough country if things go wrong and if you think about it you will be scared - it sure scares me.

But none of that will bite you because you are very aware of the pitfalls and will avoid em.

It's the non-worryers who have no insurance or are in the wrong place at the wrong time...

My son is a ridiculous optimist and staggers from one disaster to the next - he never sees danger. He bought a 1000cc motorbike in Tenerife - I told him he didnt have a bike licence - he said 'I have a licence ! I bought it from a scouser this afternoon - it only took him 5 minutes to make it'.. See what I mean ? that could never happen to you... Nobody is better equiped to grapple with the problems than you because you can see all the pitfalls and a hundred more that arent even there !

People like you are essential to people like me who are a bit cavalier in their attitudes - we need people who are looking out to see if the bridge in front has collapsed.

Make a virtue out of your fears - there is a positive side to everything

As Cat Stevens sung - 'and if I ever lose my legs - I won't have to walk no more'

probably a bad example as he is banned from the US under terrorism laws !

alan

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-12 16:00:00

QUOTE (julezabelle @ Sep 12 2007, 05:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just a quick thought, since I really think you need to see your girl. I noticed your local office in the US is Vermont - does this mean she lives near Canada? You could always fly into Canada and meet up with her there for a weekend to talk things out. She won't have to quit her job and you'll better be able to sort things out.

Good luck, Teddy! I hope you can find a way to believe again.

We did that - Toronto 4 times - big hot bath for 2 in a nice hotel - niagara falls but thats was all ....yaberdaberdoo

oo you are awful...

2 of those were 'make up' meetings and they were both successes

Without Canada we would not have made it... Yonge street Toronto - mega

I got there 3 days early to get over jet lag and ended up in a gay bar - they are all gay bars actually - well I didnt know...

Got out with my crown jewels intact I am glad to report.

But I am retired with lots of time and a wad and it isnt so easy for Teddy I would guess...

But highly recommended if it is possible - she can do a 3 day weekend and he can do 5 days and get over the lag and scout out the fun places before she arrives...

cn tower - revolving restaurant - not expensive - v romantic except when you stand on the glass floor x billion feet up - no cancel, cancel not for the anxious ! just kiddin' it's really good... alan

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-12 12:09:00

Back to the original post in this thread, I did K1, went to the U.S. applied for AOS, abandoned it and went back in again on visa waiver to help Carolyn sell her house and put her furniture in store... no problem. It would be a good idea to take evidence of continuing ties...

Also, if the visa has not expired they will check you in as K1 - and if you formally abandon it, and you go visa waiver, take the letter from uscis that acknowledes that (if you ever get it !)

I emailed the London Embassy first and they said it would not be a problem if I was otherwise qualified - ie british Subject and no refusals...

hardest part was convincing the BMI dragon at Manchester airport - SHE tried to ban me but could not find her supervisor to endorse her decision so she reluctantly let me fly....POE in USA very friendly and looked at my return ticket and stamped me in...

lot easier for her to come here for a week..bring her to Darwen, Lancashire and she will feel so sorry for you she will kidnap you and take you back hold luggage...

http://www.blackburn...ConWebDoc.25685

Edited by saywhat, 12 September 2007 - 09:24 AM.

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-12 09:24:00

Teddy the reason I like VJ in this kind of forum anyway, is that people are very sincere and I haven't seen a cruel response in this thread yet - I like your style and I think you are intelligent and sincere....

Try another famous website that I am not allowed to mention and all you get is swearing and name calling and grunt-grunt responses. VJ is the tops !

I think you will find that nobody, I mean nobody has just flown off with a big smile and with no problems before or after.

anyone with any imagination does not think marriage is a cert - it's a blank cheque and a hostage to fortune - she might be in a strait jacket trying to bite the warders in 10 years - no guarantee with marriage - to ANYONE

I was a police officer for 6 years in an inner city area in the 1960's and european group finance director for 28 american subsidiary companies for 14 years - you would think I could 'handle' stuff. I can - but this marrying and emigrating and dealing with this cruel immigration process has got me literally shaking with stress right now. So for a young bod like you I am not at all surprised it has your knees knocking.

I have seen people go under through stress and indecision and come back and build a great life.
I have seen people sit and take the boring option for 40 years and I feel sorrier for them that someone who ends up back at home in 3 years divorced and having to start again. At least you have lived life to the full.

I know about panic attacks from someone very close to me - so panicky they can't breathe - seen it.
I know about stress and trauma - I had a woman vomit all over me when I told her that her 15 year old son was drowned.
I had nothing to lose going to the US but I can still remember the 'moment' I decided to really do it - standing on the driveway with a cup of coffee and I just said 'I am going to do this'. I have the picture in my mind of that instant. Now that will come to you when you are good and ready . If it doesn't then that's fine - I know where I would place my money.

ps wait til you do your US driver's test - that will really get you going ! Just kiddin' - It's very satisfying when you conquer it all and look back on it.

alan

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-12 04:43:00

QUOTE (TracyTN @ Sep 11 2007, 10:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Gone @ Sep 11 2007, 04:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Give him the info and let him digest it and apply it to his personal circumstances and come to the conclusion he needs to, in his own time. That's all I mean by go easy on him please.

I think this is the main point. To expect him to make a decision somewhat instantly (i.e. 'I'm staying up until you come to a decision') after hearing all we have to say is asking a heck of a lot.

All points are surely well taken by the OP. Let's give him some time to think about what he needs to do for his future. Just because he doesn't make a decision as quick as we 'think' he should doesn't mean that he has no capacity to make a decision (or that he doesn't love his fiancee).

I am not really going to stay up until he makes a decision...I am going on hunger strike instead so there !

I wish Teddy all the best with it and hope he follows his heart and then he will be fine...

Right bed time alan

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-11 16:45:00

QUOTE (Gone @ Sep 11 2007, 10:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

to make a decision instantly on the strength of their kind help, support and information.

All I'm saying is, by all means give him your thoughts, help and advice, but don't then sit there tapping your fingers waiting for him to suddenly say, "Oh gosh, you're right, I must end my relationship now" or "Oh gosh, you're right, I need to get on a plane ASAP". Give him the info and let him digest it and apply it to his personal circumstances and come to the conclusion he needs to, in his own time. That's all I mean by go easy on him please.

Totally agree...he will ignore me anyway - I always listen to lots of advice and then do what I knew I really wanted to anyway..Teddy will -and as you say - in his own good time...

He is too much of a thinker to be swayed by me

Edited by saywhat, 11 September 2007 - 04:37 PM.

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-11 16:37:00

QUOTE (Gone @ Sep 11 2007, 10:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If Teddy is in a place even slightly like I was in, the capacity to think straight is elusive. That's why I had to list out priorities. Not until I did that did the solution present itself.
Top priority, be with Tracy. I worked to that and "handled" everything else. It's working out just fine and I'm glad I did it that way. Go easy on him please.

Think we/I are easy on him as I dont think he a baddy at all....He isn't stringing her along - he is just all screwed up with the pressure.... I came home 6 weeks before the AOS green card interview but we were 'back on' in a couple of weeks - I was having a horrible time but I had no choice as I wanted to be with her........
Then she came here for a year so we could be together while I did this loathsome visa process..and she has struggled...and I gave up my nice home in Yorkshire so we could rent this rat invested dump to be near the only job she could find ... we have all done this stuff and it needs a lot of commitment or we are sunk.

I think we are unanimous in saying she has to be the priority and if she isn't then it sure wont work.. too many trade offs...so all Teddy has to do now is figure his priorities - as you say........

Teddy its your call- is she worth giving up your nice life for ? easy eh ?

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-11 16:28:00

QUOTE (devilette @ Sep 11 2007, 09:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Teddy406 @ Sep 11 2007, 01:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I meant, the though of staying is a "relief" , but it doesnt feel 100% right. I think my biggest fears are also the red flags like my fiancée saying she is miserable with her work/friends/family but it will be all ok when I get there. I on the other hand really like my life here except for her not being here. She said she would come over, but may want to return to America. I said I didnt know if that would be a good idea if we were having a good life here, thus the stalemate and the pull of "staying".

Teddy-

You can 'what if' till the cows come home but it won't change anything. Marriage is about compromise. Do you want to be with her? The answer is in there.

you picked up a good quote there Dev- he wouldn't have 'a nice life here' now if he wanted her that much - he would be miserable.

ok I have reached a verdict - 'immensely fond' , not enough... and guiltyfeelings...

Teddy you aren't a baddy - we nearly all have one of these experiences... face up to it bud - the attraction is not enough.... end of case

sell your passport and visa to some bandito who looks like you for cash and claim you lost it and move on......

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-11 16:09:00

Teddy I am not going to bed until you decide ! It's popping my skull now.

You are being most contradictory..If it's 'I love her but' then we can forget the 'I love her'.. I have been there, done the guilt thing..

thats called being 'immensely fond'

If there is no 'but' then do it and never look back or you will kick yourself... forget the immigration thing thats a detail....

This isnt romantic stuff I am talking - I am very unromantic - I bought Carolyn a cup for her birthday - but you have to face facts and

if she is the one then there is no decision to make...

My chief accountant had a nervous breakdown when he married a beautiful gentle nurse. They took him from the wedding reception to a nut house (sorry, mental hospital) - literally- gibbering wild eyed talking rot and trying to run away through the park

It was because he was scared he didnt love her enough and GOD would punish him.

That was 25 years ago - he recovered in 3 months coz I cured him with beer every night - - got a top finance director job and he is still with her and they have 2 great kids and everyone is so envious of him - she is wonderful !

anxiety attack on a mega scale !

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-11 15:41:00

QUOTE (Teddy406 @ Sep 11 2007, 09:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have done the same thing, including living my life as if I was staying and the relationship was inevitably going to end, but it still doesnt feel "right". It feels a "relief" now, but not "right"

Sometimes I wish I was a woman then I would know what this means....
deciding to stay knowing its going to end....whats a relief going? staying ? whats not right - america or her ?
Women instantly know what someone is saying even when there are 72 ways of interpreting the phrases - most times they are right - how do women do that ?

I reckon he doesn't really rate this broad - it's a guilt thing and not an anxiety thing...

If you have the top skirt in the world waiting for you - you go - even I know that

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-11 15:26:00

QUOTE (julezabelle @ Sep 11 2007, 09:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (saywhat @ Sep 11 2007, 03:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

life's too short - what seems like a few months ago I was 42 and dancing in a night club in England at 4.30am to Duran Duran - with 30 Dutch footballers who were as drunk as me.

Alan - you always crack me up! That has to be one of the funniest things I've ever read on VJ and can picture the scene clearly!! I wish you and Carolyn were going to end up in the US nearer to Griff and me. I think you guys would be good mates to go out with for a pint!

Sorry Teddy. Back to topic.

Dont worry it's on topic julez...he can't do it later and those fun times are easier to manufacture when you are younger..
Look what I did and what he can do - moved to Wisconsin and got SS number and driver's license and bank account and credit card and threw peanuts to the chipmunks and pork chops to the skunk and squeaked at the thirteen lined ground squirrels.....

and bought a brand new V6 toyota for beer money and filled it for nothing

Then I drove through the snow in wisconsin playing james brown and feeling like like Lord Muck- I DID IT !

and he can do it - whats the alternative ? to sit in some office in England in December - dark at 3pm and getting promoted to assistant vice dogsbody - looking through the window and watching the rush hour traffic in the rain and wondering what if ?

Going out with that girl who he lined up as a stand by and finding out she clears her throat every 15 seconds with a sound like a ####### pheasant (had one of them )...

NO WAY !

I put this down to lack of gin...

Edited by saywhat, 11 September 2007 - 03:18 PM.

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-11 15:17:00

QUOTE (julezabelle @ Sep 11 2007, 08:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I still think Robinlake's post aove sums it all up very nicely:

Its better to regret things that you did do than regret the things you didn't do.

Its always a gamble, but I suspect this is a case where the odds are in your favor.

I agree with you julezabelle - life's too short - what seems like a few months ago I was 42 and dancing in a night club in England at 4.30am to Duran Duran - with 30 Dutch footballers who were as drunk as me. Now I am 60 in 2 months and would feel a fool anywhere near that scene.. It goes like lighting !

so 'get in kid before it's too late'

sorry mr rod stewart

I have given up lots for people I was 'medium' about so he is definitely due a grand gesture

The only people who are allowed to be so careful are under 18.... the rest of us should seize the moment...

and the number of people you feel that strongly about are not many... I was single for decades and didnt sit at home (wink wink) - so i know ! alan

Edited by saywhat, 11 September 2007 - 02:56 PM.

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-11 14:55:00

Never known of a therapist that wasn't crazier than the patients . I lived 1 mile from the largest mental health institution in Europe and lived among mental health professionals . They were ALL screaming barmy and I mean that. Some were violent and dangerous - I could tell you stories. My last relationship before Carolyn was a German psychiatrist who was internationally respected. Lovely woman but she used to go out at midnight and turn stones over and talk to toads...

As they say 'you would have to be crazy to go to psychiatrist' and counsellors are just 'poor man's psychiatrists'

You are going to do what you want to do deep down inside no matter what anyone says and I know that and thats why I dont mind giving advice - coz you will ignore it if thats the right thing.

I know someone who can out-anxious you any day but she has never regretted 'going for it'.

Wasting someone's else's life ? - well if you don't do it then somebody else might ! Do you trust that somebody else to be as kind as you ?

I wouldn't - there are some nasty men out there... You wont do as much harm as they will.

Now you can be anxious about NOT going for it - think how vunerable she will be if you dont ! Think of what will happen with the next guy !

I can see him now and he is horrible ! That will be your fault ! See what I mean - the future is unknown and its our job to make the future and not be victims of it. Sounds good that - wonder what I mean...

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-11 14:19:00

QUOTE (julezabelle @ Sep 11 2007, 06:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Teddy, I really feel for you, mate. I wish I had the magic answer and could tell you it will all work out brilliantly, but I can't and no one else can either. You either need to make the leap and hope it all works out, but with the knowledge that you have a great support in the UK if it doesn't. Or, you can stay in the UK and get on with life.

Have you considered maybe talking this over with a therapist? I don't mean like you're crazy, but sometimes when caught in the middle of something like this an impartial person could better help you work through your feelings about it all.

I truly wish you all the best and hope your situation works out in a way that you are content with.

aarggh see a terrapinist !!! If he was into all that trickcyclist stuff he would have no doubts about being an American !

If he saw a UK therapist he would say stay in the UK so he could milk him- if he was a US therapist he would say GO so he could milk him there...

Anyone who doesnt believe this is the way it works is under 60

I have been to hell and back since I emigrated but I am glad I did it !

alan

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-11 12:48:00

QUOTE (Teddy406 @ Sep 11 2007, 06:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (TracyTN @ Sep 11 2007, 06:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You can tell me to climb a tree, Teddy, if you prefer not to answer - but I'm curious as to how long you and your fiancee dated (or had the LDR) before you applied for the visa?

3 years, and for those 3 years, I couldnt even think of anything else, I let other aspects of my life slide just to spend a few extra minutes on the phone a night. Never a moments doubt untill i had severe anxiety over all this and since then I have been a muddle.

I have heard enough - DO IT ! GUILTY AS CHARGED !

You know there are cultures who believe in arranged marriages because you are forced (in its nicest sense) together and you make it work and most of em are really happy five years later...

I am afraid this is a forced marriage like mine coz you are in love! Hard luck you have to do it like I did it...

It will be fine ! absolute nightmares ahead but it will all work out in the end.

just surrender and it won't hurt at all (freddy mercury)...It's a great experience and not to be missed - many bitter/sweet moments but you feel ALIVE

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-11 12:17:00

Yes it's all about the individual - I have met xpats in the Canary Islands (my son is one - 12 years now) and Saudi Arabia and the US and Germany ...they all seemed a bit strange to me (including my son!) and the strange thing is they don't miss home. I think it's positive therefore and an indication of 'normality' when someone does miss many aspects of home.

I am emigrating to the U.S in November, perhaps 2 days before my 60th birthday at a time when most folks retire to their slippers and spaniel. I know I will never like America football with all the strutting and self congratulating hoo-har stuff compared to rugby- and that goes for many other aspects of American culture. But there are many other aspects that I DO like and I will come back to the UK 3 times a year to top of up 'normality'. I will listen to BBC 4 on the internet and get a satellite for BBC tv.. When I lived in Wisconsin I was highly impressed by the sensitive intelligent people who phoned in to radio shows and it was much more 'liberal english' than much of the stuff on the British media. I reckon I can find my kind of people in the U.S. - they are not all George W look and sound alikes. A lot of U.S. tv comedy is really good too so I will pick and chose - you dont have to be an American and You don't have to cling on to the Brit stuff either - you can have the best of both worlds...

If I had met Carolyn in the UK I would have been too scared to get married as I have a lot to lose financially at my age where I can't work again - but to be with her in the UK or US meant getting married so we did it. It was hard for me in the U.S. at first and there were many things really annoyed me like the sheriff getting out of the car with his guns to tell you to mow your lawn more often and the sun glasses/guns/puffed up chests of the police and park security people. Shudder. But there are some bad dudes in The U.S. and I would be glad of police like that were i to bump into the bad guys.

Similarly Carolyn has found it really tough in the UK - she still can't tell what her co workers are saying because 'they talk so quietly' and she fails to laugh at ANY Uk comedy before 9pm...and she thinks single mothers should be thrown out of their council houses and made to work as hookers to support their children. She wants to select her consultant before she has health care and interview them ! Yes her 'cultural programming' is very deep and she would never make it here in the U.K.

A friend of mine in the US has been there 12 years and I found out he is still a UK subject (we dont have citizens). I asked him why given that his kids are American and he has a great job/house etc and its safer to be a USC so he cant be deported. He said - because I am a BRIT and I always will be.

Remember its not forever - its not a 60 year journey to a planet with no turning back - - you CAN return. and I reckon we take the best and reject the rest and stay who WE ARE and become that percentage American that we want to be and have a great time that way.

The Americans can't have it both ways - they can't say 'you are only a resident, you are an alien and you can't vote' - and at the same time ask us to be American. The time for that is when we apply for Citizenship and at that time we have to really do things the American way while we are in America - and do it 100% British when we are in Britain.

Give unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and criticize the beer when it's freezing cold cat urine !

alan

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-11 10:21:00

Haha ! yes travel broadens the bottom if not the mind and Darwen, Lancashire has made a bigger impact on me than Capitol Drive Milwaukee or the New York subway at night or the back streets of Miami.

When we arrived here in February, we went for a walk in the 'riverside park' funded by the European Union. It was full of burned out settees and motorcycles and filth and litter and dog dirt on an incredible scale. I came home nauseated and depressed.

Being a trainee curmudgeon I wrote to the MP and the council - they can't fix it - a tiny number of overweight 5' 4" policepersons who can hardly walk for body armour and gadgets of every description are not going to stop a 6' tall 15 year old boy on a bike.

I went for some fish and chips. In Yorkshire, they do them in beef dripping and they are wonderful - in Lancashire, all the fish shops are Chinese and they do them in the same burned, dirty, tired oil as the spring rolls etc ! I actually threw mine in the bin (everyone else throws them on the footpath where it mixes with the rat droppings).

I think anyone worried about homesickness as they depart for the US should spend 6 months in Darwen, Lancashire after which they will NEVER NEVER NEVER look back. I think Haiti would be a step up actually

A local wag says it was named after Charles Darwin who found the 'missing link' between apes and humans in this town.

Everything in this life is relative and the US is going to have to be very bad to me to make me think I have made the wrong move.
I can't wait to go !

The newspapers are full of people being 'glassed' in the face with broken beer glasses and drugs and rats and gays come from all over to do 'it' in the lay-bys on the A66 road.

http://www.lancashir...etails.asp?ID=5

http://archive.thisi.../10/624031.html

urghh - come on St Petersburg Florida !

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-08-24 02:47:00

QUOTE (robinklake @ Aug 23 2007, 05:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Who hacked into saywhat's account and what have they done with allan?

Shrup or I will put you over my knee ! - I am only being 'America can do no wrong' for a week as its my holiday time and I need a change

The first hurricane shelter experience or leaving my car in a bad area in Tampa will cure me and I will revert to type !

I will zip my lip while I am a resident but then when I become yankeefied, me and Arny are changing the constitoootion so that feriners can become president and then we will make some changes starting with the USCIS/NVC and that recorded message system ! haha !

alan

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-08-23 12:06:00

QUOTE (robinklake @ Aug 23 2007, 01:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Aug 22 2007, 11:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And if I have read all these links properly, what this boils down to is that you cannot come to the UK as a visitor, marry a UK citizen, and remain in the country - as can be done by a UK citizen in the US?

That's correct Rebecca. You must enter on a fiance visa or be in the country on a valid non-tourist visa. They changed that in 2005.

UK immigration ? On a sunday morning, about 20% of the people in my local supermarket can speak english - 50% only show their eyes - I am not exaggerating - so since 2005, the sound of bolting horses followed by slowly closing stable doors can be heard throughout the land. During the petrol strikes and shortages, the petrol station had a sign outside which said 'asians only' - I saw it.

Even so, I much prefer many of them to many of the Lancastrians who can speak English and whose own culture has collapsed into drugs and drink and crime. In general, I consider the asians clean, hard working, well mannered and cheerful

But from my perspective, someone just gave my country and culture away - and I might as well be a foreigner in the U.S. as a foreigner here.

So it's hasta la vista to the England that was - you have gone forever - and hola mis amigos Americanos !

http://www.thisislan...ts_invasion.php

Edited by saywhat, 23 August 2007 - 08:36 AM.

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-08-23 08:32:00

QUOTE (Rubycon @ Aug 23 2007, 11:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Poiteen @ Aug 23 2007, 10:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Being an Irish citizen

Lots of things seem possible when you're Irish! One of my colleagues here at work has a British Citizen son who lives in Malaysia and is married with kids to a Malaysian woman. His children were refused British passports by the British consulate in Malaysia as they were not born in the UK. So, as he has an Irish mother, he went to the Irish consulate, claimed Irish ancestry for the children, and got them Irish passports. Thus although the children aren't UK citizens, their Irish passports are European - so they can enter without visas and work freely in the UK should they desire.

Sorry, a little off topic.

Any Americans out there who have claimed Irish citizenship through ancestry?

excellent post ! My granny's dad was Michael Casson who fled Ireland when he was on a sheep stealing charge....and his son opened the first topless bar in the UK.....good job i don't need an Irish passport...

Edited by saywhat, 23 August 2007 - 06:08 AM.

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-08-23 06:06:00

QUOTE (Poiteen @ Aug 23 2007, 10:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

HOWEVER, I still think that once you are actually married, the visa process is simpler. They don't ask for paperwork in dribs and drabs, it all goes in together, and you are all sorted out much more quickly. 6 of one, half a dozen of the other, no?

Still can't believe how FAST it was for my USC wife to get 'Further leave to remain' (conditional green card equivalent). We went to the UK consulate in chicago and we were out in 10 minutes - we went for a stroll and a sandwich, returned, and there it WAS !
She came into Manchester, got a job, and that was that.

At the time I had abandoned my US K1 fiance visa/AOS procedure, we were married, and I was in the US on visa waiver for 3 weeks...

Now we have lived through the most horrible 'summer' since the ice age in the most horrible drug using, drunken, ignorant, deprived, litter throwing, non-english speaking county in England (Lancashire) and we are packing for St Petersburg, Florida - lemme out !

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-08-23 04:52:00

QUOTE (Poiteen @ Aug 22 2007, 06:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

(v) the parties are not involved in a consanguineous relationship with one another; and

Which position is that ?

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-08-22 12:42:00

A lot of confusion in these posts....

Firstly with dropping a K1 visa ? I did it and subsequently went to the US on visa waiver - the hardest part is convicing dragon lady at manchester airport - She works for the airline. She wanted to stop me because i didnt have the K1 abandonment papers from USCIS as they were sent to my US fiance.

As she couldnt find a supervisor to back up her decision for no fly - she let me go after half and hour but said i might well be refused in chicago - it was really nasty - but it was a piece of cake at US POE

ok 'partners' - the whole point of partner legislation is that male and female are treated the same so hetros having to be married is incorrect.

getting married - you can marry in the UK but AOS is not available the same as US

Getting married in US and then coming to UK - we did that - it took 10 minutes in the UK Consulate in chicago - then wifey got her UK green card and we walked out !

After that - I think that her coming to the UK was much harder than me going to the US - I am taking about national insurance number/tax people /driving licence/getting a bank account etc - I did it in the US and she did it here in the UK - so WE KNOW !!!!

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-08-21 04:15:00

Medical done

QUOTE (Silas @ Sep 24 2007, 01:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (saywhat @ Sep 21 2007, 09:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Then, this is the knockout !

Out comes this gorgeous young woman - total stunner. I could see from the intelligent look in her eye that she was FRAU DOKTOR and no receptionist.

Suddenly, I'm now looking forward to the medical.

Yes but I NEVER want to see her again and I DON'T want to hear from her ! haha !

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-24 07:58:00

Medical done

QUOTE (Lansbury @ Sep 21 2007, 08:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well it's good to know at your age that the doc thinks you will last long enough to actually get here.

Was she the very nice South African one?

Couldnt hear her accent as I was staring into her eyes and nodding and all my other senses went numb !

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-22 04:25:00

Medical done

Did the medical yesterday - for those following on, this the drill:
Off the tube at Bond street on the central line - came out onto Oxford Street. If you turn left and go 30 yards there is a little square with a pub. In that square is snappy snaps so I went in and got 2 USA visa for 9.99. I know other people do even cheaper but it was right there so I got them.

ok when you come out of the station and you are looking for Bentinck mansions for the medical:

Turn right along oxford street for 120 yards or so and you will see Marylebone Lane going off to the left - so you cross Oxford street and go down Marylebone lane. Bentinck Street is quite aways down there and you will cross another junction where Marylebone Lane becomes narrow and winding. Although its only a few hundred yards from Oxford Street, the turn off for Bentinck street seems further than it looks on the map.

You turn right in Bentinck street and Bentinck mansions is a couple of doors on the right. There are some buttons on the door and one says 'medical'. You push that and it opens auto without anyone asking who you are - no point in having it really.

At reception they take your form that the embassy sent you and 1 UK sized photo and your inoculation records.
They dont ask you to pay as 'there might be extras '

I had all my inoculations up to date from K1 so nursey said I didn't need to see her. I said 'good' and she went 'Oh thanks !'
Then they call you for xray and its shirt off and big breaths (dont need the old gag thankyou)

Then, this is the knockout !

Out comes this gorgeous young woman - total stunner. I could see from the intelligent look in her eye that she was FRAU DOKTOR and no receptionist. Then 0.1 nanoseconds later I realised she would be checking the crown jewels !
She filled the form in and asked about a few extra things which seemed routine.

Then it was time to doff off down to my Mark's and Spencer's. I was prepared of course and I had been saying the 'Margaret Thatcher, Margaret Thatcher ' mantra in head for some time so no problema there. She felt my neck glands and looked in my eyes and mouth and took a quick butchers down into the shady regions of my keks but didn't linger . She looked up and said 'just a little #######' and took a very small blood sample from my arm - didn't hurt.

I asked a few questions and she confirmed that they were really looking for infectious diseases like the old siff and 'looks like I am a goner-here' and AIDS and TB.

The fact that I have been going to the U.S. on business and pleasure with an unlimited visa since 1981 seems to escape the comprehension of the US authorities. I think the law was brought in before anti biotics and international jet traffic. What percentage of K1's haven't already exported their 'bio - profile' to the U.S. before they even file for K1 ? Get real man.

There was a couple of VJers there - Chris 6ft 8" who is off to LA and a nice lady who is going to Seattle. Didn't really have time to speak. Then its pay your £200 (yes increased) and off to the pub for 2 pints of lager on an empty stomach. The effects of that and having done the medical are quite euphoric !

Anyway, piece of cake, relaxing atmoshere and friendly and professional...

another hurdle completed and I can get back on the ale now ! If they call me and say I have AIDS then I will have more to worry about than the stupid visa ! In fact you wouldnt get me away from the NHS with chains and a tank !
alan

Edited by saywhat, 21 September 2007 - 03:29 AM.

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-21 03:26:00

QUOTE (?C and P? @ Sep 25 2007, 04:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ok, so I know Pete didn't get a medical questionairre in his packet 3....but is told to make an appointment for medical....he's mailing forms back probably tomorrow...if they send it with packet 4, I just hope it comes in time before the medical....but then again, he has the option of being cheeky and saying...he's never been sent one..or forgot it..and let the medical staff provide him with a copy.

thats right he just has to say there wasnt one....

its only a 1 minute job to tick no no no and only one small page - so will be no problem...

alan

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-25 10:40:00

there is a link on vj takes you to a fuzzy scanned copy... lost the link so you need to search

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-25 10:19:00

QUOTE (?C and P? @ Sep 25 2007, 04:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

oops..just realized they didn't need that and it was a CR1 lol ..... :-P

Right, so does anyone have a questionairre then? Does it get mailed, or is it a form you must download?

it comes out with pckt 3 or packet 4 but it is not a download

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-25 10:13:00

QUOTE (willchels @ Sep 25 2007, 03:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Alan,

I'm so sad. Got a letter today and it is what a Packet 3 cover letter would look like. It says they are pleased to inform us that they have received the approved visa petition. It asks us to gather the documents we will need in support of our application and says "these are explained in the enclosed package of forms" but there were no forms included! The only thing included is the instructions for the medical and questionnaire (by the way we just scheduled the medical for Bentick Mansions at 9:15 am on wed Oct 3rd).

It say when we have notified them that we have all our documents (I'm assuming this is where a checklist would come in) and they have completed processing our case they will notify us of our interview date. Again, we didn't receive a checklist or forms or anything so not sure what we are supposed to do. I'm gonna find a way to call them cuz this is crazy. I should have just gotten Packet 4 like you guys.

Ah.....

yes you did CR1 via service center and NVC so it should be packet 4 - give em hell !

are you sure there is no internet link in there to download forms ?

but anyway it should be packet 4

yes call em do..

alan

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-25 09:27:00

QUOTE (willchels @ Sep 25 2007, 03:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is the medical questionnaire, innoculation record and photos the only things you need to take with you to the medical? I got a strange letter today (half of a Packet 3 I'm assuming) and there is medical questionaire and instructions but no other forms. Is that all I need?

WHAT !!!! is there a letter and have you got an interview (sorry if i am behind with news)

a VERY important thing to take is your
passport
inoculations
credit card !
and the questionnaire if you have it

so what is this mysterious letter ? a date yet ?

alan

Edited by saywhat, 25 September 2007 - 09:08 AM.

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-25 09:08:00

QUOTE (â™¥C and Pâ™¥ @ Seep 25 2007, 01:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Lansbury @ Sep 22 2007, 03:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (vgeg @ Sep 22 2007, 10:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the answer.
Do you know if I can find that medical questionarer to download.Or maybe anyone has a good scan ? Would be very much appreciated.

The medical questionnaire is given to you at the doctors, at least mine was last year.

I didn't have the date of the interview just my case number. In fact the instructions to arrange the medical come with packet 3 which is some weeks before you know when the interview date will be. You could try calling the US phone number and asking them if London have assigned a case number if it has been assigned they should be able to tell you what it is.

Can't see the doctor would really care about when the interview is it doesn't effect what they do, so when you get the case number call them and ask.

Vgeg,

You sent me an inbox this morning asking for the questionairre, .....Lansbury has given you the answer here. The questionairre is available at the medical. It is not something that you take with you. You will need photo id's, your shot records, and your case number I believe.

Well it is something you take with you officially, because the Embassy always send you the questionnaire..

However a number of cheeky chappies and chaplettes on here have talked the medical centre into an appointment then said they 'forgot' the form when they turned up - and yes they will give you a form there. Most important is your inoculation records as they charge a fortune to top you up...

alan

Edited by saywhat, 25 September 2007 - 08:18 AM.

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-25 08:18:00

QUOTE (vgeg @ Sep 23 2007, 08:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (andy2006 @ Sep 23 2007, 07:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

you should have a LND case number I did while it was proccessing at the NVC, I wish I'd taken the medical ealier by the time I got packet 4 I only had 2 weeks to till my interview and had to/wanted to fit medical in in between so there wasn't much time.

The only thing I never scanned was that medical questionaire as it was a simple tick list, I saw someone filling one out at the medical centre so I guess they do keep spares there, though not sure, you could ask, I found they are very helpful on the phone.

Hope this helps

Andreas

Yes,my case number starts with LND.So I think I will try to book the medical tomorow and will see.
Thanks you guys for your answers.

Depends on the receptionist.

I phoned 6 weeks ago and they said if I had not received the letter and forms she would not set a medical date..

I called a week or two after that and got a different receptionist and she just asked if i had a London case number

There is a link on here somewhere for scanned forms but you cant use em as they are just blurred - but it tells you the questions - just put no to em all if you possibly can and dont invite an inquest into your past unnecessarily...luckily I am pure as the driven snow so I had nothing to cover up. But I had an appendix scar so i admitted to that when it asked for hospitalizations. Actually I forgot to say I had a needle taken out of my foot under a hospitalization. When I said my foot hurt, one of my wives said I was soft and kicked it in there . She drove it right in against the nerve and it was dangerous..that was one of her more warm and loving moments actually - so I divorced her.

If you download the fuzzy forms and the receptionist says 'have you got the forms' you can say yes and then when you turn up at the medical say you didn't have the originals with you but you sketched out a copy (fuzzy forms from jv).. they have forms there...

luckily i got my letter and form 2 days before the medical...

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-23 06:14:00

Which petitoner address on DS230 part2 ?

QUOTE (MargotDarko @ Sep 24 2007, 10:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (saywhat @ Sep 21 2007, 05:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just doing the final ds-230 part 2 for the INTERVIEW !

ok Carolyn is the petitioner, but she lives with me here in the UK.

She is maintaining that she is DOMICILED in Milwaukee but temporarily resident in the UK

The form asks for the petitioner's address...

Can anyone see any reason why I should not put her UK address ?

This is nothing to do with 'Where are you going to live in the US' as we already did that on the 230 part 1 to nvc....question 10

just when I thought we were all done, I realise there is more decisions !

I wish the people who formulate these forms would cover all the angles - whichever way I jump they will say it should have been the other - I know em by now...

You should put her UK address. I can't think of any reason why you shouldn't. Her current address is separate from the issue of domicile - even if it seems like NVC doesn't understand that! It will be different in London though. They tend to be more sensible than NVC.

That's good news...for some reason they want a phone number too so I suppose it should be the UK address if they need to contact her...
Phew well I have totally ignored their advice and booked the plane tickets to Chicago 5th November...2nd wedding anniversary is 4th so we stay in a nice hotel with jack-ooziz etc at manchester airport and then hotel shuttle to the terminal and off we go around 10am.

Taking tons of backup to the interview 19th Oct...

Now I'm having fun - Carolyn is paralyzed with anxiety over the interview and medical results but I am totally confident now ...

the triumph of hope over experience

alan

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-24 04:32:00

Which petitoner address on DS230 part2 ?

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-21 11:43:00

McCann Parents Named as Suspects..

QUOTE (Mags @ Sep 26 2007, 10:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (perfect @ Sep 26 2007, 05:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

but it is known that fair-skinned, fair-haired kids are a target for particularly north african people who want to "buy" a child of that heritage.

I know when we travelled to North Africa for vacation that was exactly one of the things they warned us about as I have a son with very fair skin and blond hair, so it's not as far-fetched as you may like to believe.

I think Alan was saying that the people in these little villages tend to not have much money so they wouldn't be in the market for a blonde toddler. The people who DO pay money for these children tend to have substantial funds.

Does anyone here remember Ben Needham?

http://news.bbc.co.u...ews/6634075.stm

I have a fair haired son with a nice smile I would like to sell...

He lives in the Canary Islands so not far to send him to Morocco. He is 37 years old and 260 lbs and drinks ganja tea all day and also 2 bottles of wine for breakfast.

His blood pressure is 215/165 so there is no guarantee with this purchase.

This week he is on special offer for 20 dollars and a pickled egg.

I am prepared to take paypal or personal checks but the egg should be mailed direct ...

Captain Oates

Male

England

2007-09-27 02:14:00