Throw it out!

I am an anti-pack rat. An anti-clutter queen. Maybe it's because I've moved so much. Maybe it's the Virgo in me. No matter - if you haven't used it, don't really like it, get rid of it. I have always been this way - except for books, music, photographs, and t-shirts that have sentimental value - but now I'm on a roll.

In October 2000 we were burglarized to the tune of about $10,000 worth of, well, you name it. The obvious stuff like CD player, leather jacket, suitcases in which to haul it away. But, they also took shampoo out of the shower, food from the fridge, a 100 count bag of Halloween candy, ibuprofen... I lost my class rings, baby jewelry, grandmother's diamond. What was weird was that they didn't touch all of the baby stuff, still in the packages, easily returned to Target. I think even criminals have their limits. We were thankful that they didn't harm our animals or vandalize the house when they realized who lived there. Anyway, that got me further into the "it's only stuff mode."

Then, in January 2006, as regular readers (all four of you) know, I spent a week in Mississippi doing disaster recovery work. Once you haul virtually everything - and I mean everything - that belongs to someone out to the curb, you really know, it's only stuff. I mean, we just can't get that worked up over material goods. Seriously.

In between these two experiences I had become more and more obsessive about environmentalism and trying to "do the right thing" for my kid. As someone who used to be able to tell you where to shop and how to find "the mall" in a number of major US cities, I was becoming terribly anti-consumption. And, I love it.

So, last spring I started. Haven't worn it in a year? Out. Never use it because we've got it stashed in the back of the cupboard anyway? Out. Haven't unpacked it since moving to Minnesota in 1995? Am I really going to buy another turntable? Ummm... I'll get back to you on that one. Everything gets categorized as "If we don't use it now will we take it to Canada?" If not, gone! I'm having a blast.

The really cool thing is that while a lot of places, including the Twin Cities, have craigslist, we've also got Twin Cities Free Market. In the past month I've given away stuffed animals, kids' clothing, tapes, books, and a backpack; framed posters that haven't been on the wall since I moved in 2001, and a Walkman I haven't used since going MP3. But, this weekend was really liberating!

I used to be a real music fiend. I still love it, but I don't have time to obsessively make my own mixes, etc. I no longer even own a cassette deck. But, sure enough, I still had about 100 cassette tapes, mostly from the late 1970s to mid 1980s. A young guy had posted a "wanted" ad, looking for any LPs or tapes for his collection. He was thrilled. So was I. Then, I weeded the LPs. I kept the special ones like my very first album, A Hard Day's Night, and those that had been in my father's jazz collection. But those I'd either never listen to or would rather just have on my iPod - and, yes, I agree, vinyl is superior to all other species - (e.g., Cameo, John Denver, Hubert Laws, Barry Manilow, Melissa Manchester, Barbra Streisand, Tavares, Eric Burdon and War) would have to go. Along with 70+ 45s. I kept three from elementary school to put in my box of memorabilia (okay, okay - The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde, Mellow Yellow, and Eleanor Rigby/Yellow Submarine). Anyway, a young woman e-mailed me immediately - "Please, please, please, pick me!" Off they went. She and her fiance came to pick them up. They were happy, I was happy.

So, this is a long winded way of saying that when we (FINALLY) do move there will be no expired cold medicine, platform shoes (from either the first or second time around), or clothes that don't really fit to debate keeping. And, I'll have to save for another post how much easier it is to clean the house... Well, if we could just figure out a way to tackle those black lab/springer tumbleweeds!

Before You Enlist!

Please go here and watch this video. Going from the blog it may take a minute to load, but it will. You can choose either a YouTube or Google Video version. Watch it and then share as you see fit. It's about 14 and a half minutes in length. Participants include parents of deceased soldiers, Vietnam and Gulf War/Iraq War vets, and a former military recruiter. Watch this video.

Leaving the US

I was walking to the office, listening to Pink and the Indigo Girls, thinking about L-girl's post mentioning the hate mail she had received, etc. That got me thinking about people's attitudes toward those of us who leave. This blog is under the radar enough and, I think, people are less torqued over the issue that I've not experienced that. But, here are my thoughts to those on the so-called-right and so-called-left who might challenge our decision.

To the so-called-right: In 1978, after finishing my undergraduate degree, I enlisted in the U.S. Army. I enlisted - as opposed to joining as an officer - because I thought I might be a career officer and I felt that I'd be a better one if I had enlisted experience. My first assignment was as a military police officer at a nuclear weapons storage site in Germany. I've spent many hours behind locked gates "protecting democracy," freezing my ass off, being bored out of my mind. In 1981 I came off active duty, entered the reserves, and, in 1985, went to Benning School for Boys - also known as Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA. As I drove through Georgia, psyched to be going, I played John Philip Sousa on my tape player. I am not making this up! A little over three months later I was commissioned as a 2LT.

For the next 15 years I was in and out of reserve and inactive reserve assignments. In 2000 I resigned my commission. After all the subterfuge, allegations, and games ("I know that you know that I know, but let's all play.") and, I admit, a completely different view on U.S. politics, militarism, etc. than I had at 22, I was finished. But, I had spent 22 years "serving" in various capacities.

The bottom line for me is that this country treats me as a second class citizen. It doesn't recognize my family. It screws me financially because we aren't treated as a family. And for this I put on the uniform. I have often asked myself, for a variety of reasons, what exactly what I "protecting" when I did so? It certainly wasn't my rights, my freedom. So, at the ripe old age of 50 I am tired of it. I just want to get my family to a place where we are equal under the law.

I served the country of my birth. I've earned a Ph.D. I've earned a J.D. I teach. I volunteer. I contribute to charity. In fact, I took 20 people to do recovery work in the Gulf last winter. But, yeah, I somehow don't deserve to be treated equally. I'm a non-person and particularly a non-mom in the eyes of this country. What would you do?

To the so-called-left: Yup. The above is true. But it doesn't capture a lot. In 1990-91, while my brother was jumping out of airplanes into Iraq, I was protesting with a sign "Reserve Officer Against the War." So, don't go all weird on me about military service. I've made a career out of challenging military policy and exposing military wrongdoing. I love Cynthia Enloe's work. Don't know it? Then don't talk to me about the military.

Think I'm "jumping ship" or that we're about to "turn a corner?" Maybe you - as an individual - think I deserve equal treatment under the law. A good number of your fellow lefties don't. Maybe you - as an individual - think my family deserves equal treatment under the law. Many of your fellow lefties don't. Mention marriage and everyone goes all wiggly about tradition or they're just too afraid of what their friends or constituents will think. Even John Kerry was a loser on this one. I never did get a good answer for how he reconciles his "belief in the tradition of marriage" with being a divorced Catholic. Hmmmm... The Democratic party is filled with chicken shits when it comes to the same-sex marriage issue. Civil unions are the 21st century version of separate but equal. It is separate and it's not equal. No way around it.

I've written, I've organized, I've protested. I'm tired. Does that mean I'll stop? Not a chance. But it does mean that I'd like to do it in a place that has at least made an effort of not just giving me a place at the table, but letting me eat, too.

Back to our regularly scheduled programming - So, no, I'm not in a bad mood. I was just thinking about how people on both sides don't really get it and wanted to spew something about it.

Have a terrific weekend! It's raining and dark here in Minnesota, but it's still Friday!

Teeny, tiny, but glad to have it good news

We received 5YO's new passport yesterday! Since kids' passports are only issued for five years his was going to expire soon enough that they wouldn't have accepted it for visa issuance. So, with new photos of the big boy and the requisite funds off it went and back it came. So, we now each have a passport that is good for at least 5 years. One more thing to check off "the" list! Yea!

And, from The New York Times

Canadians Fault U.S. for Its Role in Torture Case
By IAN AUSTEN
Published: September 19, 2006
OTTAWA, Sept. 18 — A government commission on Monday exonerated a Canadian computer engineer of any ties to terrorism and issued a scathing report that faulted Canada and the United States for his deportation four years ago to Syria, where he was imprisoned and tortured.

For the entire article, click on the title above.

Too funny!

This has nothing - well, not directly - to do with immigration, etc. But, it cracked me up!

I'm sitting here slogging away on this book and I had to check something on the website of the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command. Yeah, scary, I know. Anyway, go here to see if you can tell why I got a good laugh!

Okay, back to work!

Be afraid, be very afraid

"Bush said the Geneva Conventions’ Common Article 3 is vague and must be clarified to protect CIA interrogators from prosecution by other countries. Article 3 requires detainees be 'treated humanely' and bars 'outrages upon personal dignity.'" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14848798/page/2/

Hmmm, vague? Doesn't that man have a dog? Does he need further instruction on how to treat it humanely? As for personal dignity, yeah, I'd believe he doesn't know the first thing about that.

"A trio of powerful Republican senators -- John McCain of Arizona, John Warner of Virginia and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina -- has endorsed legislation that would protect the rights of detainees. . . . The three senators object to Bush's bid to define more narrowly the Geneva Conventions' standards for humane treatment of prisoners, which the president insists is needed for the CIA to elicit valuable information from detainees."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14718435/

What is wrong with that man? Yeah, anything that helps the GOP implode is okay in my book; well, almost anything. But, wow... I keep hearing things that just leave my mouth hanging open.

Check it out!

I'm guessing a number of you might already have seen this. But, check out Kyle McDonald's blog, one red paperclip. Imagine bartering a paper clip for a house. Wow.

P.S.

One of my favorite things about 5YO is that he now, when asking a question or referring to some place not nearby, says, ". . . another part of the world." E.g., When we saw those cows, that was when we were in another part of the world." Well, I think it's cute.

Have a great weekend!

The 5YO and Moving to Canada

In one of my other blogs I referred to my son as 5YO, as in "five year old." I didn't like using his name so publicly, especially since it is somewhat unique, so I came up with that. While I may have slipped somewhere, that's how I tend to refer to him in the blogosphere.

In a comment here Tom asked what 5YO thought about moving. Well, mostly he thinks it's pretty cool. Every now and again he's not so thrilled about leaving the only house he's known. But, he knows he gets a fish tank whenever we do move. We like to refer to parenting as a series of bribes and threats...

I thought I'd write a little more about 5YO's travels. First, we're waiting for his second passport to come back. Since kids' passports are only good for five years and he's had his since 2003, we're trying to time it right for his passport to have more than two years on it when we get visas. Since it should arrive any day it would be good until 2011. I think we're set.

He got his passport in 2003 because we were going to spend three weeks in Amsterdam. That was a wonderful trip! He was just over 2 and had a blast in Vondelpark. This time, 2006, he enjoyed a place called Tun Fun. I didn't get to go, but I guess they made an indoor playground out of what had been an underpass!

5YO's first trip was a road trip to Saint Louis when he was about 8 weeks old. Of course he doesn't remember it (tongue in cheek), but he did go up in the Arch. From there, due to a family emergency, we drove to Branson. Yes, it's true. Notice that I've not linked to info about Branson... When he was 3 months old we flew to Arizona for a family reunion - prompted by his arrival - in Sedona.

As of today he's taken 40 flights - legs, not round trip. He's done road trips in several directions. So far, by plane or car, he's been to Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, and California. Wow, I've never written it down before. In Europe he's been to the Netherlands twice, Germany, Belgium, France, and Austria for a quick swing just south of Neuschwanstein. He's also joined us in the border town of Nogales to make a vanilla and tequila run.

But, Canada, oh, Canada. After a harrowing drive on a post-blizzard highway, we welcomed 2005 by spending New Year's Eve at The Forks in Winnipeg. We spent New Year's Day snowshoeing at Fort Whyte. It was wonderful, even at 1 degree.

In March we visited Thunder Bay and got married. 5YO isn't so sure that he likes "weddings" because you have to be quiet, but at least the Deputy City Clerk bribed him with a bag of candy. See, bribe and threaten.

That June we flew into Vancouver and spent the night up in Whistler. The next day he was able to take his first horseback ride in the beautiful setting of Pemberton. Then we spent about five days in Vancouver, staying in Davie Village, hanging out in Stanley Park. Fab!

Then, in November, we took a long weekend in Toronto, also making a quick trip to Niagara Falls. One of the cool kids things in Toronto was Riverdale Farm.

So, in terms of regions, 5YO has been in Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Toronto. Not bad. If all goes well he'll/we'll visit Halifax and environs next summer.

All in all, he's a great traveler and he has enjoyed Canada as a tourist. I do wish that we had been able to relocate before he started primary school, but, we're doing our best to convey excitement and all the kid things that should make it appealing.

That's it for now. A nice trip down memory lane!

No news is, well, no news

This, from our attorney, in response to, "What's going on in Detroit?"

"The Canadian Consulate General in Detroit does appear to be experiencing delays in issuing the initial assessments for Skilled Worker cases, and the time frame given to you previously was merely an estimate, based on the combined processing times of the Consulates in the USA. It is true that some applications that were transferred to other offices in the USA are starting to be finalized, unfortunately this is not the case for files in Detroit. There are several applications at the visa office that have not yet received assessments. From recent experience, it appears that the Consulate is currently assessing applications for which the Acknowledgements of Receipt were issued in March of 2005. "

Okay, now find out why they're slow as molasses...

Down girl, down.

Days of Our Lives

"Like sands through the hourglass..." That's what I thought of when contemplating that today is the three month mark from transfer of our file to Detroit. What are they doing? This is soooo exasperating. Not that I'm saying anything you don't already know, but geez!

I haven't been posting because I've been crazy busy with the start of school, but mainly because there's nothing to report. If there were, I could ALWAYS find time. But, grrrr! Tell me to get a physical - really, I don't mind! Tell me to get more fingerprints - no big deal. But, tell me something!

Judging by the timelines here you'd think we'd hear something soon. SOMETHING!

I'm ready to buy a bunch of prayer candles and create a shrine on our porch. Let's see, there's the Saint Alex candle for the imprisoned. Hmmm... But, then, Anima Sola is to "pray to the lonely souls of purgatory for release from jail or when trapped in a situation you want out of." That sounds good. Of course, Saint Christopher is all about safe travels. But, what about Saint Expedite, "Known to make things happen in a hurry." Arrggghhhh! Maybe I'll stick with humor - this one is fun.

Okay, back to writing the stuff I get paid for...

Cheerio!

5 September 2006

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me... Well, I was hoping for a birthday present from Detroit in the form of an IA - something, anything! But, alas, nothing. Yes, cyber-friends, today I pass into the "I would have lost two points but my application is already in process" zone. I am 50. Arrggghhhh! But, get this. This morning I put my five year old on the bus for his first day of kindergarten. I just cracked up when I first I realized that on my 50th birthday, the exact day, my son would be starting kindergarten!

After lunch with my partner at our favorite Indian buffet I treated myself to an hour long browse at the bookstore. Heaven, I'm in heaven... After looking at dozens of books that I would like to read, but know I wouldn't have time for right now, I happened upon "Not Left Behind," a book about the rescue of pets after Katrina. Excellent.

That's about it. Still awaiting word - one word, two words, any words - from Detroit, but trying to remind myself that we're actually better off if things are a little slow. And, I live vicariously through Nick and Mason! Thanks, guys!

The Gulf Coast

I don't really know what I want to say. In a rare moment of channel surfing I happened upon the Discovery Channel's "Surviving Katrina." I don't care for their re-enactments and what I find too great an element of sensationalism, but, having been in New Orleans this past spring, when you could once again drive down Canal Street, the live footage of Katrina captured my attention.

Last year, during the first week of September I changed the course I was scheduled to teach in January from "Applied Sociology in an Urban Environment" to "Applied Sociology: The Social Dimensions of Disaster." My goal was to examine [what was then] the Katrina disaster through the lenses of, at a minimum, race, class, and gender. I also hoped to find the means to have the class do relief work in the Gulf. In January we traveled to the Gulf and spent a week working in Mississippi. We also spent a day in New Orleans learning firsthand about the disaster. I returned in April. A lot had changed. But not a lot had changed.

As I've suggested in other postings, I'm just not a strong enough writer to begin to characterize what it was like, on both trips... Watching this program I am, again, shocked, appalled, disgusted. I just can't fathom what the "leadership" in this country allowed to happen.

When we returned to Minnesota last January people here were surprised that there was still so much work to be done. After four and a half months people couldn't believe that there might not have been significant improvements. I can only imagine that, a year later, many people around the country imagine that things are pretty much back to normal. That is so very wrong. So very wrong. I don't have a particular relief program or volunteer opportunity to pitch. There are tons of opportunities for those who can help. I just had to write something. It's just beyond my comprehension what this country allowed to happen.

Motown, Slowtown

What is going on in Detroit? That seems to be the big question for those of us who have had files transferred from Buffalo to Detroit. At least several folks who had AORs of March 2005 received requests for passports in July - 16 months. Buffalo seems to be transferring files almost exactly one year from the date of AOR. Ours was exactly one year. 13 June. Under the recent trend, we should be getting a request for medicals any day now. But, then I see people who had their files transferred in February and they've heard nothing yet! No IA, no request for meds, nothing. As I've said before, it's good we've got a long timeline in front of us, but it's still frustrating...

P.S.

I gave up trying to post more about the Outgames and the international human rights conference that preceded the games. But, check out their site! It was an amazing thing in which to participate!

Time Warp

I can't believe it's been over two weeks since I posted anything and longer than that since I posted anything of substance. Time is flying by... We were in Tucson from 8-15 August and now we're getting ready for our son to start kindergarten. Oh, yeah, and then there's that law school thing - my partner starts on Monday. Then there's that book I'm [supposed to be] writing... You get the picture.

I have, however, tried to make time to check the other "Canadian blogs" - meaning those of us who have either moved North or are in the process of doing so. I was thrilled to see that Mason and Nick got their visas. That was really cool. Seattle is obviously moving more quickly than Detroit! We've not heard a thing since our file was transferred in June. We just passed the two month point from that date. "Data suggest" that we should hear something in the way of request for meds and/or more materials within the next month. I sure hope so.

I've decided that this process is like what I imagine drug addiction to be. Get a little something and be happy for a while and then start craving something more. The good news, as I've said before, is that while we will "land" we won't make the whole hog move until the summer of '09. So, while we want to get visas in hand, the delay actually helps in terms of our calendar. If all goes according to plan (i.e., we get visas in early 2007 and we have a year from the date of our meds to land), I think we'll try to land on Canada Day. That would be cool.

Well, I just wanted to post *something* and let folks know we're still here, just swamped! As always, you'll be the first to hear something when we do!

Things that make you go, "Hmmm..."

Okay, everybody should be entitled to vacation, but, c'mon - Castro is failing, Israel is still bombing civilians, Congress is listening to testimony about Iraq and Afghanistan, people are dying from the heat wave, but what's Bush doing? Yup, big surprise, going on vacation in Texas. Now I realize that the president is never really on vacation, but talk about thumbing one's nose...

Me? I've been too busy playing catch-up to update my blog with more on my fabulous trip to Montreal. But, I'll get there. In the meantime, for a great 6 minute montage - including some Cirque de Soleil footage - go here and click on "Extracts from the Opening Ceremony."

Meanwhile, it's back to work - just had to vent.

Da-da-da-daaaa!

This morning as I was standing in the lobby of the Paleis des Congres in Montreal I got a voice mail from my partner... We received our FBI fingerprint cards! And, the REALLY good news is that neither of them were rejected for being smudged, etc. Both were stamped indicating that neither of us have records. Woo-hoo! One more small step for Canada! And let me tell you, Canada is looking so good right about now! Hope all is well with anyone reading this! G'night!

Oh my gosh!

I am so behind in posting! Maybe I can catch up tomorrow. In brief, let me offer these teasers - former prime minister of the Czech Republic, former Canadian Minister of Justice, former justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, Martina Navratilova, Cirque de Soleil, k.d. lang... The conference is over and the games have officially begun. More soon!