pretty cold here, at 0° C but the sky was bright blue this morning and the light glorious.
But still I just feel in a ranting mood today. The visa process to go and study/fly in the US is a real mission, pain somewhere near the body center of gravity. I've spent more than 5 hours on the computer trying to sort out forms, to go through various methods of theft, sorry "fees", and other miscellanous bureaucratic annoyances ( I have to stay polite as this is public but believe me, I've wished I had a hitman in my address book to sort out the lousy punks who created such poor websites or criterias and requirements to get the visa). The bloody list of stuff to bring at the appointment is not even complete as discovered after a compulsory prepaid 15 euros (!) phone call! There was a general certain lack of logic, respect, common sense...
Internet in year 2010 is still in its infancy in term of efficiency. If pilots were to fly the way some clowns produce websites and computerized things, they'd be little passengers left, and pilots of course.
hey girls, you'd be happy to know that the US authorities still consider women as second class people! Law suit law suit.... One form is to be completed by men only! Not to ask for our dick size (though with the numerous weird questions they ask, why not...) but to ask which school I've attended (as if women don't go to school anyway), my parents' names, where I've worked (as if women don't work anyway), my nicknames if any (?), my tribe, if I have any experience in explosives or chemicals or nuclear stuff (again as if women...), if I have been caught in a conflict...all questions that don't appear anywhere else in the both gender forms.
I was shocked to discover than without an internet access, email account, printer etc, you just don't qualify to enter the States other than a plain tourist.
I wish I had the talent of Bill Bryson to describe this Kafkaian situation. I understand security produces some constraints but why ask me if I have any intention of engaging in terrorist activities? "yeah sure, by the way, could you indicate me where I can buy Semtex or nuclear trash?"
anyway, enough for today, it is really one of these days where I regret I wasn't born earlier (before Microsoft, internet and excessive bureaucracy). But next days will be busy too: obtain other forms from the bank, the city council, visit an accredited photographer because the picture they require is nothing standard (of course, why make it simple when you can annoy people instead?) and more...
have a good night, as for me I'd need a triple scotch and a lounge chairfacing a sunset, and why not some Thai massage on top...
