OK....an update.....
This week has been about househunting and more bureaucracy.
Social Security has been a soul destroying process so far. The day after my trip to the social security office i learned that my application had been rejected based on a "date of birth mismatch". It seems that immigration recorded my fate of birth incorrectly and as such i need to fix their records before i can get THE most fundamental official document to start building my life here. The tragic thing in this were that they insisted i had made a mistake with my date of birth, to add insult to injury (as teef has already realised), that was my 33rd birthday. Certainly the first time i've ever been told "Sorry, you think it's your birthday, but you're wrong" (or words to that effect). Anyway, after re-supplying a passport and birth cert, things are on their way to being corrected, albeit with an extra months delay.
Now......my temporary accomadation runs out on 24th. I have until then to find a decent apartment. It might surprised you all to learn that SF is actually more expensive than London for a decent apartment (especially if you want to park). This weekend i found the perfect place, but despite all of my prep and references and UK credit history and landlords phoning my employers...AND my beautiful accent (you guys sound beautiful too), I didn't get the apartment i wanted. Nor even second choice. The market here is so competitive. So.....back to square one with 10 days accommodation to go. Getting scared hence this post. You guys always make me smile.....despite being limeys.
As an aside, the wine here is actually OK. NEVER try Oregon wine though. I learned about a new style of reggae called Rock Reggae on Friday. It seems to be dominated by white drunk american kids, in fact when someone mentioned "roots" i almost spat my hard liquor out. For those who havent heard it, "Rock Reggae" sounds like Pearl Jam went to Jamaica, got stoned and were raped by a big black rasta. The bastard offspring was angry about his identity and tried to articulate his "roots" with an spliff, a Marshall amp and a Gibson Les Paul. In summary......a salmon and peanut butter sandwich.
Anyway......i gotta get back to
craigslist but, anyway. Miss being in same timezone as you lot and really looking forward to things settling so i can send you a proper (bike related) update with gratuitous photos of me tanned in lycra, with glass of red in one hand, blonde in the other......it will happen.....honestly
Mark
