Archive for April 15th, 2008

15 Apr 2008 Danger Bomb Clock
Author: Gail |  Category: Consumer  | 2 Comments

In a not-so-unrelated follow-up to the last post, I bring to you the type of device that just MIGHT get me up in the morning, the Danger Bomb Clock by Geekstuff4u.com:

http://www.geekstuff4u.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=488

Wake you up every morning with Explosion Sound! To stop the bomb, you have to pull out just one code from three. The safety code is set randomly every morning.
Battery: AAx3 (not included)
Size: 170x120x40mm
Not for children under 15
Limited Edition

Perfect for the morning-allergic like me. Now wouldn’t that be an interesting device to pack in the U.S.-bound luggage?

15 Apr 2008 U.S. Border Policy Enforcement Needs Reform
Author: Gail |  Category: Expat Life, Politics + Economy, Rants  | 6 Comments

* rant alert *

I have opined time and time again that U.S. border guards (at both airport and land points of entry) are ill-informed, inconsistent, and have far too much discretionary power.

Here’s another example of what I’m talking about:

U.S. border guards bar skilled Canadian from his job – CBC, March 31, 2008

Technician says increased protectionism at U.S. border is unfair

I still get upset when I’m reminded of how much time, money, and sheer energy David and I spent trying to follow the stated policies of U.S. Immigration to the letter in order to get married and be together. We had an immigration attorney working for over a year on our case (who I only finished paying in December 2006; visa application fees and such are nonrefundable) and did everything he instructed us to do to secure my visa — including being forced to live apart during what we learned later was a critical time in David’s health.

When I think of how much of a difference I could have made by just being there for David, getting him to the hospital and taking care of him in July 2005 when his lymphatic system was under attack and his symptoms were intensifying (night sweats, back pain, etc.), I can’t help but get angry at this system that’s supposed to PROTECT its citizens but is in fact turning them and their families into victims of nearsighted bureaucracy gone mad.

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