Okay, so I probably should have posted this on Friday when it actually happened, but by the time I got home, I was so happy to just BE home that I couldn't really do anything else.
I went to lunch on Thursday with Melissa and Jeremy, to a place at Santana Row that I'd never been before. I won't even try to spell it, but I will say that it was absolutely amazing, and I'm looking forward to being able to go back. I wonder if they take to go orders. Oh, the danger.
But, because I went to lunch on Thursday, and spent a wonderfully enjoyable two hours, I didn't go to the social security office, nor did I go up to the college to buy books. So, I did that on Friday.
I swear to god...I was the only caucasian person in the social security office that day. There are five service windows in the place, but only one of them is dedicated to people who need new or updated cards. Outside the door is one of those take a number dealies (and some guy behind me didn't pull quite right, and yanked fifty numbers out of the thing), but (someone please explain this to me) after you choose a number and go *inside*, there's a plaque on the wall which tells people wanting new/updated cards not to take a number but to go to line five.
Yeah.
So, there are these four other windows that could be used, but they don't bother. Only one of them is open, and catering to the elderly folks who are there to pick up their checks or something--and there are another couple of people who apparently have appointments. Still, I am the only white person there. There are three families who've brought their unruly brats--which I say only because they were shrieking at the tops of their lungs, running around the small office. Sigh.
While in line, I heard the very patient, one-armed man explain the following: 'We cannot accept photocopies of marriage certificates.' 'You need to take a number to speak to someone about your checks, I can't help you.' 'She is a tourist. We do not issue numbers to tourists. (arguing from person in line) No, I am sorry, she is a *tourist*. We do not issue numbers to tourists. (more arguing) She has a visitor visa. We can't give her a number. (still more arguing) NO. She is a TOURIST. She cannot have a number. Next in line, please.' 'We cannot accept photocopies of marriage certificates. You need a notarized copy.' (Yes, again.)
It took me five minutes, once I finally got up there. Arg.
On to the college, where they've closed off a HUGE portion of the student parking area for god only knows what reason. Thank god my class this quarter isn't on campus. But holy crap, over $100 for four books for one single class. Oh, and even better, the syllabus mentions a book that the bookstore doesn't, so I have to go BACK. That or find the damn thing on Amazon or something. Arrrg.
But. I'm ready for classes.
And...scarily enough, I'm actually reasonably glad to be back at work. We'll see how long that lasts.
Posted by Liz at September 22, 2003 10:19 AM