3741

Damn, I got the contract for this new position and they really screw me over with leave. Sadly I’ll have to turn them down.

3742

This is something that just happened because of Texas beating Nebraska yesterday. :)

3743

And she went to Colombia? Yeah, she’ll have fans.

Colombia has some excellent engineering schools. Some great universities in general as a matter of fact, but these professionals either export themselves to a country that can actually make use of their abilities, or rot on the vine.

A NASA flight director speaking at a Colombian university will attract a lot of attention.

3744

No, she didn’t. And as far as I know, doesn’t have any connections to Colombia. That’s what’s so interesting about it. It looks more like some folks saw her on the news or something and just decided she was a Geek Goddess or something.

shrug

Or maybe she went to Colombia for a mission or something. Or made friends at Texas A&M from Colombia. No idea; I haven’t spoken with her or heard anything about her since HS.

3745

Earlier in the thread I mentioned how my wife & I have made a few TV appearances as part of our effort to promote awareness of childhood bipolar disorder (previous post: http://www.quartertothree.com/game-talk/showthread.php?p=1897961#post1897961 )

The next one is coming up now - our appearance on Dr. Phil will be broadcast on Tuesday, December 8. There’s a short blurb on the “Shows This Week” page: http://www.drphil.com/shows/

I think they picked a bit of a sensationalistic title, but overall Dr. Phil was pretty kind and complimentary to us.

There’s one more different appearance after this, probably broadcasting in January. I’ll post more about it when it is closer.

3746

I think they picked a bit of a sensationalistic title, but overall Dr. Phil was pretty kind and complimentary to us.

I take that to mean that you did NOT face punch him, then?

3747

I have an interview tomorrow. I still haven’t actually seen a job description yet or know whether what they’re offering for a contract over a full time position is worth actually taking but I figure it’s interview experience if nothing else and, unlike most of the other stuff being advertised at the moment, it doesn’t require a huge commute on my part.

The downside is that it starts on 4th Jan which blows my intention to take a couple of weeks off and investigate daytime TV out of the water.

3748

I had my naturalization test/interview this morning and passed with flying colors. After my swearing in ceremony on Dec 18th I’ll be a real, live American citizen! Life is AWESOME right now. :)

3749

Welcome. Soon enough you’ll be talking about moving to Canada like the rest of us. :)

3750

Ahhh, your issues with McDonalds are now a lot more understandable. Expect Big Macs to suddenly and inexplicably look delicious starting on Dec 19th.

3751

Welcome to paying US taxes for the rest of your life.

When I was living in the US I seriously considered never becoming a citizen and staying permanent resident forever. I wasn’t the only one I knew planning on doing that. Other than voting and (possibly, if it’s still around) collecting SS there isn’t a whole lot of reason to become a US citizen and the idea that if I did and I moved back to Canada I’d still have to pay US taxes… hmm.

3752

Where are you from originally?

3753

What happen?

Someone set you up the bomb?

3754

Nope, they’ve just got a mandatory company closure during my wife’s busy period at work so we wouldn’t have been able to take leave together.

3755

Wouldn’t you still have vacation time you could use? You both wouldn’t be able to take leave at that time anyway if it’s too busy for your wife? I’m not seeing the difference between having to work that time and not having to work that time under those circumstances.

3756

Where are you from originally?

Canada.

Welcome to paying US taxes for the rest of your life.

I’ve been paying them for over 10 years now. No diff, really.

When I was living in the US I seriously considered never becoming a citizen and staying permanent resident forever. I wasn’t the only one I knew planning on doing that. Other than voting and (possibly, if it’s still around) collecting SS there isn’t a whole lot of reason to become a US citizen and the idea that if I did and I moved back to Canada I’d still have to pay US taxes… hmm.

My wife is American, our house is in America, and I plan to retire in America with her - makes sense to become a citizen. :)

3757

Now when you’re old you get to take advantage of our fabulous health care system!

3758

Except that now if you leave you have to continue paying them.

My wife is American, our house is in America, and I plan to retire in America with her - makes sense to become a citizen. :)

All of which you could do as a permanent resident.

I don’t want to rain on your parade here, you obviously have your reasons for doing what you want and I have mine.

Congratulations! Achieving goals is always worth celebrating. As I understand it it’s been a long time for you right?

3759

You and Niven both.

3760

Isn’t that what The Secret is about? Heh.