Today was my unexpected last day with working for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). This reality occurred after receiving an email from my immigration attorney on Monday that stated (in part):

“In regards to your case, we found out through an inquiry this morning they are not going to process it as premium processing and that we must wait on their normal processing which could be a few days or a few weeks. We have to just sit and wait at this point, but hopefully we will hear something soon.”

Following receipt of the email, a flurry of activity occurred trying to figure out firstly, what went wrong with the process for my visa application; and secondly, what could be done to re-engage and (hopefully) speed up the process to prevent me having to stop working for BBBS.

Simply put, it turns out that my attorney was under the impression that my visa could be processed in an accelerated manner if I was happy to pay for this service. I was, and I did. In fact, we (my attorney and I) were counting on this type of service to enable me to continue working for BBBS without any interupption, as it would normally take between 1-3 months to process my application. What we did not count on was the Immigration office advising that this particular application could not get processed in an accelerated manner “at this time.” Not sure what the reason actually is for this decision, but it did nothing to stop the panic from starting to fester.

So after exploring a number of options, it finally came down to the realization that as of 5PM today, I was not going to be an employee with BBBS … at least for a few days to hopefully no more than than a few weeks. So earlier today, I sent out an email to my case load that I no longer worked for BBBS, and that I hoped to be back with them in the next week or so. I was actually rather calm about it, which kind of surprised me. I am hopeful that my calmness is a reflection that everything is going to be okay and I’ll be back working with BBBS shortly. Fingers crossed.

Of course the silver lining is that BBBS is very supportive and have agreed to give me some time until this matter is resolved. While it means some extra work is being done by staff within my old team, it is very comforting to know that I am appreciated for what I have to offer the organization, and that they are willing to acknowledge the work that I have contributed over the last ten months and not let it just disappear. Personally, I think this is the main difference in working for a nonprofit in my view – they care. There are many other differences, but this is one that stands out.

Oh, and just for fun, I developed a cold that knocked my energy levels way down, so that only made my week all that much better.

Rants & Raves immigration, work

We are off to see The Simpsons Movie tonight, and after enjoying a salad at CPK, we got to the cinema and we got our place in line – at the front.

First time ever

Of course this meant we got to pick the best seats, well Corey did . The theatre is a little rowdy, but I’m hopeful that the movie will shut them up.

Being Social, Rants & Raves

As many others are posting on their blogs get out and vote today!

If you live in Frisco, you can find your polling place information here.

Politics, Rants & Raves

Earlier today I received an email from the American Humanist Association alerting me to the fact that the US House could be voting on a bill that would “make it more difficult to oppose organizations and local governments that seek to establish a specific religion in the public sphere.” According to the official title of the bill, HR 2679 will

amend the Revised Statutes of the United States to eliminate the chilling effect on the constitutionally protected expression of religion by State and local officials that results from the threat that potential litigants may seek damages and attorney’s fees.

The effects of this legislation would be to limit any claim that challenges a potential violation of the Constitutional protections surrounding religious expression by state and local government officials to only injunctive relief. If this law was in effect at the time of the recent San Diego issue, the court could not have awarded financial penalty against the City of San Diego (sidenote, the Congress recently passed a bill that would transfer this land to the Department of Defense).

According to the AHA, this bill is part of the GOP’s “American Values Agenda“. Oh joy!

Rants & Raves

Well after making the trek to Addison for Kaboom Town, we were standing on the balcony looking at a prematurely ended show. The music continued as if nothing happened, which was exactly what was happening I now also remember why I don’t come to Kaboom Town – not because of the failings of a presentation, but the traffic!

Rants & Raves

I normally don’t get into straight “porn” but yesterday, I found this link thanks to Jared over at Completely Naked.  You can see some screenshots at Casual in Istanbul but I downloaded the movie just to see “what it was all about.”  Something that would please all my friends who like watching people have sex.

Speaking of sex, over at Beautiful blog, we can see some new pictures of one of our favorite fantasy bed partners, Ian Somerhalder and Nick Beyeler. You can also see some other stars (not in the fantasy bed partner category) including Kylie, George Michael and Rupert Everett (well the last picture of him, might move him up to the bed list).

Moving on, over at BoysBriefs blog, we learn that Leslie Jordan and Lady Bunny will be featuring in a new television show, Laugh Out.

Cinco de Mayo is this coming Friday. I wonder what if I could use that for a reason to get drunk?

Rants & Raves

I just got an email from Chris outlining the latest moans and groans from the American (anti-)Family Association, and decided to browse around their site to see what other things they have been up to.  I found this page.  This page was presented as “proof” of the type of activities that occurs at the Gay Games (the issue relates to Kraft Foods sponsorship).  Of course, when you go there you will see some photos that have nothing to do with the athletic events and the bonds that are developed between athletes, instead you see a few pics of the party-goers (*sigh*). 

Of course, this is the equivalent of me saying that this is proof that all Christians hate gay people (a known fallacy).  I guess there may be some truth to this amongst the leadership of the AFA.

Rants & Raves

The Judson school district superintendent has pulled “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood from the school’s in his system, as “a parent complained it was sexually explicit and offensive to Christians” (source).  The article goes on to say that, “In doing so, he overruled the recommendation of a committee of teachers, students and a parent. The committee is appealing the decision to the school board, which is scheduled to meet tonight.” 

I’ve not actually read the novel, although it is on my reading list (wishlist), but a blurb in the story says the novel “is a story of an environmentally blighted United States after a coup. Civil war rages as a fundamentalist Christian regime revokes all women’s rights and presses the few who remain fertile into sexual slavery.”  Sounds more like truth, rather than fiction.

Update: March 24, 2006 The school board overruled the superintendent at their meeting on Thursday night.

Rants & Raves