The social security office was the most amusing trip to a federal government office I’ve ever taken.
No, seriously. And it was all thanks to the security guard, James Turner. Officer Turner must know he’s an attractive black man made even more attractive by (a) the uniform he’s wearing, and (b) his incredibly infectious sense of humor. So, he accosts me when I get there to make sure my forms are in order, and then spends the rest of his time flirting outrageously with the two hot girls in front of me. Which was fine– I didn’t feel like flirting at that moment. In fact, he flirted so much that, had I not been appreciative of the importance of flirtation with handsome men in uniform, they would have lost their place in the line in front of me.
But I’m nice– I let them back into their spot.
Anyway, that was the highlight of my lunchtime. The rest of it was spent driving to the social security office. Then driving around the area where it’s located to look for a decent place for lunch. Then driving back up to Milpitas to find someplace for lunch. Then driving back to my office after a rather unsatisfying lunch of chicken teryaki over rice.
Ah, well. At least the social security card issue has been taken care of– it’s only been on my “to do” list for over a year (since April 8, 2002, to be precise).
Next up: the printer table!!!
I made the decision to give Roberta the loveseat– she’s going to let me drop it off today, even though she has to clear space for it, too.
Also, I’m going to the Social Security office today at lunch to request a replacement card– I changed my name 3 years ago, but never received a social security card in the mail (should I worry? I think so!)
The fact that the social security administration issues cards by mail only, and there’s so much mail theft and fraud already in Scotts Valley makes me worry.
If I don’t receive the card in 2 weeks, though, I will need to go bitch a storm.
I saw two birds fighting pretty hard today when I was on my way out. Other birds around them were swooping around and landing on them, maybe trying to break them up? I don’t know– one of the birds was definitely losing, though.
I thought about stopping and interfering. But then, who am I to tell birds not to behave like birds?
I also stopped and had the loveseat repair/reupholstering estimate done at the local place. $880, plus fabric (total, about $1100). Mom says it would be a lot less in Chicago (uh, yeah– 20 years ago). I’m looking around for other places in San Jose that might do this. I realize $1100 is about the cost of a new sofa, and I understand that this one, though an antique, isn’t all that comfortable at all. But you know what? It’s the perfect sofa for a professor’s office– it’s uncomfortable enough to get students out of the office quickly, and small enough to fit in the typical office space for a professor of English literature and composition.
I guess I worry that getting rid of it means getting rid of that part of me still dreaming of teaching at a university.
Moneterey Bay Poetry anthology: http://www.montereybaypoetry.com/ - Deadline, February 15, 2004.
