Just posting an update to my status:
I have returned to Canada. I wish I could say it was in high spirits, but unfortunately not so much. The vacation itself was wonderful. It was great to see my relatives.
The trip back....not so much. There was an issue at the border. A big issue. Lets just say I have about 60 days to get my paperwork in order before things go incredibly bad.
But really the biggest stress was that a 9 hour drive became a 12 hour one due to weather and terrible conditions...and even then it didn't help me out too much. In the last 30 minutes of the drive (less than half an hour back in canada and half an hour away from home), my car hit a patch of unforseen ice and I fishtailed straight into a guard rail.
No one was hurt, I hit no other car, and I was able to drive away (though incredibly shaky the rest of the trip)...however my car did lose its front grill and I do think the axle is likely dented if not broken cause there is definately something going on. Thankfully it seems that was the extent of the known damage and it was mostly superficial in that the grill took the brunt. However...it still is an auto-issue I really didn't want happening.
But I suppose I should be grateful that the airbags didnt go off or I didnt need a tow truck...or worse...that I didn't hit anyone during it and just managed to donk the car and some aluminum on the side of the road.
But as I said...I just got off a 12 hour drive and the last 3 hours in particular was...and I pardon my language...complete ass. And I sort of feel like that right now.
I will probably post a notice of my return for Wednesday...and try to get the comic back up for Friday.
But honestly...and I am writing this minutes before I sleep so I admit I am a bit gloom and doom...I feel pretty downright bummed at the time and this was not the news I wanted to give on my return. It's astounding how an entire week of good times gets completely stomped by 3 hours of road issues and border.
Pah.
I know your not hanging out in the forums, but I'll say welcome back, and glad you made it home safe despite a close call. Let us know if there's anything we can do to help out, especially with the border issue. Why do they keep giving you grief anyway?
Hope you feel better soon Amber.
Well, it's good to hear that you made it back home Amber. I'm sorry to hear that the trip back sucked so bad, though. :hug Get some rest, and I hope everything works itself out.
Hugs for the Amber. :hug Sucks about your car, and I know it's exactly the kind of incident you wanted to avoid. I hope you at least get some good sleep and that things work out for you.
My advice: Get the border thing cleared up ASAP. You don't want that thing hanging over your head, causing stress.
Oh, and welcome back :animesweat
Welcome back. Here's a little something to keep you company, besides your husband: :wcc
Ack. I don't think I can really add much except that I hope things sort out cleanly, the border issue in particular.
I think it's appropriate to say that I owe Amber a random huggle. :hug So there.
I was kinda sore at her when at the time, so it went unreported at the time.
I'm still sore, but, sympathy goes where due, either way, I hope things get sorted out.
Driving in ice sucks.. It's like a guessing game to which there are no prizes, only penalties. Glad you're okay, Mrs. Williams.
I don't really have much to say that hasn't been said already, but I'd still like to offer some moral support. Try to get the border thing cleared, and just try to relax after a shaky ice ride like that.
Quote from: Ghostwish on December 02, 2008, 09:12:07 AM
Driving in ice sucks.. It's like a guessing game to which there are no prizes, only penalties. Glad you're okay, Mrs. Williams.
The prize is, you're still alive and in one piece.
After all that effort, it's a bit of a booby prize, but you're sure glad to see it nonetheless... :-/
Troubles aside, I'm glad that your trip seems to have gone well. Hopefully with a bit of rest and time everything else will get resolved. I'm sure if you have to take a bit of extra time away from the forum and the comic as well to get things sorted, folks will understand.
Wow, that's rough. I'm glad you're back safe and okay, but Murphy really seems to have it out for you. Take care.
Quote from: Roureem Egas on December 02, 2008, 11:37:35 AM
Murphy really seems to have it out for you.
Murphy was an optimist.
Good luck i know you're a trooper and can get it done amber.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on December 02, 2008, 09:54:49 AM
Quote from: Ghostwish on December 02, 2008, 09:12:07 AM
Driving in ice sucks.. It's like a guessing game to which there are no prizes, only penalties. Glad you're okay, Mrs. Williams.
The prize is, you're still alive and in one piece.
After all that effort, it's a bit of a booby prize, but you're sure glad to see it nonetheless... :-/
I'd rather get my quarters back. >:(
Welcome back Amber !
From those of us who are in Canada if the United States is silly enough to make life difficult for you then we simply will have to keep you here safe with us :hug
The United States ain't any better.
Why does the universe want to knock you around in a pinball machine?! WHY? :cry
I too am really glad that it was a minor collision and no injuries. I say the guard rail had it coming! His beady little rivet eyes, all 24 of them staring at passers by, the cad.
From what you describe the damage won't be too costly, the wheel damage is whats most troubling. If it is just a bent axle it shouldn't be that much though. Insurance will probably be able to pickup the tab without a fuss.
It would depreciate the car's value but if you have them just fix the car to drivable you could pocket the rest of the insurance money. If you never plan on reselling it I'd say go for it.
Quote from: mopman on December 02, 2008, 11:47:40 PM
Welcome back Amber !
From those of us who are in Canada if the United States is silly enough to make life difficult for you then we simply will have to keep you here safe with us :hug
Actually, you have to remember that going in to Canada, it's the Canadian guards who cause the trouble. Any grief she got was from Canada.
I don't know if it's strictly necessary to create a new topic for today's newest rant, but I'm glad to see that you're not going to let this drag you down, Amber. :hug
Listen, I know that you're probably not going to see this, but why not take a week or two or two from the comic and get the paperwork done and over with? Really, I don't think we'll complain, and it'll be one less stressful thing out of your hair, and it'll be a lot better for you.
I... hope everything works out, Amber.
Paperwork's horrible.
Huh. Well, going from today's rant, I have to say this. They may say 'No Rest For The Wicked', but that extends to others as well. Should you not meet your deadline, then don't worry, what happens happens, and you can get through it.
I couldn't find an appropriate smiley (Because none of them are serious), and well. All I have to say is stay strong.
Oy. That situation is a load of suck, Amber. But you are quite the trooper, from what I've seen in your rant. If you don't make a comic, that is perfectly okay. You go ahead and get over what happened at your own pace. :hug
Quote from: Darkmoon on December 03, 2008, 12:18:52 AM
Actually, you have to remember that going in to Canada, it's the Canadian guards who cause the trouble. Any grief she got was from Canada.
oops my bad :mowtongue
I'm wondering why she should be having so much border trouble when she's married to (I assume) a Canadian. I've noticed nothing in the rants about paperwork for him, just her.
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Quote from: AmigaDragon on December 03, 2008, 11:39:23 AM
I'm wondering why she should be having so much border trouble when she's married to (I assume) a Canadian. I've noticed nothing in the rants about paperwork for him, just her.
Canadians don't usually have trouble getting back into their own country. Americans rarely have trouble coming up to visit, either; it's when they like it so much that they decide to stay that paperwork becomes an issue. Marriage speeds along the immigration process, but it doesn't automatically confer citizenship or anything.
Damn. I hate when stuff like that happens >.> Never any fun at all <.< I feel for you Amber, I really do. Take all the time you need.
dang >.< ... Black Ice , as it is called, can cause lots of accidents on the road. I'm just glad you weren't injured.
And as for the border issue...I hope you can make it through it.
Edit- Also...Your middle name is Michelle?
Quote from: KarlOmega1 on December 03, 2008, 02:04:26 PM
Your middle name is Michelle?
I find it more interesting that her husband's name is Mason Williams (any Steamroller fans around here?).
I must say I'm sorry to hear about such troubles. I certainly hope it all gets cleared up soon, now's a bad time of year for that kind of thing.
But I'm glad to hear you're not giving up. You're not a quitter at all. Now, show 'em your Bankai! Or, something like that.
Update:
In the good news, it seems the vast majority of the car's damage is aesthetic...and all the important bits that make the car actually vroom vroom seem to be more or less ok. The bad side being, that since it was just me and I was out of the country when it happened, I doubt my insurance is going to help out unless I lie and say I was in the country when it happened. But even then I would have to go to three different shops for estimate, most likely in the states, and that is not something I feel comfortable at all doing what with the border breathing down my back.
I can't deny that this has been a rather stressful year, and not the best of financially. Mason and I got hit badly with some bills during the summer and despite our best efforts, we never did fully recover and so have been sort of teetering on the "if anything goes wrong, we are screwed" mark. It seems everytime we get a little bit of a saving, something comes along and completely snarfs it and we are back to square one. It's incredibly frustrating.
However, I reflect and realize that there have been far worse times had and people have gone through much worse before us. And while it is easy to fret and panic about the possibility Mason could just up and lose his job due to the economy...I am trying my best to keep things up from my end. And that really is where things are at now.
The car, while annoying, is a secondary worry. Right now my main focus is the immigration paperwork. And as it stands, that has its own share of hurdles and fumbles. Mason and I both...well...we both suck royally when it comes to goverment papers. It isn't our forte, and right now we have actually considered outsourcing the help via an immigration lawyer. One of our friends in Canada recommended a particular one and we are both hopeful that with someone who actually knows what the process is...that will speed up the process triple-fold.
So here is where I am at I suppose. Next week I intend to start a couple auctions to raise up money, not only to try to help get Mason and my own bank account back on our feet, not only to offset the usual monthly bills that Mason and I pay (rent, food, utilities, Sallie Mae Loanshark bills), but to also try to get enough to help offset what will likely be a new payment plan if we do manage to find an immigration lawyer.
I am not sure how much its all gonna cost. But when I do find out, odds are that will be the total. It is my hope to finish the stuff I already owe and that way come January I can make good on a fresh start.
It's gonna be a hard month for me. It has been somewhat a hard year in general. For everyone really. And really, if push comes to shove, I will just have to force myself to take some time off and work on the paperwork myself if need be. But I really dont want to do that. I love doing the comic, despite my sometimes whining of being tired.
So yeah. Next week, expect some auctions. The week after, odds are I will have some donation drive with incentive of some sort. It's going to be a brutal December for me...but in the end, I would rather rake over the coals for this month than deal with the stress of what could happen next year if I dont.
Hello Mrs. Williams!
Good news on the car, me finks, although I am a tad bit confused. Why would it matter which country your vehicle was in when the damage occurred?
As for the governmental red tape, I think everyone here could easily understand if you had to put DMFA on a hiatus in order to tie up issues IRL.. If there is anyone here who would like to see Mrs. Williams deported or worse, please step forward now.
My shotgun's loaded.
Sometimes the border is a pain in the @$$. When I went to the border on the way to Winnipeg, they wanted my social security card which I left at home (which is a 6 hours drive) because they thought I was stealing an identity. Luckily, there was a confirmation paper with the SSN (I once lost my soc. security card in the laundry) and it was good enough for them.
We'll understand if you can't update because you don't want to be deported.
We had a few accidents today in my city, but they were account on people being stupid instead of the inconveniences of ice. I'm glad the damage to the car was minimal, though, repairs would have sucked. And I'm glad you're in perfectly good physical condition, since the last time I got in a car accident I got whiplash.
:tighthug Hope you feel better soon, Amber, and get your border troubles in order. I'm glad you're staying tough about it. In general, I just really hope for the best with you. :)
As far as auctions go, that would be a pretty sweet way to raise money considering how successful the SAIA Librarian auction was. Give it a shot!
I mean, if you put the "female Abel" picture up for sale, I'd buy it. XD That thing was crazyyyyy... in a good way.
Good luck, Ms. Williams. I can't think of a person less deserving of this turn of events. If there is any help we can offer, I don't think anyone would not want to help out.
I'm sorry to hear about all these troubles, and I hope you can get them resolved soon.
I am glad you're not hurt, and you made home alive....
Red tape is always a bitch...What form or forms are them missing that they can't finalize your status...?
(No need to go into it...If you don't want to.) I would take a day or three and tried and find out what you need now, before you go to a Lawry
As for insurance, they should cover you even if you were drive in Canada.... Isn't it almost the 51st state all ready? Well, maybe or maybe.. They would never have vote Bush in or keep him in for eight. Augh Hisss Hiiss politics, never mind that..
Auto insurance from the states should cover trip beyond the northern border. or do you have to paid extra for that?
:hug
PBH
The last time I took a trip from Minnesota to western New York and back a few years ago, crossing Ontario just north of Lake Erie, one of the times I crossed the border into Canada, they wanted me to tell them the license plate number on my camper-van.
WHAT?! Who memorizes their license plates (especially when owning multiple vehicles). They even had a camera aimed at the front (and maybe rear), so they could see the plates themselves. I had to
get out and read the plate to them... then they
let me through. How stupid is that?
Quote from: Prof B Hunnydew on December 03, 2008, 11:06:53 PM
As for insurance, they should cover you even if you were drive in Canada.... Isn't it almost the 51st state all ready? Well, maybe or maybe.. They would never have vote Bush in or keep him in for eight. Augh Hisss Hiiss politics, never mind that..
Auto insurance from the states should cover trip beyond the northern border. or do you have to paid extra for that?
Since she lives in Canada, I'd assume her insurance is based there, not in the US. US is where the accident was.
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Can't wait to see some of those auction options. I think for most folks, even if they don't win an auction they'll likely just take what they would have paid for the item and donate it anyways. Hopefully the actions provide the cash you need to at least start getting things back on track.
Hopefully you can put the other stuff aside long enough to deal with these issues and the folks you 'owe' stuff to will have the patience and understanding to suck it up and be realistic.
Quote from: Prof B Hunnydew on December 03, 2008, 11:06:53 PM
... Canada.... Isn't it almost the 51st state all ready? Well, maybe or maybe..
*sigh*
Quote from: Mao Laoren on December 04, 2008, 08:30:03 AM
Can't wait to see some of those auction options. I think for most folks, even if they don't win an auction they'll likely just take what they would have paid for the item and donate it anyways. Hopefully the actions provide the cash you need to at least start getting things back on track.
Hopefully you can put the other stuff aside long enough to deal with these issues and the folks you 'owe' stuff to will have the patience and understanding to suck it up and be realistic.
Quote from: Prof B Hunnydew on December 03, 2008, 11:06:53 PM
... Canada.... Isn't it almost the 51st state all ready? Well, maybe or maybe..
*sigh*
Okay Okay It is a very poor joke.... :funnyno
excuse me while I self-destruct :explosion
PBH
Quote from: Prof B Hunnydew on December 03, 2008, 11:06:53 PM
Canada.... Isn't it almost the 51st state all ready?
(The Prof was talking about insurance, but I'll ignore that and start talking about immigration)
I suspect part of the problem is that Canada is very eager to prove that they are
not part of the USA, therefore tying themselves into knots to show that people from the USA is treated just the same as any other pesky foreigner.
That being said, I find it mighty strange that they don't have a faster fast-track for spouses.
As for the "three seconds to disaster" image on the front page, I would like to say that it captures very well the feeling of those eternal seconds of doom. (Been there, done that. I am also very glad I only hurt the car and not any people)
Sorry things went wrong, Amber! It's ice-and-snow season here in Michigan too, just had a wild ride home myself. At least your car's drivable!! That's what counts! Best wishes for a good outcome on the bureaucratic BS. :)