Oh dear God the paper work!

We have to get Social Security Numbers – forms to complete and a visit to an office which is every bit as you may expect.

Although, on the plus side, not a mega long line and it doesn’t take long. I find it quite an old fashioned place, no automation, but as Maurice said, maybe it’s actually quite nice to just have the personal touch. It strikes me that there must be a more efficient way of doing this. It is very staff intense – but then again – at least these people have jobs. Many of the others queueing up just don’t and maybe can’t work. I shouldn’t knock it. And it had very clean toilets.

A short interview and then, phew – that’s out of the way.

Next – a phone. This is not easy. However, an hour or so later and I get a brand new iPhone 6 and a contract for a ridiculous amount of money. Probably 10 times my previous cost. I had maximum loyalty benefits from Orange. Starting from scratch over here – no credit for loyalty in the UK. Most hilarious were the ‘security’ questions. Have you ever lived in any of these streets – answer ‘none of the above’. Have you ever worked in these companies – answer ‘none of the above’, and have you ever lived in any of these cities – you guessed it ‘none of the above’. Passed security with flying colours. Oh well that’s that then.

Lunch – chicken wings and chilli. Thinking I am needing to get a major ingestion of vegetables soon.  Feeling bloated and unhealthy. Still a bit jet lagged but have finally located my melatonin so that will be taken before bedtime tonight and tomorrow – I’ll be in the central US time zone. Just in time to welcome 2015 which I’ll have to do at 6pm and midnight!.

We forgot to fill in an important customs form – but actually I thought we had to leave it blank. So not guilty. It has to be printed and filled in and then what? Not sure – have left that to Maurice.  Honestly, it is no wonder this country has so many immigration issues – most people would really just not bother, not because they are doing anything illegal, but just to avoid the mountain of paperwork. And actually not sure that the government has the resources to bother pursuing you either.

The bag finally arrived – 2 days late. But thankfully with all the contents intact, and that was important. Maurice will sleep better tonight.

Hogmany dawns another ‘gy dreich’ day in Houston.  The weather could not be more Aberdonian if it tried, albeit not as cold.

We venture out for shopping with me in the driver’s seat – back to the rather nice store Randalls which we discover is actually a Safeways.  We get the store loyalty card too to benefit from their saver prices. And then spend rather a large amount on what appears to be not an awful lot…

We find the local guitar centre where Maurice was like a kid in a sweet shop. An amp had to be tried out. Lots of passing shoppers in there commented to Maurice on his playing which gave him a thrill – he is good and does need to be reminded that he is! I bought him a tiny gizmo which fits into his guitar for silent jamming – a mini amp and it connects to headphones and iPod to provide his backing tracks. And was amazingly cheap. Christmas pressie sorted, a bit late.

Back in the apartment we chilled and I cooked a large curry before skyping the girls and Maurice’s sister after midnight UK time. That was hilarious – to see people rather merry when we were stone cold sober in the US. And unsurprisingly rather butterfingered with their tablets and phones. Screens went blank a few times. I have already skyped Iain and Sheila too – while they and we were sober – it is amazing how technology can bring you so close to people at the other side of the world.

We could barely keep awake for midnight. I watched a Hard Day’s Night and then 10 minutes short of all of Gimmee Shelter to keep me going and to see in the New Year.  US non-contract tv is a bit pants but you can find some hidden gems if you search hard enough.

So Happy New Year to one and all! Hope y’all have a very healthy and positive 2015.