Renounce US Citizenship?

As am I. Cheers, Garry!

Luckily I'm a very small fish and don't think I owe anything....

Luckily I'm a very small fish and don't thing I owe anything....

Me too... a very small, low-income fish!
I don't owe anything either, unless they decide to fine me. 

It's going to be a long time before they get around to bugging small fries.

But while I'm on the topic, that whole place is a tasteless *EYESORE*.  Traffic baffles, barracades, pedestrian blocks, control points.  Armed guards prowling about.  What an ugly mess.

And who had the bright idea to order a garden shed from IKEA and put it on the sidewalk as a forward entry control point?   

If they are so worried about security, why drag a pleasant neighbourhood like Mayfair into it?  HUH?  Why not move the whole shebang to someplace secure?

I think it's an embarrassment.

It's going to be a long time before they get around to bugging small fries.

But while I'm on the topic, that whole place is a tasteless *EYESORE*.  Traffic baffles, barracades, pedestrian blocks, control points.  Armed guards prowling about.  What an ugly mess.

And who had the bright idea to order a garden shed from IKEA and put it on the sidewalk as a forward entry control point?   

If they are so worried about security, why drag a pleasant neighbourhood like Mayfair into it?  HUH?  Why not move the whole shebang to someplace secure?

I think it's an embarrassment.

Hmmm, last time I was in DC the whole capital building looked like it belonged in Beirut! The cheesy concrete barriers, sandbags, etc. Pretty hideous! If the powers-that-be don't care what our country looks like, why should they care what yours looks like! 

(Oops, I really didn't say that! Bad, Paula, bad!)

Has it really gotten that bad at the Embassy?

As far as I can remember, when I went there for my residency interview/visa about 11 years ago, it was all pretty relaxed -- Just walk in the side door straight to a reception/waiting area.

Has it really gotten that bad at the Embassy?

As far as I can remember, when I went there for my residency interview/visa about 11 years ago, it was all pretty relaxed -- Just walk in the side door straight to a reception/waiting area.

I'm sure that it's post-911.

I used to go to the 4th of July do there in the 80's.

No invitation needed, just amble on in and show the guy your passport.

All you could eat.  At the buffet, each type of food had a state flag on it showing what state it came from.

Idaho for the potatoes, Maine for the lobster, Indiana for the corn.  It really got the patriotic juices flowing.

It was charming.  But now, a part of Americana that's gone.  At least from these parts...

I used to go to the 4th of July do there in the 80's.

No invitation needed, just amble on in and show the guy your passport.

All you could eat.  At the buffet, each type of food had a state flag on it showing what state it came from.

Idaho for the potatoes, Maine for the lobster, Indiana for the corn.  It really got the patriotic juices flowing.

It was charming.  But now, a part of Americana that's gone.  At least from these parts...

Hey, garry, what did they put on the table from Louisiana? If you remember...

Has it really gotten that bad at the Embassy?

As far as I can remember, when I went there for my residency interview/visa about 11 years ago, it was all pretty relaxed -- Just walk in the side door straight to a reception/waiting area.

In 2003 there was a 10ft fence surrounding the building and you could only get in on the south side.  There were armed guards patrolling inside and Marines at the check point.  I couldn't even get in past the outside security to goto the visa section with DH, ( I wasn't on the list).  But there is a nice part next door with benches. 

I hope I would be able to get in if I had an emergency. 

Hey, garry, what did they put on the table from Louisiana? If you remember...

Yeah.  Of course I would remember food from the bayou.  Lousiana?  Think Gump!  At least 100 lbs of boiled shrimp in a massive cauldron, who could forget that?

And the next state over?  Think mud!  As in pie.

And the next state over from that?  Christ, key lime pie to make your head swim...

Trust me, when the Americans want to get patriotic about food, they can do it up to bring tears to your eyes...

A buffet with 50 offerings, each with a different state flag...  :\\\'(

Sounds brilliant! I've been in NI for 11 years and have never attended a fourth of July party.

It would have been great fun in years past but given the current state of things I'm not sure that I want to now...

Yeah.  Of course I would remember food from the bayou.  Lousiana?  Think Gump!  At least 100 lbs of boiled shrimp in a massive cauldron, who could forget that?

Just wanted to salivate awhile...

Yes, sounds like it was very nice.......gosh you could almost say "the good old days".   

What I would love is a good American seafood place, sort of upscale, in London where you could get cajun and lowcountry seafood, things like fried oysters with chipotle garlic mayonnaise and collard greens, as well as the shrimp you just referred to, and maybe some Maryland-style crabs and things like that. Every time I go to visit my sister in Charleston, I think I am in culinary "heaven"... the calemari and shrimp there are just to die for...

Another good reason not to renounce citizenship - what if I want to spend part of the year there when I retire clogging my arteries!!

 

Onetiger, i dont want to be too nosy/personal... but just wondering how you are getting money back if your income is all UK income and (im assuming) you make less than £80k?

I'm a teacher, have loans and so get money back for stuff due to those...