On Becoming Interdependent

I have officially begun the process to become a resident of Australia. Here, unlike in the U.S., there is a visa for a gay ol' person like me to apply for, and it is of the interdependency nature. On December 8, the girl and I have an appointment at immigration here in Brisbane to present our case.

And that case is that we have been in a relationship -- the real deal -- for twelve months or more. We also have to prove that I have lived here for those twelve months. The proof comes in the form of letters from people we know, as well as mail with my name on it and our address. Then there are the forms to fill out, which I have filled out, doctor's appointments to make, which I have not made yet, and fingerprints to get, which I have gotten.

I also had to fill out a character form, which forced me to remember where I lived 10 years ago. I barely managed that. And the fingerprints? Well, let's just say that the cops at the Valley police station and I are chummy, because I've been in there four different times. Two were because I forgot something and the other two were for the FBI and NY prints, respectively. The cop who took them first was very nice. Strangely nice. Why-was-he-a-cop kind of nice. The second cop was nice as well, but not too nice. We talked about cricket.

After I got the prints, I was to send them to the States to confirm my angelicness. I received word today from the FBI that I am not a fugitive. Still waiting on NY.

I've been a bit quiet on this front for whatever reason. Maybe because it seemed for so long like it was so far away. Or maybe it's because I have been pretty hard pressed to pull my head out of the political action happening back home. Of all the times to be gone. But I am representing here.

So if all goes well on December 8, I'll be a temporary resident and will be have work rights. And maybe an Australian editing outfit will deem me fit to edit Australian spelling.