Apparently, when Vegas decides to blow something up, they really blow something up.
The New Frontier Hotel & Casino was the second resort to have opened on the Las Vegas Strip, opening it’s doors in October of 1942. The property itself dates back to 1930, when it operated as a nightclub. As well as boasting Howard Hughes as one of it’s previous owners, other career highlights include Elvis making his Vegas debut at the hotel in 1956, and Diana Ross and the Supremes playing their final ever concert there in 1970.
Alas, all things have a use-by date, and the property will now be rebuilt into a mega-resort.
So J bailed me up a couple of days ago about a purchase I made from ExpressionEngine and I’ve really had to think about why I’m using this particular CMS when more and more, gaining extra (supported) functionality has required extra purchases.
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve used EE since I was lucky enough to become a ‘switcher’ at the time the biggest competition started charging and I fell in love immediately. It had a much smaller learning-curve to it’s alternatives and was much more flexible out of the box. I’ve been happy to renew my subscription, and although I’m only using a fraction of the functionality that the extra purchases have given me, I’m sure that will change as the site progresses to what I want it to be. I haven’t thought twice about it.
Thanks to YouTube (who have recently opened a New Zealand site) and the wonderful folks who steal stuff of the idiot box to throw up there, I’ll actually be able to keep up with my favourite Kiwi comedians.
Featured below is 2-time winner of the NZ Comedy Guild’s ‘Most Offensive Gag’ award, Gish. Be warned that the video contains offensive language and subject matter not suitable for the kiddies. And unless you’re family with NZ/British style humour, odds are you won’t get it.
A recent post in an immigration forum I read highlighted what J and I have long thought - that the biggest cause for illegal immigration is that it’s a simpler and faster way for families.
Take Jake’s case. She entered the US in 2004 on the Visa Waiver Program, married her American boyfriend and didn’t bother returning to the UK after her 3 month visa was up. In July of this year, Jake finally applied for legal status and she had her Green Card in hand by the end of October. She overstayed by 3 years, and was granted permanent resident status within 4 months of finally applying for it, with no penalty. There was no forced separation, no fine, no nothing.
Unfortunately, her story is not that unusual. Even if she had been caught, there are so many waivers and appeals that can be filed, it would take years to wade through it without the US government being able to deport her. She would’ve stayed in the US with her husband until eventually, she would have the same end result, legal permanent residency.*
Now look at my case. Going the legal route, J and I have been living in different countries for 11 months. Odds are good that we’ll remain separated when our 9 year wedding anniversary rolls around on November 30th, and it’s highly likely we’ll be spending Christmas apart. There is no end in sight for us, no telling when we’ll finally be together. We are completely at the mercy of the NVC (National Visa Center), and it’s taking a huge toll on our marriage.
I ask you - if you were looking at ways to get your ‘alien’ spouse in to the USA quickly and without much fuss, which story would be more appealing to you?
* This assumes that the ‘alien’ has entered the country legally and has become illegal by overstaying. The same options are not available to those who entered without inspection and are undocumented.
