Alrighty. I’m at 342 books on the year. If I can read another 23 between now and end of December 31st, that will put me at 365 titles, an unbelievable rate of one per day. I know, I know. About a quarter of those titles were graphic novels – but still. Impressive I think nevertheless. One of my biggest takeaways form this unreal reading year is that critical darlings, recommended reads, and award nominees/winners are often, shockingly, mediocre, sometimes downright unreadable. I look forward to giving you the rundown on what were REALLY the best books of 2018.
Five days from our Japan trip and our customary pre-travel excitement has been replaced by a simmering anxiety. Some of it has to do with the fact that we’ll be leaving our needy gal, Suji, for ten days (Lulu, on the other hand, seems to relish the time away from us), but most of it has to do with our over year long efforts to get Akemi’s permanent resident card renewed. I’ll spare you the details (These I’ll save for a dedicated blog entry on the frustrations of dealing with the shockingly inept, generally disinterested government bureaucrats) but, in short, we need her renewed PR card in order to travel and, by all indications, it may well be lost in the mail. Or maybe not mailed out at all despite their claims to the contrary. Anyway, we have two days to get the card. If it doesn’t arrive, despite a year long battle to get it renewed, it’s going to be a big issue – one that has kept Akemi up nights.
A couple of friends reached out to me with regard to some worthy causes…
Save Our Scruff is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing dogs and finding them safe and suitable homes through adoption, advocacy, and education. They’re doing a Fundraiser for Animal Rescue & Rehoming.
Meanwhile, blog regular Deni is doing another animal-focused campaign, this one a Fundraiser for the Human Society of the United States.
Both great causes.
That’s crazy about her visa! If only government employees were evaluated like the private sector. 🙄 There’s no way to get a visa expedited, like a passport? I’m sure you’ve looked at everything. Best wishes, and good luck on receiving it in time!
Also, great job on your reading totals.
Thanks for sharing the charities too
Have a great night!
You have 39 days to read 23 more books this year. No sweat. You can do it!! Go Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe!!!
Best of luck with the PR card. I wonder if the Canada Post rotating strike has anything to do with the delay … and if it works out, who knows, maybe I’ll “bump” into you guys in Tokyo … as I’ll be there pretty much the same time (yes I know it’s a big city) … unless you are just going to be in Osaka …
I do love the wonderful postal service. Here in the UK things tend to get delivered pretty quickly and efficiently, in just a couple of days. Sometimes I’m really surprised at just how fast something can be delivered across the country.
When something doesn’t turn up after a couple of days, I usually start to worry, even with a typical “wait 28 days for delivery” warning.. 2 days.. That’s my worry point!
I do hope you can get hold of it, but it sounds very much like you might need to get them to resend the thing, and anything they can do to ensure its delivery should be done. It’s really not good enough to be waiting that long for something that important.
If Akemi can pass herself off as a fifty-something American man with a beard, I can send MyLarry’s passport to her. Fingers crossed!
Not to excuse the rest of the mess that’s been their handling of Akemi’s application, but could the delay be part of the slowdown as a result of the Canada Post job actions? So, it still may be one the way. Regardless, they should KNOW whether it’s been sent or not. Yeesh.
I haven’t read that many books, but I have read, like, FIVE novels this year – which is a lot for me, as I’ve always been a non-fiction guy. It’s been great though, and I’m really enjoying it.
Oh Joe. I’m so sorry to hear it.
How terribly frustrating.
I’m sure Akemi’s parents must miss her terribly and she them.
Warmest soothing hugs to you both.
Here’s hoping it all gets resolved on time.
Congrats on your impressive reading totals for the year.
On the Deni campaign, is that REALLY Human Society of the USA? Do Humans need a society??
Or Humane society?
Or even Humanist Society??
Just curious!
Since you seem to be spending personal time playing and reading, I was wondering if you have gotten your tickets for Jason Momoa’s new movie as Aquaman this Dec. 21. Well being a movie/tv guru, I would thought he would contact you for a personal screening.
Hey Joe, have you heard of the fundraiser being run for Joe Flannigan? They/he are selling autographed photos. You probably already heard the news that he lost his home and all of his belongings in the wild fire that hit Malibu. I shared it on my Facebook page.