Life and Times in Belgium

Well the fucking Belgian bureaucracy has decided to bless me, once again, with a striking portrayal of its ineptitude. I had a police office come to the house today, where he gave me a letter saying that I needed to go to the districthuis with a passport photo, €3.75, my passport, and my temporary Belgian ID. I was rather excited. I figured that I had received approval for my permanent ID card. Well I get there, and the nightmare ensues. They tell me that for some inane reason they're going to extend the temporary ID card until the 28th of March 2009, and that I can come pick up the permanent ID on the 29th.

"What?" I said with more than a little incredulity. "I was told that it would be 5 months from when I FIRST received the temp ID. Now you're telling me that I need to wait an additional 3 months?" You know what her response was? "I'm just doing what Brussels says to do. They said to issue you a temporary ID card."

"I already have one," I almost yelled "and now your making it for even longer!"

"I can only do what Brussels tells me to do," was this person's response. I guess here in Belgium they do not raise people to think for themselves, because clearly there is a lack of cognitive thought processes there.

So we've decided that we're going to hire an attorney to deal with Brussels. I don't have the patience to deal with these retards (no offense to the mentally challenged) any more.

That's where things stand with me. More to come from the continuing story...or melodrama.

Hilary Takes the Gold

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Mexico Crew Dancin' The Can-Can

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Shake Your Groove Thang

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Wedding

Last Saturday, June 28th, Jan and I were married at the town hall here in Deurne. It was really wonderful! The ceremony was rather short, only 15 minutes, and was officiated by the burgermeister (mayor) of Deurne. We were joined in the celebration by a close group of friends. We were really luck that our friend Dermot made the journey from the United Kingdom in order to act as best man/witness. Especially given his dislike of all things Belgian. It was an interesting event as the entire thing was in Flemish. When it got to the "Do you..." part of the ceremony, we were required to say 'ja' and not yes. After the ceremony we went to a great restaurant in Antwerp. The restaurant, Zuiderterras, was in a great location right by the river. We had a wonderful meal in celebration.

Belgium was the second country in the world, after Holland, to recognize same-sex marriage. It is actually called marriage, and not 'civil unions'. Now that we're married, every country in the European Union will recognize the nuptials.

There's so much more to say, but I just can't seem to get the words out of my head. So you'll just have to look at the pictures, and then check back later for more writings. Enjoy!