La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
I WENT TO THE US consulate this morning to have a letter notarized that will enable me to obtain the final documents from a court in Brooklyn regarding my mother’s estate. My appointment was for 10:00. I rang the buzzer at 9:58, introduced myself, and was told “Come back at 10. We’re not open yet.” The time changed to 9:59. I waited a minute and again rang the buzzer.
My experience today was fine, even if I did have to pay $50 for one notary stamp. The consular office here can be a bit tense. The first time we visited, to renew our passports several years ago, the consular agent had a sign atop a file cabinet that read “Just when we think we’ve made it idiot-proof, someone makes a better idiot.” I was appalled. That inappropriate sign is long gone.
While I waited an additional two minutes for the agent today, I noticed a new piece of art on the bulletin board in the public space. I snuck a photo with my phone (which, had I been caught, I would probably have been told is against the law). You can see the photo below. Again, I’m appalled.
On my way home, I stopped to mail the letter via DHL. I look forward to some good news from the court — no thanks to our sleazy lawyer and his sleazy virtual paralegal. And, yes, I’m getting the paperwork together to file a grievance.
In honor of Pride Month, inspirational, enlightened, and entertaining blogger Debra of She Who Seeks (click here) did a Pet Pride blog post yesterday. You can see my contributions below. Dudo got dolled up especially for her.
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FUI AL CONSULADO DE EEUU esta mañana para que certificaran ante notario una carta que me permitirá obtener los documentos finales de un tribunal de Brooklyn con respecto al patrimonio de mi madre. Mi cita era para las 10:00. Toqué el timbre a las 9:58, me presenté y me dijeron: “Vuelve a las 10. Aún no hemos abierto”. La hora cambió a las 9:59. Esperé un minuto y volví a tocar el timbre.
Mi experiencia hoy fue buena, incluso si tuve que pagar $50 por un sello notarial. La oficina consular aquí puede estar un poco tensa. La primera vez que visitamos, para renovar nuestros pasaportes hace varios años, el agente consular tenía un cartel encima de un archivador que decía “Justo cuando creemos que lo hemos hecho a prueba de idiotas, alguien hace un mejor idiota”. Me horroricé. Esa señal inapropiada se fue hace mucho tiempo.
Mientras esperaba dos minutos más por el agente hoy, noté una nueva obra de arte en el tablón de anuncios del espacio público. Cogí una foto con mi móvil (que, si me hubieran atrapado, probablemente me hubieran dicho que es ilegal). Puedes ver la foto a continuación. Una vez más, estoy consternado.
De camino a casa, me detuve para enviar la carta a través de DHL. Espero buenas noticias de la corte, no gracias a nuestro sórdido abogado y su sórdido asistente legal virtual. Y sí, estoy reuniendo el papeleo para presentar una queja.
En honor al Mes del Orgullo, la bloguera inspiradora, ilustrada, y entretenida, Debra, de She Who Seeks (haz clic aquí) hizo una publicación en el blog Pet Pride [Orgulla de Mascota] ayer. Puedes ver mis contribuciones a continuación. Dudo se arregló especialmente para ella.
• Lo que miré mientras esperaba ese minuto y medio.
• ¿Es esto muy ofensivo, inapropiado, por no mencionar racista en una oficina consular? O solo soy yo?
• Las gafas nuevas.
That cartoon posting is consistent with some DOS/DHS type folks I’ve known/worked with over the years. Just a tad arrogant, officious and often obnoxious. And yes, it is racist and posting it in public view is an act of stupidity (or simply a confirmation of the aforementioned adjectives I used to describe some of those folks).
On a brighter note:
The building art is terrific.
Love Dudo’s pride outfits!
And you and your new glasses are great, too.
Mary:
Thanks for your take on that art. I’m so tempted to pass it on to the embassy in Madrid (as I was with the “idiots” sign), but I won’t. Apparently, there are murals all over town. I only know of a couple. I do love this one. And I love my new glasses. Thanks!
Hummmmmmm, yes I would say the sign is insulting to you residents…if you don’t have a sense of humor.
I loved Dudo’s gay vibe!!!! And what I would like to know is just how did Moose escaped the Pawride?????? Buster wouldn’t cooperate…. so I had to improvise on him. Lilith was a dream. I think she might be part drag dog.
Mistress Borghese:
I just don’t think that sign is something that should be displayed to the public. That’s an inside joke for the agent. The only other employee is a Spanish office worker who is charming. I, of course, waited until nearly the last minute for Debra’s Pride parade. When I succeeded with Dudo, I stopped there.
Nice glasses, looking good. Love the rainbow cats. The cartoon is a teachable moment at best.
David:
Would so love to “teach” the often rude, snippish, and self-important agent.
LOVE that building/wall art!
The bulletin board poster is offensive to anybody that dares to stand in line at this place. Maybe time for the lot of them to retire and let a younger more energetic staff take over………like that will happen, eh?
Oh Dudo you would be a HIT at any Pride celebration!!
Your glasses fit you well and they look very light weight.
Jim:
I’m told we’ve got wall art all over town. I need to go in search of it. I’ve only seen 2. The consular agent tends to be rude, officious, and unpleasant. One would think she’d know better regarding public-facing silliness. We have a friend who’s waiting for her to retire so she can take the job. I love the new glasses. Lightweight, comfortable… and kind of cool.
Thanks for the shout-out, Mitchell! Dudo was certainly one of the hits of the Purride Pawrade!
And absolutely yes, that cartoon on display at the Consulate Office is entirely inappropriate and offensive on so many levels. No government office should ever display anything that mocks the very people it is paid to serve and represent.
Debra:
Your collection was so good! Thanks for your take on the cartoon. I wonder if anyone from the embassy in Madrid ever visits and, if so, if she takes it down.
I LOVE your new glasses. They look great on you. I cannot believe that the poster is even on display. Not in good taste in my opinion. Dudo is one gorgeous cat!
mcpersonalspace54:
The agent is knowledgeable when it comes to the details of her job. Other than that, she’s completely inappriate. I love my new glasses, too. Thanks!
The glasses look great! You also have excellent teeth, BTW. 🙂
The art doesn’t bother me, to be honest. I take it simply as a caricature of all the various people who come asking questions…a parade of humanity. It doesn’t look like it disparages the black guy any more than anyone else. (In fact the guy with the birds flying out of his head seems to be the most clueless one there.)
Steve:
Thanks about the teeth! They were okay before but I was never happy with them. Finally got braces 5 years ago. I’m still not sold on that cartoon. I think it’s something she should keep in her office and not display to the people she’s there to serve… alongside instructions on how to behave at the consulate.
Come back at 10!!!! Goddess people slay me!
And that little sign is all kinds of inappropriate.
Bob:
The assistant answered the buzzer. She paused and I heard the agent tell her what to say. The assistant is a pleasure. I go to that consulate rarely and always with a little dread.
Hmmmm…did my comment save? Testing, testing…
Anyway, I was saying your glasses look great, and the art actually doesn’t bother me. It looks like it is just meant to humorously illustrate the parade of humanity that comes to a consulate for help. It doesn’t seem particularly disparaging.
Oh, Lord, and now I’ve commented twice. No, THREE times! Sorry. 🙂
There, there Steve. It’ll be okay.
Steve:
Don’t know what the delayed posting was about. But, what a gift to hear from you three times in one day!
Your new glasses rock! Dudo rocks – but we all knew that.
The cartoon itself does not bother me, but I agree with Debra who said so succinctly “No government office should ever display anything that mocks the very people it is paid to serve and represent.” And now I am off to view her Pet Pride blog . . . .
Wilma:
I love my new glasses and my new sunglasses. I’m glad you visited Debra’s blog! For me, the consular agent is very inappropriate. I can’t imagine the embassy in Madrid would approve.
Having worked retail for a few years, that art doesn’t offend me at all! I’ve seen worse! Now for that kind of place, the cartoon should’ve probably stayed in the break room or whatever. Stress relief and all that. I do have a very dark sense of humor, though, couple with no filter. I’m probably inappropriate too. Oh, dear!
Scoot, I didn’t notice your glasses. Your face is beautifully distracting. No, my meds don’t cause hallucinations. I don’t think so, anyway.
Deedles:
That’s exactly my point about that cartoon. It shouldn’t be on public display, just like the previous one about idiots. Even worse, other than the agent, there’s only a Spanish office worker (who is very pleasant and professional). The agent can line her office with this crap for all I care. I’m glad you qualified your statement about your meds, because I think they ARE causing hallucinations. Can I have some?!?
I missed seeing Moose at the Purride Pawrade! Did he not like his devil costume, or did Dudo use all the fur dye again?
And yes, that office poster is offensive for the reasons stated so eloquently by Debra.
Tundra Bunny:
Debra gave plenty of advance notice. But I waited until the last couple of days to adorn Dudo. So, Moose was a no-show. Debra does tend to be eloquent.
I often wonder what our pets think about what their people do to make them celebrate people holidays.
Frank:
I can only imagine what Dudo and Moose would think if I actually tried. Thank god for Photoshop!
It’s not just you. The drawing makes it painfully obvious that the office looks down on anyone who has a question or a need. I visited Debra’s blog yesterday and found Dudo’s pride look impressive.
Love,
Janie
Janie:
I love my winged Dudo. I’m embarrassed by our consular agent.
No! Those Dudo photos are TOOOOOO fabulous! No one could ever top them! Ha! I love them!
Great glasses, and no (good) comment on the horrendous drawing being on display at the consulate office.
Judy C:
Dudu is pretty spectacular, isn’t he?!?
You’re not wrong – that’s really offensive and racist.
Carole:
An embarrassment.
Dudo’s lookin’ pretty spiffy! Was Moose not in the mood?
Walt the Fourth:
I decorated Dudo kind of last minute. So, just didn’t get around to Moose.