here we go again

As most of you know

I’m supposed to be in the U.K. right now

But I’m not

I’m still at home in Chicago

I’ve been delaying the inevitable

Hoping that my passport & work visa will miraculously turn up on my doorstep

And I’ll race to the airport and make it in time

In reality, I’ve already missed one show

And even if I left this minute, I’ll miss the second

I received an email late yesterday afternoon from the New York office of UK visa processing

(the first correspondence from them in over a week – I have emailed them no less than 24 times and called non-stop, daily – with no reply)

Telling me it will be at least 5 more days until they process my application

This is the application that was filed online weeks ago

That I paid a lot of (additional) money to have priority processed

Couriered my passport to them – along with copies of my previous work visas, dating back 10 years

And everything else they asked for

And then some

Flew to New York to have biometrics done (fingerprinting)

All while being assured by them that if approved, I would have it in time for my trip

It would seem that’s not the case

They’re telling me they didn’t get it in time

I have the UPS delivery confirmation that proves that they did

So what, now we get in a pissing contest to see who’s right?

When really, it doesn’t fucking matter

I won’t get there in time

I have to cancel the shows

Again

I want to say sorry to all of you that had made plans to come to the shows

And to all the venues that gave me a second chance after the last fuck up of monumental proportions

Thanks for giving me that second chance

As for a third, well…I doubt it

From my end and yours

Don’t even get me started on all the work Anne has put into getting the shows booked etc

And that now, for a second time, my sound guy Dave has a week with no work, thanks to me

I don’t even want to add up how much this costs me, and others, in lost revenue, non-refundable travel costs and blah blah fucking blah

But I DO appreciate all the comments, calls and emails you guys have sent through

The funny ones have been exactly what I’ve needed

While I’m always happy to have extra time at home

Like today, being able to take Magoo on her school field trip, is nothing but a bonus

I love my job

And was so excited to be getting back to the UK & Ireland again

Even for such a short time

I’m pissed off and I’m still sulking

But I’ll get over it

It’s not the end of the world

But it does fucking suck

A lot.

I think Dad summed it up best, “……they need fucking with a pineapple”

I couldn’t agree more