package saga, visa saga, bike saga, saga saga

no exaggeration employed, obviously, in any of the statements made above.

The last undelivered package, as I discovered today with the help of a very nice girl working at the Post Office (she was so nice I almost asked her if she wanted to hang out, but then thought that would have been weird), was overlooked by her less-friendly co-workers last week when I picked up all the other packages. Then, when its seven days were up, it started making the trip back to the Oakland. I've emailed the USPS, hopefully the matter will be resolved with haste; that package contains my self-healing cutting mat. A tool of much importance. I had to cut things out with *scissors* the other day, it was so inefficient.

(I wish I'd get *this* package...)

Also went first thing this morning to the Police/general office for Migration and Citizenship etc. (Bevölkerungsdienste und Migration.) It's a pretty good system, you wait in a very short line to speak to one of four customer service representatives, or whatever you'd like to call them. Then they tell you what to do, or give you a number so you can complete your task. I was given the number of a woman who works in the Student Visa office; I called her straightaway after waiting in line.
ME: I have my materials gathered to apply for a student visa, is it possible for me to do that here, today?
SHE: You must go to your home country to apply for a visa.
ME: I went to the consulate in San Francisco, they said I couldn't get a visa until I had been accepted to the school. So I have come to Basel, have been accepted to the school, and would like to begin immediately. Is this possible?
SHE: School starts in the middle of March?
ME: Yes, it is spring semester.
SHE: These are not the rules. You have to apply for a visa in your home country. You do not care about the rules?
ME: Yes, I do care about the rules.
SHE: Do you even know what you need to get the visa?
ME: Yes, and I have everything.
SHE: Every paper? Copies of a letter stating your intent to leave the country when you are finished with school? Copies of your bank statements?
ME: Yes. Yes.
SHE: Passport photos? Copies of your college diploma? A resume?
ME: Yes. Yes. Yes.
SHE: An essay about your future plans? A letter from your school?
ME: Yes. Yes.
SHE: You may send your completed application materials to this address. VERYQUICKGERMANWORDS.
ME: Pardon me, would you say it again?
SHE: EVENQUICKERGERMANWORDS.
ME: OK. I will send it to your office. (Fear in my heart.)
SHE: Or, since you have already found our office, you may drop it off.
ME: Thank you. And again, thank you.

So, that turned out OK, I'd say. ("You do not care about the rules?" Was it a rhetorical question?)

The bike is back in legal riding condition, speaking of rules. Replaced both lights today (money flies out of my wallet like it's nothing). But better than if I were to get fined for not having lights; that would be much more expensive. Did I mention you get fined if you don't have a bell? Or if you don't have a registration sticker? The sticker is good, actually, it costs 6-CHF and acts as insurance for your bicycle, if it is stolen while locked up. Taxes are OK, sometimes.

I don't know how long it will take to get the visa. But the next thing I have to do is get a Swiss bank account. Maybe I can try this tomorrow. There are only so many errands one can do in any given day, I have discovered. Particularly on foot. Therefore, during the time of day in which I lie on my bed recovering from the errands, I've been watching videos on the NYTimes website, among other things. This one was funny to me; Woody Harrelson is a weird guy.
Many of the other comments are funny too, worth your 7m20s if you have nothing better to do. Which I clearly don't. Ahem.