403: forbidden

For the longest time, I've disliked the way that I was given a wallet name that makes two distinct references to Christianity. Both of them appear to have been for reasons of inheritance rather than parental convictions, but I've never belonged to that religion and being named in connection with it sends entirely the wrong signal. Even if today one of those references is only apparent when you examine the name's Gaelic roots, I knew and it bothered me. For that and a variety of other reasons, a name change has been on my extended to-do list for well over a decade.

So after being told on my latest visit to the UK, this past February, that I need a fresh passport photo for any subsequent visits, I decided that this year was The Time. After an extended anxiety stall, this morning a dear friend accompanied me to the nearest county courthouse. I spent much longer standing in line than in the actual courtroom, which is typical. (N.B.: Civil matters are apparently never shown on digital schedules here in King County, be they online or on the building's own public screens. It's done to safeguard the identities of people seeking protection orders, by both not directly identifying them and not specifically failing to identify them.) And then I emerged with a brand shiny new wallet-name, went home, and fell over to get the sleep I'd been too wired for last night.

Next step, make an appointment with the licensing dpt. to get my new name into my actual wallet. Once that's done, I'll have adequate ID to send my passport off for replacement. Also need to contact my bank, health insurance, renter's insurance, landlord, etc. It's all going to be a short-term pain in the neck, but also a long-term relief.

The Jewish holidays were busy, and mostly good. Overlaid on that, some combination of landlord/property management company/primary tenant is committing fraud (vs. us, and apparently the Boston Housing Authority). More immediately, the {property management company | landlords} are threatening to throw out our belongings which aren't within the four walls of the apartment, such as our large potted plants, and items stored in the basement. We've got a paper trail proving that the objects exist and what kind of things they are. zeightyfiv has set up a camera to snap pics every 30sec and some signs saying, effectively, 'don't take our stuff; smile for the camera'.

Isn't renting fun?