Got my first pair of Diplomats this week and I started playing with different lace patterns today. I low-key dig the look of the zipper lace on the left, but it’s too impractical for a daily driver. I basically had to unlace the top three eyelets just to get my foot out of the boot.
Anyone else have a favorite alternative lace pattern that they like?
Last year my strep/pay increase (from 2 to 3) was delayed over 6 weeks because of “paperwork processing delays” after DOGE had its way with our payroll staff. This year, my supervisor did all of the paperwork well ahead of time, but my anniversary came and went without any change. He’s actively trying to find out what’s the hold-up, but says everyone who needs to sign off on it has.
My only thought is that I’ve been at my step-3 pay for about 5 weeks shy of a full calendar year (because of last year’s delay). Does that mean that all future increases will be timed to last year’s delayed increase?
Should probably add that I’m excepted service (Title 42), so step increases aren’t processed automatically. Technically my appointment doesn’t even have step (I think). But our internal policy is for Title 42 pay to increase to the next step equivalent on the same schedule as GS step increases. My supervisor just submits a form once a year justifying the pay increase. That typically takes no more than a day or two to process.
I recently spent a few days enjoying Oslo before I flew to visit a friend working in Longyearbyen. I was surprised when I had to go through the barrier to the international section of Oslo airport, even though my boarding pass clearly said the flight was domestic. I thought maybe that meant I could shop at the duty free stores, but no, because my boarding pass said domestic. I know there is some Russian presence on parts of Svalbard, but is it not still part of Norway? The shop signs in Longyearbyen were all in Norwegian, the airport bus instructions were in Norwegian, they had Norway flags everywhere, The 17 Mai ceremony was given in Norwegian by the Norwegian governor of Svalbard. Souvenir shops even sold magnets and postcards that say “Svalbard, Norway”.
When returning to Oslo, I had to go through passport control again, as if I left Europe, even though I never actually left Norway. Or did I leave Norway to visit Norway and then return to Norway?
And the customs control people acted way more suspicious and had way more questions than any other time I’ve entered Europe (possibly because in my first entry I didn’t mention I would be leaving Europe to visit Norway for a week before returning to Europe in Norway).
If you’re visiting Italy, especially on a budget, please be prepared to walk…a lot. And wear appropriate shoes for walking (even if they’re not cute). And maybe try not to carry your entire luggage on your back everywhere with you.
Or prepare yourself for the deep eye rolls and snide commentary from your husbands when you call a €30 taxi every night when they were actually looking forward to that relaxing walk after dinner.