Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen!
Sep 18th 2017, 12:47 am
#1
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen!
Hello all – this will be my last post on BE.
Sheila and I met online in 1997. It’s so commonplace now that no one gives a second thought to it... but in those days, it was still pretty new – and it turned more than one head when it was mentioned.
In those days everything was done by mail and phone. You had to call the INS (there was no USCIS then), and request the specific forms you needed (and hoped you got the right form numbers)... and they mailed them to you! Too bad if you made mistakes on the forms because there was no way to properly correct the carbon copies! You’d have to call and request another form. You couldn’t email the INS, and none of the forms existed online... and it would be another 10 years before fillable PDFs came on the scene! In those days there were no email updates, no help line, and no way to find out what was going on. You sent in your forms and you waited for a response.
If you wanted information, BritishExpats wasn’t the place to go – because it didn’t yet exist! For info, you either had to call the INS and hope they’d answer the phone, or you got online (dial up!) and checked out one of two Usenet newsgroups: alt.visa.us and/or misc.immigration.us. Both had useful information... but there wasn’t much of it because there were very few people who had been through the process at that time, so there were no real mentors. We actually had to figure out stuff on our own!
Rete and I helped to form the splinter newsgroup alt.visa.us.marriage-based. That newsgroup (and one or two others) was eventually ported to BritishExpats and is now the marriage-based forum that you’re currently reading. A few years later, the Usenet feed was cut... and this forum took on a life of its own. Occasionally, I still think of user Retire to Italy.
And then there was September 11, 2001 – and things changed.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was formed; the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) was disbanded and reformed as BCIS (Bureau for Citizenship and Immigration Services) and then shortly after that, BCIS was reformed... and USCIS was created. And so it has remained.
For those who had already applied for a visa, the wait times got longer. For those who hadn’t yet applied, the process became more involved... and wait times got longer. All of it revolved around new security checks that were put in place. Airport security increased by several orders of magnitude... and, in general, the world became a less happy place! And so it has remained.
Now... 20 years after Sheila and I started our journey and after 15 years as a member of BE, I’ve had enough. I’ve answered enough questions; I’ve given enough advice; and I’ve had enough verbal sparring.
It now also seems that a number of my recent posts have contained incorrect information, and that’s unconscionable... more so considering that I’ve admonished others for not posting correct information. I’ll be the first to admit that my memory isn’t as sharp as it was 20 years ago but I fear that my recent gaffs are becoming more common and are now a distraction to the members here – and I do not want to do a disservice to the members. Immigration is hard enough without me muddying the waters – and I apologize for that incorrect information. Also, lately, there have been a number of life distractions that have kept my focus elsewhere.
So, to that end, I’m going to do the honorable thing and close my account.
Overall, it’s been swell folks – and I’ve enjoyed both learning and instructing. For some of you, I don’t really care if I ever hear your names again... but I will miss a number of you. You know who you are... those who have kept me amused these many years, those who helped when Sheila and I were on our journey, and those who I recently PM’d and who I consider to be part of my extended family.
As Worf said to Riker, “The honor is to serve.” Thank you for the privilege of allowing me to serve for so many years. And now... onward to new adventures.
Ian
Sheila and I met online in 1997. It’s so commonplace now that no one gives a second thought to it... but in those days, it was still pretty new – and it turned more than one head when it was mentioned.
In those days everything was done by mail and phone. You had to call the INS (there was no USCIS then), and request the specific forms you needed (and hoped you got the right form numbers)... and they mailed them to you! Too bad if you made mistakes on the forms because there was no way to properly correct the carbon copies! You’d have to call and request another form. You couldn’t email the INS, and none of the forms existed online... and it would be another 10 years before fillable PDFs came on the scene! In those days there were no email updates, no help line, and no way to find out what was going on. You sent in your forms and you waited for a response.
If you wanted information, BritishExpats wasn’t the place to go – because it didn’t yet exist! For info, you either had to call the INS and hope they’d answer the phone, or you got online (dial up!) and checked out one of two Usenet newsgroups: alt.visa.us and/or misc.immigration.us. Both had useful information... but there wasn’t much of it because there were very few people who had been through the process at that time, so there were no real mentors. We actually had to figure out stuff on our own!
Rete and I helped to form the splinter newsgroup alt.visa.us.marriage-based. That newsgroup (and one or two others) was eventually ported to BritishExpats and is now the marriage-based forum that you’re currently reading. A few years later, the Usenet feed was cut... and this forum took on a life of its own. Occasionally, I still think of user Retire to Italy.
And then there was September 11, 2001 – and things changed.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was formed; the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) was disbanded and reformed as BCIS (Bureau for Citizenship and Immigration Services) and then shortly after that, BCIS was reformed... and USCIS was created. And so it has remained.
For those who had already applied for a visa, the wait times got longer. For those who hadn’t yet applied, the process became more involved... and wait times got longer. All of it revolved around new security checks that were put in place. Airport security increased by several orders of magnitude... and, in general, the world became a less happy place! And so it has remained.
Now... 20 years after Sheila and I started our journey and after 15 years as a member of BE, I’ve had enough. I’ve answered enough questions; I’ve given enough advice; and I’ve had enough verbal sparring.
It now also seems that a number of my recent posts have contained incorrect information, and that’s unconscionable... more so considering that I’ve admonished others for not posting correct information. I’ll be the first to admit that my memory isn’t as sharp as it was 20 years ago but I fear that my recent gaffs are becoming more common and are now a distraction to the members here – and I do not want to do a disservice to the members. Immigration is hard enough without me muddying the waters – and I apologize for that incorrect information. Also, lately, there have been a number of life distractions that have kept my focus elsewhere.
So, to that end, I’m going to do the honorable thing and close my account.
Overall, it’s been swell folks – and I’ve enjoyed both learning and instructing. For some of you, I don’t really care if I ever hear your names again... but I will miss a number of you. You know who you are... those who have kept me amused these many years, those who helped when Sheila and I were on our journey, and those who I recently PM’d and who I consider to be part of my extended family.
As Worf said to Riker, “The honor is to serve.” Thank you for the privilege of allowing me to serve for so many years. And now... onward to new adventures.
Ian
Sep 18th 2017, 1:01 am
#2
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,474
Re: Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen!
There is 'owt to say, Ian, but bon voyage. May the road rise up to greet you and may your travels be safe and awesome. I think retirement from these forums will put a new spring in your step and a smile on your face. Enjoy life with your sweet wife. You will be missed by many and one in particular, me. Thank you for being a part of the immigration forums for neigh on 20 years. We have met some great characters have we not 
Bye, my friend
Bye, my friend
Sep 18th 2017, 1:09 am
#3
Often not so civil...
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,565
Re: Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen!
I can't imagine this place without you Ian! As they say, life is about service, and I know you have served this forum for many years. The number of people that you have helped surely numbers in the tens of thousands and on behalf of all of us. We thank you.
The place won't be the same without you - I hope that after a break you will miss it and want to come back, and we will accept you back with open arms.
Fair winds and following seas on behalf of myself and many of those that you have helped..
The place won't be the same without you - I hope that after a break you will miss it and want to come back, and we will accept you back with open arms.
Fair winds and following seas on behalf of myself and many of those that you have helped..
Sep 18th 2017, 1:16 am
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2015
Location: NC, USA (ex Yorkshire)
Posts: 4,375
Re: Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen!
Ian, you were the safety net for many of us. "Don't worry, one of the forum pros should be along soon". Now that tiny group of members has grown smaller.
Best of luck,
Tom.
Best of luck,
Tom.
Sep 18th 2017, 1:41 am
#5
Deep in the woods of CT
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,017
Re: Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen!
The forum will be the poorer for your absence, Ian. You have helped innumerable people navigate the choppy waters of immigration. Sending every good wish -- what is your new hobby going to be?!
Sep 18th 2017, 1:49 am
#7
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: East Seaxe
Posts: 73,208
Re: Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen!
Hello all – this will be my last post on BE.
Sheila and I met online in 1997. It’s so commonplace now that no one gives a second thought to it... but in those days, it was still pretty new – and it turned more than one head when it was mentioned.
In those days everything was done by mail and phone. You had to call the INS (there was no USCIS then), and request the specific forms you needed (and hoped you got the right form numbers)... and they mailed them to you! Too bad if you made mistakes on the forms because there was no way to properly correct the carbon copies! You’d have to call and request another form. You couldn’t email the INS, and none of the forms existed online... and it would be another 10 years before fillable PDFs came on the scene! In those days there were no email updates, no help line, and no way to find out what was going on. You sent in your forms and you waited for a response.
If you wanted information, BritishExpats wasn’t the place to go – because it didn’t yet exist! For info, you either had to call the INS and hope they’d answer the phone, or you got online (dial up!) and checked out one of two Usenet newsgroups: alt.visa.us and/or misc.immigration.us. Both had useful information... but there wasn’t much of it because there were very few people who had been through the process at that time, so there were no real mentors. We actually had to figure out stuff on our own!
Rete and I helped to form the splinter newsgroup alt.visa.us.marriage-based. That newsgroup (and one or two others) was eventually ported to BritishExpats and is now the marriage-based forum that you’re currently reading. A few years later, the Usenet feed was cut... and this forum took on a life of its own. Occasionally, I still think of user Retire to Italy.
And then there was September 11, 2001 – and things changed.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was formed; the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) was disbanded and reformed as BCIS (Bureau for Citizenship and Immigration Services) and then shortly after that, BCIS was reformed... and USCIS was created. And so it has remained.
For those who had already applied for a visa, the wait times got longer. For those who hadn’t yet applied, the process became more involved... and wait times got longer. All of it revolved around new security checks that were put in place. Airport security increased by several orders of magnitude... and, in general, the world became a less happy place! And so it has remained.
Now... 20 years after Sheila and I started our journey and after 15 years as a member of BE, I’ve had enough. I’ve answered enough questions; I’ve given enough advice; and I’ve had enough verbal sparring.
It now also seems that a number of my recent posts have contained incorrect information, and that’s unconscionable... more so considering that I’ve admonished others for not posting correct information. I’ll be the first to admit that my memory isn’t as sharp as it was 20 years ago but I fear that my recent gaffs are becoming more common and are now a distraction to the members here – and I do not want to do a disservice to the members. Immigration is hard enough without me muddying the waters – and I apologize for that incorrect information. Also, lately, there have been a number of life distractions that have kept my focus elsewhere.
So, to that end, I’m going to do the honorable thing and close my account.
Overall, it’s been swell folks – and I’ve enjoyed both learning and instructing. For some of you, I don’t really care if I ever hear your names again... but I will miss a number of you. You know who you are... those who have kept me amused these many years, those who helped when Sheila and I were on our journey, and those who I recently PM’d and who I consider to be part of my extended family.
As Worf said to Riker, “The honor is to serve.” Thank you for the privilege of allowing me to serve for so many years. And now... onward to new adventures.
Ian
Sheila and I met online in 1997. It’s so commonplace now that no one gives a second thought to it... but in those days, it was still pretty new – and it turned more than one head when it was mentioned.
In those days everything was done by mail and phone. You had to call the INS (there was no USCIS then), and request the specific forms you needed (and hoped you got the right form numbers)... and they mailed them to you! Too bad if you made mistakes on the forms because there was no way to properly correct the carbon copies! You’d have to call and request another form. You couldn’t email the INS, and none of the forms existed online... and it would be another 10 years before fillable PDFs came on the scene! In those days there were no email updates, no help line, and no way to find out what was going on. You sent in your forms and you waited for a response.
If you wanted information, BritishExpats wasn’t the place to go – because it didn’t yet exist! For info, you either had to call the INS and hope they’d answer the phone, or you got online (dial up!) and checked out one of two Usenet newsgroups: alt.visa.us and/or misc.immigration.us. Both had useful information... but there wasn’t much of it because there were very few people who had been through the process at that time, so there were no real mentors. We actually had to figure out stuff on our own!
Rete and I helped to form the splinter newsgroup alt.visa.us.marriage-based. That newsgroup (and one or two others) was eventually ported to BritishExpats and is now the marriage-based forum that you’re currently reading. A few years later, the Usenet feed was cut... and this forum took on a life of its own. Occasionally, I still think of user Retire to Italy.
And then there was September 11, 2001 – and things changed.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was formed; the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) was disbanded and reformed as BCIS (Bureau for Citizenship and Immigration Services) and then shortly after that, BCIS was reformed... and USCIS was created. And so it has remained.
For those who had already applied for a visa, the wait times got longer. For those who hadn’t yet applied, the process became more involved... and wait times got longer. All of it revolved around new security checks that were put in place. Airport security increased by several orders of magnitude... and, in general, the world became a less happy place! And so it has remained.
Now... 20 years after Sheila and I started our journey and after 15 years as a member of BE, I’ve had enough. I’ve answered enough questions; I’ve given enough advice; and I’ve had enough verbal sparring.
It now also seems that a number of my recent posts have contained incorrect information, and that’s unconscionable... more so considering that I’ve admonished others for not posting correct information. I’ll be the first to admit that my memory isn’t as sharp as it was 20 years ago but I fear that my recent gaffs are becoming more common and are now a distraction to the members here – and I do not want to do a disservice to the members. Immigration is hard enough without me muddying the waters – and I apologize for that incorrect information. Also, lately, there have been a number of life distractions that have kept my focus elsewhere.
So, to that end, I’m going to do the honorable thing and close my account.
Overall, it’s been swell folks – and I’ve enjoyed both learning and instructing. For some of you, I don’t really care if I ever hear your names again... but I will miss a number of you. You know who you are... those who have kept me amused these many years, those who helped when Sheila and I were on our journey, and those who I recently PM’d and who I consider to be part of my extended family.
As Worf said to Riker, “The honor is to serve.” Thank you for the privilege of allowing me to serve for so many years. And now... onward to new adventures.
Ian
I respect your decision, but, but - there is life after immigration advice!
Wish you could/would stay. There is always room for a sanctimonious prick.
Sep 18th 2017, 2:12 am
#9
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,591
Re: Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen!
Others, above, have said it better than I can, but suffice to say, you have helped so many, and you will be sorely missed. 
I will miss your posts and your humour, but I respect your decision. All the very best wishes for your future beyond BE.
I will miss your posts and your humour, but I respect your decision. All the very best wishes for your future beyond BE.
Last edited by Pulaski; Sep 18th 2017 at 4:05 am.
Sep 18th 2017, 3:53 am
#12
UK->US
Joined: May 2017
Location: SE TX
Posts: 64
Re: Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen!
Your comments on threads both old and new have been a great help to my visa process, so thank you very much for that.
I imagine there are thousands more out there who have reached their immigration goals thanks in part to advice you've given!
Wish you the best of luck, thanks again.
I imagine there are thousands more out there who have reached their immigration goals thanks in part to advice you've given!
Wish you the best of luck, thanks again.
Sep 18th 2017, 4:14 am
#13
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2016
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 189
Re: Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen!
Thank you for sharing something of your history. My goodness it gives some perspective; how different things were. And what service you have given.
I believe the forums will be a poorer place without you but your retirement sounds very well earned and I hope you have lots to look forward to.
All the best.
I believe the forums will be a poorer place without you but your retirement sounds very well earned and I hope you have lots to look forward to.
All the best.
