dgentry - Network

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/05/02/dhs-announces-rescission-romanias-designation-visa-waiver-programOne of my worrisome scenarios is the US...

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/05/02/dhs-announces-rescission-romanias-designation-visa-waiver-program

One of my worrisome scenarios is the US halting visa-free access from the EU, and the EU reciprocating by cutting off visa-free Schengen access.

We registered our marriage at Berlin Standesamt 1 and I keep a copy of the Eheurkunde paperclipped in my US passport hoping that would somehow suffice to invoke spousal freedom of movement in such a scenario. Probably futile.

Do I know anyone using Tello? Want to send me a referral code, before I sign up in the next couple days?

Do I know anyone using Tello? Want to send me a referral code, before I sign up in the next couple days?

Sometimes, you just go for it. Send in the application. Do it.I am of course referring to insurance.

Sometimes, you just go for it. Send in the application. Do it.

I am of course referring to insurance.

What am I doing? Oh, you know, the usual:Trying to predict what would happen if the US suspends visa-free travel from the EU and EU responds...

What am I doing? Oh, you know, the usual:

Trying to predict what would happen if the US suspends visa-free travel from the EU and EU responds by suspending Schengen automatic visas for Americans, and whether a Mehrsprachige Eheurkunde from Germany plus US passport might still suffice for Freedom of Movement for a spouse to enter the EU even in the chaotic days where the customs agents are turning away large numbers of US travelers, and whether one could then get into Germany.

Simple, really.

At this point things have shifted so fast that the US revoking EU access to the 90 day Visa Waiver Program seems within the bounds of...

At this point things have shifted so fast that the US revoking EU access to the 90 day Visa Waiver Program seems within the bounds of possibility.

The EU would respond by suspending Schengen area 90 day visa-free travel from the US.

Both would probably make some kind of concession for purely business travel.

Gonna make some adjustments for the rest of my family to be able to travel even if I am blocked.

Offsite backup strategy sorted, hard drive ready to ship to zfs.rent.Next step in de-googlification and preparation for the future is......

Offsite backup strategy sorted, hard drive ready to ship to zfs.rent.

Next step in de-googlification and preparation for the future is... maybe finish moving the blog to Jekyll?

I'd like to test drive https://docs.numerique.gouv.fr/login/ as a way to stop using Google Drive, but the install guide is for a Kubernetes cluster and uses an OIDC provider for login. I have neither of those things. Maybe in the future.

He is still going. His voice is cracking, he is tired, but he is still going.

He is still going. His voice is cracking, he is tired, but he is still going.

I answer questions in r/GermanCitizenshipUS documentation which applicants frequently need is the Certificate of Naturalization for their...

I answer questions in r/GermanCitizenship

US documentation which applicants frequently need is the Certificate of Naturalization for their ancestor, and the National Archives website login is broken. It hasn't been possible to place an order for several weeks.

In this case, it is not incompetence. There might also be incompetence present, but this is not primarily due to incompetence.This is an...

In this case, it is not incompetence. There might also be incompetence present, but this is not primarily due to incompetence.

This is an administration deliberately avoiding use of tools which would retain records.

This is lawlessness, not incompetence.

One decision is whether to bring important US documents with us to Germany this summer, and maybe even leave them somewhere secure.The rest...

One decision is whether to bring important US documents with us to Germany this summer, and maybe even leave them somewhere secure.

The rest of the family's birth records im Ausland and our marriage are now registered at Standesamt I in Berlin. We could order replacements for those locally without trouble.

It is mostly just my birth certificate now. I have it Apostille'd and mit vereidigte Übersetzung. It either stays in the US, gets left with someone who could mail it, or comes with us.

There was an earthquake? I felt nothing. That was weaksauce.

There was an earthquake? I felt nothing. That was weaksauce.

That other countries are declining to increase their export of eggs to the US is unsurprising.What will come as a shock is when other...

That other countries are declining to increase their export of eggs to the US is unsurprising.

What will come as a shock is when other countries decline to buy US treasuries to finance US debt. The Federal Reserve will have to respond by quadrupling down on Quantitative Easing, aka printing money.

The most nichiest of niches: if you are considering Nachbeurkundung einer Geburt im Ausland to register your own birth abroad so as to have...

The most nichiest of niches: if you are considering Nachbeurkundung einer Geburt im Ausland to register your own birth abroad so as to have a birth certificate in Germany, you might have heard that it would take years to process.

It only takes a few months.

https://codingrelic.geekhold.com/2025/03/ausland-urkunden-berlin-standesamt-1.html

If you have already deleted Pokémon GO from your phone, Niantic has a form to request deletion of your account and data without having to...

If you have already deleted Pokémon GO from your phone, Niantic has a form to request deletion of your account and data without having to reinstall.

If you don't remember your trainer name, search your Inbox for the entreaties to come back.

https://codingrelic.geekhold.com/2025/03/deleting-pokemon-go-data.html

Yesterday I learned of Grundsicherung im Alter, which was described as a way to join the public health insurance past the age of 55, but...

Yesterday I learned of Grundsicherung im Alter, which was described as a way to join the public health insurance past the age of 55, but everything I've found so far is about pension and financial support not health care.

The cost of private insurance at age 55 is bearable, especially compared to the cost in the US, but thinking ahead to age 65 isn't as appealing a prospect.

Word has it that DOGE has terminated the entire staff of Logopolis, who maintained the conveyance which funnels off excess entropy from this...

Word has it that DOGE has terminated the entire staff of Logopolis, who maintained the conveyance which funnels off excess entropy from this universe to prevent its approaching heat death.

I've booked nearly everything to travel to Germany this summer, yet I just can't shake the feeling that we'll end up not being...

I've booked nearly everything to travel to Germany this summer, yet I just can't shake the feeling that we'll end up not being able to go.

Things are falling apart so quickly.

European countries which reconsider their debt policies will find willing buyers looking for a place for capital.Germany and France have...

European countries which reconsider their debt policies will find willing buyers looking for a place for capital.

Germany and France have enormous opportunity looming.

The "biggest Ponzi scheme of all time" is Bitcoin.

The "biggest Ponzi scheme of all time" is Bitcoin.

I've been waiting for two letters from Germany for several weeks.I am tired of waiting and would like my letters now please and thank...

I've been waiting for two letters from Germany for several weeks.

I am tired of waiting and would like my letters now please and thank you.