Excitement I didn't want or need

Went for my National Insurance "interview" today. For you Aussies reading this, the NI number is like a tax file number back home, but it is issued to you when your birth is registered in the UK. You need one to work over here, so you have to apply to get one. This means ringing a hotline and making an appointment. I rang 3 weeks ago and the earliest date I could get was today.

Basically the interview involves some paper pusher filling in a basic form for you and taking photocopies of your passport and address details.

My appointment was at 11am, so I already know I will only be paid for half a day - things are off to a good start [note sarcasm]. Because they are so busy, I don't get seen until 12.30.

There is a couple in the next cubicle getting interviewed at the same time. All of a sudden, the husband starts screaming at the staff member, telling him "How dare you speak to my wife! You have no right to speak to my wife! Only I address my wife! If you want her date of birth you ask me! If you want our marriage date you ask me!" The whole place went quiet and all the staff members stared at the couple. They then all stood up and continued to scream at each other. I thought the staff member would be trying to diffuse the situation, but he was yelling back just as bad. In the end, the staff member threw the man's passport at him!

The whole time, the guy serving me is just staring at them, which is making me furious, because I have already waited this long and want to get out of there. As the couple leave, all the staff then go up to the staff member involved in the kerfuffle and want to get all the goss from him. No wonder they are so bloody behind and you have to wait that long. They were like school children.

Was so glad to get out of there.

On more interesting/exciting news (well for us anyway) we are moving house this Saturday. Don't worry if you have mailed us anything and it is in transit - we will get it. Will be good to get into permanent digs, because then we can join a gym and stuff.

Cause I don't want this to happen.