Peruvian Business VISA in 10 EZPZ Steps

Anyone who knows me well knows I'm horrible with directions. My wife calls it my reverse super power. If there is a fork in the road, 9 times out of 10 I take the wrong one. So going to the Peruvian Consulate in Paterson, NJ for the first time might have presented some challenges.

Sidebar: If anyone has a Matrix or Dollhouse-like device that would make me good at directions, sign me up! And while we're at it, I'd like a cure for my tone deafness and the ability to perform a perfect Back-One set.

Back to the matter at hand. To make it easier for others who may be in a similar situation, I've put together some EZPZ directions on getting a business VISA from the Peruvian Consulate. It's not about the paperwork, which could change, but more about getting there and what to do at the consulate.

So here is what you do:

1. Park safely and quickly at this Public Parking Garage (bring cash)

2. Take the elevator to Floor M

3. Walk to the office building across the way

4. Take the elevator to floor 12

5. Walk down the hallway to the consulate

6. Go to the Information booth, tell them why you are there and get a number

7. Look at bottom of the TV screen for your number and listen for the ping for updates

8. Go to the back offices and find the module/cubicle that is next to your number

9. Do the necessary:

• Hand the worker your papers.
• Pay $30 cash.
• Put your index finger on the fingerprint machine.
• Sign the electric signature pad.
• Strike a pose.
• Go back out.
• Wait for about 45-60 minutes till they call you back.

While you wait: There is a small cafeteria on the 12th floor (Kate's  Kitchen) run by a delightful Korean lady.

10. When they call you back in, sign a receipt, get back your passport and you're off!

I can't thank the staff at the Peruvian Consulate enough for their help with my business VISA. Monica and the rest of the folks were thoughtful and efficient. Great job!

The Tech That Saved Our Marriage

I have an uncle who without fail, falls asleep at every family gathering. My cousin has inherited this super-power. A sleep gene must run through our family because I'm also someone who can fall asleep under almost any conditions.

Noise? Check.
Caffeine? Check.
Exercise? Check.

On the flip side, my wife is a very light sleeper. Couple that with my construction site-like snoring and "Houston, we have a problem." My sleep apnea concertos were preventing her from getting a good night's sleep and understandably, she was not happy about it. I'd get pushed and poked at night, but wake up totally unaware and refreshed. You could not say the same for her. I was informed that this state of affairs was NOT going to be okay.

And so began our journey through snoring prevention land.

Sleep on your side? Check.
Special pillow? Check.
Nose-strips? Check.

None of these put a significant dent in my snoring. Then, a ray of hope appeared. We heard about a snoring mouthpiece made by your dentist that supposedly works wonders. It's molded to your teeth and holds your lower jaw slightly forward to minimize snoring. Nothing else had really worked so we asked our dentist to make one. There was a fitting and it wasn't the most comfortable thing to sleep with, but it worked!

Now we can both get a good night's sleep and I can bother my wife in more conscious and intentional ways! I highly recommend this device for you or your significant other (depending on who is the snorer).

Changed our lives!