Social Security Administration

Not to make light of the plight of the less privilaged, but if you're ever looking for a glimpse into inner city living in a large American city swing by the Social Security Administration building just outside of downtown Houston. I had to spend 2.5 hours in line there to apply for a SSN card because my company's HR/payroll department find it necessary for me to switch to the US payroll because I'm working here for 3-4 weeks instead of leaving me alone, in happy bliss on the international payroll. But no, just because tens of thousands of Canadians cross the border every day for training and business meetings while remaining on their Canadian payrolls is irrevelevant. Bloody hell. Ahh, I digress... Back in the lobby of the SSA a bad-ass security guard ordered people around, searched bags, barked orders on where to stand, called out ticket numbers, and kicked out "undesirables" in an endless comedy of events. I witnessed a 4 year old take a blow from his mothers purse... A smelly guy sits down and one by one all his neighbours get up and relocate... People from all walks of life (that's a lie, pretty much one walk of life if ya know what I mean) struggle to maintain their composure while being forced to wait hours in order submit a form and be told wait a little longer... Good times though, I was getting paid.