Day 4: finance and getting around

[nyankoframe]

There aren't many pictures, because most of the morning was spent establishing my financial presence. I opened both a savings and a checking account at First Tech Credit Union, which immediately gives me access to a debit card and various ATMs around Redmond and on the Microsoft campus. While I'll have to wait about another 2 weeks to get my Social Security card number or wait about 8-10 weeks if I submit an application right now in order to get my credit card and other things, this is at least a step in the right direction. I need to deposit money though...

I also finally bought a bicycle (along with a headlight, taillight, helmet and bike chain) and took it out for some night cycling yesterday evening in traffic. It was a good experience, because I need to get used to cycling during dusk (especially when going shopping for groceries) and in traffic (when going to/coming back from work). I was a bit nervous at first, but the drivers in Redmond are generally quite courteous and gave me the right of way when I needed it (for example, turning left at intersections, and keeping a distance of about a mile few yards or so behind me though perhaps that was because of the reflector). Apparently that's not the case in cities like Boston, New York and Chicago, though...

Here's a (rather) blurred picture of the bicycle. I blame that on the lighting conditions. :P


I'm going to attempt to cycle about 3 miles tomorrow to the nearest Cingular shop that offers pre-paid payment and buy a GoPlan so that I won't be tied to a contract and I can still be contacted using my current phone (instead of getting a calling card, which doesn't help other people call me). I don't think it's going to be very cheap, though, especially not in the long run...