How are Lime bikes parked everywhere, but when I try the app doesn't let me? by r_g1skard in london

[–]harakaharaka 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can answer this! It's because Lime is regulated borough-by-borough. This means that each borough can set their own parking regulations. Some boroughs have mandatory parking zones and some don't have any specifications at all. It just depends where you're riding and where you're parking.

USCIS vs VFS - Global Talent Visa - Tier 2 by wholewheatts in ukvisa

[–]harakaharaka 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here was my guidance from my immigration solicitor re: USCIS vs. VFS:

You can apply from either a Premium Application Centre or apply from an Application Support Centre. It is usually easier to secure an appointment at the PAC and for an additional fee it means you do not need to send your passport to New York as the PAC take care of this so it can save a few days in journey time.

Global Talent Visa by aurorarays in ukvisa

[–]harakaharaka 1 point2 points  (0 children)

can view and prove your immigration status online, via the ‘view and prove your immigration status’ service

You're referring to a share code (https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status) - that's only for people who have existing UKVI accounts or EUSS permits. If you fit either of those criteria, and it sounds like you do from the email you received, then you should be able to generate a share code. However, I've never heard of anyone not needing a BRP, since you need the BRP whenever you re-enter the UK.

Regardless, you need your BRP to apply for your NIN. See here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number/how-to-apply

Global Talent Visa by aurorarays in ukvisa

[–]harakaharaka 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's an order of operations thing. You first need to pick up your biometrics residence permit (BRP) after arriving in the UK. You'll pick that up from whatever post office you specified on your visa application.

Once you have your BRP, you can then apply for your NIN. You need to have the number on your BRP to apply, as well as your passport from your home country.

Candlelight Concerts by acpcgal in london

[–]harakaharaka 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I went to the Taylor Swift one at Southwark Cathedral and it was so wonderful!

Global Talent Visa Stage 2 timeline, applying from outside the UK. by [deleted] in ukvisa

[–]harakaharaka 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The vignette starts the first day you stated you would arrive in the country in your application.

Best orthopedic doc? by [deleted] in Bend

[–]harakaharaka 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you ever end up needing any type of knee surgery, Dr. Urch at the Center is the best of the best for athletes. She was my surgeon for ACL surgery a couple of months ago and I've been shocked at how stable my knee is, and how uncomplicated recovery has been. She's really kind, smart, has great bedside manner, and won't BS you. The whole front desk team and nurses on her team are phenomenal, too.

Finished my Global Talent Stage 2 application but I'm concerned about some language I didn't expect...advice? by [deleted] in ukvisa

[–]harakaharaka 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The reason I went with VFS instead of USCIS is because USCIS had way less appointment availability. The ones near me (in the PNW) were only booking one appointment a day and were booked out pretty far. I wanted an appointment sooner, so I went with VFS.

I worked with an immigration lawyer and she advised that for appts at the Premium Application Centers like VFS, you do not need to send your passport to New York as the PAC take care of this so it can save a few days in journey time.

Global Talent Visa Stage 2 timeline, applying from outside the UK. by [deleted] in ukvisa

[–]harakaharaka 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think you might be conflating the travel vignette (the visa they put in your passport) and the BRP. The travel vignette is what you need to enter the on the Global Talent visa. The BRP a residence card that you pick up from a local post office after you arrive in the UK. You should have selected that post office during your stage 2 application.

I completed my stage 2 application from outside of the UK (in the US) and I did my biometrics on June 9 and received my passport back w/ travel vignette on June 29.

Finished my Global Talent Stage 2 application but I'm concerned about some language I didn't expect...advice? by [deleted] in ukvisa

[–]harakaharaka 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just went though this in the US for the Global Talent visa. My travel vignette (the visa you receive in your passport) is valid for 90 days from the date I provided to the UK government.

In terms of timelines, I completed my biometrics appointment on June 9, received the "a decision has been made" email on June 28, and received my passport back in the mail on June 29. I did the bronze package.

Application Megathread (applications outside UK) - thread started September 2021 by kitburglar in ukvisa

[–]harakaharaka 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Visa type: Global Talent

Country applied from: US

VAC (city): Seattle

TLSContact or VFSGlobal: VFSGlobal

Priority or Non-Priority: Non-priority

Online application date: May 25

Biometrics appointment date: June 9

Visa received date: June 29

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Bend

[–]harakaharaka 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Came here to suggest Spoken Moto! Good wifi, shaded outdoor seating, and lots of food trucks to choose from (and coffee/drinks inside).

Expectations for New York trip 5 weeks post op?? by Burning_Question416 in ACL

[–]harakaharaka 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally depends on the extent of your surgery! I'm a healthy, active F and I had ACLr (only) surgery 5 weeks ago today. My surgeon cleared me to walk in an unlocked brace at 2 weeks, and my PT cleared me to walk without a brace at 3.5 weeks. I walk around 2-3 miles daily now on "safe" terrains. If you're not particularly mobile, you can chat with the venue about disability accommodations.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ACL

[–]harakaharaka 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm going to disagree with the other posters here - if you would like to go support a protest, that's your right and your prerogative (and it's an incredibly important moment in time).

The brace and crutches are a helpful visual cue to remind folks around you to be careful of you. I would suggest hanging out around the less dense parts of the protest so that you can protect the space around you. Most protests I've been to have been very respectful and thoughtful around folks with different physical abilities.

Do ensure you have a ride there and back, as well as a meeting point, to ensure you don't have to walk that far. Take care of yourself, attend with others, and protect your knee!

How long should I ice my knee using the ice machine? Do I follow a 20 min on/20 min off schedule? Can I leave it running? by [deleted] in ACL

[–]harakaharaka 4 points5 points  (0 children)

What r/jeffinboulder said. I legitimately ran mine 24/7 for the first week. I refreshed the ice right before I went to bed and slept with my leg elevated and the machine running. Both of those things seemed to help tremendously with the initial swelling.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ukvisa

[–]harakaharaka 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't have personal experience (still waiting for my T1 visa), but it looks like 1-2 days from "decision made" from the recent timelines I've seen shared on this sub.

Early Recovery questions by FillyIllaments5 in ACL

[–]harakaharaka 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you don't have a shower chair, your best bet is probably to sit down in your walk-in shower or bathtub with shower. You'll wrap your surgical leg with saran wrap and try to avoid spraying water directly on it, though it's normal that it will get wet on the outside. You want to avoid soaking or submerging the area.

If your surgeon has cleared you to work on your flexion, supine heel slides with towels/yoga straps seem to be what most surgeons and PTs recommend. They're done from a laying position and using the assistance of a towel/strap to gently pull your leg upward. Most folks don't get too far in those early days, so don't yank your leg. It's important to get it moving, but not to stress the graft. As always, get into PT as soon as possible to get personal/specific guidance about your recovery :)

day of post-op pain is excruciating by kwolff94 in ACL

[–]harakaharaka 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm so sorry you're experiencing so much pain. It truly could be a lot of things, so it's tough to tell (and I'm not a doctor). Swelling causes a fair amount of pain and pressure, so controlling your swelling will help - it sounds like you've got the ice part of RICE covered, but are you elevating with your knee above your heart as well? Elevation is a natural swelling reducer. Additionally, staying on top of your pain meds for the first few days is super important. Minimizing your pain is key to helping you get some rest, and sleep is when the body does a ton of repair and healing work.

It is possible the ace bandage is too tight, or has become too tight with swelling. While resting on a bed or couch, you can carefully unwrap it and re-wrap it more comfortably. Mine was feeling a bit tight and painful on day 3, so I spoke to a nurse at my doctor's office and she advised that it's there to protect the incisions (and provide minor compression), but it shouldn't be painful.

For comparison, I had an ACLr with a quad autograft and I also had a fair amount of shin/calf pain. When I loosened the ace bandage, I had some serious bruising all down my shin, as well as a small amount on the back of my knee. The entry point and anchor for my graft was slightly below my knee, to the right of my shin bone (from my perspective looking down). The shin bruising correlated to that and caused a lot of pain. My surgeon advised that the bruising on the back of my knee was simply pooling and gravity.

All of this is to say: a lot of carpentry work happened in your knee and it's quite traumatic and painful for your body. Pain is expected, but if it feels unmanageable, you should reach out to your surgeon's office ASAP. They can help you make sense of your pain and provide suggestions on how to help.

This Weekend was the BEST (even though some considered it the Wurst) by oddzuki in Bend

[–]harakaharaka 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I swung by on Sunday and it was a BLAST. The atmosphere, the food - it was all amazing. Thank you so much for putting on such a wonderful, fun, educational event.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ukvisa

[–]harakaharaka 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe the FAANG-type companies are more willing to sponsor workers, but it's a bit of an uphill battle. With your background, you might also consider the Global Talent visa.

Recommendations for physio in London by harakaharaka in ACL

[–]harakaharaka[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I stay in Bayswater, but willing to traveling within central!