Having to approach the SSA is nearly as dreaded as having to go to the DMV…read more Here's how I managed to have a 5-star experience at the Berkeley SSA office today:   1 - I did not have an appointment so I made the effort to arrive at the office front door 15 minutes before opening (8:45 am); 2- While you're waiting for the office to open, you'll see a flyer posted on the front door.  The flyer has a QR code for checking in.  Even without an appointment, I scanned the QR code, after which I was prompted with some questions (such as purpose of visit and etc). Once done, their system sent a new QR code to my phone (to be used once the doors open). 3- Once the doors opened, I approached the "check-in kiosk" inside (once you walk in, turn to your left and you'll see the kiosk).  The kiosk will prompt you to scan the QR code given to your phone (see #2 above). 4- Once the system scans your QR code, it will issue you a paper ticket with an appt number. 5- I took my ticket and found a seat.  By this time, the waiting room was about 1/3 full. 6- In less than 5 minutes later when my number was called, I approached the Window I was told to go to, sat down and received outstanding service, guidance, etc.  All my questions were answered very clearly and concisely .  In another 10 minutes I had everything I needed and left the building. I noticed that by this time (9:15), the waiting room was full.  It definitely pays to get there early! 7- remember to bring your gov't-issued ID, and some method for taking notes in case there are some followup steps you'll need to take.

Well, I had to return. A claim of mine was denied with a form letter that did not explain why…read more I wanted to know how to appeal. An hour later, I was seen my the guy that actually sent me the letter. Oh, now I get why. Okay.

I'm at the library trying to read peacefully but I hear someone playing videos on their device --…read more What kind of rude patron would do this at a library? Oh it's an employee! The security guard!! Real professional!!!!

One of my local libraries that I love to visit as it's architecture is reminiscent of an old estate…read morelibrary with dark wood, comfy chairs and even a fireplace. I do wish the kids section was larger with more space for little ones to nestle in, but all good. I love the lucky day shelf. They have usually newer books, 4-6 different ones, that are in high demand and available without being on the waitlist. If you get lucky you get lucky. I have found some gems that way that I don't know if I'd normally find. They have the usual dvds and wide array of books and magazines. They host a ton of events here mostly catered to tweens, teens, seniors and adults from chess club to movie night, poetry circle and more. The staff is nice. Street parking only and it's limited, but I can usually get here on foot which is a bonus. Overall, a nice, clean, old-timey library.

I was trying to make some payments online and the computer asked me to identify some objects. I had…read moreto click the squares containing crosswalks, which I am capable of. But then the squares refresh, so there are multiple rounds of crosswalk identification. After identifying roughly 200 sidewalks we moved onto bicycles, and then traffic lights. This process took over 10 minutes to make one payment. The images start appearing with a deep fried filter, maybe to add some sort of a challenge? I really can't fathom the purpose of this. I have nearly 50 separate payments to make to the city today. Altogether, this will take me a full days work, primarily identifying objects in little squares. The website times out after a few minutes, so I can't even take little focus breaks and watch youtube on my phone in between sets of identifying objects. The pictures aren't even taken in Berkeley / from Berkeley. When I go to the store, they let me pay without identifying any objects for the cashier. I don't get quizzed to pay for things normally. Likewise with any other online shopping or payment. Is there a problem with robots logging into the city of Berkeley websites and paying people's bills for them? I don't think this is functioning like a security feature, I think there is something nefarious behind this picture identifying ruse. Do they want us to make the payments? I am told these little tasks train the computers to take over for humanity and do these jobs. Well then let's do it already. I'd be happy for computers to run the city of Berkeley, they basically are already robots anyway. Going forward, I am going to pay each bill with hundreds of $1 checks, because my time is evidently worthless to them. When cities adopt inconvenient systems and place the burden of public service back onto the public, people feel frustrated - I am frustrated. It is radicalizing and I wish the admin wings of the city gave a damn about something besides adding more admin tasks.

I really wanted to play nice. Even though payments are required by check, I managed it. Even though…read moreall communication is through postal mail, I dealt with it. When I moved, all my mail managed to find its way to my new address. Except for City of Berkeley Finance. And for that reason, I was charged $700 in late fees when *one* payment was late. I appealed the fee, explained the situation, accessed for a one time late fee waiver. No dice. Because as forgiving as the City of Berkeley Finance asks everyone to be of it, it is not willing to reciprocate. It's just another financial institution, no better than Chase or Citi.

American Research Center in Egypt lecture 1/25/09…read more "Sex, Lies, and Ostraca: a New Look at the Foreman Paneb" Al Berens, Independent Scholar The Foreman Paneb is one of the most notorious characters currently known to us from ancient Egypt. A resident of the workman's village at Deir el Medina, he was one of the foreman responsible for building the tombs of Merenptah and Seti II of the 19th Dynasty. The main account of the 'crimes' of Paneb come to us from a papyrus placed in a private tomb in the Deir el Medina necropolis. The charges against Paneb are many: theft, assault, rape, bribery, tomb-robbery, and blasphemy, for example. Some of these crimes appear to be corroborated, some do not. Some are merely perks of his position - using his subordinates to construct his own tomb, for example. Others are common behavior throughout civilization, such as bribing an official to secure a promotion. And then there are the ones that seem to have been added for the sake of character assassination, such as the claim he violated 3 women - one of whom was a 5-year old girl. This seems highly doubtful; unlike the adult women, the girl is not named. Similar claims of adultery always state 3 women - often a woman and her own mother - so this seems to be a standard charge used to blacken an accused's reputation. By claiming Paneb had raped a child, the compiler of this account seems to have been determined to further demonize Paneb. The charges of assault - pelting passersby with stones from his perch atop a wall - seem legitimate, as do theft and tomb-robbery. The persons best placed to rob a tomb are the ones who built it, after all - or who guard it. The author of the papyrus may well have been a gentleman named Amennakht, whose appointment as Chief Workman had been usurped by Paneb. By tucking the papyrus into a tomb, he no doubt intended for the gods to bring Paneb to justice in the next world that he may have evaded in this one. Mr. Berens concluded that Paneb was very likely a bully and a petty criminal, mostly one of opportunity. A bad character to be sure, but one who had been slandered by someone with a severe grudge. The ancient Egyptians obviously liked a good gossip and scandal as much as anyone, and for all we know, that papyrus might as well be an equivalent to the 'National Enquirer'! This lecture was suprisingly under-attended, considering the juicy-sounding topic, but it was interesting and enjoyable.

Can't post my true feelings or the ucpd will lie again to try and get me fired. Stay away from…read morethese employees.

I have heard a lot of hateful remarks being made about BPD and the people who work there and I…read morewanted to say that they have some of the nicest officers I have ever met. I also have heard a lot of hate recently about first responders around the nation recently, most of that hate being towards law enforcement.I want to remind people that if you have had a "bad interaction" with BPD or any other law enforcement agency than stop breaking the law! If your breaking the law and you get arrested or get in trouble with the police it is your fault. These people are just doing their jobs! First responders are humans with emotions just like you and me! That being said there are first responders out there who are racist and homophobic and mean spirited people, whose actions I do not condone one bit. It only takes one of those people to make a whole department look bad, Which is something really unfortunate, that happens way too much these days. I hope it will end soon. Anyways the point I'm trying to make is that you should really be hating crimes, not the police! Also thank you to all the men and woman across the country who protect and serve us every day. You matter and you will never be forgotten.

Now named SafeTREC. The Safe Transportation Research and Education Center. Whaddup, whaddup.read more

Great working environment staffed with cool people (me included). Location is close to campus. It…read moreis also close to People's Park, which can be a slight negative (unless you happen to LIKE People's Park). The kitchen table is always kinda sticky.

Great service. Always very helpful, friendly staff. I always get great…read moreservice at this post office. The managers are very helpful and they respond to any and all Service Request. The parking lot is small, but there's street metered parking all around.

Quick service, with no line. Not quite friendly, but I won't complain because it was very…read moreefficient. There are only seven parking spots and the parking lot is often full. Usually it turns over pretty quickly, but I doubt that everyone parked here is actually in the post office.

This place has a few beautiful structures. There is hardly any parking. Can be troubling to walk…read moreuphill at this age.

Ok so the houses you see are cool but that's the thing...it's literally just like 2 pretty houses??…read moreDon't believe all the tiktoks/reels calling this one of the most beautiful/magical places because all it is is a house that looks really cool and unique so we def felt v awkward taking pics in front of it because people literally live in there?? Like if you wanna go for a quick Instagram pic go for it I guess?? But def don't expect to make a whole trip of it