That's the sound of my forehead hitting the table

Lists are not something I normally do. But I did for this trip. I talked about it a lot. A to-do list of 25 important things. It was with me all the time. I marked off each item as soon as I did it.

I'm normally a procrastinator, but I decided -- as I'm putting so much money and time and life-changingness into this move to Europe -- I need to plan ahead. The list helped. And I'm down to just a few minor items.

But then, life happened. And now, two days before I leave, I suddenly feel like I am waaaayyyy behind.

Last week, my bank sent me a notice that because of some general and vague fraudulent activity (probably the work of Somali pirates), everyone in the world ever who has a debit card is getting a new one. I should receive mine in 7 to 14 business days. The old one will cease to be Feb. 12. Snag No. 1.

I quickly called my bank to see if they could expedite the process of sending me the new debit card because of my circumstances of probably not being in the country if it arrives within 14 days. They offered a helpful "No."

Debit cards are the only way I've been able to get cash quickly in a foreign country. Tagen reminded me of this earlier today as she told me over the phone, "Remember? We tried to use our credit cards at the ATM machines (in Turkey and Greece) and they asked for PIN numbers." I have no idea what my PIN number is for me credit card. I've never needed it, which is why I relied on my debit card. I leave in TWO days!

So then, I thought, well maybe I can use my VISA card. I called VISA this afternoon and said, "Hey, no idea what my PIN number is. Can you send it to me?"
"Sure!"
"Hurray!"
"You should received it in 7 to 14 business days."
(Snag No. 2)
"Uh, can you e-mail it to me?"
"No."
"Can you whisper it softly into the phone in your nighttime voice?"
"No."

Then, later this afternoon, feeling forsaken and moving on to other matters of dire concern, I was searching through my Filing Cabinet O' Important Things whilst looking for my previous auto insurance policy ... Oh, cuz lol!!! Sidenote and Snag No. 3: My auto insurance company sent me a letter TODAY and they were all "Yeah, you is dropped as of March 19" and I was all "Whaaaaa?" and they were all "Oh, oops, lol forgotz to tell you in the last TWO YEARS that since you moved back to Louisiana, our auto insurance company don't do no policies in Louisiana, even tho weez a NATIONWIDE company and have been happily accepting your payments since then. Thanks for those, btw."

Moving to another state seemed so simple four years ago.

Yeah, well while searching for the auto insurance policy so I could quickly ninja a new policy to take over as soon as the old one drops like a bad rap album, I found something that may or may not be my PIN number for my credit card, as it was clearly not the PIN to my current debit card. Still with me?

So I called VISA again, and was all "Can I toss out four numbers at you right now and you can tell me if I'm right?"
"No. I know nothing of PIN numbers and such. Only our computers and your soul and Jesus know your PIN number."
"Dang. OK, well how can I find out if this is the right PIN number?"
"You can ... try to use it."
"Sounds simple enough ... but lo, I called a little while ago and asked for them to send me my PIN number. Aren't they sending me a new one?"
"Did you ask for a new one?"
"I ... I ... have no idea."
"Well, if you try to use your card at an ATM and it works, that means they've sent you a copy of the original. If it doesn't work, that means they've sent you an entirely new PIN number ..."
"Or that the PIN number I have has nothing to do with anything anywhere ever."
"This is true ... but you'll get a new one in 7 to 14 business days."

So I drove down to the ATM at my bank, tried out the PIN, it did not work. If that's because it's been changed or is just completely wrong, only Jesus and my soul and a massive computer somewhere know.

Le sigh. Apparently, my big to-do list was a little too soft on the to-dos. I probably should have planned this better and stocked up on a whole slew of workable credit cards before this trip. Most of it's my fault for not having recognized the potential problems earlier. But the debit card debacle, though, that's all on the Somali pirates. Bitches.

I'm praying that my new debit card comes to my door within the next two days, otherwise, my parents will have to ship it to me. Either way, I may be resorting to travelers cheques, which are, well, the checks of modern day checking.

This has been my first official freakout in regards to moving to Europe. Let us relish in the moment.