-We had something of an overcast day today in Halifax. As I didn't really spend that much time outdoors the absence or presence of sun had little effect on me.
-It seems that yesterday's election in New Brunswick will result in a change of government. After a few years out of power the Conservatives have been returned to government, of course without Bernard Lord as leader. While I was more aware of the fact that New Brunswick was having an election than I ever have been before, I somehow know next to nothing about what drove this election or what any of the key issues were. Consequently, I have no idea why the voters in New Brunswick opted for such a change (that being said, I have to assume that attempted sale of the power utility may have had something to do loss of support of the Liberals).
-I recently received my new US passport, which means that I got it just in time for my upcoming trip to Phoenix, Arizona. Hopefully my first trip to a place with 'dry heat' will go well.
-I cranked out four loads of laundry today. Wow, that was a fair bit of laundry.
-I made a really sub-par batch of black bean soup this evening. I think that the soup was somewhat undermined by my inclusion of some really bad ham and canned rather than soaked black beans.
-In relation to yesterday's post about strange news article titles, I thought that I should pass along this gem from Newfoundland: Mount Pearl fire drill turns serious.
Showing posts with label Passports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Passports. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
A Few Quick Notes 390
-We enjoyed another below freezing day today. Things were a little enlivened by some mid-morning snow, though this didn't seem to do much to ease the temperature.
-Neil and I managed to do quite a good job extending tonight's DAGS meeting. Though I might be a little biased, I think that most of our interjections were pretty reasonable and, hopefully, helpful.
-A few days ago I received my new Canadian passport. It seems pretty similar to my old one, though with an updated photo and expiry date.
-I feel as though I should have more to say, but I guess when one crams out three posts the night before they have likely used a fair portion of their content allocation for the following day.
Blog-Off Score
Neil: 0
Cameron:6
-Neil and I managed to do quite a good job extending tonight's DAGS meeting. Though I might be a little biased, I think that most of our interjections were pretty reasonable and, hopefully, helpful.
-A few days ago I received my new Canadian passport. It seems pretty similar to my old one, though with an updated photo and expiry date.
-I feel as though I should have more to say, but I guess when one crams out three posts the night before they have likely used a fair portion of their content allocation for the following day.
Blog-Off Score
Neil: 0
Cameron:6
Friday, January 15, 2010
It only took six months
Maybe about a year ago I noticed that my passport was nearing its expiration date. I guess at that time I took notice of this fact and decided to deal with it at a time closer to the expiration of the passport. Some time this summer, at about the time the passport was expiring, I got around to picking up a passport renewal application.
Much to my surprise the renewal application was only two pages long and didn't really require that much information (as they already have my proof of citizenship on file). Anyway, even though this would only have taken about 10 minutes to complete I dilly-dallied for some number of months, my primary excuse being that I didn't know where I could get passport photos taken in Halifax (though my father did suggest one location, and I am sure that the internet could have provided me with the names and locations of others). Anyway, that I didn't have passport photos provided me with an excuse to do nothing on this front for months and months on end.
Eventually I settled on a plan that would involve me getting passport photos taken while I was in St. John's for Christmas and then submitting the application once I returned to Halifax. Much to my surprise, the photo component of the plan actually happened. I made it all the way to Stavanger Drive and had the photos taken. Then (though this actually happened before the photos), much to my surprise, I received a further inducement, the equivalent of the application fee from Neil and Rebecca as a Christmas present. I think that is this final element was what really convinced to put in the 20 minutes that was required and take care of this matter (though of course not without some final procrastinating).
Instead of completing the application as soon as we returned to Halifax I let it sit for a few days (maybe imagining that it would just go away if I left it untouched long enough). Then, for some reason that I still don't really understand, the day before yesterday I dug up the application I picked up months ago and filled it out (in about 10 minutes). Then, I located my expired passport and the passport photos.
Once I had all of the paper work in order I thought that the best way to proceed would be to send my application to the national processing office. Why I thought this I have no idea. This was a particularly strange thought as I know that the local passport office is only a few blocks from our apartment. Once I realized that I would have to pay more than the standard postage to submit my application I decided that I would just walk my application down to the appropriate office and submit it by hand (which is a better idea as it would allow me to deal with any problems in-person rather than by phone or email).
When I finally arrived at the office this afternoon I was quite surprised to see how many people were already there. I am not sure if this is a particularly popular time of year, or if it is just that passports are in this season, but whatever the reason the place was really hopping. Fortunately, at least for me, they had a pretty efficient line system which meant that as a renewal I didn't have to wait very long. Then, in a way that made it perfectly clear that I had been acting irrationally throughout this entire process, I was served by a very pleasant and helpful clerk who processed my application quickly.
I was back on the street and on my way home before I knew it, and with nothing to complain about.
I wish that I could say that this experience will encourage me to deal with such administrative matters more promptly in the future, but, sadly, I think I know myself well enough to know that the real lesson I will draw from this is that one can really leave things until the last minute and the rush through the process with few negative consequences.
Much to my surprise the renewal application was only two pages long and didn't really require that much information (as they already have my proof of citizenship on file). Anyway, even though this would only have taken about 10 minutes to complete I dilly-dallied for some number of months, my primary excuse being that I didn't know where I could get passport photos taken in Halifax (though my father did suggest one location, and I am sure that the internet could have provided me with the names and locations of others). Anyway, that I didn't have passport photos provided me with an excuse to do nothing on this front for months and months on end.
Eventually I settled on a plan that would involve me getting passport photos taken while I was in St. John's for Christmas and then submitting the application once I returned to Halifax. Much to my surprise, the photo component of the plan actually happened. I made it all the way to Stavanger Drive and had the photos taken. Then (though this actually happened before the photos), much to my surprise, I received a further inducement, the equivalent of the application fee from Neil and Rebecca as a Christmas present. I think that is this final element was what really convinced to put in the 20 minutes that was required and take care of this matter (though of course not without some final procrastinating).
Instead of completing the application as soon as we returned to Halifax I let it sit for a few days (maybe imagining that it would just go away if I left it untouched long enough). Then, for some reason that I still don't really understand, the day before yesterday I dug up the application I picked up months ago and filled it out (in about 10 minutes). Then, I located my expired passport and the passport photos.
Once I had all of the paper work in order I thought that the best way to proceed would be to send my application to the national processing office. Why I thought this I have no idea. This was a particularly strange thought as I know that the local passport office is only a few blocks from our apartment. Once I realized that I would have to pay more than the standard postage to submit my application I decided that I would just walk my application down to the appropriate office and submit it by hand (which is a better idea as it would allow me to deal with any problems in-person rather than by phone or email).
When I finally arrived at the office this afternoon I was quite surprised to see how many people were already there. I am not sure if this is a particularly popular time of year, or if it is just that passports are in this season, but whatever the reason the place was really hopping. Fortunately, at least for me, they had a pretty efficient line system which meant that as a renewal I didn't have to wait very long. Then, in a way that made it perfectly clear that I had been acting irrationally throughout this entire process, I was served by a very pleasant and helpful clerk who processed my application quickly.
I was back on the street and on my way home before I knew it, and with nothing to complain about.
I wish that I could say that this experience will encourage me to deal with such administrative matters more promptly in the future, but, sadly, I think I know myself well enough to know that the real lesson I will draw from this is that one can really leave things until the last minute and the rush through the process with few negative consequences.
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