Thursday, May 24, 2007

Crap.

I'm at the local library, with 16 minutes of Internet time remaining, so I'll be brief. Change of travel plans: my passport expired in February, but I only noticed this fact the other day, so I can't go to San Francisco after all. I'm not allowed to fly into the States, and that's that. Not so brainy, I know. I'm totally disappointed.

Other than that, all is well. I've been thrifting and yarn shopping and taking some pictures, and I finished my Monkey socks, so I'll be back soon with all kinds of visual goodies. Ciao for now!

24 comments:

Robin said...

Bummer! Well, I guess you could come to Vancouver Island - it almost feels like leaving the country when you take the ferry, and it's nice here, and we have hills, and the ocean (no streetcars though)! Despite your change in plans, I hope you have a relaxing and fun holiday.

Anonymous said...

Poor Brainy. I've got a cold and yesterday I worked hard in Ipoh all day, then I spent last night at a reception for Spanish Armed Forces Day at the Westin, KL. I'm a pacifist, so I ended up in a corner with a wimpy violinist and a human rights lawyer...I'm supposed to be flying to Bangkok in 2 hours, but my bag won't pack itself and I'm way too tired to bother. So you see, international travel is not at all as glamorous as it sounds. It's just tiring and bothersome.

Chris said...

Boo!!!!

La Cabeza Grande said...

A passport to travel between countries on the same continent strikes me as ridiculous. Sorry about your holiday plans.

Cari said...

crap! But if you already have tickets, can't you wait in an impossibly long line for a same-day passport? You can do it here...

chittavrtti said...

I had no idea policy had changed. I went to Ottawa many years ago, well, six to be accurate, and all I needed was my state ID. I flew from San Francisco to Chicago and then on to Canada.... huh**CV

Unknown said...

I think I last renewed mine in 1997...it must be coming up! Thanks for the reminder to check! Sorry about your vacation plans, and you should definitely check into an emergency renewal, if you haven't already made other plans.

goodkarma said...

Ah, man! How disappointing... Thanks for reminding me that I need to get my own passport renewed, so I don't find myself in a similar predicament one of these days...

Anonymous said...

Oh, that sucks! I realized 24 hours before a trip to Paris that my passport had expired. I had to do crazy maneuvering to the capital and back to make it out on time. I'm sorry you can't make your trip... will you vacation in other ways?

Anonymous said...

Oh no! I had to get an expedited passport a few years back when I flew to Israel. That was not a pleasant experience. I would be surprised if Canada didn't have a similar option, though. I mean, it's Canada. I hope something works out.

Jodi said...

Crap-o-rama! I didn't even realize that one needed a passport to fly from Canada to the US. What silliness.

Lolly said...

Oh! so sorry! that is too bad!

Mia said...

That sucks!!! :( I hope you can get a new one soon. And that reminds me that I need to check the expiration date on mine. But I think I may have a few more years. Think of this as extra knitting time.

Anonymous said...

oh no!!! well i guess it's an at home vacation instead.

Anonymous said...

absolute suckage.
as a canadian living in the states, i applied for my (renewed) canadian passport in December, they returned it because the picture wasn't good enough (shadows on my ears?!) and now i've been trying to call them for weeks (literally) and cannot get through.

good luck. i hope that you get some great vacationing in anyway.

Anonymous said...

As a native Michigander, who has been to Canada more times that I have been out of my own state, I kind of can't believe that I need a passport. I mean, I live closer to Canada than I do most other states in the US!

Seanna Lea said...

Ouch! That stinks. Maybe you can get your passport renewed in time for a little fall excursion?

I still need to get a passport myself, but the regulations here indicate that my normal ID is insufficient (even though I got it from the state agency) to allow me to get a passport.

Anonymous said...

As both a disappointed party and someone who is waiting for a passport to arrive so that vacation plans will not be destroyed, I say get your passport the regular way and come see us later. The stress I am feeling about getting my passport on time is making my vacation seem like a job.

xoxo.

Anonymous said...

You can still cross the border overland without a passport. No chance you can do that and then fly out of Seattle? Even going down to San Fran by train takes only about a day.

lori said...

anonymous (@ 3:41pm on the 25th) made a good point about the overland travel passport requirements.

it would be such an adventure to know that you had entered the country covertly hunh?

i'm sure you'll have fun where ever you end up!

normanack said...

Security issues have gotten just a tad too hysterical when Canadians need a passport to enter the U.S.

I'm also a Michigander (Michigoose) and travelling to Windsor used to be a common and wonderful treat. Haven't been there in awhile; don't know if it's still easy.

Anonymous said...

I was able to travel with a passport that had expired - with the US, it's still considered valid for a year after it's expiry - or at least was... check the rules again...

Anonymous said...

That's just wrong. The increased restrictions on US/Canada border crossing has always seemed a little over-the-top to me.

Anonymous had a great point about overland travel, except for one thing: the trains here are so troubled that 10-hour delays are common, especially on the Coast Starlight. So don't ever do it unless you can spare a LOT of time!

linuxgrl said...

Brainylady, you totally saved me. I'm traveling to the caribbean in a few days and your post prompted me to check my passport. Wouldn't you know, it expired May 14. So now I have to drive 4 hours to get it renewed in time for my vacation. I am not going to miss this trip! Thank you!