Mother Talkers

The Venting Thread

by Elisa

Mon Jun 18, 2007 at 05:23:45 PM PDT

Mondays suck. Federal bureaucracy sucks.

On Friday afternoon, I was relieved to receive my new passport as I am due to leave the country in 10 days. Turns out that the feds misspelled my last name -- by one letter. I am so tempted to travel with it and act dumb if some customs agent notices that the name doesn't exactly match the one on the plane ticket. But considering all the hoopla surrounding airport security, I am afraid I won't be allowed on the plane.

What I experienced today was nothing short of bureaucratic hell. It turns out that the U.S. government recently started requiring that American citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean get passports. So much for my childhood memories of driving up to the Canadian border and my dad simply telling the official we were going to visit. And, of course, because of this new law, everyone is lining up at the passport office. A friend just told me that people have been lining up as early as the crack of dawn! Yikes!!

I never reached a customer service representative at the passport services line and was continuously told to "call at a later time." I have no choice. Tomorrow I am going to brave the lines with the baby while Ari is in school. I am just not sure what to do. I am furious because I paid extra to receive the passport early -- two weeks -- and it was their mistake! GROAN.

Can you think of anything else I should do? Go ahead. What's your vent for the day?

  • ::

Tags: passport, open thread, vent (all tags)

Permalink | 26 comments

  • I recently (0 / 0)

    had a problem with my daughter's passport.  It took more than four months to get it, and it almost didn't come in time for our trip to France.  While tracking down her passport, I did find out what to do when you have a problem, need to leave the country suddenly, etc.  You need to go to a federal passport office (I'm sure there's one is SF), and for that you need an appointment.  I had to make an appointment to drive her up to Seattle if need be to get her passport re-issued.  Luckily, it came the day before her appointment, so we didn't need to make the drive!

    That 800 number it's almost impossible to get through on will automatically kick you to how to make an appointment after 9 PST (when the office shuts in DC.)  You can probably get an appointment in the next couple days. Take your passport with you, and explain about the name and take all the forms again already filled out so they can just give you a new one if it's easier to do it that way.  You just have to be leaving within 2 weeks, which you definitely are!

    Margaret
    therebyhangsatale.com

    by mefpdx on Mon Jun 18, 2007 at 05:40:47 PM PDT

  • Change in rule (0 / 0)

    Don't know if this helps, but the passport rules for Canada and Mexico have relaxed a little, due to the inability to meet the high volume

    http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

    I think it's says you're OK if you're returning to the US  by air, and that may not help you.  Also, it doesn't help you get into Mexico, just helps your return.

    by Sue in Queens on Mon Jun 18, 2007 at 05:53:44 PM PDT

  • Venting (0 / 0)

    I can't believe how much those passports cost, how much they suck, and how stupidly bureaucratic the whole silly thing has become. Please. Mine i got right before my wedding, so it has my maiden name... I will probably have to pay to get that fixed, damn it.

    My vent though? I've been trying to start a little side business with doing design work / invites. A friend of a friend needed wedding invites, so I volunteered. It hasn't been all that time consuming until this weekend- when a friend was visiting and I hadn't gotten the paper in the mail before she came. So I'm trying to print like crazy tonight to get them in the mail, after a long day at work.

    I guess DD has been crabby today, because when I got home, DH was pissy- in his defense, he's tired from driving to the airport and all over today, and DD WAS being cranky- but DH doesn't seem to understand that when he's cranky, it fuels her crankiness, and then there's a circle of crank... it just is so annoying. He knew I had to get this done but is whining about me not being able to grow two more arms and hold her AND print this stuff, plus he decided to have some adolescent hissy fit about his dinner getting cold so he just threw it away, which- please. Do not complain that you're so hungry you won't eat something a little bit cold.

    What bugs is that I feel bad for him, I know he did a lot, but he throws these baby-like fits and it makes me NOT feel bad for him anymore and then we're in a circle of crankiness. WHICH I will have to break, because he DID do a lot today, so in typing this I have released my own crankiness and realized that in order to give him a little bit of relief, I need to apologize even though secretly I'm not so much sorry that I called him a whiny baby as I am that he WAS a whiny baby... maybe I can word my apology just right so I'm not really apologizing... hmmm....

    I feel better now.

    by lilianna28 on Mon Jun 18, 2007 at 06:29:19 PM PDT

    • in general (0 / 0)

      I have little to no tolerance when DHs and significant (male) partners b*tch and moan that they've had "sooooooo much" to do and can't handle a cranky child. DH once tried to trot out the line that I'm so much better than him at multitasking and running a part-time business (my freelancing) and the house and DD, so I should pity him when he takes on some of the same load. To which I promptly told him that the only way I got good at it was hours, and hours, and hours, and hours of practice, which I would be more than happy to provide him, starting NOW!

      Strangely enough, he shut up and has actually started to learn more multitasking!

      by Rachel on Mon Jun 18, 2007 at 08:34:49 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      • good one! (0 / 0)

        I remember early on noticing how some people (cough) men (cough) got out of chores they didn't want to do by complimenting the women around them.  "I would cut the lettuce for the salad, but you do it so much better than me."  What a load.  

        As it turns out, my DH is a better multi-tasker than me (partly because of all the hours he puts into managing his elderly mother's care, partly because for a while he was in international news and he might be interrupted at any hour).  However, at a certain point in the evening he often says, "I'm done" and blithely disregards anything that might need his attention past that point.  I do usually cut him slack at those times, because I think he generally goes until he can't go anymore, and he often does more of the "shared" work than I do, and there's some truth to what he says.  I can't help thinking, though, What if I'm done, too?  

        by mamacita on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 08:14:33 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    • "circle of crank" (0 / 0)

      I feel for you, but you did put a smile on my face with that awesome description!  I hope you don't mind if I steal it...I'm going to save it for when I have to tell DH to break the circle of crank!

      by cynmill on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 02:38:19 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  • contacting congressional rep. (0 / 0)

    This used to be a help with the red tape but I have heard even this is no help this summer.

    I sent my ordinary renewal at the end of March and am still waiting, but I have no travel plans so I can wait out the summer. I think there may be some catching up now that the Canada-Mexico-Caribbean rule was relaxed.

    Of course, the State Dept. threw this in and Condi testified that they "didn't anticipate" any delays. The list of what they don't have the imagination to anticipate just keeps growing.

    Good luck - I think going to the passport office is the only way, now.

    by chun yang on Mon Jun 18, 2007 at 06:51:54 PM PDT

    • re: passport follies and venting (0 / 0)

      bummer, Elisa-

      i hope you are at the passport office NOW. 2 of my friends are going to Germany and Norway respectively, and filed for passport renewals in FEB-and paid extra to expedite. One called her rep/congressperson and cooled her heels for 2 days at the office. She left for Germany yesterday. My other friend was at the passport office yesterday looking for her family's 4 passports-she leaves for Norway on the 29th.

      If your departure date is within 2 weeks you will be seen that day and the passport will be issued, and the expedite fee will be refunded. But what a pain in the butt!

      good luck, and please update!!!

      by poppygirl on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 11:31:18 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  • Everybody should get a Green Card (0 / 0)

    Man, those suckers make crossing the border really easy.   You hand it to the guy, he swipes it and you're on your way.  

    The funny thing about all of this is that it's not the countries you're travelling to that have the requirement but it's getting back into the States.   I have to get passports for my two youngest because they're American but I never need it to get them into Canada.    

    "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly"

    by lonestar canuck on Mon Jun 18, 2007 at 07:38:37 PM PDT

  • what a royal pain (0 / 0)

    i'm sorry for you that this happened and you are left with the hassle of fixing it.  i would be so tempted as you mention to wing it and see if anyone would notice or care.  but i also agree with you that you would end up paying way too much of a price if they didn'let you leave.  good grief.

    i wish you luck from the goddess of speedy lines and hope that you get through in no time and all gets resolved.

    as for my vent, oy, i am still trying to get my knee to bend as much as it did before my flippin' surgery and i'd also like it if i wasn't in any more pain....but oh well....6 weeks and counting.

    have a great trip elisa!

    karen

    by karen m on Mon Jun 18, 2007 at 11:02:36 PM PDT

    • sending flexing vibes (0 / 0)

      to your knee. How is the mobility? Can you walk on your leg? I think you're doing really well for six weeks out of post-op, you know!

      by Rachel on Mon Jun 18, 2007 at 11:16:14 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      • thanks Rachel! (0 / 0)

        It's been a challenge to get a perspective on my experience, but I think you are probably right and I am most likely being a bit impatient.  I have about 110 degrees of bend right now --- a regular knee goes past 130 -- I can walk with a bit of a limp.  I am not using a walker or cane anymore.  I take several walks a day up the road I live on....It's about a quarter mile or less.  I drove for the first time yesterday --- wow, that was weird.  It's been 6 weeks since I have done.

        I do appreciate your positive comment...even though I can't hear your voice, truly it made me feel better.

        I'm definitely making progress which feels better mentally every day, especially in these last 2 weeks or so.  The first 3 were brutal.

        Are you still sore?  You must feel fantastic with your marathon behind you.  That is such a big accomplishment.  Way to go Rachel!

        karen

        by karen m on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 06:31:50 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        • good to hear (0 / 0)

          that things are moving in the right direction.  It's wonderful that you're able to get out on your road.  

          I have some healing to do and have taken the summer off work (it's an optional gig and I opted out).  We're calling it The Summer of Mamacita.  Physical therapy / Pilates, dietary changes, chiropractic, neurofeedback, and deepening my spiritual / mindfulness practice are big goals for me, starting next week!  It's been a while since I have felt "done" at work, and although I'm not quite there, a day is coming very soon where I will have all my reports finished and I will walk away until after Labor Day.  Feels great.  I think the insurance company is going to cover the loss of earnings, since the healing is at least partly connected to the herniated discs caused by a car accident.  A total bonanza, if all works out.

          I also have some professional development stuff to do that I don't normally have time for when I'm working.  I am hoping that will keep me from feeling too guilty about the Summer of Mamacita!  

          by mamacita on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 08:24:04 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          • good for you!! (0 / 0)

            I think that's a great decision, Mamacita. Get healthy and revitalized - fantastic.

            by Rachel on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 02:30:13 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          • I hadn't realized you had a car (0 / 0)

            accident.  So sorry to hear that.  And I send healing thoughts your way.  That process is a very measured one, for me at least.  One moment, day, week etc., at a time.  Phew.

            Glad to know you can and are taking time to do what is good for you!  Such good decisions.

            I hope you feel and get better as quickly as possible!

            karen

            by karen m on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 03:08:24 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

        • it's hard to have perspective (0 / 0)

          when you're the one in the middle of it, and you're the one comparing present situation with past mobility, and you're the one feeling the pain and soreness!

          I'm so impressed with your progress, Karen! Walking with only a bit of a limp, driving. Great stuff. I can feel your determination in every word you write. Very proud of you (if I can say that?).

          Thanks for asking. I'm a little sore, but not too bad. I was back at the gym yesterday and ran 5k, did some weights, rowed, biked. Felt really nice not to be working towards the training goals and focus on other areas of the body. I think I'm going to sign up for some sessions with the Y's personal trainers; I have some specific fitness goals in mind and I'd like to diversify my activities. I love running, but I want to increase my core strength and such.

          by Rachel on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 02:33:36 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          • wahooo to you (0 / 0)

            and GUESS WHAT??  I went to the gym today (yes you read that right -- I'm not a big gym girl)...and used the recumbent bike --- AND, i was able to go full revolutions -- I nearly cried I was so happy to be able to do that.  I pedaled for about 20/30 minutes or so very slowly, BUT STILL...I think I am really seeing some more tangible progress....It makes me SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy.

            xoxoxox

            :>)

            Can you see me jumping up and down, not literally, but figuratively at least.

            Rachel --- thank you for always having encouraging words.  LOVE THAT.

            karen

            by karen m on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 03:05:01 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            • aw, well done! (0 / 0)

              Very well done, Karen. Full revolutions!! I assume that equates to full mobility (the full 130-degress) on the knee?

              Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic.

              by Rachel on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 03:30:09 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              • hmmmm. not sure about (0 / 0)

                130 degrees....that is when your calf can almost lay flat against the back of your thigh....so, I'm not there yet...I probably am still at about 110 degress, maybe slightly more....I bound and determined to get as much flexion and extension as I can possible squeek out of this new contraption though....it may take several months of continual work and stretching to retrain muscles, ligaments, etc.

                BUT....today was a great day!

                karen

                by karen m on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 06:18:31 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

                • sorry for typos....:>( (0 / 0)

                  karen

                  by karen m on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 06:19:11 PM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

                • sorry (0 / 0)

                  I just misunderstood the range. I'm not critiquing your accomplishment, which was terrific!!!

                  by Rachel on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 08:33:08 PM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

                  • oh yes, I didn't feel like (0 / 0)

                    you were critiquing at all --- in fact I love ALL your comments Rachel - you always have great input and positive thoughts.  I appreciate all of them.

                    Yesterday and today were a bit of a breakthrough because I was able to drive a little as well.  My head is more clear too which makes me feel more normal just in general.  I have such compassion for people who suffer far more and far longer than I have or am.  This whole process is a big reminder for me to be grateful for each day of progress, big of small.

                    Take care Rachel..and thanks again.

                    karen

                    by karen m on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 09:17:03 PM PDT

                    [ Parent ]

            • very happy for you (0 / 0)

              progress makes the world go round!  Congratulations, karen, and continued healing to you!

              by mamacita on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 07:24:44 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

  • Does this help? (0 / 0)

    Until the end of September, travelers will be allowed to fly without a passport if they present a State Department receipt, showing they had applied for a passport, and government-issued identification, such as a driver's license.

    Travelers showing only receipts would receive additional security scrutiny, which could include extra questioning or bag checks.

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/...

    by OldMother on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 06:01:10 PM PDT

Permalink | 26 comments