News & Politics - Off-Topic #3: Congress goes on vacation in August and so do we! - Page 2

Indian Summer · 07-29-2007, 09:57 AM

It depends on where you're going. Most places, even if you're only gone for a day, you need a passport. Others, like Canada and Mexico and US territories, the rules change... some places you need documentation that you've at least applied for a passport, others you just need a driver's license.

**sunnykerr** · 07-29-2007, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indian Summer (View Post)

Where are you planning to go?

Minneapolis.

I know, sexy destination. But my friends go there every year and I've never been. So, I thought... you know. For once, it'd be nice.

Heck, I've never been in a different time zone. I've been up and down this one, but I've never been outside of it. So that'll be an experience in and of itself.

Jacob I'm sad to report that I don't drink pop, so I have no idea about websites and codes to enter and the like. I was sure that I would drink pop by the time I had a place of my own. See, my mum forbade pop inside the house, so I never got my hands on it when I was at home. I was always so certain that it would be one of the first things I did once I got out of the house... But alas. I tried. I really tried. But I just can't drink it.

Something about the bubbles. I get un-thirsty too quickly. And, seeing as I dehydrate faster than is strictly normal, that can be problematic. So no pop for me.

elisheva · 07-29-2007, 07:06 PM

Sunny, that is so good not to drink coke. I'm trying to switch to water instead because soda and juice have so much sugar, but sometimes I'm tempted by the sugary drinks instead

We also had strict rules about soda when we were kids: only three (I think?) glasses (tiny kid half-size glasses), only on Friday nights, and only after we'd finished our fish. (Friday nights we have a small fish course and then meat/full meal.)

Jacob, I think by land you don't need a passport to get into Canada but by air you do. Not sure; the rules have tightened up recently.

**sunnykerr** · 07-30-2007, 05:55 AM

Well, I gag on water (don't ask me why, I have no idea) so it's not like it's all good. I drink essentially nothing but juice and lemonade. Assuming lemonade isn't a form of juice. But I do try to avoid the real sugary stuff.

My point is, it's not really a health decision on my part.

Jacob Totally forgot to address the passport question.

I honestly don't know what the requirements are, passport-wise, in terms of getting into Canada. I think they're the same as Canadians trying to get into the States, but I have no real idea.

However, I do think that, if you have one, it's probably a good thing to bring it along with you. If for no other reason than to have an absolutely undeniable proof of identity with you. But that's just a matter of my opinion. I have no idea what the reality of it is.

Indian Summer · 07-30-2007, 07:09 AM

I think the requirements are tighter for getting back into the United States than getting into Canada in the first place. They've really started cracking down lately.

My roommate last year was from Minneapolis... she seemed to like it. I've never been myself, except for staying in a hotel for a night during a road trip, which barely counts since we didn't even explore the city, lol. I hope you have fun.

**sunnykerr** · 07-30-2007, 07:53 AM

Oh, that I know I will. I always have a blast when I hang out with the particular group of friends I'm going with...

They're my oldest friends, and I don't have a lot of those, so I know I'll enjoy myself.

elisheva · 07-31-2007, 11:31 AM

I partially grew up in Minneapolis (left mid-kindergarten) but I barely remember it at all. Sounds like a nice city, though. Hope you have fun, Sunny! Old friends are always nice - I realized a few weeks ago that I've known one of my best friends for 9 years, since 7th grade. I'm not so close with everyone I knew for longer anymore - but a few of my best friends I've know also for 8 years, I guess.

I applied for my passport barely 2 weeks ago and can pick it up next week Friday - it doesn't go nearly as slow as all the news reports say. Of course, I filled out the form online, which means I got to skip the long line-ups at the Passport Canada office, and I handed it in directly rather than mailing it in, which also means it goes much quicker. I don't really need one, since I'm only going to the US, but I figured I may as well have it just to make life easier. It's annoying how expensive it was, though - I paid about $90 total, for a few pieces of bound paper (and $11 for the photo at Pharmaprix!), but I guess the money goes also to verifying all your info and to all the staff they need to handle everything.

Jacob1983 · 08-12-2007, 10:00 PM

How long is a passport valid?

Indian Summer · 08-13-2007, 01:11 AM

I'm relatively sure it's 10 years for US Citizens over 16, but I also fall into a strange, small group of people with multiple citizenships so that could affect it? It should be somewhere on the gov't travel/bureau of consular affairs site.

elisheva · 08-13-2007, 06:10 AM

I have more than one citizenship as well and I don't think it affects your passport

But maybe for American passports it's different, I don't use my American passport at all.

Jacob, according to this page it depends how old you were when you got the last one - adult passports are good for 10 years, child passports are good 5. Here's the American passport website.

Jacob1983 · 08-13-2007, 11:26 AM

I wish I had a vacation in which I had to get a passport because lately I would love to get away from here in a hearbeat. Sometimes, I want to get as far as I can from here. Today would be a great example.

elisheva · 08-13-2007, 11:59 AM

Aw

I totally know the feeling. Are people around you getting on your nerves?

Work is seriously boring today

At least I got to skip out for fifteen minutes and walk up the hill to deliver an envelope.

Jacob1983 · 08-13-2007, 04:06 PM

My family has a tendency to get on my nerves. I just didn't have a good report at the orthodontist today. The stupid evil family dog destroyed my retainer back in December and my teeth have gotten fudged up since then. The darn dog chewed up my retainer and my family didn't even care or shown concern. It really made me mad. My teeth were one like the only good physical feature that I had. I had braces and they really helped me teeth out but they have gotten worse since I haven't had my retainer for months. And I am not on my mother's insurance medical or dental of course.
I swear healthcare is a joke in America. I mean if I get sick or want my teeth checked out, I'm basically screwed. I can either get a new retainer but it won't make my upper teeth like they were or I can try braces again on the upper teeth to fix the damage. The main thing that got messed up was the gap between my two front teeth.
I just feel like my parents don't really give a crap about me that much and possibly only love because they feel obligated.

elisheva · 08-13-2007, 04:42 PM

Orthodontic work is really expensive

I think it's also not covered by a lot of plans. I'm sorry you have to deal with all that.

Indian Summer · 08-13-2007, 09:07 PM

While I definitely agree that the prices for orthodontic care are out of control, can... we be honest here for a second? I have three labs, who are notorious for eating everything they can get into, especially as puppies. I've lost shoes, belts, plastic cups and even jewelry (including a niiiice strand of pearls) to them. But... not a single one of those incidents was the dog's fault and it certainly didn't make any of my dogs "stupid or evil."

It's in a dog's nature to get into things. It's our job, as the humans, to keep the things we don't want them to get into, out of their reach. Somehow I doubt your retainer was securely locked in its case, put somewhere high enough where the dog couldn't grab it off a low table or whatever.

It's just a pet peeve of mine. I don't get pet owners trying to blame their animals for being... animals.