www.gabitevents.co.uk

Mumsey · Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 11:07 pm Post subject: Passports.

Went and got my new passport photo today. It turned out (as is usual with passport photos) hysterical. It will scare the living daylights out of any self respecting immigration officer! What's annoying is that my passport is valid until January 2011, but because Canada insists on at least 6 months being left on it, mine won't have quite enough (date to date) - so I have to renew it now.

The point of telling you this - do check your passports NOW so that you won't be caught off guard nearer the time. You must have at least six months left on your passport when you travel to Canada or they won't let you in.

Kay G4
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Life - It's far more important than what you do for a living.
Richard Dean Anderson

liesl_99801 · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 3:36 am Post subject:

I want to see this pic!!! LOL Please do share. Hee Hee Innocence

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mocha · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 4:40 am Post subject:

liesl, i was just looking at my pix from iceland where i went after at4 and came upon one of mt hekla which erupts every 10 years but was 2 years overdue. i was actually hoping it would go while i was there. talk about a kodak moment! anyways, that made me wonder what ever happened with that volcano in alaska? i can't even remember it's name. is it still burping or has it gone back to sleep?

mumsey, your pix can't be much worse than mine. the girl who shot it was about 3 feet tall and it looks like she was doing a nostril shot-pretty bad. maybe we could have a "worse passport/license" picture contest! that would be fun.

i wish this site was more active. i'm bored at home. it's too cold to work in the garage or anything. besides that i hurt my back in a fall a few days ago and my social life is limited to the computer for a while. i've been checking, the temps here are actually lower than in iceland. about the only thing i can do besides the computer is practice a lot.

and piano

liesl_99801 · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 8:21 am Post subject:

Trindajae · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:34 am Post subject:

How long are your passports usually valid for? Mine came with an expiration date 10 years from the date of application...

...which means I have to live with that photo for 10 years. JOY!

Yes, that was sarcasm. I all but put on makeup with a spatula in an attempt to not look like a ghost, but the industrial-strength flash on the post office camera was stronger than my makeup. I look like I'm the cousin of Caspar the Friendly Ghost. Oh, and one of the security features involves a series of red & blue lines printed across the lamination, so I look like a ghost with lines across my face. This is part of my motivation to change shifts for the summertime. I'd like to be outside during daylight for at least 15-20 minutes each day, see if I can't stop looking so much like I've been living in the basement for the past 3 years.
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Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh.
- George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)
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Keely · Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 1206 Location: Engyland

I just got my Drivers Licence back - and I successfully managed to send them a hand-picked and edited picture, and have them use it Cool

I am extremely proud of being sneaky Lol
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Alexa · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 152

Wouldn't hurt to look into flights now as well. I've talked to my travel agent and she had a little bit of a challenge finding me a seat on flights that worked for me. It's summer and it's high season so... wouldn't hurt if you looked into it and maybe made a reservation. It's still early to actually buy the ticket, but if you can get a reservation, you might want to try it.

I don't know how other airlines work, but the ones I use offered me a reservation that's valid until May....

PaganX · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 5:33 pm Post subject:

I had to renew mine in SEP last year for when I went to New Zealand luckily i remembered to check a month before and realised it had alreadyexpired in March (dont know where the previous 10 years went!!)

Luckily you get a grace period to do just a renewal so I didn't have to do ALL the paperwork that entails and it only took 2 weeks!!

BUT my photo was taken by a very short statured lady (I'm 5' Cool

and it is SHOCKING!!! I actaully asked her why she doesn't get a stool or why I couldn't have sat down! I look cross eyed and have that attractive chin :P

and i'm stuck with it for 10 years!! :/

Keely · Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 1206 Location: Engyland

That wouldn't happen here, they usually return stuff if your face isn't dead centre and level.

But don't worry, your nostrils are charming I'm sure...
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llperkiss · Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 3:49 pm Post subject:

llperkiss · Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 3:54 pm Post subject:

PaganX · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 6:05 am Post subject:

Sorely tempting llperkiss i should have made her take another one but I was being a tight arse!! The dog ate my passport whilst tempting would also cost $$ to replace and I've spent too much already this year :P ahh the life of a con goer :P

mocha · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 4:20 pm Post subject:

i figure, why worry about how bad you look in a passport photo. the only ones who see it are unknown people in the airports who you will probably never see again unless you are queen of the frequent flyer club. besides, i bet those employees get so bored in their job that a good "bad photo" makes their day.

Becky_Preen · GABIT Director Joined: 10 Nov 2005 Posts: 488

You should see mine.... Short Hair and glasses.

I have got used to the immigration peeps looking at me twice.

Becks

PaganX · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 8:24 pm Post subject:

Lol mine do that with my train pass but for the opposite reason!! I look good in that one lol

Keely · Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 1206 Location: Engyland

I honestly think I'd prefer a retina scan
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Trindajae · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:58 am Post subject:

At least retinas are supposed to look icky. Smile

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Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh.
- George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)
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llperkiss · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:23 am Post subject:

Just what I want to do is amuse the border guards with my pictures. Shock

I guess everyone needs amusement.
I won't need my passport in Canada if I get that special drivers license. It costs a little more but then you can cross anytime without a passport.

Keely · Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 1206 Location: Engyland

I thought they already let you guys go to Canada on 'photo ID' - didn't know you needed a special licence.

They let the English go to Scotland on a regular Drivers Licence
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llperkiss · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:32 am Post subject:

Keely · Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 1206 Location: Engyland

True.

Personally I'd say Canadians are more discerning Very Happy

But only because it'll annoy the Scottish people Bad Grin

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No1_sonuk · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:06 pm Post subject:

I don't think the problem's so much about getting into Canada. It's getting back into the US that's the issue.

Keely · Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 1206 Location: Engyland

Here is where I refrain from making a poor political joke about France and the UK and border controls.

Instead - Care Bears Cool

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llperkiss · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:04 pm Post subject:

Kelspook · Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 10:57 am Post subject: