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July 12, 2006
The face used to make the passport
Jason and spent a good chunk of the afternoon yesterday applying for our passports. It was Jason's first time through this process. I am sort of embarrassed and sort of proud to admit that this will be my fourth U.S. passport (yes, one, two, three, four). While it's cool in some ways just to have one, I have to admit that I have liked better those passports that have had a cute picture. My first picture was by far the best--I was, after all, a fresh-faced twenty-one year old. That passport got stolen in Paris (I lost nine stamps to boot, bummer) and was replaced after many, many hours at the U.S. embassy; the picture for the second passport was not so great. Since the replacement was valid for only one year, I had to get a third passport to visit Brook in Zambia. That pic was capital W Wretched, and I was gleeful to have to replace it with a new picture for my fourth passport (new name, new passport). The current picture's okay (and my hair looks downright good, if I do say so myself). And it is such an improvement over the last one that I hardly even care that I look kind of mad in it. I am most proud of the fact that I didn't touch up my make-up or fuss in front of Jason--he would have teased me mercilessly. He says it's just a picture, not a glamour shot. Well, no need for it to be a mug shot either, is there? I'll stand behind my belief that the pic is important; you use it
When You Go AnywhereThis passport your face (not you
not you, officially, your picture, but the face
used to make the passport) offers
everyone its witness: "This is me."It feels like only a picture, a passport
forced upon you. Somewhere this oval,
sudden and lasting, appeared. It happened
that you were behind it, like it or not.You present it--your passport, your face--
wherever you go. It says, "A little country,"
it says, "Allow this observer
quiet passage," it says, "Ordinary," it says, "Please."--William Stafford
Copyright © 1987 by William Stafford
Posted by Renae at July 12, 2006 01:42 PM
that's hilarious renae! my passport is currently a capital "W", wretched. but need to get it renewed soon anyway.
are you planning a trip??
Posted by charity at July 12, 2006 03:06 PM
Yep, we're headed up to the Toronto International Film Festival in September (for 9 days woohoo!). The good news is that if the passports don't make it in time (we passed on paying the $60 each expediting fee), we can still get in and back with good old-fashioned birth certificates and our marriage license.
Posted by Renae at July 12, 2006 03:56 PM
funny stuff. i love my first passport photo- it's me as a smiley, cheerful 5-yr-old, ready to move to germany!! and i got to keep it when i got a new one! that was the best part!
have fun in toronto- i have to admit that i was a little disappointed to hear that's as far as you're going. when i first read the post i thought, "wow, i wonder where they're traveling to? paris? london? tokyo?"- and then i was slightly let down with toronto... but only for a moment!
Posted by dena at July 13, 2006 09:21 AM
Do not fear, Dena. We are hoping to go to Japan next spring. Passports need more of a workout you know. :)
Posted by Renae at July 13, 2006 09:58 AM
Uh yeah... well, MY first passport, um... I don't have one. Never have. Boo. But really, going from the Deep South to the wilds of multicultural California counts as something regarding travel among various cultures. And then somehow I ended up, even without a passport!, among some crazy Midwesterners. ; )
Posted by Rebecca at July 13, 2006 10:07 AM
i looked like a big goon in my first passport picture: that's when sweater-vests were KIND OF cool. ugh.
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