Paying the ‘Nat Tax’
The whole ‘life unscripted/ unplanned/ non-uneventful’ thing sounds swell on paper, but truth be told, sometimes my ‘carelessness’ (as some close to me may call it)
As I was packing to leave California it was brought to my attention that my passport was expired. It is not a requirement that you have a valid passport for entering Canada, even by plane, so, as it was a Sunday evening, I wasn’t terribly worried. Carley suggested I call Air Canada and see if this would be a problem. They told me it would, but, without other options I was hoping that… maybe they won’t notice it.
So I pack up - throw everything, car, clothes, bikes, subi into Evil’s storage unit, lock the place, jump the fence, and catch the bus for a night sleeping in the airport.
Wake up, the lady runs my passport twice, and enters the information manually before telling me that she’s really sorry I will have to go to the Cdn consulate… here’s their address.
Rent a Car… find the consulate, find parking (this is a business day in LA, 20km took 1h). Pass security, leave a voice message explaining my problem, and wait. Fortunatly the lady is coming in earlier because of myself and 6 other Air Canada (the other airlines don’t have this rule for Canadians). The consular, who was super nice, sends me on a scavenger hunt of getting photo’s and money orders, and then I am back for more waiting. A special stamped letter arrives, and I rent out seats in the enterprise for the trip back to the airport. Convince AC to let me on a plane with out change fees… Arrive Toronto. After the rental car places close.
Sleep in Airport night #2. By ’sleep’ I mean lying in a hallway on benches. Up at 5. In the car, trying to find the highway.
Visit DK, who else at 7am?
Drive to meet Barrie Shelpley to confirm orginization/ structure of 2008. Catching up to a car fast. Woopsie, it’s a cop. Cue lights
Cop: Did you know this was a 40 zone?
Natters: Nope
Cop: do you see the flashing lights with ‘40′ below them back there?
Natters: Nope
don’t not sleep and drive, it’s expensive.
