How to apply for a Canadian Passport in 17 hours...

My office is right across the Canadian Passport Office. Since Dec last year, I see people lining up every single morning to try to get their passports. I usually walked by without any sympathy, they should have known that our neighbour, the empire of the united states, wants the citizens of its unincorporated territory of Canada to use passport when entering US via air. I thought it was common knowledge.

I am planning to go to Vegas in March this year, not realizing my passport is expiring this August. Another useful info, you can't enter many countries if your passport is expiring within the next 6 months before entering... Empire of US is one of them.

So, at 4:45pm yesterday, when confirming my ticket with my special someone, I realized I have to get my passport renewed!

5:00pm went on-line Canadian Passport, found out you can actually input info online for your passport application, epass.

5:30pm asked my buddy and special someone to be my reference, completed epass, forms printed, found I need to get my pictures taken, and I also need a guarantor. Decided to take shower first.

6:25pm sitting at a photo lab, taking pictures, I looked a little tired, but it would have to do, paid $27.07.

6:50pm got 4 pictures and a CD, headed over to a political dinner.

7:10pm called my lawyer friend to ask him to be my guarantor, he asked for something valuable, I offered my leased car to him, which will cost him over $600/month and the lease is due in 3 months, he declined and decided to help me for free.

7:45pm set at dinner, starved, thinking about my special someone (MSS)

9:20pm my dentist who lives 5 min away from where I was called, and I decided to use him as my guarantor.

10:20pm got signatures on my application and pictures

2:00am went to bed thinking, "I might just be able to wake up in 3 hours"

5:48am afer struggling for 18 min, I was awake.

6:15am joined the lineup, estimated 30 ppl in front of me.

6:20am started chatting with a guy in front of me with the opening line, "it feels like boxing day all over again, doesn't it?"

6:30am realized I needed document to prove that I am actually travelling in March, woke MSS up and asked her to fax my eticket info to my office, which is right across the street.

7:05am started talking about dentistry industry with the nice guy in front of me, tried calling the office to see if anyone can bring me the fax and breakfast.

7:35am started talking about the paper mill industry, and first passport office staff started to show up. The nice guy in front of me (TNGIFOM) mentioned that he heard the passport office staff told him ppl won't be able to get in if he/she joins the line-up after 10am... 6 hour wait...

7:45am the construction site started to work, with noise of a jet and smell of a mill, I actually miss being just cold and hungry, not cold, hungry and annoyed...

8:06am Sue at my office answered my phone and delivered my fax, so relieved...

8:10am Some nice staff came out and told us that the first 52 ppl will get in the office first, he motion the cut off in front of me. I realized that the 30 ppl in front of me just became 50+ ppl.

8:45am Finally see the front door of the office... couldn't feel my feet...

8:52am Got in the office, realized that by applying online, I have joined a different que, number 7 instead of number 50!

9:08am Waved goodbye to TNGIFOM, and walked up to the counter. A cute girl helped me with the application, my pickup line was, "I am so glad to see you"

9:12am She aske me if im using my Chinese or English signature, and winked at me, or maybe she did not wink at me, it was just a sympton of hypothermia.

9:15am She told me to pick up the passport in Sinclair Centre on March 8, charged me $97, and winked at me again, or maybe I haven't recovered from hypothermia.

So, to those of you who are getting your passport, here are some tips:

1) Do on-line application
2) Expect 10 business days if you are in a hurry, or else just mail the info in to avoid line ups
3) Be there 2 hours before the office open, you will have to wait 3 hours in total, but if you go there when the office open, you will have to wait 6 hours.
4) Make sure you have everything with you, that means: old passport, driver's license, pictures with guarantor's signature, guarantor's signature on your app, and visa card. Oh, and prove that you are travelling if you are doing express. (cost $10 more)
5) Wear warm clothing
6) Bring own entertainment or else make good friend with TNGIF

Hours spent in line: 3 hours
Money spent on the project: $124.07
Realizing you actually miss work a lot: Priceless

Good Luck! It is more fun than Boxing day sale!