Passports

When I was in college, I read a newspaper article which indicated that a small proportion of US citizens possess passports. I forget what the fraction was, but it was something like one in three or one in six or something similar. I took that article to be an unfortunate commentary on the provincialism of most Americans as well as myself. I had then and have now great aspirations, and that includes travel. There are many places I want to see, and I have crossed few off the list. Getting the rest necessitated a passport.

I would rather that passports were not necessary for international travel. They feel somewhat like an abrogation of freedom. Nonetheless, they are required by law, so late in 2005, I went to the nearest post office to get one. I was told that I didn't have the proper documents. I argued a little, but postal employees don't give in. I went home, and set about getting the necessary documents. That took a little while. In time though, I have everything I needed. It just remained to get a picture taken, then to go back to the post office.

I believe that I made an effort to look nice for the picture. After all, it was going to be there for a while. I wore glasses, a beard and a mustache then, so the picture shows me like that. I'd like an updated picture, but it doesn't seem worth much effort. I'm certainly not about to do it before 2016 when it expires.

Now, once I had the picture, I went to the post office to apply. This time, it went properly. I opted not to go with the expedited processing, much though I wanted it fast. I just didn't have a good reason, having no immediate plans for travel which needed a passport. Thusly, I readied myself to wait. After I applied, it was time to return to Phoenix from Chicago for Christmas. All of that time, I knew the passport would be waiting for me. It's tough to bear the waiting.

When I got back to Chicago, I couldn't wait to check my mail. I can't remember now whether it was in the box or whether my roommates had brought it back to the apartment. Whichever it was, I was delighted. As I often do with newly-acquired things which please me, I took it everywhere, seldom letting it out of my sight. I sought to keep it immaculate and pristine, though customs processing tends to diminish its condition somewhat. I'm looking at it now, and am struck by how I love it dearly still. I've never had any particular affection for any other official document, although my Arizona and California driver's licenses come close.

There's a small problem now. I've only just learned of the newer biometric passports, which contain an electronic chip. Some might be troubled by that development, but I have no real qualms about it. What bothers me is that I'll have to wait seven more years before I get one. Of course, who knows what might happen to passports in that time? I suppose I can wait. Nearly everyone will have one of them by the time I get one, but for now, few do. I'll just pretend that I'm worried and angry about the potential for identity theft and government monitoring.