Ok.
I haven't had a valid passport within the last 5 years.
...
I'm going on a trip on Dec. 26th.
...
Ahem. My story starts here...
...So, I went to the Sinclair Centre in Downtown Vancouver on W Hastings and Howe. Nice place. Fancy stores. Oh and it also contains a passport office.
I walk in the office and I start showing my application to the clerk. The clerk explains to me that I need a guarantor (a trusting person I've known for at least 2 years) to fill out a part of the application and sign my photos. No biggie.
He also explains that I need 2 other references to fill out their part on the application form. No biggie.
He notices that my birth certificate is from Quebec. Oui Oui. I nod. He looks at me. He says that it is invalid! I think to myself, "Excusez moi? C'est invalidment? Pourquoi?"
He replies, as though he's read my mind, "any birth certificate from Quebec issued before 1994 must be renewed due to standardization policies, etc. Excuse me."
He walks to the back of the room, grabs a pad of paper and hands it to me. "Fill this out and send it to the Quebec office ASAP if you want to catch that flight. And you might want to call them and ask them if they can do a rush order for you."
We part our ways and I sit by a table and check the Birth Certificate form out and I find something peculiar. The application form requires a valid proof of residence. But, how do I get a valid proof of residence? I go back to the office and talk to a different clerk about my situation.
"Hi, what can I do for you?"
"Hey, I was just talking to the other clerk, and he explained to me that I need to renew my birth certificate because it is QUEBECOIS/FRANCOPHONIC/FRENCH/whatever. Ahem. Also, I noticed something peculiar with the form requirements. It requires a valid proof of residence."
"Yes, you must use your driver's license. Can I see it please?"
*Hands license to clerk*
"Oh, it is expired. This is not valid. You must get a valid driver's license in order to complete the application for the certificate."
"But, but, but, can't I use something else...?"
"No. It must be your license. You can photocopy the yellow sheet they give you and photocopy the expired license and then they will accept your application. Au revoir Mr. Fallah. MUAHAHAHAHAHA."
Excuseeeeeeeeeeee-me? A challenge. I like. I don't get many challenges like these ones in life. Especially a timed challenge. It is November 25 today. I just went to the Driving Services Centre and finished my knowledge test. And guess what? I got 98% on my test. I have the yellow sheet. Take that Government du Canada. *Shakes fist in air at direction du Ottawa*
Now I must complete this birth certificate form. Wish me luck ;)
I haven't had a valid passport within the last 5 years.
...
I'm going on a trip on Dec. 26th.
...
Ahem. My story starts here...
...So, I went to the Sinclair Centre in Downtown Vancouver on W Hastings and Howe. Nice place. Fancy stores. Oh and it also contains a passport office.
I walk in the office and I start showing my application to the clerk. The clerk explains to me that I need a guarantor (a trusting person I've known for at least 2 years) to fill out a part of the application and sign my photos. No biggie.
He also explains that I need 2 other references to fill out their part on the application form. No biggie.
He notices that my birth certificate is from Quebec. Oui Oui. I nod. He looks at me. He says that it is invalid! I think to myself, "Excusez moi? C'est invalidment? Pourquoi?"
He replies, as though he's read my mind, "any birth certificate from Quebec issued before 1994 must be renewed due to standardization policies, etc. Excuse me."
He walks to the back of the room, grabs a pad of paper and hands it to me. "Fill this out and send it to the Quebec office ASAP if you want to catch that flight. And you might want to call them and ask them if they can do a rush order for you."
We part our ways and I sit by a table and check the Birth Certificate form out and I find something peculiar. The application form requires a valid proof of residence. But, how do I get a valid proof of residence? I go back to the office and talk to a different clerk about my situation.
"Hi, what can I do for you?"
"Hey, I was just talking to the other clerk, and he explained to me that I need to renew my birth certificate because it is QUEBECOIS/FRANCOPHONIC/FRENCH/whatever. Ahem. Also, I noticed something peculiar with the form requirements. It requires a valid proof of residence."
"Yes, you must use your driver's license. Can I see it please?"
*Hands license to clerk*
"Oh, it is expired. This is not valid. You must get a valid driver's license in order to complete the application for the certificate."
"But, but, but, can't I use something else...?"
"No. It must be your license. You can photocopy the yellow sheet they give you and photocopy the expired license and then they will accept your application. Au revoir Mr. Fallah. MUAHAHAHAHAHA."
Excuseeeeeeeeeeee-me? A challenge. I like. I don't get many challenges like these ones in life. Especially a timed challenge. It is November 25 today. I just went to the Driving Services Centre and finished my knowledge test. And guess what? I got 98% on my test. I have the yellow sheet. Take that Government du Canada. *Shakes fist in air at direction du Ottawa*
Now I must complete this birth certificate form. Wish me luck ;)
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