Time for a new passport. The gold leaf on the front of the old one has rubbed off and Angus is getting fed up with passport officers saying ''The gold leaf has rubbed off the front of your passport". Frequent repetition does not make this observation of the blatantly obvious any less tedious.
Government can be efficient. I'm in the waiting room at 9:15 and have been interviewed by a smiling lady in a headscarf by 9:20. She observes that passport photos when seen in sequence bring out the signs of aging. The new passport is ready by lunchtime. A cheerful rastafarian young man informs me if it's stolen I'll need to inform the police. With that I'm on my way with a shiny new biometric identity document. The whole process is mightily impressive. Why can't other government functions be as efficient and enjoyable ?
While I'm waiting for the passport I go to the dog store on the fourth floor of a building on Wigmore street. They are stocking new additive free dog food and agree to ship some to France. While I'm there various 'indestructible' toys are bought. Dog toys always attract the attention of security staff at airports but the embarrassment of having squeaky lime green bunnies exposed to public display is a small price to pay.
The PONs are in a happy place. Bob has his standard joy overload on being reunited. For him a joy overload means he wants to bark, jump, run and turn on his back at the same time. His mind / motor interface compensates by translating this into a form of soft shoe shuffle.
Sophies joy overload routine entails acting as if she's had 50.000 volts go through her body. She quivers with delight while leaping vertically in the air. Bob greets joy in silence. Sophie screams.
The people waiting for the flight from London in the Toulouse airport arrivals hall watch these respective responses with interest.
9 comments:
Greeted by a soft shoe shuffle and a vertical lift off. Beyond price.
The soft shoe shuffle and the vertical lift off. The perfect welcome home.
Did you also get extra pages?
Is there anything so joyous as the welcome your dog gives you? Squeaky lime green bunnies - what fun !
Just before Christmas I renewed my passport online. Surprised how much easier it has become since the last time, ten years ago. Living in Spain, it was done via Madrid, and at the time this was proven to be the most expensive passport renewal anywhere in the world.
Hari OM
Presumably the number of stamps on the inside of the old passport ought to have suggested the cause of the loss of gold; my experience of obtaining a new passport (already four years un-new) was that the freshness of the gold brought deeper assessment. Was it a forgery? You never can tell with these old ladies riding wheelchairs you know. As for that stuffed dog she has in her carry-on... well... YAM xx
Yes although the number available has fallen from 60 to 42. Work iut the logic behind that if you can.
I renewed my passport last year. Worked on my below chin length hair all morning, finishing the process with enough hair spray, the equivalent of clear coat on a car. When it was time for my picture to be taken, I am told my ears must show. Without the aid of a mirror or leaf blower, I pulled my bob molded hair into a small very stiff bun. When I saw the picture my first thought was, the top of my head rivals Medusa’s!
Can imagine the smiles on the passengers faces as they watch a PON reunion. Alas, dogs aren't allowed in our airports.
What fun wild greetings from your athletic dogs.
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