Passport Problems
Ok y'all. I am totally reaching out to the internet on this one. Yes, J said he was sorry, but now he has to suffer! Suffer for what you ask? Well, I'm glad you asked because let me just tell you I think I married a cheap ass mofo.
Yesterday, as you all know, was the illustrious day of my citizenship oath. Of course, the first thing I wanted to do on my first day as an American was to set the wheels turning to get the hell out of this country so our little fam went and applied for passports. The passport applications, if you're not familiar, require two pictures of specific dimensions and appearance. Rather than screw around with taking and printing pictures ourselves (since there were services that do that and the picture is supposed to be able to withstand a process that exposes it to 275 degree heat; which I wasn't sure our home printed pictures could do) we went to a place that specialized in passport photos. Needless to say, mine looked way beyond shitty.
Ok, to be honest I hate taking pictures. I always have and I always will. It's most likely a self esteem issue but I'm almost certain any picture that has my ugly mug in it is pretty crappy. Still, at least most pictures I've taken, even ID pictures, have had some indications that I have a chin. I know I have a chin. I can feel it! If I look in a mirror, there it is! But unfortunately due to either the photographer or the flash or the sudden need for me to point my chin down and look at the ground, the passport picture that was taken yesterday made me look like an Asian Jabba the Hutt with bags and dark circles under my eyes. I am not kidding it was that horrible.
I complained to J immediately but he said, "Who cares? Nobody looks at the picture!" I look! And I demanded that I take another picture. Of course, taking another picture meant paying another $15. A new passport costs $97 and expires in 10 years. J thought that I was being vain and refused to let me take another picture and was giving me a hard time about wanting to "waste" $15.
So I ask you internet friends, am I wrong for being a little peeved about this? He later said he was sorry and that he, "didn't realize it was such a big deal." Still, I'm still mad. I figure every single time I look at that passport (when it does come back, 12 weeks now!) I'll get annoyed and whine complain. I even told J that that's what was going to happen! The guys at the passport office can be my witnesses but I believe I said emphatically, "[J] What's $15 compared to 10 YEARS of me complaining every single time I think of my passport??" Am I being vain? Would you have taken the picture over again? Or in my case, should I just...correction, should I make J, pay for another passport with a more acceptable picture? (I'm okay with looking like a cow, but I draw the line at fat alien slave-owning slugs.) Even if I'm being vain, every woman is allowed a little vanity right? Our self esteem depends on it.
11 comments:
that's pretty messed up, j. what's $15 for a decade of happiness?
you're obviously proud of your newly acquuired citizenship. why shouldn't you have a document to stare at that makes you smile? after all, it's just money.
i've seen your chin. it's very nice. it deserves to be in the picture with you.
I know of a very nice bath tub that J can sleep in. I don't think you are vain at all. unless I am vain too and just don't recognize it in others. I will go so far as to ask the photographer to see my mug shot and then decide if it's worth putting on a passport. I think my record was three takes...did you go to a digital place? The are usually more forgiving than the places that takes those little polaroid shots -but I did get to do it once over at a place like that before without being charged. Is it too late for you to take another picture?
Oh J. ...J, J, J.
I think Honglien123, US Citizen, should have been allowed to do WHATEVER THE HELL SHE WANTED YESTERDAY! Ten years! I'm not sure which of you will be dreading it more every time the passport gets pulled out.
If it makes you feel any better, I look like a witch in mine. Pale w/ black hair lying flat against my head. I would fight anyone to the ground before letting them see it. I can't wait for it to expire.
Easy solution, we could just not go anywhere:P
Is there a law that passport photos must look awful? NO, so there you go. 10 years is a long time and if you have a chance to take a decent passport photo, why the hell not :D
Ah.. J, J, J.
Ahem... 10 freaking years, come on! I vote for retake of the photos. Is it too late?
I know this won't make you feel any better but every single passport picture I've taken has been the worst pictures ever...
No, you're not being vain. Retake! Retake! 10 years is a pretty long time you know, and what is petty $15?
-nicki
hmm, ...a few years ago, we used to go out to lunch at least 4 times a week and did starbucks runs (ah, the hipaa edi days), you guys had a huge mortgage payment, and i seem to recall a television that was purchased that could fill an entire living room wall...all on a single income earner budget. forward to today...working from home which negates the need to eat out with co-workers, no more mortage payment, DOUBLE income. dangit J, and you wouldn't even support her in spending a measly 15 bucks for a decent photo. damn!
I know I'm chiming in late but RETAKE the photo!!! I feel the same way about my driver's license and was VERY vain the day I had to get mine taken. My passport pic is just eh, but it's not like we're going too far in the near future, you know? Anyway, J, dontcha want Lien to be happy for the next decade???
I would have taken the photo again too!
Now that it is done, I think it will be fine. I hate my photo (chin AND acne), but after initially receiving it, I rarely look at it. It's due for renewal soon, which may mean I should start saving spare change for a couple of retakes.
Definitely retake the photo and get a new passport, it's absolutely worth the added expense, tell J it's a small price to pay to save your marriage and future arguments, good luck!
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