Passport Pictures are Just Bad

If you've never been in trouble with the law and haven't had the opportunity to get a "mugshot", the next best thing is the passport photo.

"Don't smile," the photographer almost invariably reminds you as they valiantly try to get a shot that is suitably sized and dreary enough to meet passport regulations. I've always thought that direction should be followed by, "don't grit your teeth" for invariably I always do. Is it possible to identify the animated person standing in an immigration checkpoint from that stilted, tight lipped picture on the passport?

One thing I have learned over the years is that when getting that dreaded snap - not to even attempt that second or even third retake. Why disappoint myself? I prefer to look like an escapee from a high risk security penitentiary in the first go around.

So, in a military dictatorship, in a country where I was particularly leery of the immigration process, I handed over my passport, bad photo and all, and waited. The immigration officer flipped through the pages, looked at the picture, looked again. And then he looked up at me and smiled broadly, "Must have been a bad day." He chuckled and stamped the book and that was that.

Apparently vintage photography had some of the same
issues as the passport venue!

Ryshia
www.ryshiakennie.com
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Free fun - Coffee Time Romance - Chat

So with the economy still stuttering along what else can you do that's free and fun?

Chat!

I'm chatting over at Coffee Time Romance with other authors from Black Lyon Publishing. Come on by Tuesday, July 21 at 6:00 PST. Come on by and join in.


Ryshia
www.ryshiakennie.com

Lizard, Monitor, Dragon - Wow!

It was a quiet morning for a walk on the beach. Langkawi, Malaysia. The ocean gently curled against the sand and overhead the sun was still comfortably warm. A tranquil time to gather one's thoughts before the day began in another whirlwind of incredible sight seeing opportunities. For now there was peace or so I thought.

That was until a large gray head emerged from the ocean and flat eyes rose just above the surface to drift over the beach. A modern day dragon. I watched riveted - not unlike watching a horror movie where we know a heroine is about to die. And I wasn't alone in my reaction because just to my left was the only other occupant of that stretch of "almost" deserted beach, a German tourist who with one oversize lizard and a language barrier between us, only looked to me and back at what was emerging from the ocean. And there we stood for long minutes as the water monitor slowly made its way to shore and stood between us and safety. I don't know if it ever saw us. I assume it did although it made no indication that it sensed we were there or if it even cared. I presume the latter.

So there we were - two strangers on a beach facing a lizard that appeared as large as either of us. A lizard who nonchalantly made his way from an early morning swim or (I prefer not to think of this) meal, across the sand only feet away from us and back into the jungle - totally unconcerned about the wow factor he trailed behind him.

What's your wow factor?

Ryshia
From the Dust
www.ryshiakennie.com

It's a Seat Sale

It's a seat sale - a no brainer flight to somewhere we haven't previously been and at a ridiculously low cost. This should be easy - book - pay - go.

But it's not.

Somehow, in our house, it's easier to book a four week vacation encompassing three countries and double digit plane rides than it is to decide to book the deal on the three night seat/hotel fare.

First there is the question - is three nights long enough? Where's the hotel located - for nightmare of nightmares there was no choice - it just is. As an independent traveler that's enough to make you shake.

Maybe that's the answer - for a do it yourself kind of person - these all in one short hop deals take all the decision making away. And that's a scary thought. That's also my excuse - and I am sticking to it!

So I have no idea what I'm doing for my summer vacation - what are you doing for yours?


Ryshia
www.ryshiakennie.com
Ryshia's MySpace

Happy Canada Day!

Just an Afternoon Jaunt

It's that time of year. The annual pilgrimage to Plentywood, Montana.

At the border where there was a bit of confusion as to our purpose.

"Excuse me?"

"Beer."

"That's what I thought you said."

The US custom's officer frowns at this unique answer to the purpose of an afternoon trip into the US. What can we say? There's still beer south of the border that just isn't making it north. He looks more closely at the passports before adjusting his firearm and emerging from the protection of the building.

Feeling a bit like a deer in the headlights...

Maybe beer was the wrong answer?

"Pop the trunk."

While from inside the building another customs officer watches us.

"How many dogs?" she asks, her eyes locked on us like
we may be prepared to bolt.

It is a question that combined with the unwavering gaze makes me think that she is suspicious of illegally harbored dogs. No, it was quite clear why the question was asked when the passports and dog vaccination report were returned with one milk bone sitting neatly on top.

"Have a good day!"

And we were off - for that illusive carton or two of summer beer!

Ryshia

www.ryshiakennie.com
Ryshia's MySpace

A little Creativity

In the days before I adopted packing light and the convertible backpack, there was the big suitcase complete with wheels and a strap to haul the thing through airports. It was a trip to Portugal that found time at a premium as I rushed to pack and get to the airport on time. And, of course, it was then that I discovered that the strap used to haul that unwieldy suitcase through busy airports was missing!

With a cab waiting outside and a flight schedule ticking closer I had to go for practicality not looks. And I'm sure it must have been an interesting sight as I raced through Toronto's busy International Airport yanking an oversize suitcase that bounced on it's tiny wheels as I pulled it along with a dog leash!

Has your travel been creative?

Ryshia

www.ryshiakennie.com
From the Dust
Ryshia's Myspace