Tuesday: Finally got all my paperwork done. Since I don't travel much anymore, I had to register with the new corporate travel agency. OK, Intranet, Procurement, Travel Policy. «Go to this URL, and enter your profile». Easy enough. NOT. After attempting to reach various people, I find out that the Canadian Employee Profile does not work so I have to register as a US Employee. No sweat, I'm flexible. Complete the forms, advise our admin assistant to please make my reservations mucho pronto since I need a ticket to expedite my passport and I'm leaving Monday. «rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring». «Hello Nadine, what ?, the traveller profile did not work ?. Oh, they are merging to one corporate entity and the databases are down ?. I see, great timing.» «What do you mean the 800 number does not work ?». «Hang on». «Try this one». 4:45 PM, I get my e-ticket. Splendid.
Wednesday: Off to the passport office. Ah, yes. I'm in the first line up (the one where you wait in line to get a number to wait in line). I'm the 12th in line. About 40 people are sitting down waiting for their turn, they already have a number. It's 8:45. « So, when do you guys open ?» I ask the doorman-guard-civil-worker-guy. «6:30, but today is quiet. Yesterday, the line-up was all the way outside». He meant outdoors. Count your blessings Blonov, be nice, you're here for a while.
My turn comes. I pull out my paperwork, explain that I'm leavin on Monday. While the woman is flipping through the documents, I look up at the «you're number is up displays», 6 of them. From A to F and 000 to 999. I'm too numb to do the math, but I'm sure this is some form of cruel bingo game. «Ah, I see you used the web form, good, it won't be long, don't go too far». I bet she says that to all the guys.
I look at my number, C906. One of the displays shows C905. I put on my reading glasses, just to be sure. Yep, I'm next. I decide to hide my number, just in case someone decides they want it. Some people have been waiting 2 hours, with their kids, attempting to keep them busy. Some have books, big books. The doorman-guard-civil-worker-guy says to someone «go have a coffee, you have time». WTH, why am I next ?
My turn, 15 minutes, done. «You can pick it up Monday, no waiting, just show up at the counter». I'm puzzled.
Maybe someone looked at my tax return.
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05-02-2007 09:50 PM 
