One thing about me, I will pay for convenience and to not have to deal with people. I doordash my takeout and instacart my groceries, and I always choose ‘contactless delivery.’ Just leave it at my door and be on your way please.
I lost my passport in the move. I thought it was in my desk, but I looked through the drawers last weekend and couldn’t find it. I’m not doing any international travel anytime soon, but I’m flying to Phoenix for a music festival in February, and you need either a passport or Real ID to fly domestically. I don’t have a Real ID (I was gonna get it in 2020, but then Covid happened, and I’ve been putting it off ever since).
I had a copy of the last passport photo I got earlier this year when I renewed, but it was on my computer, so I had it printed at the 1-hour photo center at Walmart. I picked the one on College, bc it was near the post office where I had to go in person to apply for another passport. Walmart was nuts. It took me forever to find parking, then forever to find the photo center inside. Then, when I was in line to pay, I was stuck behind this guy who didn’t have enough money and he had to borrow money from his friend. Then when I went to pay, I was waving my phone over the machine, and the cashier was like, ‘Ma’am (!), we don’t take Apple Pay here.’ I had to pay with a physical credit card like an animal.
When I finally made it to the post office, the clerk asked if I had an appointment. Nowhere on their site said I needed an appointment. She said they do walk-ins starting at 2:30p, but it was only noon. She looked over my paperwork and said I needed my birth certificate. WTF. Don’t ever lose your passport, guys. They make it so hard to get another one. I don’t know where my birth certificate is – the last time I needed it was when I started at my job in LA 13 years ago, and I haven’t needed or seen it since ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I went home and filled out the paperwork online to get a copy of my birth certificate, and it turns out I need a fucking notarized statement. The closest notary is at a Postal Annex downtown. It took me 5 minutes to drive there, but 20 minutes to find street parking, and even then, I still had to walk a few blocks. When I got there, the cashier told me the notary wasn’t in today and I’d have to come back tomorrow. Son of a!
Once I get my birth certificate, I’ll apply for a Real ID. I can use the certificate as a form of ID in lieu of a passport when applying, and I think the processing time is faster. I just need one or the other before my trip in February 😮💨
This is the most chaotic post you’ve ever written. And ive read them all!
1. Who in the world doesn’t have a real ID? I thought that was mandatory like years ago!
2. I never used apple pay in my life lol
3. You walked in somewhere for a passport without making an appointment? That’s the wildest thing I have ever heard!
Yes…the real ID is way faster. You’re gonna do it and ur gonna wonder why u didnt do it sooner!
December 19th, 2025 | #
1. real IDs were supposed to be mandatory mid-2020, but covid hit and they kept extending it. it was a nightmare to go to the DMV during that time, and i always had a current passport, so i just never did it. you can use your passport to fly domestically in lieu of a real ID, but now i have neither so lol
2. i use apple pay for everything, even gas. my credit card is stored on my phone. i lost the physical card (they mailed it to my apartment in LA when i was recovering from the stroke in SD, and i had my coworker who was checking my mail for me take a pic of the card so i can just input it in my phone and use apple pay lol.
3. i’ve always been able to renew my passport online, never in person, so i didn’t know!
how long did it take for you to get the real ID after you went to the DMV? i’m mailing out the birth certificate shit today after i get it notarized, and once i get a copy, i can go to the DMV. i just need to get everything done before my trip 2/20 😅 doable?
December 19th, 2025 | #
I remember the line i stood in for the real id at the DMV. Long. I had a passport too…but i always thought it was mandatory either way, so thats why i did it. The line was long, but i got the id pretty quick after that.
I’ll cross my fingers for you! Id id put a rush it if i were you!
December 20th, 2025 | #
did you have an appt at the DMV? i know that i can schedule beforehand 😆
December 20th, 2025 | #
Of course i had an appointment! If an appointment can be made, i make it!
December 24th, 2025 | #