I just paid a parking ticket from 2006 because it came up on my credit report again!

Both my cars are overdue for smog checks. I paid the registration fees on time, but getting to the inspection station is a pain, and I don't know where the paperwork is for the one that's really very like close to a year overdue. I'll get the one that I have paperwork for done on Monday, though, I promise. Especially if someone nags me about it...

We're having a bit of a fuss because the city went to electronic parking meters (pay at a central station, get a ticket, put it someplace visible on the dashboard) and has recently made it possible for people to pay from their phones. Great, right? Except there's a glitch in the system (isn't there always?) and it turns out there's a delay between people paying from their phone and when the parking enforcement people can actually see that information. oops

As a result, a lot of people paid by phone and got parking tickets. Our big boss among them. It's getting a lot of news coverage and they're promising to get it fixed.

I also have to renew my passport! That's another $30. As far as I can tell, I just fill out the form and then mail them my passport book and they put in a new card and I get to keep everything else inside? What sorts of mailing bonuses should I use? Delivery Confirmation? Signature Confirmation?

Oh, balls, I have to go get a passport photo too. I meant to take one over the holiday.

Both my cars are overdue for smog checks.

oooh, thanks for the reminder, -t. I need to do that in the next three weeks as well.

Thank you, msbelle.

Also, dishes are done. Now I need to pack and hit the road.

I'm undoubtedly up shit creek for not doing my paperwork in lieu of registering my totalled car. But I can't work out how to file its liminal state. Maybe I should ask AAA. That's the sort of shit they're for, right?

Okay, V, why haven't you come to my desk? I did the "Oh, you're on hold?" mime dance pretty clearly. It said that you were coming to me, not that I was going back to you.

That's another $30. As far as I can tell, I just fill out the form and then mail them my passport book and they put in a new card and I get to keep everything else inside? What sorts of mailing bonuses should I use? Delivery Confirmation? Signature Confirmation?

Er, generally when you renew they send you a whole new passport, and separately send the old one back.

I'm looking at this page, which states that I can renew by mail if my most recent passport "Is undamaged and can be submitted with your application." I only need a new passport card, not a whole new book.

I don't want a whole new passport. I have a visa for India in this one that hasn't expired yet. You never know when you're going to have to take a trip to the wife factory.

I only need a new passport card,

I don't even know what that is. If they're asking for a new pic I would assume new book.