I've decided to renew my passport. Not that I have any particular reason to, but my passport expired before the turn of the century, and well, you just never know when someone my request your presence abroad.

Actually, I've been meaning to renew it for a while now, but it wasn't until Kris started submitting his thesis film to festivals that I thought of it again. He sent the film to a film fest in Portugal, and we were saying how cool it would be to get to go there. Of course, that would require proper documentation to get out of and more importantly back into the country.

Not that any trip to Portugal is looking likely, but since we've moved to Texas, I was thinking it would be smart to get a passport in case we have to go to Mexico. Probably more likely that we would end up going to Portugal than to Mexico anytime soon, but you just never know.

Of course, you used to be able to travel in North America with just a birth certificate, and that's certainly all I've needed in various trips north and south of the borders. I'm not sure that the passport is mandatory, but I recall hearing that was the case.

Since I've got my old passport, it's pretty easy to get a new one. There is a two page form that requires surprisingly little information (given the policies of the latest administration), then you send your old passport, two photos, and some money. Oh, and marriage license since my name has changed since the last passport was issued.

Off to get some photos taken...