Ordering a Passport Online is Easily the Fastest Way to Go

In order to get a passport, the applicant used to have to find the local passport office and then stand in line to stand in line a couple of times before they could finally get to the window only to find out that they didn't have the information filled out correctly. Today, that whole process has gotten much easier thanks to the ability of ordering a passport online.

One of the most frustrating things that anyone can go through when they are in a rush is being forced to wait in a line. The Internet has pretty much done away with that and the only time that adults will really be forced to wait in line is if they are getting their passports for the first time. Instead, they can get online and have everything done with a few clicks of the mouse.

Anyone that can do some basic research will have no problems getting their passport online. If they do run into problems, most sites will either have chat option or a toll free number that can be used to help guide the applicant through the process. In all honesty, if a site does not have these features in place, it is probably best to look elsewhere for services.

The forms are actually pretty easy to fill out and many of them can be completed before printing out. The only thing that a first time applicant needs to be aware of is that the application cannot be officially signed until they are actually in front of the agent at the passport office. If it is signed beforehand, they will void it and everything will have to be done again.

When the forms and photos are all done, they will need to be printed out. If the daughters' cute, pink paper is in the printer, get it out of there. All official forms need to be printed on plain, white paper that is of standard size. If the paper has a glossy coating or is anything other than standard letter, they will disregard it.

Pictures are also going to have to be done and are pretty easy to get, it is just important to make sure that they are the right kind. Passport photos must be 2 inches by 2 inches and should be in color. Most photo shops will have the ability to take these, or there is of course the quick Internet search to find the spot closest that can handle this task for you.

Now that everything is together, the only thing left is to mail in everything and get the process started. For this task, the applicant will want to use a service like UPS or FedEx. By using a reliable overnight service, the documents will be secure and proof of delivery will be available. Just remember, these are very important items and if they get lost, it could lead to some very serious problems. The couple of dollars in shipping them securely is a very good investment.

Passports - Are They Only Necessary for Travel or Does Everyone Need a Passport?

As of January 23, 2007 an official passport will be required of all United States citizens who are traveling out of or returning back to the United States by air. Previously citizens were able to go back and forth to Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Bermuda by simply applying for a visa. The changes are due to the increased risk and fear of terrorism and other acts of violence throughout the world directed at the United States.

The United States Department of Homeland Security is now considering issuing a card to U.S. citizens that contains a radio frequency chip. This chip, inserted in a card known as the PASS card, can be read from distances up to approximately 30 feet away. Its purpose is to alleviate the delays and confusion when travelers re-enter the United States after visiting Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean. This would save time and money for those who do not wish to obtain a passport because they do not intend on traveling to any other countries. The United States State Department would be in charge of issuing this card if the government decides to make this an option. The PASS card would be required by June of 2009 and would only apply to travel by car or ship, and not to those traveling by air.

These changes in the law have caused much confusion at post offices across the United States, where people have routinely applied for passports in the past. Many post offices have extended the hours available to those who need to file their applications or even set up additional stations in the lobby or in front of the post office to serve the long lines of people waiting to apply or just to ask questions.

Check with your local post office to see what documents you will need. The requirements are different for those renewing a passport from those applying for the first time. More people tend to apply for passports as we get closer to the summer, so allow extra time if you have plans to travel by a specific date.

It may be a good idea for all U.S. citizens to have a passport. People from many countries around the world consider a passport to be a necessary and expected form of identification. As our world continues to change we must be flexible and open to new ideas. Carrying a passport as well as a driver's license may become part of this new global economy.

Klaus Doldinger & Passport - Ataraxia

Klaus Doldinger's Passport live at Montreux Jazz 1980 with guitarist Kevin Mulligan, keyboardist Hendrik Schaper, bassist Deiter Petereit and Don Ellis drummer David Crigger



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG4YO0w-_30&hl=en

The Best Network Marketing and MLM Business

Many network marketers and MLMers are looking for the best network marketing business to sink their teeth into, but haven't found just the right one that satisfies their needs. While there is no definitive one to point to that everyone can agree on, something new and revolutionary has come down the pike in recent months that is even opening the eyes of non-networkers to the field. T-Mobile, Sprint and a company called Liberty International have teamed up to offer what best can be called a virtual cell phone franchise.

The cell phone industry is one of the hottest and fastest growing industries out there today. Just last year there were over $65 billion dollars sold in cell phones alone, and this doesn't even include the gross revenues from calling plans. Network marketers are often caught in a dilemma because the product that they are selling is usually something that only appeals to a niche audience, or that is lacking in product recognition. This means that a lot of time has to be spent on educating new distributors about the product rather than on adding new members.

In today's world no one has to educate another person as to what a cell phone or a calling plan is. Plus, everyone has a cell phone and a wireless plan or is looking to upgrade, buy a new one, or find a cheaper plan. This doesn't imply that a cell phone network marketing business will be easy to build. All network marketing and MLM businesses take work, determination and persistence to succeed. The best one is usually determined by the person working it, and not the product, but it sure helps to be involved in an industry that is as mainstream and is as widely accepted as the wireless one.

King Henry V

King Henry V. If we are mark'd to die, we are enow To do our country loss; and if to live, The fewer men, the greater share of honour. God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more. By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires. But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive. No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England. God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour As one man more methinks would share from me For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more! Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host, That he which hath no stomach to this fight, Let him depart; his passport shall be made, And crowns for convoy put into his purse; We would not die in that man's company That fears his fellowship to die with us. This day is call'd the feast of Crispian. He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd, And rouse him at the name of Crispian. He that shall live this day, and see old age, Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours, And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.' Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars, And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.' Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember, with advantages, What feats he did that day. Then shall our names, Familiar in his mouth as household words- Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF6_mh1YaJQ&hl=en

Let's Play Megaman Battle Network 2 - Day 6 Pt 4 - The Noble Thunder Warrior

It's finally time to start getting our things back, starting with a little generosity from our awesome haired friend, huh! But there's still a lot we're going to have to take care of to make everything right. First things first, let's get our passport back. Little Jim seems to know what's going on, so that's a start. Thus, it's time to meet the next friendly battle of the game : Raoul and ThunderMan! For some reason, I like these two. Raoul has sort of a sense of nobility to him, and a strong spirit, the sort that looks out for others. With his respect earned, it's time to get on the net and find our missing passport. Plug in!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MUIc1rRwpU&hl=en

Boston, MA: A Virtual Guided Tour, from a Local's Perspective

Boston, MA is one of the great cities in America. And while
there are a number of decent tours people can choose from
while visiting Boston, most of them don't go much beyond
Quincy Market and the Freedom Trail. In this feature written
by the founder of Boston's Hidden Restaurants and Travel
Guide of America, you will learn about the entire city of
Boston, from Fenway Park to Hyde Park.

Boston, at its heart, is a city of neighborhoods. And many of
these sections of Boston have a lot to offer the visitor. While
the virtual tour of Boston is going to begin in familiar
surroundings, you will soon learn about these great
neighborhoods that are often overlooked by tourists.

Let's start downtown, where you have the
historic Boston Common, Quincy Market, Fanueil Hall, and
much more. This bustling area is where most visitors come.
If you go northeast a few blocks, you end up in the
North End, an old Italian neighborhood
with narrow streets and great restaurants. From here, you
can take the tunnel to East Boston, a
close-knit working-class neighborhood that also has a
strong Italian influence, though it also has a large Brazilian
population now, too.

From East Boston, cut back through the tunnel and head
north to Charlestown, a charming old
neighborhood with quaint row houses lining steep hills.
From Charlestown, go back through downtown, heading
west through Beacon Hill, a tree-shaded
old-money neighborhood, and both the South
End and Back Bay, two exciting,
trendy parts of Boston, and go past The
Fens, where Fenway Park, home of the Boston
Red Sox, is located. You soon arrive in
Allston and Brighton,
two parts of Boston populated by college students. These
funky areas are filled with restaurants, bars, and shops.

From Allston, head south, eventually ending up in
Jamaica Plain, one of the funkiest Boston
neighborhoods. Jamaica Plain is filled with ma-and-pa
shops and has some of the most beautiful architecture in
Boston. From here, move southwest into
Roslindale and West
Roxbury, two mostly middle-class sections of
Boston that are mostly residential, though Roslindale is
becoming known for its terrific restaurants, too. East of here
is Hyde Park, a quiet part of Boston that
hasn't changed much over the years and feels more like a
suburban town.

If you continue east from Hyde Park, you reach
Roxbury and Mattapan,
sprawling neighborhoods that are undergoing a lot of
renovation and beautification. This close-knit part of Boston
has some great parks and wonderful old Victorian houses.

Continuing further east, you arrive in
Dorchester, a huge neighborhood that is
mostly working class. Black, Irish, and Vietnamese
neighborhoods make up most of Dorchester, but young
professionals are also discovering its beautiful homes and
old-time charm. From Dorchester, continue northeast into
South Boston, where Boston's Irish
families have lived for more than a century. Southie has
great beaches, steep hills, and amazing views of downtown.
And it is a neighborhood that takes pride in its
independence and uniqueness.

From South Boston, it is an easy drive back into downtown
Boston, stopping by bustling Chinatown
and the charming, quiet Bay Village along
the way. There is much more to Boston than was covered in
this brief article, but you will have to explore the rest of this
great city on your own!

Copyright 2005, Boston's Hidden Restaurants. All Rights
Reserved.

Party On In and Out of a Charter Bus

The party never ends when you get a charter bus for your parties. Party buses are essentially large buses made to fit a large capacity and come equipped with many entertainment options. That's why we say the party never ends when you hire a charter bus. Let's say you have a birthday coming up, you can extend the partying hours to anytime you want because as soon as the official party ends, you can take a cruise to anywhere (or maybe even nowhere) while the extended party can continue on inside the charter bus! This is how luxurious and sophisticated party buses are these days. It'll be an absolute ball! Wouldn't be great for those wishes to continue partying till dawn to do so in a charter bus?

Now, the idea of a charter bus have changed tremendously over the years - for instance, charter buses used to be really cramped up with hardly any leg room. It wouldn't make much sense to party in a charter bus like that. And besides, the usual perception of a charter bus or party bus is one that is dark and poorly ventilated. Today's charter buses are different. Take a look at USCoachways' line of entertainment, executive and charter buses and you'll see for yourself how amazingly well-equipped they are.

The charter buses come with lounge seats, comfy space, air-conditioning or heater (depending on which one you'd like), DVD/VCD players, Sony PlayStation, a bathroom, TV, wet bar...etc. it's simply astounding what you can actually do in a charter bus. While some people think that booking a charter bus is expensive and that they can't afford it, the thing is that you need to take a look at the charter bus booking prices, they're really affordable. So, if you have a party, it would make perfect sense for you to book one so that your party will be a memorable one. Trust us on this one, the charter bus is totally befitting of ANY occasion.

Samantha Brown Shops at Las Vegas' Manolo and Outfit

Samantha Brown gets decked out at some of Las Vegas' finer fashion boutiques: Manolo Blahnik and Outfit. Samantha Brown: Passport To Great Weekends airs Thursdays at 10pm Beginning June 26 on Travel Channel travelchannel.com/samanthabrown



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a34WFMM4z8&hl=en

How to Get a Passport Record

Whether for personal interest or genealogical research, a passport record can be easily obtained. If you want to obtain copies of your passport records, you have two options available depending on the date of the record you seek.

Passport Record Issued From 1925 to the Present

Request your record

Passport Services keeps U.S. passport records for all passports issued from the year 1925 to the present. Usually these records consist of a person's application for a U.S. passport as well as supporting evidence to show that the applicant is a U.S. citizen and is protected by law by the Privacy Act of 1974. The passport record will not contain evidence of travel such as visas, entrance or exit stamps, residence permits, etc. All of this information is put into the passport book after its issuance.

According to the Privacy Act, you are allowed to obtain copies of records in your name plus the records of any of your minor children. In order to request these records, you must submit a clearly printed or typed NOTARIZED request that provides the following information:

Your full name at birth as well as an other name changes and/or the full names of your minor children in the event that you are requesting their records;
Your place and date of birth and the dates of birth of your minor children
Current mailing address;
Daytime telephone number or cell phone number;
Current e-mail address, if you have one;
Reason for request;
Dates or the estimated dates that your passports were issued;
Passport numbers or any other pertinent information that will help in locating your records;
Copy of your photo ID

The search for your passport record will be free provided you have a notarized request. However, you will have to pay a $60.00 search fee for every person, other than yourself and any of your minor children;

Certified Passport Records

You may request copies of certified passport records. That fee will be $30.00 for the first certified copy and $20.00 for every copy after that. You can make out a money order or a check payable to the "Department of State".

Third-Party Requests

These requests must include one of the following:

Proof of guardianship

Applying to the JET Program - Vlog #1 - Get the Application!

The start of a new series. This series will focus on applying to the JET Programme. Topics I'll cover in upcoming vlogs: getting started the essay the other documents needed question areas of the application itself anything you guys ask me about Here are the important links!! The JET Programme homepage: www.jetprogramme.org Application FAQ: www.jetprogramme.org American JET hopefuls - go here for the online application: www.us.emb-japan.go.jp UK JETs go here: www.jet-uk.org Other countries, go here and select your home country (where you have a passport): www.jetprogramme.org Good luck! More vlogs coming soon. Thanks for watching! -Jason



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9ZVUdN3IIc&hl=en

Hello from Chicago - Multiple Austrian Connections

So the two of us expatriate Austrians are staying at the Arlington House Hostel, in itself an exciting experience, to be immersed in this environment of young (and older) travellers from all over the world.

We got going early again this morning, at about 7 am. In the shower room Linda and I were talking and joking to each other in our Austrian dialect, all of a sudden a woman in her mid to late forties said, in German, "Am I hearing Austrian being spoken around here?"

It turns out that she is currently in Chicago with her 22 year old daughter who is working as a nanny in Boston. The two ladies got away for the weekend to Chicago. Linda and I said how astounding it was to run into someone from Austria during our trip to Chicago.

Well, it was time to get breakfast so we headed east to Clark Street, one of the main restaurant areas in Lincoln Park. We strolled northwards and bumped into a bakery / restaurant called "Austrian Bakery" which was open at this early hour. Of course we went inside and we saw a whole assortment of beautiful baked goodies, a variety of breads and rolls, and a glass display case full of cakes and pastries.

One thing that Austrian cuisine has is great pastry and great breads. As a matter of fact, Austria's loaves of rye bread, with their crispy crust, can hardly be found anywhere else, even in Toronto, where you can generally find foods from all over the world. You really have to go to a very specialized bakery that will make these types of loaves from scratch.

Well, this place had them, and talking to the owner we found out that he hails from the same province as Linda and me: "Steiermark" or "Styria" (in English), whose capital is Graz, Austria's second largest city. The young man who owned the bakery had completed his apprenticeship in Graz, and both Linda and I had gone to university in the same city. What a coincidence.....

We enjoyed a beautiful breakfast with different types of breads and sweets, and then we were approached by a young lady sitting at a table next to us who asked us in German if we were from Austria. Of course we confirmed and she indicated that she was from Salzburg and was currently studying medicine in Michigan.

So within about an hour and a half we had met 3 Austrians from 3 different Austrian provinces in Chicago. I sometimes go years in Toronto before I run into anybody from my home country, so this Austrian connection was definitely surprising.....

Well, it's a cool, grey and rainy day, but we decided we would defy the weather and made plans to head to another one of Chicago's interesting neighbourhoods: the Pullman Historic District.

Places That Don't Exist: Somaliland Part 3

Simon Reeve travels to the unrecognised nation of Somaliland, in the Horn of Africa. On the way he visits Mogadishu, the dangerous capital of Somalila (from which Somaliland has separated), and meets extraordinary characters such as former guerrilla fighter Yusuf, and Mr Big Beard, who sells Simon a Somali diplomatic passport.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlyhEWy9WPE&hl=en

Know How to Get a Passport to Make the Process Easier

Anyone wishing to leave the United States, or any home country for that matter, will need to know how to get a passport. Today, international travel, even to border countries, requires that passport documentation be used to enter any country from another country. We are going to try and explain the process to make the whole experience easier for first time passport applicants.

The very first thing that anyone who has never had a passport should do is get online and start reading the travel laws for international travel. Some locations do not require a full passport, and everything will be covered in the State Department passport FAQ. While there are other sites out there that supply information, for something like this, it is best to go right to the source.

Prior to heading over to the passport office, it is important to get photos taken for the passport. Photos are not part of the processing and they are the responsibility of the applicant. These photos must be set to a specific size and it is best to use a photo shop that offers this specific service. Some passport offices will also offer this service to applicants.

In addition to the photos, every applicant must also have a valid government issued ID. Things such as a drivers license or military ID are acceptable. They will also need a birth certificate or other document that proves citizenship. Photocopies of all original documents will also be needed to speed up the application process.

In many cases, a local post office will have a passport processing unit. However, some smaller towns do not have this feature and it will be necessary to travel a bit in order to find one that does offer the passport services. This can be checked easily enough online on the USPS site as they have all passport locations listed.

Anyone that is getting a passport for the first time will actually have to go to a passport office in order to turn in all of their forms. Once everything has been accepted, they can expect to receive a passport in about two months. While this may seem like a long time, it used to be much longer before the new travel laws were put in place.

If there is the need to get the passport sooner than the standard times, there is an expedited service that is offered for an additional fee. This will generally get the passport back within three weeks. There are also agencies that offered expedited service and while the fees are much higher, they can usually deliver a passport in any time frame that is needed.

Different Options For Cheap Vacations

If you are looking for fun and cheap vacations for you and your family then you have definitely come to the right place. This article will give you ten great ideas for fun filled family vacations that will cost not more than $ 1000.00. So start reading ahead to find out about these holiday deals:

1. A camping trip to the State Forest or the National park for a family of four will not only be a fun trip, but will also cost less than $1000.00. All the camping gear, camp ground fess and the traveling fees will also fall in your budget of $1000.00

2. A trip to Disney world is the dream vacation for any child. Nowadays, Disney world has taken many measures to make visits to the park affordable for all families. If you go during the value season then you may get rooms that start at $ 80 dollars a night.

3. If you want to have a completely different experience in your trip then you can bring your family to Cochran that is located in Ontario, Canada. You and your family can stay and enjoy your experience of staying in an actual igloo. You also don't have to worry about the temperatures since even if the igloo is made of ice and snow the temperature inside the igloo stays quite warm.

4. If you want a fun filled family trip and also want to give your children a history lesson then the city of Boston is the correct destination for you. Boston is one of the oldest cities of America and has a long and rich history of the United States in it. In this trip your biggest expense will be lodging and airfare, but you will not have to spend all that much for your sightseeing as all the cities attractions are at walking distances.

5. In the U.S there are many hot springs; you can easily take your family for a vacation to see one of these springs. One of the most frequently visited hot springs, are those that are present in Arkansas. These hot springs will offer you a day's soak in the warm, soothing springs and since you have to camp your lodging expenses will also be cut in half.

6. If you are planning to visit Europe then you can easily save money by staying in hostels. Hostels are inexpensive places to stay and by staying in hostels you will also have more money to spend on your sightseeing.

7. If you are looking for a romantic getaway and are not too keen on spending a huge amount of money then cruise travel packages are a perfect choice for you. There are many Cruise lines like Carnival Cruise that offer special deals on cruises. Many Cruise Lines often run deals as low as $500.

8. Did you ever dream of traveling across the US? Well, now you can make your dream come true with the help of the Greyhound Bus Lines. This bus line offers buses to different destinations all over the US. All you have to do is purchase a ticket to your destination and just get up on the bus. If you are good at bargaining then you can easily find a few cheap motels for your lodging on your trip.

9. If you dream of an island getaway but at a price that will not burn a hole in your pocket then the Dreams Cancun Resort and Spa is the perfect island getaway for you. This resort and spa is located in Cancun, Mexico and offer packages that are as low as $ 571 and includes three night stays at Cancun and flights to and from Cancun.

10. One of the cheapest island vacations that you will ever find is the Punta Cana Resort in the Dominican Republic. Here the hotels begin at just over $ 150 and almost everything on the island is inexpensive.

Travel Compression Socks - What They Are and Why You Need Them

Travel compression socks have served savvy travelers well over the last few decades. Their ability to decrease leg pain on international flights is legendary. There are varying strengths of compression, ranging from 10-50 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). In most countries you can buy any compression socks over the counter that is 20 mmHg and under; anything over this amount will require a prescription from your doctor.

A word to the wise: compression socks should not be used by diabetics, as they will greatly increase blood circulation in your legs and feet..

Travel compression socks real value is witnessed on long international flights, and once you begin using them, you'll never go back. I recommend packing two or three pairs on your next trip: one for the flight there, another for any time spent at altitudes over 3000 meters, and a third for any strenuous activities that may cause soreness on your legs (e.g. hiking, biking or jogging).

If you purchased non-prescription strength travel compression socks, you can wear them all day; if you got them from your doctor, you should consult them regarding proper use. It is worth repeating that diabetics should not wear these socks.

Many travelers will also use compression socks when hiking, especially in high altitudes. It is safe to wear them throughout the day (if they are over the counter) and many people enjoy them even when they aren't traveling.

Alright, enough about the health benefits, what about fashion? Don't sweat it; compression socks range from knee-high to ankle. Heck, they even sell pantyhose style socks now!

What Travel Passports Are Needed For Western Hemisphere Trips?

Border security in the Western Hemisphere is about to get a lot tougher. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) takes effect on June 1, 2009, but people planning to travel to and from the US, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and most Caribbean countries are urged not to wait until then to update their travel documents.

Airline travelers have been accustomed to carrying and using a full passport on international trips. This new initiative will be felt by travelers when they return home and are required to have proper documentation to be allowed back in the country.

Even when traveling by air to and from Canada and the US, for a long time all that was required was a birth certificate and a current driver's license. It wasn't that long ago that travelers crossing into or returning from Canada on foot or by train or car at certain places were not even stopped.

After June 1st, a full passport will the travel document preferred by all countries involved in the initiative. Proper travel documents will be required regardless of the mode of transportation used; air, car, train boats and pedestrian travelers will all be expected to comply.  Ironically, the people who cross the US, Canadian and Mexican borders most often are the ones who most frequently don't have full passports.

After 9/11, security at all US borders was tightened and congestion has become critical at many larger crossing points on both the Mexican and Canadian borders even though traffic coming in to the US both north and south has dropped dramatically. In 2000, 90 million people traveled by car to the US from Canada and 240 million came from Mexico. In 2007 those numbers were 58 and 165 million respectively, yet the time to clear customs had increased dramatically because so many people did not have proper forms of identification.

After June 1st, US citizens trying to reenter the country after visiting one of the other 19 countries taking part in the initiative will need to have either a full passport, a passport card, or another travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security to enter the country. Some of those "other documents" include a trusted traveler program card like a NEXUS (Northern Boarder Program) a SENTRI (Southern Border Program) card or a FAST (Free and Secure Trade program) card. Military IDs and travel papers, enhanced drivers licenses, Merchant Mariner documents and North American tribal documents are also acceptable.

The new passport card issued by the State Department might be enough if all you plan to do is travel within the WHTI countries. They are good for 10 years for adults and five years for children and are half the cost of normal, full passports, but they are not valid for international air travel.

Currently four states - Arizona, New York, Vermont and Washington - have begun issuing enhanced driver's licenses for people who frequently cross the border. The cards are similar to the automated tollway cards. All passengers in a vehicle use a special lane when crossing the border and hold the cards up to be scanned by a reader on the driver's side of the car.

Regardless of the type of document you think you might need for your next trip within the WHTI area, the US State Department is cautioning people to get it well in advance of travel for the next few months. They say travelers should expect it to take several weeks to receive their passports while everyone catches up to the new requirements.

Where to Get a Passport For Your Dream Vacation

If you are a United States and desire to travel to foreign lands, you are required to have a passport. In years past, you were free to travel to Canada and Mexico without having a passport. However, the rules have changed and you now need one to travel to our neighboring countries for an extended time period. Even if you are a minor, you still need to obtain a passport for foreign travel. Prior to beginning the passport application process, you need to know where to get a passport and the applicable documents.

Obtaining a United States passport is a reasonably easy process. However, you should learn all the details and steps before you proceed with the process. You are required to have proof of citizenship (certified birth certificate) and proof of identity such as a drivers license or military ID. Next, you need to fill out the proper government form and have passport photos taken.

Don't procrastinate. Start the passport application as early as possible. The process can take some time. You need to gather the information, get the photographs taken, fill out the forms, and get to a passport acceptance facility. This all takes a little planning and time.

How long does it take for you to receive your new passport? The average time for the government to get you your passport is 6 weeks. Sometimes it arrives faster than that. If you want to shell out some extra money for expedited service, you may get it in three weeks or less. This faster service will set you back about $60. There may be other fees that apply that will increase the cost of the passport.

Your next step in the process is finding out where to get a passport. You may get a passport at government buildings across the country. District courts, post offices, municipal courts and municipal offices are some of the locations to check. You might want to check with the United States passport service online for the nearest location. There are nearly 7000 passport acceptance facilities across the country so you will be sure to find one near your house. In addition, you will find some sites online that offer passports. Please check these sites out carefully prior to sending any money or personal information.

If this is your first application for a passport, you will need to apply in person. If you lost your passport and are applying for a new one, you will also need to go to a passport acceptance facility in person. If you are renewing your passport and you were older than 16 when you obtained the lost one, it may be possible to do that through the mail. Even if you are doing it by mail, the process can still take 6 weeks or more. So, you must still remember to plan ahead so you make certain to have your passport in time for your trip.

Before you head out to one of the passport acceptance facilities, it is smart to call ahead and check on their procedures. For some offices, you need to make a scheduled appointment. Calling before you go can save time and hassles.

Passport Applications

Traveling to a foreign country could be a thrilling experience but dealing with passport applications is not. Most people dread the entire passport application process considering all the needed requirements to be presented as well as the fees to be paid. But it is important to remember that without a passport, nobody can enter and leave a foreign country because this formality is also for the protection of the traveler.

If you are planning to go overseas, as early as now, you have to apply for a passport. Passport application can be a difficult process but this is just what you need to travel. For first time applicants, you have to apply in person, complete the Application for Passport, submit the necessary requirements such as two photos of yourself, proof of US citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification like your driver's license. Then you have to pay the passport application fees.

However, if you did not apply for a passport earlier and your trip to another country is in a couple of days or weeks, you need an expedited passport application process. Just like for an ordinary application, you apply in person, fill up the application form, present photos and other documents, and pay the processing fee. The only difference is that since you need expedited service, you have to pay additional fees so you can get your passport in time for your trip.

Passport applications are not as dreadful as you think they are if you just follow all the steps of the process correctly. Having all the necessary documents when you apply is essential, so double check that your ID is valid, your passport photos are the correct size and don't obscure your face, and that the proof of you citizenship is solid.

Whether you apply for a passport now or later, the process is easy since all you need to do is to present the requirements and pay the fees needed. With the passport on hand, you are now ready to board that plane and travel to your destination.

Samantha Brown Passport to Europe -- Florence Countryside

Samantha Brown shows us where the locals go in Florence, Italy.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rM4zPGW6T0&hl=en

Hostel Fanny Pack Scene

Funny scene from Hostel involving a fanny pack.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKck7Xv_QoU&hl=en

Travel and Work: Interview with Krista Scott: Harvest Work in Australia, Teaching English in Vietnam

I always keep my eyes open for interesting people, and Krista Scott just absolutely grabbed my attention. I first met Krista 2 days ago on a whitewater kayaking weekend where she accompanied our group to do our first kayaking lessons on the Ottawa River. In the van she told us that she recently did a 13 month trip to Australia where she did all sorts of harvest work in different locations. She also mentioned that she completed an ESL program at the university and is heading off for her first teaching assignment to Vietnam this fall. I knew at that stage that this was a very interesting young woman and I decided I would get to know her a bit better.

Krista is a very cute young woman, always in a good mood and sporting a great smile. Later that evening, Krista gave a special performance after sunset at the campground of something called "poise", a former Martial art developed by the Maori people that involves the rhythmic twirling of two long wires that have a wick at the end that is set on fire. One of her co-workers was playing the bongos and the performance did have a very aboriginal feel to it. The image that is created in the dark is of circles of fires whirling around the performer in perfect coordination with the rhythm.

So without further ado, here is Krista Scott, a very adventurous, endearing young woman, as you will discover yourself.

1) Please tell us about yourself.

I am 25 years old and I'm originally from Cobourg, Ontario. I have always loved the outdoors and loved to play outside. When I finished high school I wasn't ready for university. I went travelling to the prairies and started working in a restaurant in Regina. I met a lot of cool people along the way. From there I went west to work in Alberta as well as in Whistler, B.C. There I worked in a grocery store and at Boston Pizza and spent the rest of my time snowboarding. I also ran into a lot of Aussies there. I knew this was a place that was going to suck you in with its addictive lifestyle, so I decided to head home. Based on my friendships with these people from Australia, I decided to get a working visa for that country, something that was pretty easy to get for a Canadian citizen. I had decided I wanted to go to Australia to travel and work there for a year.

2) Please tell us about your 13 month adventure in Australia.

After a couple of stopovers in Alaska and Hong Kong I landed in Australia. In Alaska I had a chance to see the Aurora Borealis, while Hong Kong struck me as a very busy and smoggy place. But the airport is on an island, which was really interesting.

I landed in Sydney and headed over to New South Wales to link up with a girl I had met at Whistler. I bought a 1984 Toyota Tourago camping van which had a flat nose because the engine was right under the seat. I had a tent and a stove and I lived out of the van. During this time I realized for the first time how little you need to live. I often slept on the roof of the van, looking at the stars.

In South Australia I stayed in a working hostel that connected me to harvest work opportunities. I found these places through the Lonely Planet guidebook, which was tremendously helpful. My first harvest work assignment was to sort potatoes in a shed. This was midnight work since the potatoes' skins would crack during the day time. The heat was often stifling at 42 degrees Celsius. After the potato harvest I also harvested grapes and onions. In total I did about 3 months of harvest work there.

At that time the engine in my camper van seized up and I had to buy a new engine. After it was fixed, together with 8 other people we decided to drive to Central Australia and we visited Ayer's Rock (Uluru) and various other little towns in the area. I heard lots of outback stories from the locals while we were there. We also went to a town called Cooper Pedy, a place where everybody lives underground in caves since the weather is too hot. We stayed in a hostel where the bunkbeds were located in a cave. While I was there I also talked to a group of Hell's Angels bikers, who seemed to be pretty cool people as long as you didn't upset them.

From there I went to the West Coast which is just a beautiful area. There you can have all sorts of beaches to yourself. I went to a place called Exmouth and from there I explored the Nigaloo Reef which is unique since the corals start right at the beach. The scenery is breathtaking. While there I did some harvest work and I ended up picking apples.

Next I explored Northern Australia, including the cities of Cairns and Darwin. There I got a surfboard and did lots of surfing.I explored places like Margaret River and Esperance. My friend from Canada had joined me and we stayed in hostels, parked by the side of the road, camped in caravan parks. At that time I realized that sometimes a hot shower goes a long way....

Queensland was my next stop, it's a beautiful place with lush rainforest. I got myself a job in banana harvesting, started working in the shed, sorting bananas. Then I asked to work outside, which was very unusual for a woman. I got to drive a 4x4 and cut down banans with a machete. Harvest work is done about 80% by backpackers. The local harvest workers are a different crowd of people and they sport some amazing mullets. They are a little reserved at the beginning, but if you make an effort they are really approachable.

On the Gold Coast I met up with the same people I had travelled with earlier, we mostly did surfing and bummed around the area. We also checked out Frazier Island, did some swimming with the sharks and some skydiving. I later told my dad that I went skydiving and he said he would have really worried about me if he had known. But when I was back in Canada, my dad and I decided to go skydiving together and he really loved it. That was great.

My last stop in Australia was Sydney again from where I came home. The culture shock of coming back to Canada was harsh. I went from + 30 degrees to -25 degrees. I had also gone through this amazing adventure, while life for my friends had pretty much stayed the same. It was difficult to adjust when I came back. But it gave me the idea to take an ESL (Teaching English at a Second Language) program to get myself an international career.

3) Please tell us about the ESL program that you took.

The brochure for Trent University's ESL program literally fell into my lap one day. I decided to take a one-year program at Trent in Peterborough (Ontario). It's a great program, it's 2 semesters long and includes 100 hours of theory and 20 hours of practical teaching. The classes were small, there were only 10 of us. Most of my co-students were retirees who were launching second careeers.

4) You have plans to go on your first ESL teaching assignment to Vietnam. What's in store for you?

In the first year after graduating you don't have a lot of choice with ESL since you don't have real teaching experience yet. I wanted to go to Vietnam, but I figured I would more easily be able to go to Korea or Japan where there is a big demand for certified ESL teachers. Contrary to China, in these 2 countries you definitely need credentials to work in ESL. Through a stroke of luck I found out that one of my friend's parents lives in Vietnam and he will be able to make some local connections for me and I am planning to head over there in September. I don't know exactly yet where I am going to go, but I am sure I will find my first ESL assignment with his help.

5) You learned how to do "poise" (an impressive twirling of 2 long wires whose ends have a wick that is set on fire) in Australia, tell us more about that.

Poise was originally a martial art used by the Maori people and it involves two wires with a wick at the end that is set on fire. Then at night you twirl the wires in different patterns around your body, usually set to music or drums. I met some people in Australia who taught me some pretty good moves and I have been performing occasionally in public or entertaining people on the campground with it. It's a really fun thing to do.

6) You now work as an intern for this adventure travel company called Equinox. What do you do there, how did you get the job?

The way I landed this job was another one of these chance encounters. I was actually supposed to do a 6-week road trip out to Eastern Canada with a friend of mine. One day my brother and I went to a pub and ended up chatting to Blair, who is the manager at Equinox' rafting location on the Ottawa River. He had just lost an intern, so he asked me if I would be interested. It sounded great so my friend and I decided to postpone the road trip and I am working right now as an intern for Equinox from mid-May to September until I go to Vietnam. Right now I am working as a cook and I also help out with the kayaking courses.

I love being here, it's just like being a child. Work doesn't even feel like work, we have so much fun here. There is so much freedom here, you don't have four walls around you and people are just so friendly. I am learning so much. I am learning about the white water, how to read the river and I am picking up the basics of river rafting and kayaking. One day I might want to become a river guide. I'd definitely like to come back next year after my ESL assignment.

7) Tell me about the lifestyle here at this outdoor adventure camp.

The lifestyle is very basic which is great. We have 12 people here permanently, and just like some of my colleagues, I actually sleep in a tent. Other colleagues of mine actually have built a tree house and live there, and another co-worker of mine has created a shack out of discarded materials that has a boat for a roof. It's a very simple life with basically no conveniences, no TV, no Internet. We get by with so little here.

Hygiene is pretty basic, we brush our teeth, comb our hair. There are no laundry facilities on site, so I just wash my t-shirts in the shower.

My work schedule is from 7 am to 7 pm. We get the rafting or kayaking gear ready, go to the river, unload. Or when I am working in the kitchen, I am preparing the meals for the day. There are not a lot of rules here, but everything still seems to work.

8) What are your plans for the future?

Other than going to Vietnam to teach ESL I don't really have any long-term plans. I am a very spontaneous individual and I generally trust that I'll be in the right place at the right time. I don't know what's in store for me. Friends have often said you are like a missionary, you go to different places, help out and don't get paid for it.

As far as ESL is concerned, I would be interested to teach English in places like Bali or Thailand, in small communities. I have also thought of going to Africa, to help build schools. But people have warned me and said in places like these you need to have money to be able to bribe people.

I just love to help. Somehow I think it'll all come together. If I stay the happy person that I am somehow I think it will all work out.

Thank you, Krista, for your time. It's been great meeting such an energetic positive spirit. I wish you all the best for your time in Vietnam and for anything that might happen for you afterwards. Stay in touch and let us know how your first ESL assignment goes!

Wyclef gets Diplomatic Passport

On Thursday, October 18, 2007 Wyclef Jean introduced his latest album, "Carnival Vol 2 - Memoirs of an Immigrant", at a press-only ceremony at New York City's SOBs night club. During the ceremony, he was presented a genuine dimplamtic passport by Haitian ambassador Raymond Joseph. Noteable people present at the ceremony included music entreprenuer Russel Simmons.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnLAR8mhPfI&hl=en

Buying a Hard Drive to Store Footage

I asked my friends and colleagues at the Washington, DC area Women in Film and Video (WIFV) if it was time for me, as an independent and freelance producer, to buy my own hard drive. The resounding answer was "yes."

Some people, like independent producer Stephanie Foerster says the question takes some consideration. "If you are responsible for the footage upon conclusion of the shoot, then yes, a hard drive is a great investment. That said, if you are simply handing over the footage for post, I think it's fair to request the client to provide their own drive before the shoot."

There are a lot of hard drives out there and not all of them will work for every situation. For instance, are you looking for a hard drive to simply store and transport footage? If so, a small drive will work. The most popular compact drive suggestion I got was for the 350gb LaCie. I'm using this drive now (in fact it is packed up ready for my shoot today) and it seems both rugged and easy to use. It doesn't need a power cord because it runs off of the firewire cable. It costs about $100. For Mac users, My Passport Studio has been recommended because it is small and very affordable. Another recommendation is the $90 Smartdisk FireLite which holds about 80GB and fits in the palm of your hand.

But as Roland Hudson, also an independent producer, points out, you will need something bigger and faster if you plan to edit from the drive. Anything less than 1TB can make moving media on and off of the drive painstakingly slow. The G-Raid mini, another highly recommended drive based on responses, runs about $300.

Bonnie Green, a Digital Assets Manager, warns not to store too much on one drive. "I usually advocate digitizing your assets into a searchable database, then archiving physical assets in off-site storage. Never keep the two in the same location. Use the "what if" scenario in laying out your plan. Also, using one hard drive for multiple clients may not be wise, as it only takes one corrupted file to ruin to the soup. Then, you've just screwed up your other clients' stuff and made yourself look like a novice."

The crowd was split on how "consumer" to go with these drives. Some felt that standard drives found at Best Buy to provide storage for a home computer wouldn't suffice. Others were excited about cheap and cheerful drives that could be bought for under 100-bucks. Personally, I feel that is it worth a little extra to safeguard a client's footage.

And last but not least, back up your footage! Some producers use their drives as backups. Others store the footage on their computer. It doesn't really matter where you keep it just as long as you can get to that backed-up footage if needed.

Hindi Movie Luck Part 6

tar Cast: Sanjay Dutt...... Karim Moussa, Mithun Chakraborty...... Retired Major Jawar Pratap Singh, Danny Denzongpa...... Tamang Thapa, Imran Khan...... Ram Mehra, Ravi Kissen...... Raghav, Shruti Haasan...... Ayesha / Natasha (Introducing), Rati Agnihotri...... Ram's Mother, Chitrashi Rawat...... Shortcut, Snita Mahey...... Angela (Introducing), Snehal Dhabi...... Jiten, Daya Shanker Pandey...... Passport Agent, Roopa Ganguly...... Jawar Pratap Singh's wife, Kota Srinivasan Rao Sukhwinder Singh, Satya Hinduja, Salim Merchant, Shruti Pathak, Naresh Kamat, Shruti Haasan, Clinton Cerejo, Anushka Manchandani, Robert Bob Omulo, Sulaiman Merchant, DJ Amyth Lyricist: Shabbir Ahmed, Anvita Dutt Guptan Music Director: Salim Merchant, Sulaiman Merchant What if you could borrow someone's luck for a day? Wouldn't the world go topsy-turvy? Luck follows the tale of mafia kingpin Musa (Sanjay Dutt) who has one obsession; to revolutionize the betting industry. For him life is a gamble, and what better way to skew the odds than play with those with luck on their side! Luck is a gripping saga with different characters from different parts of the world, each with Lady Luck in their favour. With millions at stake, how far will each of them go in courting danger and deceit? Directed by Soham Shah (Kaal) and featuring death-defying action sequences shot in Namibia, Luck attempts to answer that question. Featuring teen sensation, Imran Khan, sexy debutante Shruti Hassan (daughter of Indian ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ke9k46S-Cc&hl=en

Frooper and Skimo - Fish 'n' Chips (Part 1)

In which Skimo invites Frooper for dinner - but by the time Frooper arrives, dinner is ruined. Skimo takes Frooper to his local take-away, and they end up in the Post Office. After some confusion about the difference between a Passport and a Passport application form, Skimo contrives a plan for them to finally enjoy a decent bit of food for once... This film was made by a family, Ben, Tina and Jasmine Henderson; with nothing more fancy than a webcam. If you like it, and you have an account (which costs you nothing), please do play with the 'subscribe' button (which also will cost you nothing...how accounts and subscriptions can possibly be so cheap is beyond me, but there we are...) and we'll keep you updated with future episodes.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS8K6ARPbLU&hl=en

Alex Jones Tv {Sunday Edition} 3/7:Sharp-Dressed Man Helps Underwear Bomber Past Airport Security

A passenger who boarded Northwest Airlines Flight 253 in Amsterdam with attempted plane bomber Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab says the would-be terrorist had no passport and was aided by a sharp-dressed man who claimed Mutallab was a Sudanese refugee, just one of a plethora of startling inconsistencies surrounding an incident that has led to ramped up security. www.prisonplanet.com www.infowars.com prisonplanet.tv



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S17gxAxxMo0&hl=en

Find Out If You Need a Passport When Traveling to Mexico

Because of its fantastic culture, food, beaches, and its proximity to the United States, Mexico is one of the most popular foreign destinations among Americans. If you're into pre-Hispanic civilizations such as the Olmec and the Maya, Mexican cuisine, and Acapulco and Cancun, then it's no surprise you're reading this article. Let us show you everything you need to go to Mexico, including information on what the passport requirements are when traveling to our Southern neighbor.

Because Mexico is a part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), you can travel to this destination by presenting US documents that are accepted for your visit. Some of the documents you may use include your passport book and passport card. These documents help establish proof of your identity and citizenship.

But what's the difference between the two types of passports? You are probably familiar now with the passport book. It's the conventional booklet that is used to travel to the foreign destinations that need one. One benefit of a passport book is that you'll have greater flexibility when traveling because you can travel anywhere with your passport. Use of this document is mandatory for all international air travel, even to WHTI destinations.

Meanwhile, the passport card provides you with several benefits over the passport book. For one, it easily fits into your wallet, making it easier to keep than the passport book that's bulky. Also, applying for a passport card is cheaper than the passport book. But on the down side, you can only use this card when traveling to WHTI destinations by sea or land.

You can also apply for both passports and let them complement each other depending on the type of travel you're going to make. Use your card for land or sea travel to WHTI territories, while using your book for air travel. If you can, apply for both passports at the same time to get a huge discount in your application fees.

Although Mexico is part of the WHTI, you need to check if you can use other types of documents that prove your identity and citizenship. Such documents include your birth certificate and your State-issued enhanced driver's license. Make sure you ask the Mexican Embassy about this before you travel to keep you free from hassle and delays on your way there.

Keep in mind that there are certain additional passport requirements for minors and business people traveling to Mexico. Minors have to bring a notarized copy of the parental consent. This document should also include the child's travel details including the airlines he/she will be taking, as well as the minor's travel schedule. Filling in Form FM-N is required of business people to authorize them to conduct business in the country. If you have more questions regarding the requirements of the two, check with the Mexican Embassy.

Affordable Care Act - What Does it Mean For Medicare Fraud Whistleblowers?

Love it or hate it, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, H.R. 3590, was passed on March 21 by the 111th Congress and signed by President Obama yesterday to thunderous applause. The President called it "a new season for America." Opponents quickly began a campaign in opposition, and at least thirteen states, acting primarily through conservative attorneys general, joined in a lawsuit to block the new law.

Grandstanding might aptly describe such hyperbole on both sides of the debate. But amidst all the noise about healthcare reform, few are discussing or even aware of the details of the actual bill. As far as healthcare whistleblowers are concerned, these key changes among others written into the new law warrant mentioning:

For Healthcare Whistleblowers
Under Section 1558, workers who report healthcare violations to an employer, Federal Government, or a state Attorney General are protected from retaliation, including reporting violations of the new laws prohibiting denial of coverage based upon preexisting conditions. Such whistleblowers will receive remedies similar to those found in the federal False Claims Act, including among other things: reinstatement, back pay, special damages, and attorneys' fees.

Whistleblower Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities
Officers, employees, managers, and contractors of long term-care facilities that receive more than $10,000 in federal funding annually are required to report reasonable suspicion of a crime to law enforcement and can be fined up to $200,000 for failure to do so. Retaliation against whistleblowers in such facilities is subject to a fine of up to $200,000 and exclusion from federal funds for up to two years.

Whistleblower Requirements for Nursing Homes
Under Section 6105, nursing homes are required to implement standardized complaint forms and each state is required to develop a complaint resolution process to track and investigate nursing home complaints and protect against whistleblower retaliation.

Whistleblowers Remain Most Powerful Tool in Fighting Medicare Fraud
While the debate rages on about the viability of healthcare reform, two things are certain: (1) Medicare and Medicaid have been and will continue to be fertile grounds for fraud; and (2) whistleblower suits are the most effective tools for ferreting out false claims and healthcare fraud.

Since 2009, nearly $6 billion has been recovered in state and federal false claims act cases (including criminal penalties). Under the federal and False Claims Act, whistleblowers may file actions on behalf of the federal government to recoup Medicare false claims. Likewise, many states have false claims act that permit whistleblower suits for Medicaid false claims.

With a few minor differences most state false claims acts operate like the federal False Claims Act, requiring that treble damages be paid for fraudulent billing and up to $11,000 per false bill be levied as a penalty. Actions brought by whistleblowers are known as qui tam lawsuits and by statute result in a whistleblower award of between 15-25% of any recovery based on credible, first-hand knowledge by the whistleblower. In cases where the whistleblower is permitted to proceed alone, he or she may receive up to 30% of the recovery based upon her efforts and involvement in the suit.

While the Affordable Care Act provides many new criminal and civil penalties and new tools for fighting healthcare fraud, it is the whistleblower protection provisions that are likely to be the most used - and most litigated. As word of enhanced whistleblower protection spreads, more and more individuals with knowledge of healthcare fraud are likely to come forward. No matter what you think about healthcare reform, that's a good thing.

© 2010 James F. Barger, Jr.

Dizzee Rascal Feat Chrome - Holiday (2009) [HQ]

new exclusive music video for Dizzee Rascal Feat Chrome - Holiday High Quality Rate Fair and Enjoy :P ______ Get your passport and your bikini You need a holiday, come see me I know you're tired of the same old scenery And I could change all that so easily Don't worry about a thing girl, take a chance I'll take you to the South of France, like Cannes If anyone can I can Or we can go shopping in Milan I just hope you understand I hope you see it clear It really don't matter how far or near Cus there's no distance that can stop my persistence It's just a few days in the year Plus I've got clout so let's ride out We ain't gotta fly, we can just drive out We can have a rave or we can hide out I won't tell nobody let them find out If you ain't doing nothing let's fly away Drive away, get away We can go to the club or hide away We can do what you want to, baby If you ain't doing nothing let's fly away Drive away, take a holiday We can go to the club or hide away We can do what you want to, baby Don't watch my passport photo, I know I look a bit loco And I know that my Spanish is so-so But let's try keep that on the low-low Cus we're going Ibiza I've got friends that really wanna meet ya With champagne and a whole lot of love It's all good darling in the Blue Marlin Ibiza And I'll never let your belly get empty Even when your belly's full you're still sexy We can ride speed boats, we can ride jet skis I'll show you the time of your life if you let me I just want to put a smile ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN7-2g2p4_A&hl=en

LHC-RETROSPECTER-BY POTA

EL MEJOR CAPITULO DE RETROSPECTER QUE ES BOTELLON DE PASSPORT.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ULiCutQ9sU&hl=en