It’s been two weeks since I applied for my Passport. On 8/25/08 I received a letter in the mail telling me that the information I provided wasn’t enough to verify that I am who I am. They had a photo copy of my State ID, a credit card (Post office employee suggested that one.), my Social Security card and my birth certificate (Which they hang on to until your application has been completed or totally denied.) The letter I got gives me examples of forms of identification that the National Passport Center will accept:

Driver’s License (It seems that they eagerly want this, they even asked for it at the Post Office. The postal worker pretty much said that it trumps a State ID and a Learner’s Permit. Correct me if I’m wrong, I know those 3 IDs have different uses, but at the root aren’t they all the same fucking ID ?!! Why do I have to be able to drive in order to take a trip outside of this fucking country?!

School yearbook photograph with my name and photo, also with school’s name and year that it was issued. Christ! Hey NPC! People have access to Photoshop, so how the fuck is this going to prove who I am?

Newspaper/Magazine articles with my photo and name. Aw man I knew I should have done something amazing and news-worthy while growing up.

Other articles such as: Military Identification, Student ID, Professional license (ex. Nurse, pilot, etc.) US Passports, Medicare Card, Selective Service registration card, Union membership, Welfare card and Voter’s registration card are all acceptable. The one I personally find most asinine one they list is a traffic ticket!

Yeah this list of Personal Identification items burned me, but what came after that had me throwing things across the room! The told me I had to fill out a Supplemental Worksheet for additional information purposes. That worksheet was a fucking hand written credit report! They asked me to list everywhere I’ve ever lived, my employment history, the names and birthdays of my immediate family and schools I attended. This is a lot of information to be giving out to them. Am I supposed to believe that they will methodically research this information to see if I am who I claim to be? I’ve asked my mother if she ever had to fill out this worksheet. Her answer? No. My dad was recently released from prison, did he have to fill out a worksheet? No. And his old passport expired 17 years ago! Shit, he’s already got his new Passport.

Seriously, did I just get the short straw or something? I mean did my name just bring up a red light or something? Ah, to hell with it. I just hope that the info I sent will actually be enough so I can get my Passport. I honestly didn’t even care to get one, until I started noticing how this country is getting so demanding with identification. They say it’s because of 9/11, yeah right. No one will admit that they were just too arrogant and complacent about security in this country. I’ll get my passport just be safe, besides, I’ve got a sneaky suspicion that one day I’m going to fly home to St. Croix (An island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, it’s a U.S. Territory.) and they’re going to tell me, when it’s time for me to board the plane and leave, that I need to show my passport.

Read the follow up

As I stated in previous post I have attained my NY Learner’s Permit. I’m one step closer to being able to mow down pedestrians !

Now I just have to get into a driving school and have a friend or family member, who isn’t terrified about riding in a car with me behind the wheel, to show me the ropes. The last time I was behind the wheel of a car was back in ’95!

Since the beginning of this year, I’ve been working towards a singular goal: Financial Freedom.

Imagine being able to wake up in the morning, at any time, without having the fear of being late to work. Imagine being able to just devote your entire day, not just a portion, to your own projects without fear of losing the roof over your head or being hounded by bill collectors. Imagine, when you have the urge to do so, being able to jump on a plane and fly back to your home town (Or in my case, island.) as many times as you feel like it, without financial repercussions. This is the way of life that I am currently working towards.

It’s been a slow journey, and I have had many setbacks. I honestly have no idea where I am on this road. But, I know this, when I reach the end of this road, for me, as well as my family and friends, it’ll be legendary!

The setbacks for my Financial Freedom plan had really taken a toll on me. I hadn’t realized that until a good friend: Ms. Luvly Brown pointed out to me that I hadn’t looked happy in months. Putting some thought behind it I realized she was right. I was just going through the motions, pretending to be okay when inside I was festering with dismay. However, since visiting my Dad and Uncle in Maryland, I’ve been a little more upbeat and positive. I came to a realization of why I felt I was going through motions everyday: I focused on helping out everyone else. I spent very little time on my needs and dreams. It’s funny how something so obvious could just elude me like that.

When I got back home I had mail waiting for me. The usual bills and shit but also one important card: My Learner’s Permit. Two weeks prior to my Maryland trip I took the test to get this card and aced it. Holding the card in my hand and looking at it, I realized that I really wanted to learn how to drive. I realized that there were a lot of things I wanted; things that I could have gotten but put aside in order to brighten someone else’s day. I love my family and my friends, but I think its time to put them on the back burner for a bit and focus on me.

My Learner’s Permit was the first step. My second step was putting in my application for a Passport (Special thanks to Lynton Gardiner for helping me get that perfect passport photo!). I have put that little endeavor off for umpteen years, but it felt so good getting it done now. It was like grabbing the reigns and taking control of something that I always felt was on cruise control.

My third step was to join an online dating site. Yeah I’m getting tired of being alone, and I would like to have someone to share my life with. My younger siblings, hell my younger relatives are all preparing to settle down with kids and such. I feel left out but at the same time I feel a bit better off because unlike them I’m free to roam when I want without having to worry about getting home to see the kids and wife. And I definitely want to roam to various locales and such but I would like to be holding hands with that special woman as I walk through streets of Italy or stroll down the beaches of the Cayman Islands. Oh it will take me a while to find her especially since when it comes to women I’m a social disaster. But I have to step up in order to find that right for me. Who else is going to do it.

I’m focused once again, I feel rejuvenated and inspired. For all those who gave me a kind word or advice when I needed it: Thank you. For those who gave me a good ass kicking or cussing out when they felt I needed it: Thank you. Bowie is back on track and determined to see his goals through to the end. But instead of just staring towards the future I plan to take my time and enjoy the present as I work my way forward.

Thanks for reading,
Peace

I’ve scanned in my old art but it takes too long to view it here on the blog, so I’ve put them up on my Deviant Art page:

HERE

Enjoy!