Getting There - The Milwaukee Chronicles

I have been in Milwaukee for a little over 24 hour I must say I have been thoroughly enjoying myself.  I have not had a vacation in a while. i went away this summer to my friend's cottage but it was not relaxation I needed (lots sweet little kids - it was amazing to spend time with them, but relaxing it was not). As for Milwaukee - I had a little trouble getting here. I rebooked my flight three times. At first I was concerned I would not make because of the Air Canada strike. So, I moved up my flight to Wednesday evening to avoid it. Then on Wednesday morning as I went to check-in online I realized my passport had expired the week before and I would not be able to fly. I was so upset. It was 7am and I was shedding tears and feeling sick to my stomach. I hate fucking up. I thought my passport was set to expire in2012. I expired on September 26th 2011. Ack! Since my separation I have not left the house without my keys nor forgotten any items inside. This was a near daily occurrence before. I have been early 95% of the times for appointments. This is a tendency of mine as I grew up in a family where we did things last minute and it stressed me . As an adult I try to be early so I do not feel rushed nor make people wait. That's just not cool. In any case, I really try to be have been conscientious and prepared. This passport issue is totally out of character. When I realized my fuck up I let the panic to its thing and then I sprung into action. I searched the web to see if there were any expired passport exception. There were not. I then searched to see if there was anyway to get a passport under last minute circumstances. There were! If I had the paperwork in place I could get one in 24 hours! I then rebooked my flight for 24 hours later, I printed and filled out the necessary documents. I looked up passport photography places. Yes, one would open at 8:30am. I washed my face, brushed my hair and teeth, got dressed in a black tshirt and jeans and ran to catch the bus. The fine folks at Centre Japonais de la Photo took a very unflattering photo of me and then I raced off to the passport issuing office at Complexe Guy Favereau. There were only a dozen or so people there and I was seen very quickly. I met the requirements for being issued an urgent passport. If two people who had known me for at least 2 years would have to vouch for me (thank you to NH and LC for answering your phones!!) I would have my new passport by 2pm that day. There was a sign in the office saying that aggressive behaviour would be tolerated. I asked the kind lady working on my case what about tears of gratitude? I was on a wild adrenal rush fueled by panic and fear of disappointing someone. I am sure I looked crazy and frazzled. I certainly felt that way. Her kindness and patience were very much appreciated. I went to get a pedicure while they worked on my file. I also did a little shopping for the number I was to do in Milwaukee. I ate a super tasty and nutritious raw vegan lunch at Le Bouddha de Cuisine (when a gal is in crisis she needs to refuel to get through the day!). At 2pm I went back to the passport office and picked up my new passport! Crisis handled!