Monday, February 19, 2001

Embarrassing Photographs of Brad on Official Documents

THIRD IN A SERIES. COLLECT THE WHOLE SET. TRADE THEM WITH YOUR FRIENDS!



Would you let this man into your country? This is my second passport. My first contained a photograph bespeaking international savvy, the glamour of worldly sophistication. (OK, actually all it bespoke was "Hi, I'm a 16 year old geek headed for France," but at least it was a decent picture.) This, on the other hand, bears a photo which practically shouts, "I'd check my luggage for explosives and drugs if I were you!"

When a planned trip to London rolled around and I couldn't locate my passport, I had to replace it quickly. This photo was taken in a AAA office just 10 minutes from my office at the television station where I was working in January 1997. The day I went to have it made -- having calculated that it was the last possible opportunity to do so and still secure my papers in time -- it took me just under an hour and a half to get there, owing to the blizzard-like conditions. I'd called before I left to insure the office was open, but I was frankly surprised to find it still was when I arrived.

The harrowing journey to get the photo snapped may account in part for my appearance, but to this day, I still expect to be asked to check the bags under my eyes at customs. And that great nimbus of hair? What the hell is up with that?

Next week: They call him Gym Jones.