D and I are taking a trip!  We procrastinated a bit in booking it and are now scheduled to leave in 3+ weeks...here are some of the obstacles we are currently facing:

• my fault--but we are currently booked at a hotel that is crappy.  in my own stupidity i opted to choose a 3+ star hotel rather than the 3 star hotel.  but upon futher investigation, not only was the 3 star hotel cheaper, it was also newer, and prettier.  currently trying to switch back to 3 star hotel even if it means paying a fee.  boo.
• travel agent at the travel site is being a bit snotty about making the change.  if we are willing to pay the fee to make the change then why is it so difficult...lazy!
• due to not reading thru things carefully, we just found out this weekend that we have to apply for a visa.  +$130 per person tacked on to our trip.  boo.
• went to take a passport photo for my visa application yesterday.  the guy taking the picture INSISTED that i pull  my hair back and show my ears...saying that it's a requirement.  (i've never heard of it).  my picture looks ridiculous.  i get back to investigate his "ear" claim, found nothing.  he apparently just wanted to see my ears.  weird!! ear fetish!?!?
• upon MORE investigation, realized that my passport must be valid for 6 months from the date of entry into the country.  my current passport will be valid for 5mo & 2 wks from date of entry.  it's so close, i wonder if they will notice.  submitted anyways...gonna try and chance it.  hoping it will slip thru the cracks
• my mom (who's been a travel consultant) just told me that its best to "double check" with the consulate when i DO get my visa.  make sure that its ok that my passport doesn't meet the 6 mo requirement.  oh great, now i'm gonna CALL it to attention!?  mom says that they have the right to deny me entry if my passport is not up to date when i get to customs.  DENY ME ENTRY!!
• wish i knew that earlier....cuz now there's a chance that i will have to double apply for the visa....ugh.
• IF i do need to renew the passport, i will have to expedite it which will basically cost me approx $150.  and i will most likely be forced to use that weird ear picture, and US passports are good for 10 years....10 years of the weird ear picture.  *sigh*
• OMG...with all this drama, i'm wondering if i should just cancel the whole trip.

this drama bites.  i hate drama in my life.

this trip better friggin ROCK!!!!