he's here!

WHAT a CUTIE!!


6lbs 14oz and 20 inches long. Mom and baby are doing well. Dad is hanging in there. I can't believe my little brother is a father!

the all-american passport

I just got my new and improved passport and...wow...is all I can say. Has anyone else seen this "electronic passport"?

The proposed U.S. Electronic Passport is the same as a regular passport with the addition of a small contactless integrated circuit (computer chip) embedded in the back cover. The chip will securely store the same data visually displayed on the photo page of the passport, and will additionally include a digital photograph. The inclusion of the digital photograph will enable biometric comparison, through the use of facial recognition technology at international borders. The U.S. “e-passport” will also have a new look, incorporating additional anti-fraud and security features.

To get an idea of what this "new look" is, check out the official website here. You may want to review the lyrics to "Yankee Doodle Dandy" to hum as you hand your passport to the border patrol officer because it's a bit, well, shall we say patriotic? I am very thankful to be American, but I can't help but think I may feel a bit flashy when using this thing!