When life throws you a curveball..

Dead Tribute Banned · 09-06-2017 10:58AM #1

Picture the scene... It's a sunny morning in Dublin and you wake up excited as a virgin in a brothel. It's holiday time! You've the time booked off work, your boarding pass tucked safely away in your suitcase and money in your pocket.

Your friends are messaging you equally as excited. You've so many things planned for this trip, including tickets to see Depeche Mode in the Olympic Stadium. Life is SWEET!!!

You've been counting down the days to this for what seems like forever. Being a huge Depeche Mode fan, this will be a trip of a lifetime.

Just as you're about to walk out the door, you double check you have everything. You glance at your passport and the date seems wrong.

Expires February 2017? That can't be right. You slowly walk out the door and ignore your steadily increasing heartrate. February 2017? Hang on, what year is this... no, that can't be right, they must have made a mistake. Wait, is this 2017 or 2016? Ah, it's fine...it has to be fine... there's no way it isn't fine....is this a leap year? That's what it must be cos the thing on the thing..says.. OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Que the penny dropping and a mad cap dash to the Passport Office. After floods of tears and life threatening negotiations, you realise that they won't back down. Emergency passports are only issued in the case of a family death or serious illness. Dave Gahan singing Enjoy the Silence, despite meaning the world to you, is not an emergency. Letting all of your friends down, also not an emergency. Not getting to go on your highly anticipated holiday, well you bet your ass that's not an emergency either.

This happened to me yesterday. It felt like the world was out to get me. Everything went wrong. I spent the day wandering around in a daze of tears. It felt like the worst thing that had ever happened to me.

However, this morning I woke up to a message from a good friend who I called in absolute bits yesterday. The message said - Cheer up, I got us tickets to see DM in November. Another friend called me and said if you're not going to Munich, lets go to Kilkenny for a spa weekend! So now we're booked into a lovely hotel in Kilkenny. I'm gonna go clothes shopping today and get my hair done and accept that it wasn't meant to be.

Has life ever thrown you a massive curveball that felt like the end of the world that somehow turned out to be a positive? Also, do you believe everything happens for a reason, like if I'd gone maybe my plane would have crashed (it clearly didn't). I can't realy see any reason that all happened. I'm down about 1,000 euro from hotels being non refundable, flights, trips etc and I'm sorely disappointed. Maybe I was meant to learn some lesson or maybe it's just a big pile of sh*t...

gramar · 09-06-2017 11:04AM

Dead Tribute Banned wrote: »

Maybe I was meant to learn some lesson or maybe it's just a big pile of sh*t...

The lesson is to renew your passport. You mention spa weekends and Depeche Mode but no mention of getting that sorted!

Boom_Bap · 09-06-2017 11:05AM

There was this one time, at band camp

09-06-2017 11:07AM

You've got great friends

Your Face · 09-06-2017 11:08AM

No.

Kimbot · 09-06-2017 11:08AM

Boom_Bap wrote: »

There was this one time, at band camp

Speaking of which, did they ever remove the trombone mouthpiece? :pac:

tea and coffee · 09-06-2017 11:08AM

Is Olympic stadium in the Uk? You don't need a passport to fly to the Uk with aer lingus

GetWithIt · 09-06-2017 11:11AM

You won't want to hear this but you don't need a passport to fly to the UK. On Aer Lingus anyway. Ryanair might be d1cks about it.

gramar · 09-06-2017 11:15AM

GetWithIt wrote: »

You won't want to hear this but you don't need a passport to fly to the UK. On Aer Lingus anyway. Ryanair might be d1cks about it.

I think it was Munich the OP was going to.

frag420 · 09-06-2017 11:16AM

Jaysus op if you spend the night in a brothel and still wake up a virgin...you have more issues than remembering to renew a passport!!

biko · 09-06-2017 11:19AM

"Throw a curveball", is that cricket terminology?

Dead Tribute Banned · 09-06-2017 11:21AM

tea and coffee wrote: »

Is Olympic stadium in the Uk? You don't need a passport to fly to the Uk with aer lingus

No, it's in Munich!

Dead Tribute Banned · 09-06-2017 11:23AM

gramar wrote: »

The lesson is to renew your passport. You mention spa weekends and Depeche Mode but no mention of getting that sorted!

I did that afterwards. My new passport photo is hideous cos I'd been crying so much. Puffy face, red eyes. Still, every time I look at it I'll learn a lesson... or become very very bitter

Boom_Bap · 09-06-2017 11:23AM

jonnycivic wrote: »

Speaking of which, did they ever remove the trombone mouthpiece? :pac:

No. It's gone rusty now.

TPD · 09-06-2017 11:32AM

Dead Tribute Banned wrote: »

I did that afterwards. My new passport photo is hideous cos I'd been crying so much. Puffy face, red eyes. Still, every time I look at it I'll learn a lesson... or become very very bitter

The problem this time was not looking at your passport early enough... Not sure how effective a lesson it'll be

Pac1Man · 09-06-2017 11:34AM

Hector Savage · 09-06-2017 12:00PM

This is a first world problem.

Joeseph Balls · 09-06-2017 12:05PM

My wife's grandmother flew Poland to Dublin and back on a national I'd?? Thought in the EU it's fine? Maybe you have to declare it or something but pretty sure she has no passport

taytobreath · 09-06-2017 12:08PM

i doubt they rarely even check the date on passports anymore, just the name and the picture likeness. i would of took a chance.

gramar · 09-06-2017 12:12PM

Hector Savage wrote: »

This is a first world problem.

Yes it is Hector but the OP has probably been listening and following this band for 30 odd years. They organise a trip to Germany to see the band maybe for the first time and spend a few days away with friends. Looking forward for months to a concert that in years to come they could look back on as one of the outstanding moments in their life and not to mention it costing a thousand odd quid. Then to see all those plans nay dreams implode through a simple yet unresolveable oversight. That stings Hector no matter what world you live in.

sbsquarepants · 09-06-2017 12:17PM

Could be worse OP. You could have had to endure a depeche mode concert, I mean holy personal jesus. At least you dodged that bullet!

andekwarhola · 09-06-2017 12:19PM

Is a curveball like a gigantic wall of text that makes you feel tired?

ChikiChiki · 09-06-2017 12:21PM

You've learned that you've some friends you can count on. Thats more valuable than any concert tickets.

Glenster · 09-06-2017 12:23PM

TLDR:

Waaaaahhhhhh, I messed up my business and I expect other people to fix it for me.

sbsquarepants · 09-06-2017 12:24PM

taytobreath wrote: »

i doubt they rarely even check the date on passports anymore, just the name and the picture likeness. i would of took a chance.

I'd have done the same - worst thing that can happen is they cop it and say no. There's a decent chance you'd have gotten through. I've flown before with the wrong surname on the ticket!

Potential Underachiever · 09-06-2017 12:25PM

biko wrote: »

"Throw a curveball", is that cricket terminology?

Baseball.

gramar · 09-06-2017 12:26PM

sbsquarepants wrote: »

I'd have done the same - worst thing that can happen is they cop it and say no. There's a decent chance you'd have gotten through. I've flown before with the wrong surname on the ticket!

It was worth a shot. You might well get there but if they spotted it coming back you'd be stranded.

Dead Tribute Banned · 09-06-2017 12:26PM

gramar wrote: »

Yes it is Hector but the OP has probably been listening and following this band for 30 odd years. They organise a trip to Germany to see the band maybe for the first time and spend a few days away with friends. Looking forward for months to a concert that in years to come they could look back on as one of the outstanding moments in their life and not to mention it costing a thousand odd quid. Then to see all those plans nay dreams implode through a simple yet unresolveable oversight. That stings Hector no matter what world you live in.

The concert is on tonight and my sister, who I haven't seen in months cos she lives in Berlin, was fying over for it too. We grew up on this music and are die hard fans. I miss her and was dying to see her.

It's all relative. I kept saying to myself yesterday, it could be worse, at least you have your health etc but there was no escaping the fact that I was devastated. I was walking through town bawling crying, I didn't care who looked at me. Disappointment is an understatement.

Your post sums up how I felt / feel so well. I'm still a touch emotional today and your post made me well up a little. Such kind and understanding words. Thank you gramar, I really mean that.

Dead Tribute Banned · 09-06-2017 12:30PM

Glenster wrote: »

TLDR:

Waaaaahhhhhh, I messed up my business and I expect other people to fix it for me.

Way to be a jerk, hope it never happens to you or that any oversight ever happens to you.

I'm down 1,000 euro, don't get to go on my holiday or get to see my sister. Pretty upsetting. I didn't expect anybody to fix it for me, I was trying to fix it myself. I went to the Gaurds, got the forms stamped, legged it to the passport office, pleaded my case and was willing to pay any amount to get there.

I wanted more than anything to see my sister. I let her down too. She was looking forward to seeing Depeche Mode with me cos we grew up on them. Letting someone else down is a horrible feeling.

Empathy, you should look it up.

MarcusP12 · 09-06-2017 12:30PM

sbsquarepants wrote: »

taytobreath wrote: »

i doubt they rarely even check the date on passports anymore, just the name and the picture likeness. i would of took a chance.

I'd have done the same - worst thing that can happen is they cop it and say no. There's a decent chance you'd have gotten through. I've flown before with the wrong surname on the ticket!

But just cuz some dozy yoke doesn't cop it in Dublin airport (unlikely since there are a few checks) doesn't mean they'll get away with it for the flight home or get through passport control the other side....id imagine the Germans are very thorough on these things and then they'd be rightly screwed!!

Shame to miss out all the same...was them when they were here in '13 and thought it was epic...at least the op has the gig in November to look forward to....u can go to Munich anytime (as long as your passport is valid!!).....

Glenster · 09-06-2017 12:33PM

Dead Tribute Banned wrote: »

Way to be a jerk, hope it never happens to you or that any oversight ever happens to you.

I'm down 1,000 euro, don't get to go on my holiday or get to see my sister. Pretty upsetting. I didn't expect anybody to fix it for me, I was trying to fix it myself. I went to the Gaurds, got the forms stamped, legged it to the passport office, pleaded my case and was willing to pay any amount to get there.

I wanted more than anything to see my sister. I let her down too. She was looking forward to seeing Depeche Mode with me cos we grew up on them. Letting someone else down is a horrible feeling.

Empathy, you should look it up.

Sort your own life out mate.

I really feel for the staff in the passport office, every day a hysterical sob story, every day disappointed kids waved in their face as though its their fault. It must be a grim job.

gramar · 09-06-2017 12:35PM

Glenster wrote: »

Sort your own life out mate.

I really feel for the staff in the passport office, every day a hysterical sob story, every day disappointed kids waved in their face as though its their fault. It must be a grim job.

Sounds like you'd be perfect for it.

Ann22 · 09-06-2017 12:36PM

Dead Tribute Banned wrote:

I wanted more than anything to see my sister. I let her down too. She was looking forward to seeing Depeche Mode with me cos we grew up on them. Letting someone else down is a horrible feeling.

What an awful disappointment! You poor wee thing!! Just think maybe if you'd went something awful might be happened. Perhaps it's for the best xxxx

team_actimel · 09-06-2017 12:46PM

Ann22 wrote: »

What an awful disappointment! You poor wee thing!! Just think maybe if you'd went something awful might be happened. Perhaps it's for the best xxxx

I like your response! OP, you'll probably appreciate and make the most of when you actually get to see them in a few months' time. You'll have the best time!
Don't waste any more of your energy being upset and focus on the positive! You'll be thankful when the time comes to see them in a few months

Dead Tribute Banned · 09-06-2017 12:47PM

Ann22 wrote: »

What an awful disappointment! You poor wee thing!! Just think maybe if you'd went something awful might be happened. Perhaps it's for the best xxxx

Thanks

My sister said to me yesterday, maybe it wasn't meant to be, maybe you'd have gotten crushed in the crowd.. or, with the state of the world, 80,000 people in a German stadium, there could be an attack...

I don't think she understands consolation!! :pac:

ThinkProgress · 09-06-2017 02:19PM

@OP:

Just kidding! :pac:

gramar wrote: »

Yes it is Hector but the OP has probably been listening and following this band for 30 odd years. They organise a trip to Germany to see the band maybe for the first time and spend a few days away with friends. Looking forward for months to a concert that in years to come they could look back on as one of the outstanding moments in their life and not to mention it costing a thousand odd quid. Then to see all those plans nay dreams implode through a simple yet unresolveable oversight. That stings Hector no matter what world you live in.

And the bigger lesson in all of that...?

Don't have a large chunk of your potential happiness hinging on some distant event or occasion in the future... You've gotta find joy and pleasure in everyday events. That's the essence of a fulfilling life. Not just some holiday or concert that may or may not happen!

topper75 · 09-06-2017 02:29PM

A bit of old brown boot polish on the mug, over to Dover, and do a reverse asylum claim through the chunnel.

Depechez vous!

Agricola · 09-06-2017 03:15PM

Curveball? This is more a gentle underarm toss from an arthritic elderly person!

LadyMacBeth_ · 09-06-2017 03:29PM

I'm sorry that this happened to you OP and that you missed out on the concert, seeing your sister and losing so much money. I had to get an emergency passport before in a similar situation. That being said though, if this felt like the worst thing that ever happened to you then you are pretty damn lucky.

Irish Guitarist · 09-06-2017 04:09PM

When life hands you curveballs make curveballade.

ScumLord · 09-06-2017 04:15PM

MarcusP12 wrote: »

But just cuz some dozy yoke doesn't cop it in Dublin airport (unlikely since there are a few checks) doesn't mean they'll get away with it for the flight home or get through passport control the other side....id imagine the Germans are very thorough on these things and then they'd be rightly screwed!!

My sister made a mistake buying a ticket once, she put her famliy name on the ticket instead of her new married name on the passport. The Aer Lingus guy at check in said that if we take you out we have to bring you back, so I don't think it would be a huge issue coming back if you've already made it through the airport once. But that was a valid passport.

I don't know that you specifically need a passport to enter other European countries. It's often the airlines that require them. A valid ID can often work too but it depends on the country, I know you don't need a passport to enter the UK as an Irish citizen.

ToddyDoody · 09-06-2017 04:49PM

Dead Tribute Banned wrote: »

Has life ever thrown you a massive curveball that felt like the end of the world that somehow turned out to be a positive? Also, do you believe everything happens for a reason, like if I'd gone maybe my plane would have crashed (it clearly didn't). I can't realy see any reason that all happened. I'm down about 1,000 euro from hotels being non refundable, flights, trips etc and I'm sorely disappointed. Maybe I was meant to learn some lesson or maybe it's just a big pile of sh*t...

Firstly, your story is not positive. It's OK to say that it is sh*t. To be down €1000 that you'd have been better off wiping your arse (pardon the French) with is not good.

In my case, I practically have no friends.

There's family who are great for any weekend visits, the odd one or two I can do a weekend with and work colleagues but otherwise, I'm by myself.

The positives - A deep interest in music, reading books, the wonders of the web and, due to practice, the ability to comfortably go on a night out, with plenty of drink, by myself and take it all in, also there's personal time with art galleries and different cities / restaurants.

Peer pressure, to me, is there to be conquered and if the pressure becomes too much, maybe I turn to the almighty for guidance... what or whoever the almighty is.

When life throws you a curveball..

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