obsequiousness

lost means someone might hand it in
so if it's 3 months I say stolen

often Governmental procedures appear inane and unsuitable for your desired purpose. But on the average they get it right a lot because the Government listens to us. We might be asking for a very uncommon thing, that nobody was able to guess would happen in a million years and hence failed to programmed in the necessary forms. I think losing your passport may be one of these unplanned events. Who would of thought and also were where you going? North Korea?

I agree it's irksome to take the trouble to fill in forms that are actually of no use for the diagnosis.
I got a brother in this line of work, I'll contact him via electronic mail and see what he can do.

Foreigners cannot use the phone in China for anything other than calling other foreigners

Am I right in thinking that statement doesn't mean foreigners aren't allowed to call Chinese people? Surely it means that English isn't widely spoken so you have to speak Chinese if you want to communicate with someone on the phone, right?

Can you clarify for me, rope?

Well, whether the bloke in the article said it or the reporter that wrote the article said it, it was a pretty poor choice of words. I suspect (without a shred of evidence, mind you) that it was poor journalism.

well I hope wherever you going don't involve taking a train
what a debacle

yes, its my year
and not just on NZM either

thing is Rats give me the willies
my other star sign is the crab
and I've never wanted them either

maybe I self-loathe?

and sorry for filling up your blogs

people will think I'm desperate for points