If you're thinking of escaping to foreign shores in the near future (as we are), make sure your passport is up-to-date.  The U.S. State Department's Passport Services division is recommending a 10-week lead time for all passport applications.  10-weeks?  Well, at least that will give us a proper window of time in which to whip ourselves into bikini-ready shape...

Word on the street, from L.A. Times staff Travel writer Jane Engle:

“The reason for the delay is “unusually high demand,” the State Department said, which may be attributed at least partly to rules that took effect Jan. 23. They require passports for travel by air between the U.S. and the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico. (Land and sea travel to these areas are not affected.)” 

Since passports are typically valid for 10 years, it is far too easy forget they need to be renewed at all.  10 years is a long time.  Just take a look at your hairstyle from 10 years ago.  Exactly.  A LONG time.

Dig your passport out of whichever dresser drawer it sits in, and do a little quick date-check.  You do not need to add "expired passport" to your list of things to stress about, when you're trying to figure out if you'll need to buy a converter for your flatiron.