Wow. I decided it was time to renew my U.S. Passport. I’m not planning any trips at the moment, but it still had me pictured as a perky 16-year-old, and it expired not too long thereafter. I filed the paperwork on Feb. 29. It was processed on March 7. I received it today. Count ’em — 10 days. This time last year, it would have taken months to process. At any rate, it’s good to know that I can now prove my identity or flee the country at a moment’s notice.