I've taken several trips to B.C. and know one guy up there through Livejournal and bemanistyle.com and whatnot; I wouldn't mind getting together with them (though I'd be useless for a tournament player, even at Drummania =P ).  

But a get-together of any kind definitely sounds good.  Depending on when and where, I could take some peeps (getting past border authorities, me a 24 year old and others potentially 17 or younger, might be a pain though).

Chris covered it, but to be more concise, the biggest problem is getting everyone together in one place.  If that hurdle can be cleared, I'm all for it.

We'd definitely need the following rules for it to work:

18 or older preferred.
17 or younger must have written and signed permission from parents.
The driver probably should have the car in their name; if car is being borrowed, written and signed permission from automobile owner is preferred.
Responding "we're going to play music games like DDR...err I'm meeting people I've known online...err some of them are 14?...and possibly girls?" as the reason for going to Canada for some reason makes you sound guilty, so come up with a better reason.
Everyone needs a passport.

Multi-quoted for SUPER EMPHASIS

Ah, right.
It's been like 6 years since I've been up to Canada and I totally forgot about that change.

That would make things a little more difficult... or maybe not difficult but more expensive for sure.

 :-(

Although I have a passport, so I'm good.

i don't need a passport

mike has the navy on his side (not the popn navy)

yeah, not yet.  
Although a US military ID proves citizenship, I think eventually they're seriously going to move to passport only.

As far as I know, the change requiring passports went into effect on January 1st 2007... so good luck with that one.

Not to start a big war here, but I was under the impression that THIS was the case:

"Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.


As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries."

Canada's website, regarding information for traveling to the US, has the same dates.

The reason I posted "Need passport" wasn't even because of the law.

It's just easier if you have a passport.

And, if it turns out you needed one, well that's good too.

PNW vs BC or anything at all sounds awesooommmee

I need a passport.

I heard that getting a passport can take 2-3 months now since the demand is a lot higher. Can anyone confirm this?

Crap... I better apply to get one now.

hopefully this helps

You can pay ~$60 extra and have it in two weeks.

This would be awesome, although it would require a lot of planning and schedule manipulation.

I just got my passport for Japan a week or so ago. Came out to $112 which included getting your pictures taken at the post office. If you are renewing, it's cheaper and you can only do it by mail. And like Laura pointed out, you can still drive across the boarder using two forms of ID until 2k8.

Ah, I remember when we had a tournament at Metrotown in the center of the mall- that was awesome. Vancity was much more into "freestyle" back then, though.

   :?: I don't see Laura saying even some people could get in with 2 forms of ID? *confused*

You just need a Drivers License and a Birth Certificate or some other form of ID that proves you're who you say you are. The 2007 restriction is strictly for airline passengers. I mentioned her post because it identifies 2008 as the change for driving passengers which means it's the same as it's always been.

Ohhhh. *sees it now* Go me :roll:

Thanks

So, when would this event happen?
(There's a good chance I might not be able to participate, since I will probably be in China for all of July, which would be a likely time for this)

So this would be the year to do it then, before the 2008 laws apply?

Either that or everyone applies this year and hopefully gets their passports before the next one =P

BTW if you apply for a passport the city office will take away some form of ID from you during the processing time (forgot what it was) but yeah, so don't apply, then lose that ID for 30 days, and have those 30 days fall in the same time period we'd be leaving for Canada.

I don't know if they always do this, BTW, but it happened to me, and when I argued with the city office they said it was standard procedure.

Shoot, I hope I'm remembering the right details for the right thing.

I also might be in Japan sometime this Summer... most likely July or August.

Crap, I probably have to get a passport for that too...