I didn't bring a birth certificate for my trip to Canada. The American Airlines checkin clerk told me I could have a hard time getting out of Canada without it. I spent the four days at OLS vaguely wondering if I'd get fined or stuck in Canada when I tried to leave.

On the last day, as I was going through US customs on my way out of Ottawa, I showed my Maine driver's license to the agent.

"Do you have your birth certificate with you?"

"No, I'm afraid not."

Eyeing my license, he asked me where I was born. When I told him Massachusetts, he gave me a stern look. "So you're not a real Mainer, then."

"Uh. No. Well. Not really." Was I in trouble?

Then he grinned. "It's worse for me, I moved there from New York. Most of the agents here are Mainers." He waved me along. "Go on through, bring your birth certificate next time."