I'm trying to find a flight to Vancouver in January. Sounds simple and very exiting mmm? It's not.

Here's the problem. There's this little important piece of colourful paper known as a VISA. Foreign peeps won't let you into their country without afore mentioned visa whereas in NI, anyone and their terrorist brother can walk in no questions asked. They would probs be offered a beer and a handshake in fact.

It takes 6weeks to process a VISA, or at least that is what it says online. So in reality it could take a hell of a lot longer. Anyways, lets stay focused. It's only been 4 weeks 2days so far. So flights are getting more expensive, I'm working full-time and trying to get in touch with the canadian consolate at the same time during office hours while waiting patiently for the brown envelope to arrive in the post. A brown envelope which I am expecting to have a shiny white light surrounding it and voices humming the tune to topgun.

Do I (and feel free to wager in) take a risk without the visa in my hand and book a flight now that puts me right back where I started when I came home debt-wise or do I wait permanently on-edge and book a flight 2days before Christmas hoping for a last minute deal?

Also if any millionaires, owners of private jets, airline workers with discount or potential lottery winners have grown accustomed to reading my blog, please donate to the cause. I will give you my family and my karaoke machine.