re: Expedited passport

Go to the passport center. Best is probably to go in the morning to expedite the process. I would double check on line, but I believe that you have to have a passport photo (you know, the pre-printed bullshite they make you get), 2 forms of valid ID, birth certificate, social security card, expired passport, and proof of travel within 14 days. It may be best to pre-fill out the paperwork as well - you can find it online.

You go there with that stuff and they will expedite the process and get you a new passport asap. I think it costs around $100. I had the same problem last year, but I was travelling in two days. I went to the passport office the day before my trip and I had a new, valid passport that afternoon.

ETA: Just for a timeline - I got there about 30 minutes before it opened (like 7:00am or 7:30am), went through the process and got everything filled out, was done by about 9:30am, they called me around 2pm that the passport was ready and I went and picked it up that same day.