New Drivers License

One more sort of negative blog, and then I promise to be positive for the next few. Ha! I kind of had an incident at the Drivers License Bureau. Now, a week later, it is starting to seem a little humorous. In my defense, I was starting to feel frazzled before I ever walked in the door.

Jacque and I planned to go get a new drivers license. Hers had expired and mine was stolen when my purse was stolen out of my car. I had spent the morning working and answering my Tax guy's questions and helping Bryce with a few things via the phone because he was in Grand Junction. So my mind was already buzzing a little from extended concentration and working. I was supposed to meet Jacque for lunch at 1:00--and as I was driving down the street, I realized I did not have any ID with me. So I turned around, went home and got my passport. Now I was really late. I called Jacque and hurried to meet her.

We had a nice, quick lunch--then left to go........we weren't sure where, because the office we are familiar with has moved. So we tried calling information. I was given the occupational license bureau. We drove to the old location to look at the sign telling about the move. It was gone. We tried my fancy navigation system in my car--to no avail. I tried information again, this time emphasizing the word "drivers" license. Finally, the right number! I listened to 7 recorded messages, none of them gave locations or addresses. I waited 5 minutes for the operator--who finally gave me the new address in a voice that said, "I have done this a million times and I hate my job."

I know I could have avoided all this if I had only gone online before I left. But I didn't, so an hour later we finally are driving to the new DMV. This took 30 minutes because the street it is on does not go through, so you have to go around side streets. Should have taken the freeway. Walked in, waited, had to fill out all the papers even though this is only a replacement. "It doesn't matter--we need all the information," in a voice that said I have done this a million times and I hate my job. Pay my fees. Have to explain every medicine I am on because I was honest on the form. She tells me I probably will receive a doctor's form in the mail. (My doctor couldn't believe it when I told him.)

I finally make it to the counter to actually get my license. He tells me I have to have a new picture. I look at him in disbelief. I love my old picture. I actually look good. I did not prepare to have a new picture taken. Sorry. Rules. Have to have a new picture.

Something snapped. I took the new picture. I looked mad. The technition said, "Let's take another picture, that doesn't even look like you." The following were my exact words:

"I don't want another picture. The picture looks exactly how I feel. My purse is stolen and then I come here and you put me through hell to replace my license. Keep the picture. I AM mad.

Several days later, Jacque asks me if the above words qualify as swearing, because she had never heard me swear before. I agreed that it probably did. I don't really swear, so it didn't surprise me that in 21 years she had not heard me swear. When Bryce heard the story he declared that it did not qualify as swearing. Because the whole incident is out of character for me, my family doesn't know whether to be shocked or amused.

Luckily, my license expires in August--so I can get a new picture. If I get pulled over before then, I am afraid the officer will think I am an escaped prisoner.