Day 3 at the DMV

Day 3, Thursday, January 29, 2010

11:55pm. I pass the DMV on the street, enter the illegal lot and park. (I have got this down!). I waltz in, 3 minute wait for B 210 and Im outa there.

1:30pm. I return, this time, for the first time, remembering to ask my spiritual guides to provide me with help: a legal parking spot, a seat inside, and, dare I ask it? actual calling of my number while I'm there!

I pulll up and out pulls a pick-up providing me with a dream parking spot. So far, so good. Before I take remove my plates, I run inside to check the numbers, B170--OMG, I'm only 40th in line for this particular transaction! I pinch myself. Can this be happening???!!!

I get inside and there's an empty seat. I pull out my ipod and headphones and listen to a good lecture on Platao's Apology--how time flies.

1:50pm. We are already to B208. It's time to pack up and be ready to run to the right window. I compulsively check my form, my plates. It's all there.

2:10pm. I'm getting nervous. I've got to leave at 2:20pm to pick up my daughter from school. We've been on B209 for the longest time--what can be happening? I walk near window 16 and assess the situation. The customer has a Spanish translator who is patiently running a steady back and forth between the DMV intake person and the customer. The DMV intake person is frantically typing and occasionally grunting. The Spanish-speaking customer's children are attempting to peel mandatory notices off the walls. It looks like it may never end.

2:20pm There are no other Bs being served. Window 22, which had been solidly B for 20 minutes, has mysteriously gone A. Window 16 is still going strong. Can it be that I will have to leave the DMV yet again? I feel hysteria rise in my gullet. I am grateful that the only weapon I have access to is a philips driver--I mentally place the flathead's location in my car and wonder whether I can make it to the car and back in time to...

2:22pm "Now serving B210 at window number 16" Window 16! Window 16! I skip with joy and practically hug the employee (who looks like she could use a 6 month vacation from hell). I practice zen patience as slight obstacles in my paperwork arise and are overcome.

2:32pm I emerge from the DMV victorious and attach my old personalized plates (FORES10, if you must know) on our new car. Halleluyah Halleluyah!!!!

2:40pm Arrive at my daughter's school. She's not there.