He looks up at me with dark, soulful eyes that accuse me of doing him wrong. I lock the crate and smile, offer reassuring words and walk away. I have to head off to the fabulous Department of Motor Vehicles to renew my driver's license.
My current license is set to expire in a few more days. Unless I decide to accept this next task, come this Sunday the license will self destruct just like one of those tapes on Mission Impossible. Can't let that happen, can't drive around the City of Angels with an expired license, so I have to head out.
I tell the pup that I want to stay and play with him. I'd much rather run around the house pretending that I am ten and not some guy in his early forties. But I can't and since I can't trust him yet not to engage in a search and destroy operation he can't roam the house.
It is hard to believe that it has been a decade since the last renewal. The last few renewals were done via mail so the state has mandated that I make an appearance, a little cameo at the DMV. I don't know how long this will take so I gear up for the trip over. Into my pockets go the BlackBerry and the iPod, I wanted to make an appointment but the website that says that nothing is available until May of 2025.
I am not sure, but I think that the maniacal laughter I hear isn't coming from the computer but from my own lips. Into the depths I shall go, like the Fellowship of the Ring entering Moria so shall I enter the hallowed halls of a government agency. What lies in wait I know not, but I dread the trip.
In spite of suffering through a bad hair day I shall allow them to take my picture. A new mugshot of yours truly that shall serve as official identification. Will I smile or glare. Should I pretend to be sad, happy or angry? I don't know.
All I know is that I hate the thought of being stuck in the bowels of hell that the workers call the DMV. How long shall I be forced to wait, how long must I endure such torture. That remains to be seen.
But old Jack is nothing if not a fighter, a survivor of a variety of experiences. As I once promised that wacky Shmata Queen: I shall return.
And with that my friends I bid you adieu, I find comfort in a quote and ride off to battle:
"If you find yourself alone, riding in green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled. For you are in Elysium and you are already dead!" Gladiator
6 comments:
I've changed my name six times (I'm keeping this one permanently). Each involved a trip to the DMV AND Social Security. Now THAT's a place that rivals the DMV for soul sucking torture. You're tough. You can do it!
Six times- six different name changes. Yikes.
I'm supposed to have a Kentucky license but I can't bring myself to do it. PA vs KY you can see why I just can't live with that in my wallet. It was bad enough having a Jersey one two years. It still gives me nightmares. I am an old hand at this though, I've had many a license.
WA -1
DE - 2
PA - 2
NJ - 1
MD - 1
And oddly enough none of those are renewals just times I keep moving.
Good luck!
Married and divorced twice (1# - 8 years - brought prostitutes home when I wasn't there, #2 - 9 years - said, "You never had a chance against my work.") Reverted to my maiden name both times. Got therapy. Stayed single 10 years. Married a true prince. 5th anniversary next week!
what *is* it about the dmv that incites such dread?! i, too had to renew this year. i went the day before the birthday b/c um- it would've expired the next day otherwise. i was *thrilled* to take a new picture. why? b/c i took the last one a week or so after my 2nd baby was born. not my best photo op. nope. not at all. hope it went well. and fast.
MM,
It is over and that is about the best that I can say. ;)
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