Random Days on the Road
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
The Sweet Day
Yuck, Friday, I got a Speeding ticket and "by the way" your license has been cancelled/revoked for two years. Cleared up the late fee (since the fine had been paid, just the late fee was left - another story for another day) Friday and got reinstated. However, because it was so long since it had been CANCELED, I had to take both the written and driving test, which I had not taken either one in probably 17 years.
So Monday, since the CEO had more important things, I took a cab to the driver's license office. It was 19.50 on the meter, but the cab driver only charged 17.00 - he said he took the long route(!) - Gave him a twenty to thank him. I got there at 8:05. Office opened at 8:00 - my number was 10, but the ticket counter was 998. So I sat down and read the paper. There was only one person doing the counter so time went s-l-o-w. A couple with a boy sat down and started talking with me. The woman had the same problem and had to get her license redone because of cancelled for something stupid. Finally, they added another person, and I was at the counter by 8:35. The woman at the counter was very sympathetic and actually suggested that it might be all about money with this kind of stuff. Did all the basics, got my written test, finally got the skid question right (for those of you who don't remember - which way do you turn in a skid? The definition of skid is always the back wheels, not the front, but you know what to do). Got 100 on the test - never had - but I had studied the book for this. I got my "paper" driver's permit (no office now does immediate pictures). Then I called the CEO for a ride - she was already at work - so I called a taxi. The couple I had talked with then offered me a ride to the office. Very nice.
Instead of the CEO (because she was busy), someone else from my office took me for my driver's test. The woman who gave me the test was a school teacher and we just chatted away on and on and "Left Turn please". No problem. Then off to the same office again. There was a long line at 12:15. We waited, and instead of waiting in another line, the assistant said go behind the blue screens and see Lynn. She'll help you. In 8 minutes I was out with my brand new shiny piece of paper that said Driver's license. Yeah, I guess.
Back to the office. Then, I got into a cab for the airport and had a nice conversation with the driver from Ethiopia, Islam, and the leaders of the countries. First Class on the airline and no extra security checks.
What a nice day - a sweet day after a rough weekend with the CEO.