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December 13, 2005
Ho ho ho
From Alesia, feeling Grinchy
It has started: the official "I am worn out and likely to stay there until New Year's Day" theme of the month. We just spent FOUR HOURS running errands. Errands that should have taken two hours, max, but EVERYBODY IN THE WORLD was desperate to run errands in our neck of the woods this afternoon, apparently.
It makes me cranky. Like my experience with the DMV . . .
So in a long and ugly story about the stupidity of buying cars online (will share later), I finally got the title to my car. (You remember, the car I bought back in early OCTOBER???)
Yeah, that one.
So I go to the DMV to get license plates. Except I didn't have proof that Navy Guy lives with me. And he doesn't have a Virginia driver's license. So I needed eight forms of proof that he has a Virginia residence (my checkbook checks, a letter we'd received from our BANK, and even the offer of a signed affidavit and a blood sample didn't sway them). So it was back in the car to go home and get even more documents.
Then, back again. To have a conversation like this (and Lani, you will be so proud that I used my NICE words):
Me: Here I am, back again, with eight forms of proof that Navy Guy lives in Virginia. With me, even. In the same house.
Her: I can't read the handwriting on the title that's being transferred.
Me: [Smiling patiently while clenching hands into fists]
Her: [Studying title for an hour or two] Well, I guess this is okay, but you have filled out the wrong form.
Me: [Talking through clenched teeth] No, that is the official form from the DMV website as of today.
Her: [Studying form for an hour or two] Well, I guess it must be the new form.
Me: [Still smiling patiently, feeling ULCER FORMING AS I STAND THERE]
Finally, seven or eight years later, I actually have license plates for my new car. And a shiny new ulcer to go with it. Who says the season isn't jolly???
Deck the freaking halls.
Alesia, off to take some of the alcohol-related holiday coping suggestions you all gave me last week
Posted by Alesia at 8:18 PM | Comments (6)
Comments
Cheers! *raising glass of Bailey's* I think you could use a few!
Posted by: TresaH at December 14, 2005 1:48 AM
Sounds like you've caught some of Michele's bad bureaucracy karma. I feel your pain. Have one for me, please.
Posted by: ZaZa at December 14, 2005 3:55 AM
OMG!! I was just thinking that! I should move to Rotterdam and let Michelle deal with all this for me . . .or, wait. That might not be a good idea . . . LOL.
Alesia
Posted by: Alesia Holliday at December 14, 2005 11:13 AM
I think you might be turning into me! Oh, no! Run for the hills before it's too late, LOL!
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle C at December 15, 2005 1:13 PM
Oooo--the DMV, aka Hell. I feel your pain! I bought a VW Bug many years ago from a guy who worked nights. He signed the wrong line on the pink slip, and the DMV absolutely refused to register the car in my name until he signed the RIGHT line! Well, being as how he worked nights and I worked days, meeting up with him was next to impossible. I can't say how I finally got his signature--I think it's illegal in most states--but suffice it to say that I finally got the freaking signature on the RIGHT line and got my plates.... AFTER the ticket from the highway patrol, of course, for EXPIRED TAGS!!! GGRRRRR!!! So no, the DMV is NOT my favorite holiday destination! Damn, now I need a drink--Cheers!
Posted by: Sheri at December 17, 2005 11:44 PM
Oh, Sheri, I feel your pain!! I was dealing long distance with people who are probably criminals, but at the least scam artists, so getting a title AT ALL was shocking, but the idea of having to get it redone because of poor handwriting nearly sent me through the ROOF.
Alesia, still shuddering
Posted by: Alesia Holliday at December 20, 2005 10:12 AM
