Bad Hair Day, Part 2

September 17th, Part 2...I drive to the DMV. Since my Fl tag expires at the end of this month I am having to get this done. I am really not emotionally ready to get rid of my Florida tag. It just makes things seem more permanent. I get there and take a number. It is not too crowded which I am glad about.

My number is quickly called. I go up to the lady sitting behind the counter. For some reason my anxiety level rises-probably because you had to bring tons of paperwork proving this and that and all I could think about was "she is going to tell me I forgot something". She flipped though this, that, and the other and she gets to my SS card and then looks at my birth certificate and questions my middle name change. I explain it is pretty common to make your middle name your maiden name but apparently not in her world. She says " I have to go get this approved" I think (keeping to myself of course) "whatever lady do what you need to do". Fortunately, the "head" lady tells her indeed that is fairly common.

She moves on to review the other stuff. Do you own you car? she asks. "Yes", I reply. "Then can you show me your title?" I think no where did it say to bring that along. I read what was needed 10 times since I had heard on the news what a pain this was. So I say "no" then she asks if I had my emissions report and again I say "no" thinking no one told me that was a requirement.

At this point I am feeling like such an idiot despite the fact that we all know "I CLEARLY am NOT". I was trying to remain calm so as to be able to get through the rest of this painful process. Sooo the next thing is to take the Oregon Drivers License test. At this point, I had not read the book but I was so at my wits end and I thought, "oh how hard can it be. I'll just take it and see what happens." So I am sure we can all guess the answer to that with my horrible anxiety that rears it's nasty head anytime I am tested. Yes, I failed!

So I have to get another number to go back up to one of these ever so pleasant women. I get to a different woman and she stridently asked why I was back up there-not in a low voice by any means. So I tell her "quietly" I failed. She then proceeds to repeat that in her same "not so low" voice. At that point, I try not to jump over the counter and strangle this woman who has bad hair color, is wearing an 80's outfit and has ridiculous fake nails. I was boiling thinking "yes, let's tell the whole room I failed" and now feeling as if all eyes are on me. I think, "you want to comment on my new hair cut while your thinking about how I failed the test, go right ahead". I did not want the stinkin' Oregon license (with a photo of my new hair) or tag anyway.

Trying to get past my emotions and hold on to my dignity. I change the subject asking where to go to get the emissions test done. She looks at me as if I have two heads so I look back at her and calmly and politely say I am from Florida and I would like some directions please. Really wanting to say "Listen lady how the heck would I know where this place is? I am from 3000 miles away, barely know my way around and that place would not be on the top of my list as something I would ever want to know. Got it." She gave me the directions but I was so embarrassed and worked up that I really did not hear a word she said so I asked where the bathroom was so as not to turn around to face all those behind me.

But then that was not such a good idea because I got to see my hair again which just upset me more.

I leave with my same Florida tag and Florida license. I will have to take this on another day.

To make myself feel better I decided to go to FedEx to get my new phone (the blackberry pearl). Yes, I will be more "connected" to the world. I "get it" now.

Stay tuned for the rest of my day...

My Oregon DMV Specialist.