What a day!

After receiving four tickets from the District of Columbia for having out of state tags I figured it was probably about time to trek down to the DMV and register my cars and get my DC license. Because of an issue with P's immigration status this duty falls on me. I was told that if I go to the Georgetown DMV by 7:30 am (an hour before it opens) and line up I should be done by 10:00 am. BLAH!!! So I left my house at 7:15 drove to the DMV. I completely forgot that there is no left turn on
Wisconsin from M so I missed the DMV and was looking for a spot to turn around when I accidentally ran a red light. Too busy looking for a turn around spot. Anyhow, I ran it right in front of a police officer. I foolishly thought --I'm confused she'll likely go easy on me. WRONG!!! This was our convo:

Officer: (with attitude) What is your problem?

Me: (puts on kind and apologetic face) Oh I'm so sorry I missed the turn to the DMV and then didn't realize that lane (gesturing dramatically) was turn only, then I was in the middle of the intersection so I had to run the light to clear the intersection...

Officer: (rudely interrupts) And why did you go flying past me?!?!

Me: (completely confused because I didn't break 10mph and the limit is 30 mph) Ummm... I didn't realize I was speeding I'm very sor...

Officer: (rudely interrupts yet again) Clearly you are not aware of much!

Me: (speechless---rarely happens to me)

I got a ticket for red light running from Officer Grumpypants (while the ticket was rightfully deserved I was a bit put off by her manner). After my ticket I turned around and finally entered the garage for the DMV, parked the car, elevator into the mall and line up for the DMV. At about 7:50 the line wasn't too bad-- maybe 45 people. I settle down and happily read my book in line. After an hour I'm finally at the desk to get my number and the lady at the desk points out I don't have my social security card. I point out that the form I have says that only non-citizens must prove that they have a SSN. She tells me casually 'yeah, but I want to see everyones.' Okay, fair enough can't argue with that logic. I tell her I'd be happy to go home and get it but what about the line. She gives me a 'fastpass' (just like Disneyland!!!) so I can run home get my SSN and come back without the line. So I go back to the parking garage pay the $12 to get out of the garage, drive home get my social security card and drive back, park again trek back up, jump the line and get my number. Then I happily fill out my forms settle down with my book and wait for my number to be called.

Finally hoorah! My number is called and the DMV Man is the nicest DMV worker in the history of state, local and municipal employees! Unfortunately a computer glitch means I can't register my cars but I can get a DC license. So after six hours and $135 ($36 for the license, $12 for each time parking, and $75 for the ticket) I became a licensed driver in the District of Columbia!

I thought I rightfully deserved a good rant about the horrors of bureaucracy and my day. So when I finally reached P by phone I was intent on collecting some well deserved condolences about my day (he caught a plane to Denver at 5:00 am for a conference) I tell him 'My day was awful." He patiently listens then tells me...I'm in Shreveport, LA on a plane. I've been on the plane since 5:00am no food, no airport, nothing. He wasn't going to make it to his destination of Denver and wasn't able to make it home either!?!?! My bad day -- TRUMPED!