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Monday, October 25, 2010

The Drivers License

I remember being 15 1/2 years old. I was in high school and signed up for my drivers education classes. It was just another step closer to obtaining my driver's license and the joys of being behind the wheel without an adult chaperon. After passing the written and the behind the wheel exam, I was so excited to take my driver's license picture.

Of course taking a driver's license picture was/is a big deal! For one thing, it's the picture you have to keep with you for a few years. Once you hit 21, it's the picture you flash multiple times. A few hundred bartenders and club bouncers have seen that picture.

As the years go by, it's no longer bartenders or club bouncers checking to make sure I'm legit. Now hundreds, maybe even thousands, of Target register employees have seen my driver's license to make sure I'm legit enough to pay the bill. I mean I can't remember the last time I was at a club. I know damn well that the bartender who is checking to make sure I'm legal enough to drink is doing it for a larger tip or because they fear losing their job.

Just bring me my red wine! You don't have to schmooze me. You'll still get a tip.

Well the lovely DMV sent me a letter back in September reminding me that it's time to renew my driver's license. For the last 5 years, I've been able to keep my license and pay the usual renewal fees over the internet. This time the letter was different. This time the letter stated I needed to physically enter a DMV, get my finger scanned, take a new picture, and pay the renewal fees in person.

Really, you want me to physically enter a DMV and take a new picture? What's wrong with the 5 year old picture that I've been carrying around? Did I mention I'm happy with my picture? Did I mention I look young and fresh in my picture?  What could possibly make the DMV think that I no longer look like that picture?

Thinking back on the last 5 years of my life, it dawned upon me that many life changing events have occurred. From the years 2005-2010, the following major events have taken place:

      1.) graduated with my second college degree
      2.) started a new career that requires me to put in crazy hours
      3.) x3 moves
      4.) purchased a house
      5.) had 2 kids
      6.) Did I mention the amount of stress that all of the above has put on me? Let's not forget the lack of sleep and healthy meals.

Now I wait. I'm eagerly waiting to see what my new driver's license picture looks like. No, I didn't get to preview the picture either. It's the DMV not a model shoot. They didn't allow me to take a few pictures so I could choose the best one. I didn't see a Photshop option either in any of the paperwork I was filling out.

To top it off, despite all of the above life changing events, my height AND weight have remained the same.
  

12 comments:

  1. I would love to change the photo on mine. I have to wait two years to do it.

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  2. I hate going to the DMV. It is a nightmare here. Like there is no good time to go. I hope I don't have to go in the next time I need to renew.

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  3. Love this, girl! I'm so with you on keeping our old pictures although you still looks as fabulous if not more than 5 years ago.

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  4. NJ's DMV is horrid. They now call it the Motor Vehicle Commission as if we won't figure out the DMV is now MVC. uh huh. Same legendary service. There is a chance in the smaller stations that if you go at off peak times, they show you the digital pic before using- and ya get a retake. Such magical customer service HAHA

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  5. Wow...I guess we all should visit the DMV and remind ourselves about all we have done recently. Love it !

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  6. I JUST had to change my picture - the last one was like a week after my honeymoon. I was tan, skinny, happy! now, i'm all boring & lame.

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  7. Even though TN still had my old picture, they had me take a new one. I wish they didn't because now they discourage smiling?? So, just looks like a mug shot.

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  8. I've always had pretty good luck with my Driver's License photos. I also butter up the photographer so that I can take a sneak peek before they process it. :)

    How was I not following you?

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  9. Were you at least allowed to smile for the picture? Where I live, you have to give the standard convict scowl before they'll snap it!
    Wow girl, you have had some MAJOR accomplishments in the last five years. You are my hero!

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  10. I hate going to the DMV - I can't imagine going in with kids. And yeah, the picture on my license was before kids. I wish I could keep it to compare before kids and after kids. I can already tell ya, it isn't going to be pretty.

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  11. I am with MamaKiss - my old one was just after my honeymoon. I was tan & cute. My new one I am frazzled, sleep-deprived, and annoyed. At least they'll still let us smile in Michigan (the no smiling thing is the weirdest thing ever!)

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  12. We get new pictures every four years here in PA. Before the last renewal (I mean days before) I got a tragic hair cut. I looked like Tony Danza. So every time I have to give my drivers license to someone they look at me and look at it and their eyes say "thank you for letting that grow out."

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