1-8-10 Friday (Tea Parties)

Today, a Time-Warner guy comes to install the phone.  It went smoothly.  While that was happening, Jim went to the DMV to get a North Carolina license.  That didn’t go so smoothly.  When all was said and done, he was there 3 times.  2 times the personality-less bitch at the check-in counter told him he needed some other document (proof of insurance) which is strange for just a driver’s license. Jim pointed out that the signage didn’t indicate that and she said, “Well, I don’t know why it doesn’t, but it’s state law.”  Jim was not happy.  On his last visit home for more documents, I went with him since Time-Warner was done.  I gathered up my stuff to accompany Jim for his 3rd visit. 

We arrived.  I got to meet the personality-less soldier of the state who obviously hates her job.  That’s OK because we hate her too.  Jim checks in.  It’s my turn.  “Do you have proof of your middle name?”  Here we go.  My thought was immediate anger.  She said I could do most of the process but would have to return to finish it up.  I guess that’s OK.  With Jim starting work Monday, it was really important for him to get it done.  I can come back.  She issues us a number.  We sit and wait until called.  This is Jim’s first time getting past The Bitch.

Jim get’s called.  He undergoes eye test, identify signs, etc.  What’s this?  You only have an insurance card?  We need the declaration page that clearly shows the start and end date of coverage.  Are you FUCKING (sorry, I’m fired up) kidding me?  Jim calls me over.  I call our insurance agent and get them to fax it in.  Luckily our DMV lady is helpful, as if she might just like her job.

It’s my turn, and I purposely go to the same lady per her instructions.  The fax arrived, Jim goes for his photo.  I go through the tests.  I have to come back with proof of my middle name via a passport or birth certificate.  Ugh.

Jim.  Where’s your license?  Oh, they mail it.  How prehistoric.

When I receive poor civil service I immediately think about taxes which brings up the over taxation here.  While strange to us and maybe not others, they tax milk. It was 1% but still.  It adds up.  State sales tax is 7.something%, some counties add more tax (like ours).  We have an annual personal property tax on motor vehicles.  We have a state income tax here.  I’m sure there’s more I’ve either forgotten or don’t know about yet.  I really try not to be those types of people who compare how they did it some where else.  In my mind I do but verbally, no.  I can’t stand the “Well, in NY they’d let me do it.”  Those kind of statements just piss people off and my silent reply is, “then go the hell back up north.” 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Completely unrelated… as usual.  Here’s some photos of what our old house looked like:

Above: Master bedroom.

Above: Master bath.

Above: Kitchen, dinette and family room.

 Above: Family room.

 Above: Formal living room.

 Above: Dining room, living room.

 Above: Dining room.

 Above: Family room.

  Above: Dinette.

 Above: Carpeted garage.  Extra large too!

Before Tim makes carpeting jokes, I’ll explain.  When we had the house built, Jim requested a strip of carpet at the door into the house.  It was to be just enough so that we could walk out there barefoot with trash or whatever.  It would be comfortable enough to stand on at the workbench.  We stopped by to check the carpet install and they had glue all over the entire garage floor.  I was pissed.  They guy said it was impossible to remove it.  He called his boss.  They goofed and were not going to charge for it.  We were still worried about having carpet.  It’s an indoor-outdoor marine carpet.  We actually enjoyed having the carpet (easy to clean) and it held up perfectly.

I gotta go dig out my passport.  See ya.