Another Day in Paradise.......

Hello, my friends.  Today there are no photos because cameras are frowned upon in government offices.  I propose to make up for the lack of pictures by regaling you with beautiful, flowing prose that is intended to conjure up mental images.  I'm sure most of you will "get the picture".

The day began with much promise.   The Cinderoo brewed up some strong java; and after it was consumed, we departed for the county driver's license bureau to obtain Tennessee licenses.  Sounds pretty simple, no?  (stupid me)........

We entered the office and were quite happy to see there was only one other customer ahead of us!  Yes!---this was going to be much easier than we had anticipated!.........not.

The nice receptionist asked if she could assist us.  "Why, yes......we are here to get new Tennessee driver's licenses---we just moved here from Texas".

"I'm sorry", she chortled, "We only renew existing Tennessee Licenses at this office".

My mood sank.  Questions like "Why would they have an office that only does part of the job?  came to mind.

We were instructed to drive 30 minutes to another county office that is "full-service".  Ahh, government efficiency........hahaha

OK, so we drive 30 minutes and arrive at said office.  We walk in and the receptionist tells us we are required to show not one, but two proofs of home ownership; an original birth certificate (copies are not accepted); our existing Texas licenses; and to top it all off, Cindy had to have a marriage certificate.  Yes, you heard me right---she had to prove she was married to me.  I know, I know---it is stupid and many other adjectives I could list here; but it is useless to point these things out to the workers.

So Cindy had to drive home to get her marriage license and then drive back.  By now, my sweet bride was saying things I have not heard since my days in the army.  OK, OK---that's an exaggeration, but you get the idea........(we now understood where the phenomenon of "going postal" originated)

Now, the fun began.  Although there were only four customers in the office at this time (and five workers), we had to wait two hours for our licenses.  I swear to you that I have never seen an office staff think or move so slowly. 

I can't wait for our upcoming trip to another government office to get our license plates.......(somebody shoot me!!!)