219p Arrive at Costa Mesa DMV to line out the door.
220p Have time to reflect on how it took 5 minutes to find a parking spot.
221p Asked by the lady behind me if this is the right line to stand in. Unable to confirm.
224p Rewrite previous 5 minutes of notes.
225p Share a moment w/ lol [little old lady] in front of me about how long line is. We lament apparent failure of snail mail to deliver dl [driver's license] renewal forms.
228p At DMV threshold. Impressed by blue/gray color pallette. Very East Berlin circa 1958.
230p Feel bad about standing in/near doorway. I could be considered a potential fire hazard. Step outside again after peering in doorway.
232p Look behind me and see line is longer than when I got in it.
235p Finally step inside. Share awkward smile w/ lol.
238p Contribute to “when is the best time to go to dmv” conversation with line mates.
242p Pick up application/DMV clipboard to do dl form. Hand one to lol.
249p Complete form. Debate voter reg form. Line has picked up — kinda. No longer leaning on counter to do paperwork. Handwriting suffers.
254p Notice the wood paneling beyond cubicles. Makes me sad.
255p Turn corner for info desk homestretch. 5 people in front of me
257p 3 people
258p Sign over info desk says ‘start here.’
Girl just walked up counting in Spanish. 32 or 42? Couldn’t make it out. She returns to double check count. Smart lass. I ask her. 22.
3p I’m next.
301p G224 now reporting to waiting area. Lol in front who is missing her Dr. Phil show and afternoon nap, settles in chair next to man w/ interesting hair. They start chatting immediately.
304p G196 is called.
308p Find some great counter real estate. Complete voter reg form except for party affiliation.
309p G198 called. Man and young man next to me are talking about lad being on meds. Now he’s talking about seeing movie at discount $2 theater I discovered recently. He saw the latest ‘Resident Evil.’ Liked it. Wants to see the sequel he anticipates from film’s ending.
312p Feel bad for eavesdropping and will try not to anymore.
315p Reread previous posts. Seem to be more open chairs now in waiting room. Some of the people here, walking around are looking familiar.
317p People from line in front of me are being called but I think they’re here for reg and not dl. Who knows? Less people talking on phone than I expected.
319p Medicated youth and companion find a chair.
320p Lol and woman next to her mention ‘Kindle.’ People on phones but for text, data. No one talking.
321p The chair I was eyeing gets taken.
322p Girl who was counting, her lil bro, mom and dad are sitting down. Mom sat in chair I had eyes on. The three share two chairs. Dad takes a seat in another section. A brown haired boy in a orange shirt scribbles on some paper in chair next to two. His mom has brought mini wicker box of toys for him. The pair look on with interest as he and his mom do some exercises or something
326p Write DMV check for $31. Realize mom and boy were going over letters in alphabet. Counting girl rattles off her abc’s and her mom gently wacks her on the back, not the first time since they sat.
328p Three G-numbers get fired off in row. Things looking up.
338p Pull nose out of phone. Young mom with toys is at counter. Counting girl et al. not around. Lol found chatty seat mate. She laments “I’ve been here a while.” Her female seatmate agrees. G212 is called. Lol and woman share recipe.
344p Guy on phone transferring money from savings to checking. $1000. He doesn’t say his account number.
347p Internal chair debate renews. See good spot.
348p Two G’s get called. 7 away and may hang tough.
350p 5 left.
353p G250 just sat down. Lol is talking about her husband’s credit card info being stolen to woman next her. Chatty guy walks past saying he passed his vision test and leaves to stand in photo line.
355p Lol gets number called. I’m next.
Biometric scanner by Crossmatch Technologies. Verified thumbprint and additional $55 for license renewal fee. Asked to write date on check more clearly. Took eye test w/o glasses. Passed? He didn’t say. Now in photo line.
410p Wasn’t told so but code on paperwork might mean I have to take a written test too. Fuck.
420p The name of the Korean girl in front of me is Lil Kim. I’m next. Grab driver’s ed guide and start cramming.
43op Finish test.
431p Worried. I can miss 3.
436p I missed one. Done.
