Back to Oakland DMV

Some of you are saying...why are you in Oakland? Have you been to the DMV before? I thought you were in McCall Idaho. Funny isn't it!

I moved to McCall and got all set up to work for the new restaurant (great food by the way) and then I got a call from the company in California that I'd kind of given up hope of hearing from. They called to see if I was interested in interviewing for a job. Oh sure!

So, long story short (you know I suck at that) I had a phone interview and it went well and in the mean time I decided I'd drive down to San Francisco and start the DMV processes to get this job, just in case. And the Tourism Cares event was happening this week too so I thought I'd rub elbows with some tour operators while I was at it. So I got in the car yesterday (Weds June 2nd) and I drove myself to SF. Wow, what a long trip. Along the way I got a call from the company and got the job officially!

So that brings us to the DMV. My class mate and now coworker Jan was going to Oakland to take her driving test early today so I said I'd go along and then I could take my California written test. hmmm

The last time I went to this exact DMV was years ago when I was working for crazy Mr B in San Leandro and I had to go find a Drivers Manual. Yikes! Long lines, lots of scary people (at that time they were like aliens to me and I was freaked out) so I got the job done with some yelling and death glares from the DMV ladies.

Today it was the same kind of thing. Its a huge place, something like 30 windows of DMV people trying to help us all out. So I get in line to get a number, I get there and she says, fill out an application and then come get a number (the line is out the door) so I get back in line and get my number and sit down. As I'm waiting, I'm reading through the Manual and I look up to see my number pop up at Window 12 and I'm sitting at Window 24 ish so I get up and walk to 12 and she's got a guy in front of her. I waited thinking he cut in line or something and she says too bad lady, get back in line for another number and try again. I mean, seriously? The line isn't getting shorter by this point!
So I go get in line and she grabs me a number and waves at me to come get it which was REALLY nice of her! And so I've got a new number and I'm paying attention, ready to HUSTLE to the window and then 6 numbers shy of my number the computer system stops working. And as time passes a lady comes around and says the problem is state wide and its going to be a while just be patient. Ha! It was hilarious! No wonder people from California get so mad when they go to AAA in Idaho and are sent to DMV. Its a nightmare.
They didn't have the air conditioning on and it smelled like pee in the building and it was hot and humid too which makes that smell worse (is there anything that makes it better?)

Phew! So now I wait and get a physical and then more driving tests before I start work in July.

In the meantime Jan lives in a beautiful place with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge! Wow, its a beautiful place!