So let's start with Friday, when I thought my weekend plans were defunct and that I wouldn't make it to Charleston next weekend for a wedding after all.
I decided to be a responsible adult and go to the DMV on Friday to get my new license. It really wasn't so bad. Granted, I had to show them my birth certificate, SS card, pay stub, GA license, credit card, health insurance card and a blood sample to get the damn thing, but that's okay (I was kidding about the blood sample). So I was there maybe a total of 20 minutes. However, they didn't give me my new license. That's not how things work here in the Big Apple. They gave me a temporary ID. And it is ghe-tto.
I decided to be a responsible adult and go to the DMV on Friday to get my new license. It really wasn't so bad. Granted, I had to show them my birth certificate, SS card, pay stub, GA license, credit card, health insurance card and a blood sample to get the damn thing, but that's okay (I was kidding about the blood sample). So I was there maybe a total of 20 minutes. However, they didn't give me my new license. That's not how things work here in the Big Apple. They gave me a temporary ID. And it is ghe-tto.
I mean really. A note from my mom would get me in a bar faster than that thing. But that's how they work here. So as I leave the DMV slightly confused, I all of a sudden realize that I'm flying this Friday. And I now don't have a picture ID. I almost lost my lunch. My mind starts racing; how am I going to get on the plane? How am I going to tell Laura that I can't come to her wedding because I'm a complete moron who just had to get my new license. I'm also realizing that my plans to sell the car on Saturday are probably no longer since I don't have a photo ID. I'm shaking. My stomach is turning. I know my face went white, I could literally feel the color drain from my face. I wonder if the DMV will revoke the whole transaction and give me back my ID. I imagine what the phone call will be like and I shudder.
By this time I'm back at the office. So I take a deep breath and try to relax thinking there surely must be a way to fly without my driver's license. And you know what? There is. You can fly with 1) Non-photo government identification. For example: a voter registration card or social security card. and 2)Credit card or birth certificate. So immediately I feel better. Although the fact that someone can fly with a voter registration card is somewhat unsettling. Have you seen a voter registration card? It looks just like my temporary license.
So I'm cool with flying. However, I still won't be able to sell my car since I'm required to have a state-issued photo ID. Then I remembered that I still had my extra GA license from before I moved. See, in GA, when you move once within a year, you can just apply on-line for a new license and they send it to you. And for whatever reason, I still had my old one. Or did I? I remember it just sitting on my dresser in Atlanta. Did I pack it in all those boxes, or did I bring up here with me? Or is gone? All these questions and I can't figure it out until I go home.
I finally get home around 630 and tell my roommate Bailey the whole story. "Why did you get a NY license? I don't have one," she says. I don't know. I really don't. I think everyone I know has their license from "home" still. But I guess I figured that eventually I'll have to get one, so why not do it now. So as I'm getting ready to head out for dinner, I do a quick search. I check in old purses, wallets, etc. Nothing. Then, as I'm walking out the door, I check my backpack (which I use only when flying). EUREKA! There was my extra license. While the bad news was that I was going to have to get up early Saturday morning, the good (great) news was that now I could finally sell my car and get it out of Lembo's driveway.
By this time I'm back at the office. So I take a deep breath and try to relax thinking there surely must be a way to fly without my driver's license. And you know what? There is. You can fly with 1) Non-photo government identification. For example: a voter registration card or social security card. and 2)Credit card or birth certificate. So immediately I feel better. Although the fact that someone can fly with a voter registration card is somewhat unsettling. Have you seen a voter registration card? It looks just like my temporary license.
So I'm cool with flying. However, I still won't be able to sell my car since I'm required to have a state-issued photo ID. Then I remembered that I still had my extra GA license from before I moved. See, in GA, when you move once within a year, you can just apply on-line for a new license and they send it to you. And for whatever reason, I still had my old one. Or did I? I remember it just sitting on my dresser in Atlanta. Did I pack it in all those boxes, or did I bring up here with me? Or is gone? All these questions and I can't figure it out until I go home.
I finally get home around 630 and tell my roommate Bailey the whole story. "Why did you get a NY license? I don't have one," she says. I don't know. I really don't. I think everyone I know has their license from "home" still. But I guess I figured that eventually I'll have to get one, so why not do it now. So as I'm getting ready to head out for dinner, I do a quick search. I check in old purses, wallets, etc. Nothing. Then, as I'm walking out the door, I check my backpack (which I use only when flying). EUREKA! There was my extra license. While the bad news was that I was going to have to get up early Saturday morning, the good (great) news was that now I could finally sell my car and get it out of Lembo's driveway.
That night I had dinner at Oliva down on the Lower East Side. The tapas was great. It was a supposed to be an early night, but we all know how early nights never are. It was Ellie's birthday, I had found my ID; we had lots to celebrate. So just when I was ready to throw in the towel, we decided to go to Whiskey Town. It's owned by a guy who we all grew up with. I hadn't seen Justin in like 10 years, so I couldn't not go. They serve all their beers in cans and a coozie to go with it. Those of you who know my obsession with coozies will understand.I ended up not getting home until after 12. My wake-up time was 6. Ugh. I have gotten zero rest since I've been up here. So here was my plan for Saturday: Get on the bus to Ridgewood at 730; get to my car by 9ish, hit up the mall to buy a dress for the wedding this weekend (tax-free!); then head out to Carmax in East Haven, CT to sell my beloved Carolla. It pretty much went according to plan except the mall didn't open until 10. So I read a book while I waited on the mall to open. I was kinda bummed because I knew this whole ordeal would take forever, so it sucked that I had to wait for 45 minutes. And I really didn't have a choice because this whole week coming up is so crazy, tax-free or not I wouldn't have time to go shopping. But I finally scored a dress for the wedding, then went to the car wash and then headed out to Connecticut to Carmax.
This is the part of my blog where I give Carmax a shameless plug because they were that awesome.
They were so nice and helpful and mot of all gave me more than the blue book value of my car. I was stunned. I thought I was going to have to haggle. However, they told me when I got there that there is no negotiating. I guess that's because they give you a good deal? I don't know, who cares. I'm now car free. And you know what? I'm kinda said about it.
I didn't get back to my apartment until 630p. I was supposed to be a party for my friend Andy at 7, but obviously that wasn't happening. I got there closer to 8. The party was at his parents' penthouse on the UWS. and what a great view.
I know it looks fake, but I swear it's not! If I'm not mistaken, that is the intersection of Broadway and 65th?
Anyway, I found out at the party that my friend Mike is engaged. Seriously. Is there something in the water? I have (had) 7 weddings in 2008 and now I know of 2 for 2009. Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy for my friends. I just wish they could spread them out a little better , that's all. Because it is all about ME. Duh.
I headed home around 2, I think. I fell asleep in the cab, I was just so tired. And once again may I sing the praises of having the credit card machine in the cab. Brilliant.
Sunday I continued my Upper East Side Church crawl. What's a church crawl? It's like a pub crawl. Basically I've gone to a different church every week, trying to find which one I liked. I was pretty much done after last week with Our Lady of Good Counsel. It's a beautiful church, it's three blocks from my place, and the priest reminded me of James Lipton from "Inside the Actor's Studio." I kept waiting for him to say, "What is your favorite curse word?" but surprisingly, it never happened. Anyway, then my dad asked me to check out two more churches. One is St Monica's on 79th where my grandmother was baptized, and the other is St Ignatius on 84th and Park where his grandfather went. So this week I went to St Monica's. I'll admit, it was kind of cool thinking that nearly 100 years ago this is where Moms was baptized. However, it didn't have AC. And for those of you not aware, we're experiencing a heat wave in NYC. So no air. I didn't grab a bulletin when I walked in, so I had nothing to fan myself with. Then the priest gave about a 20 minute homily. That was painful. The church had set up fans around the pews and people kept getting up and moving toward them. I was stuck in between people, so I couldn't move. I just tried not to melt.
So the neighborhood is finally back to normal after the crane falling. 1st Avenue is now open all lanes so that makes the mornings a little easier and quieter. This freaking heat wave better end soon, though. I'm getting up a half hour earlier so I can take the air-conditioned bus to work. I need my sleep!
Current Book: "Perfect Match" by Jodi Picoult
I headed home around 2, I think. I fell asleep in the cab, I was just so tired. And once again may I sing the praises of having the credit card machine in the cab. Brilliant.
Sunday I continued my Upper East Side Church crawl. What's a church crawl? It's like a pub crawl. Basically I've gone to a different church every week, trying to find which one I liked. I was pretty much done after last week with Our Lady of Good Counsel. It's a beautiful church, it's three blocks from my place, and the priest reminded me of James Lipton from "Inside the Actor's Studio." I kept waiting for him to say, "What is your favorite curse word?" but surprisingly, it never happened. Anyway, then my dad asked me to check out two more churches. One is St Monica's on 79th where my grandmother was baptized, and the other is St Ignatius on 84th and Park where his grandfather went. So this week I went to St Monica's. I'll admit, it was kind of cool thinking that nearly 100 years ago this is where Moms was baptized. However, it didn't have AC. And for those of you not aware, we're experiencing a heat wave in NYC. So no air. I didn't grab a bulletin when I walked in, so I had nothing to fan myself with. Then the priest gave about a 20 minute homily. That was painful. The church had set up fans around the pews and people kept getting up and moving toward them. I was stuck in between people, so I couldn't move. I just tried not to melt.
So the neighborhood is finally back to normal after the crane falling. 1st Avenue is now open all lanes so that makes the mornings a little easier and quieter. This freaking heat wave better end soon, though. I'm getting up a half hour earlier so I can take the air-conditioned bus to work. I need my sleep!
Current Book: "Perfect Match" by Jodi Picoult
1 comment:
So, Tom says: "FYI Jersey Girl, they didn't even start picture licenses in NJ until after 9/11."
Sorry about that, Sgt Wise Ass walked in the room when I was reading your blog.
Too bad about the lack of A/C at Moms' church. Maybe you can be seasonal and visit St. Monica's again in the fall. Have fun at your umpteenth wedding this weekend! :)Noreen
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