close but not convenient

i spent this evening at traffic court.

i got home from work this evening and i thought to myself, "ah- wonderful. we live about four or five blocks from the courthouse. i can take care of my ridiculous and unfortunate ticket. and today wasn't even as humid as normal, so it's almost nice outside. what a great evening to walk to court!"

so, i get to the courthouse at about quarter to seven this evening. i get a number and walk into the courtroom and it is totally packed. i wait and i wait. and i wait. two hours and ten minutes before the judge calls my name. i go up and tell him i won't contest my ridiculous tickets (did you know that it is illegal to have the dealer frame around your back license plate? i mean, they put the stupid thing on there and never mention it being illegal when you get your oil changed or your car inspected....) i showed him the picture of my frameless plate and proof that i got my car inspected and agree to take defensive driving. then the judge says, "but wait, do you have a new driver's license?"

shocked, i say, "no. why? what?"

he points out that my driver's license expired last week on my birthday. i had no idea. i just got this license last year when i legally changed my name. oh well. he let me agree to take defensive driving anyway and just told me to get the new license right away. very kind.

then i waited a little longer and signed some papers. waited longer in a line and paid a huge fee, and then walked home. all told, close to three hours!