I had to wake up a little early today, since apparently we have a "bug guy" coming to spray in the living room. Presumably for ants, since I've heard they have ants here sometimes, and I saw a tiny one a few days ago.I'm on some kind of bizarro sleep schedule where I can't fall sleep until about 1am, and then I want to sleep in until 10:30. I hate it! Especially since the internet marketplace never closes, and relisting items on Etsy is often better around 9am EST, which I will never again be able to accomplish.
I'm not sure why I'm having trouble with the sleep thing. I tend to sleep better when I get a lot of exercise during the day, so I've been focusing on that. I've also been forcing myself to get up when Sean's alarm goes off, so at least we're on the same schedule. I think this is also connected to my stress about my business.
It was the same last year, too. Business is slow this time of year, and I work better under pressure. Since I'm not getting lots of orders to fill, I can't focus on what I should be doing and I sort of bumble around the studio and the internet, trying to "get something done", which turns out to be very little by the end of the day. I've been writing lists for myself, which is helping. Also, I need to buy a lot of supplies and sign up for a lot of events, which means spending big money. It's hard to spend hundreds of dollars when you're not making a cent most days of the week. Sigh... Life is so rough, I know.
When the alarm went of this morning, the radio dj's were complaining about the DMV. Perhaps I should preface this story with a word about the Portland radio stations and their dj's: They suck. Even the dj's who are broadcasting their afternoon shows from LA. SUCK. I miss WAAF in Boston! I miss Mistress Carrie and her angry ranting about stuff I could relate to! I miss her banter with Mike Hsu! I've tried listening to over the internet, but I couldn't get the app to work. Plus, their radio show would be on at lunchtime here, and I don't usually listen to the radio then. Grrr. The dj's here are so tame. They whine about polite things and get tons of callers to back them up. One guy (Marconi, in case you know him) was trying to be a shock jock by talking to a man and a hooker he'd picked up, but the girl kept denying she was a hooker. Yeah, that was entertaining...So, where was I.... Oh yes! The DMV. The hosts this morning were going on about how inconvenient it is to go to the DMV when you've had your license suspended. No kidding. And the host was all up in arms because he didn't change his address on his license when he'd moved previously, and hadn't brought any other forms of ID (they want mail from a utility company that is addressed to you in your new house), or cash (they only take cash or checks). He even complained that the DMV employee tried to joke around and be friendly with him.
This brings me to my own personal experience with the DMV here. The first time we went in was to get our Oregon driver's licenses. We had to take a knowledge test, which was actually kind of hard (and had 36 questions!). We went on a Friday morning and were greeted by a friendly person giving out numbers, and we were seen right away at every window we needed to visit. The employees were kind, chatty, and each had a funny story to tell about living in Oregon. It was like the Twilight Zone. But it was pleasant!!
The next time we went in was a Saturday (not recommended) to get our Oregon plates. There was a long wait, but the atmosphere was calm and quiet in the room. Even though every seat and wallspace was taken, with numerous babies and small children waiting as well. We had actually forgotten one of the many pieces of paperwork we needed, but the person who helped us let it slide. Can you believe that? He even started telling us stories about living in D.C., and drew us a map of the highway system to illustrate his point.
I wouldn't go so far as to say that the DMV is fun, but I don't think it's worth complaining about here for a second. Especially if it's only such a hassle because of your own stupidity. Our experience here was completely painless, unlike the hell that is the Massachusetts DMV: with multiple lines to wait in with no direction or explanation, screaming children (and sometimes parents), and employees so rude and unpleasant you would think their job is some sort of punishment. No thank you. I'll take the chatterbox fleece-sweater-wearing bearded men of Oregon any day.
7 comments:
Hi Amanda! I know what you mean about spending $$ on booth fees this time of year..it is stressful. I do a lot of bumbling myself :)
Yeah, the spending wouldn't be so hard if there was less bumbling. The combination of the two seems lethal.
;)
I love the last picture. What kind of tree/plant is that? I thought it might be a blue spruce till I looked up close.
By the way, the annoying type-this-string-of-letters thing has disappeared. I don't recall doing anything to remove it. Hurray!
Amanda - Where did you go to for DMV in MA? In the past 8 years or so, I have found the DMV next to the train tracks in "downtown" Framingham to be a great experience! Unlike the old (10+ yrs ago) days -- which were as you described as your recent experience.
When I walk in, I find the "information" person (usually an older woman) at the "information" table. First, she asks what the heck I'm there for. Then, she checks to be sure I have all the necessary papers and forms that I'll need -- all this before I wait for a counter-person. If my memory serves more than peanut-butter sandwiches, I recall that she even tells me what I should expect to pay and reminds me that I need to have the cash or check ready to make the payment at the counter.
Then, I wait on one of the unpadded benches (clean, but hard). I'll admit that the other people waiting appear to be angry and bitter, and I don't want to ask if the bulge in their jacket pocket has ever had a ballistics test done on it.
Anyway, once at the counter, the workers have been courteous, prompt, and willing to help if something is awry. I also consider something that I learned from you years ago (remember waitressing?). That these are just other ordinary "real" folks who have shit to deal with regarding their employers, their own families, and they don't deserve more of the same from me.
I have never experienced any "let it slide this time" forgiveness, though. But, I don't dread going there. Maybe it's just that I've been through worse at the DMV that my experience, relative to the "old" days, is quite good. If Portland is better that that, I'm impressed, but not surprised.
Question? Am I talking too much? Should I start putting thoughts into my own blog? How can I advertise for you, if I do my own blog?
~~~ PRH
You can link to her blog from your own Paul! And yes you did go on a bit there but you make some good points about relativity. However, That lady you described at the info desk is the seemingly most unhappy person I've ever seen (it's alway the same one) and wait times can be bad there sometimes.
Patty- Not sure what that plant is. It's super tiny though, like a succulent that looks like a mini pine tree. It's a little bush near us.
I removed the word-verification just for you. ;) If I start getting spam, I'm putting it back up though.
Pauleridoo- The MA DMV I've had a bad experience at is the one in the Watertown mall (across from the Arsenal Mall). It was chaos, and it's only a tiny little room! I feel like I went there every time we moved in Boston (every year for 4 yrs), plus when I changed my name. Now I do everything I can online!
You're welcome to start your own blog! You might really like it. :) You can add my Etsy minis (those ever-changing product boxes I just put in) or link to my site. But seriously... I love the long comments! Keep it up!
As I had to renew my license today I thought it pertinent to share my experience briefly. The miserable old lady was there, the wait time on my ticket said 20 min and I waited for about an hour, and the counter person seemed more interested in texting then me. Other than that it was painless though. = )
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