Today I went to the DMV. Not a place that many of us like to go to.

I usually take care of all my DMV business on-line, but unfortunately California law requires that every six years you have to physically appear to renew your drivers license.

I received the notice several weeks ago, and have been looking for the right time to take care of it.

The DMV is not open on the weekends, so it had to be during the week. Today, everything aligned to where I could take care of it.

Since I knew that I was going to have to take a new picture for my new license, I spent the morning preparing for the picture.

My first stop of the day was picking up my new glasses. I definitely needed the new picture to be taken with my new stylish glasses.

Then it was off to the dentist to have my teeth cleaned. I didn’t want my drivers license picture to be marred by teeth that were in need of a cleaning.

This was the first time for me to go to our new DMV. The new building is a great improvement over the old home of the DMV. There was plenty of parking and much more room inside of the building. This was important as it was a cloudy, rainy day. At the old DMV you often had to wait outside.

I went through the preliminary line to received my number for the waiting list. My number was G044. I looked at the monitor and saw that they were on G036. Only eight numbers to go!

The G numbers were being called quickly and they were soon up to G041. I was starting to think I would only be sitting at the DMV for a very short time.

Then they slowed down. It took another 10 minutes for G042 and G043 to be called, but then I was next. I could feel the anticipation. I put my phone away and was on the edge of my seat, knowing that any time my number would be called. I did a bit of primping to make sure I would look good for my picture, and then I waited, and waited, and waited.

I began to wonder if all the agents at windows that serviced G numbers had gone to lunch. Finally after about 15 minutes my number finally got called. It was for a window that had just opened. Someone had come back from lunch.

Then I was quickly given an eye test, signed my form and made the payment.

The next stop was the camera line. I walked up just as the only person in the line was having their picture taken. I thought that my time at the DMV was almost over.

But, the person at the camera was also monitoring the testing area and spent 10 minutes trying to explain to someone that they were only getting a permit after passing the test and would have to come back for a driving test after taking a physical.

Finally, it was time for the picture and I was free to go. I hope it is a good picture.

A few more errands finished up the day off of work. I now have an HD Cable Box to go with my new TV and I have marked a few more things off of my trip list.

If only I could have done some yard work, but it rained most of the day. We even had some thunder and lightning, which is a rare occurrence here.

How was your last trip to the DMV?

Steven