Hoppy Easter Weekend!

One step closer

So... today it was back to the DMV for my written test. Outside of the testing area they had a sign that said 'Wait in line until Name is called'. So, I assume this means I must register somewhere so that they will know my name.

So, I head on over to the information desk. After waiting in that line for 10 minutes I tell the lady I'm here to take my written and she tells me to get in the line outside the testing area and wait for my name to be called. I asked, "How will they know my name." She said, "They will call NEXT." So... My name became 'Next' for the following 20 minutes while I waited in line.

Entering the testing area (apparently we were *all* called Next) I proceeded to the front desk. The person there askled for my passport. I told her that all I had was my license, but I assured her I had provided at least 10 'Points' last time I was here. She snarled at me, but approved it anyway, letting me know I should bring my passport with me next time I am there. I thanked her and proceeded to the next person.

This person was very friendly and just looked at me, scribbled some stuff on my permit and said, "8" (I guess she could have said, "ate"... but I assumed it was some sort of code number and figured she didn't care whether I had breakfast or not).

Looking around for some sort of number I assumed it must be the number of a terminal. Why, when I am at the DMV, do I feel as if english is not my native language? I can understand how these people get fed up with idiots because even halfway intelligent people have no clue what you're going on about when you speak in mono-syllables.

Well, I found my terminal. It actually had my name on it, so that's cool. The test consisted of 26 questions. Don't know why 26, but that's how many there were, if you exclude the first two which asked me to confirm my name from a list that included 3 others which were in no way mine (though I cheated and picked the only one in lower case), and the second question which asked for my birthdate. Luckily, I have it recorded in my phone calendar.

I only missed 2 questions. Which is really great for me, considering I had to take my Automobile written test 3 times to pass. The first question I missed I feel cool about. I mean, I was totally wrong and I learned from it. However, the second question kind of sucked. It asked how I knew my helmet fit properly. I discounted one right off the bat which left a choice between, "Tight all around" or "Snug all around". I knew I should have picked Snug, that's such a warm and fuzzy adjective. However, I went for tight because... well.. who doesn't like tight? I was wrong. the proper adjective in this case is, indeed, snug.

So, completing and passing, I went back to the person who called me '8' and she wrote some more stuff on my permit and said, "Go to C". Luckily, I saw where 'C' was. She was sitting under a giant orange 'C'. So, I hang there in line for a few minutes. She takes my paperwork and says it needs to be signed and to take it back to 'B'. I return to 'B', who tells me she signed it and to go back to 'C' and tell he rthat. I go back to 'C' and am prepared to just step back and tell them to go at it, but, when I tell her that 'B' told me to tell her that she had signed it, 'C' goes, "Oh" and proceeds to write stuff all over my permit.

So, now I am free to take the motorcycle safety course. Right now, the first available is in June, but some people have told me that I can be on a waiting list and may get in earlier, so we will see. Regardless, this has been quite an adventure. I caught a train again upon leaving. This was a relaly long lumber train. Took a good 15 minutes to be situated, and I actually had a conversation from my car to another car next to me, as we had both left the DMV at the same time and we were recounting tales of Numbers and Alphabets.

I will need to go back 2 more times. once to get my car inspected, and once to get my actual license (assuming I pass the course). I think, once it's all over, I will miss the Newark DMV.