{"id":3066,"date":"2015-10-29T17:53:42","date_gmt":"2015-10-29T22:53:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etereman.com\/remanu\/?p=3066"},"modified":"2015-10-29T17:53:42","modified_gmt":"2015-10-29T22:53:42","slug":"waiting-expecting-and-the-d-m-v","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etereman.com\/remanu\/2015\/10\/29\/waiting-expecting-and-the-d-m-v\/","title":{"rendered":"Waiting, Expecting, and the D.M.V."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Waiting\"
\nWaiting in line can be exciting. The kind of waiting that ends with a roller coaster ride or with the purchase of concert tickets to your favorite band\u2019s show. Waiting in line can also be not so exciting. Like when you\u2019re at the doctor\u2019s office or stuck in rush hour traffic. This is a story of the not so exciting kind: waiting in line at the D.M.V.
\nIt all started out when I bought my wife a new Harley. (2010 Sportster 1200c<\/em>)\u00a0\u00a0 Being a fan of efficiency, I figured I could knock out the registration\/titling over my lunch hour. Our office is close to a location where I had good fortune in the past, so I figured that at 11:00 am on a Tuesday, I\u2019d be just fine.
\n11:08 am<\/strong>: With pre-filled out paperwork, I speed through the initial screener line and get my ticket: number I-78.
\n11:11 am<\/strong>: Everything starts out ok. There are 10 counters open and 2 screens showing the numbers currently being served. The system includes different letter and number combinations. I presume the numbers corresponded to the type of processing; registrations, licensing, renewals, etc. I count 8 different letter types.
\n11:15 am:<\/strong> There are 3 counters servicing a number beginning with I. I-71 is the closest to my number. \u201cPerhaps they will continue servicing I\u2019s<\/em>,\u201d I think. “Maybe I even have time to stop by the Popeye\u2019s across the street before returning to the office.\u201d<\/em>
\n11:21 am:<\/strong> I-73 is at a counter, but now there are only 2 counters servicing an I. Adjusting my previous math to account for 33% less counter servicing, I\u2019m still feeling optimistic.
\n11:28 am:<\/strong> I-75 is at a window and there are again 3 counters helping an I. Things are looking pretty good!
\n11:36 am:<\/strong> I-77 is at the window, but there are no other I\u2019s on the board. Timing is getting tight with my 8 minute ride back factored in. I can probably make that in 6 minutes if I twist a little more throttle.
\n11:41 am:<\/strong> There are no I\u2019s at the windows. Other numbers keep flashing. Hopefulness springs up each time – and momentarily drowns the mounting anxiety.
\n11:47 am:<\/strong> Even if called right now, I\u2019ll be late to return from my lunch break. Calls could go to voicemail. My teammates might be burdened in my absence. I absolutely hate being late. For anything.
\n11:48 am:<\/strong> Did the I processors all go on lunch? What the heck?! All of the people sitting around me have been called. I send a shameful message back to my coworkers: \u201cLunch errand failure. I\u2019ll be late returning.\u201d<\/em>
\n11:52 am:<\/strong> I-78 flashes on the board! I scurry to the counter. While reviewing my paperwork, the DMV employee is interrupted by 2 separate coworkers asking questions. She is the manager, quickly directing them and returning her attention to my titling.
\n11:55 am:<\/strong> \u201cSir, your wife\u2019s signature is not on this form.\u201d<\/em> My heart sinks. Then she asks, \u201cIsn\u2019t your wife out in the parking lot, sir?\u201d<\/em> I reply, \u201cNo.\u201d<\/em> She repeats, \u201cSir, isn\u2019t your wife out in the parking lot? You could take the form out for her to sign and come right back to my window.\u201d<\/em> Lighting strikes. I understand. I hustle away to the vestibule, scribble a signature, and return to the counter.
\n11:59 am<\/strong>: I walk out the door – with new plates!
\nJust like all customers, I have expectations. I went to the D.M.V. expecting a few things:<\/p>\n