I'm not sure what I was thinking yesterday when I went to the DMV. This is not something that you should do on your birthday, even if your license expires on that day. But this is what I did yesterday, and yesterday I spent my entire morning staring at this big electronic number-board till my number came up. Then I had to do it again, with a new number. In a slower line. And I have to go back again on Monday, just for good measure. Bad things come in threes, they say?

When I was sitting in the DMV, I realized something. My drivers license, dare I say without sounding un-American, has become an abstract concept to me. I was a little shocked to think that I have no idea how many months it's been since I've driven. I've almost had full road to rail conversion. But sitting there in the DMV, I realized an unexpected consequence of this conversion. The MAN has a much harder time sticking it too you when you are car-less.

My driver's license is expired now. I can't drive without fear of jail time. While this is mildly annoying, it is mainly annoying in a theoretical sense. I can't rent a car this weekend, dang it. I can't get out of town unless I snake a ride from a friend, which I in fact intend to do. So take that, the MAN.

And I dare say the face of authority has softened in my mind, due in large part that I am not worrying that there is a cop hidden behind the next hill waiting to stop me for speeding. There are lots of hills out there you know, and all it takes is just one shot from the radar gun. These are the sort of things that make you paranoid. Or law abiding?