Mugshot
I finally got an Illinois driver's license! Now I feel like an Illinois resident, almost...just need to get new license plates and then it'll feel official.
I had attempted to obtain a new license once before, but after waiting 45 minutes at the DMV to be turned away because they were closing was more than frustrating and not worth my time as I had decided I wouldn't deal with it until I really had to. So when I headed there Saturday and found that they weren't opened on weekends it was quite aggravating. I could have sworn the last time I went it was on a Saturday. The only day they are open later is Wednesday 'til 7pm, which is when I decided to go and try once again.
My plan was to leave work around 5pm in case the lines were long since it's the only day during the week it's open past 5pm. But by the time I finished tying up loose ends it wasn't until half past when I left, which made my arrival at 6pm with only an hour to spare before closing. I was prepared to be turned away again, but fortunately I made it after waiting about 20 minutes.
The whole process was waiting in one line after another of course. The people working behind the counters seemed like they could do their jobs with their eyes closed after doing the same thing over and over again. I'd certainly go insane if I had to work at the DMV. After taking an eye exam, given by a lady who mumbled horribly which I had a very hard time understanding her (thank goodness she wasn't giving a hearing test 'cause I'd surly have failed that), and a written exam, I went to get my mugshot. This time I didn't show my pearly whites. The last time I renewed my license I discovered I had broccoli stuck in my teeth when I got my picture taken. And I was stuck with that picture for almost ten years.
I noticed a lady who wasn't too happy with her mugshot and wanted to retake it. I'm not particularly fond of mine either, but it's just a driver's license and I was glad to get it finally. I wonder how many people are happy with their mugshot. My guess is that the majority don't like their photo. With bad lighting, an extreme close up to reveal all your flaws and amateur photographers, it's no surprise they don't turn out favorably. They should let people get their mugshot taken by a professional if they so desire and bring it in to apply to their license. On second thought that would mean longer lines so scrap that thought.
