I decided, for no reason at all, to get with the California lifestyle 100%. I've got a hot tub on a redwood deck, I eat semi-soft cheeses, I wear a coat when the temperature drops below 65 degrees, I figured I might as well go all the way and get a personalized license plate. I originally wanted to get '11011', but that was taken. So I chose the next best thing. And when anyone askes me what it means I can say, with a completely straight face, "27". As it turned out, the lady at the DMV window brought out the envelope with the plates and the first thing she said when she pulled them out was "So what is 3 cubed?". I replied, with a not so straight a face, "27". You had to be there I guess. Or maybe not, even. It was funny to me anyway...

The DMV here is great in that you can make an appointment instead of go down there and wait. I was in and out in about 45 minutes, including a trip to the ATM to get cash (they take cash, checks, money orders and I've been living la vida debit card for so long I don't even know what color our checks are). You can call them and arrange a time over the phone through their automated system, or you can do it online. The problem with both systems is that you can make an apointment for either vehicle registration things or driver's license things, but not both -- even though the windows for each type of transaction are right next to each other. I found out recently that my license was expired and wanted to get it renewed, but I had to make a new appointment. (Although now that I think about it, I believe I wanted to get the custom plates because I knew I had to get a license, which involved a trip there anyway. I think.) I tried to sneak over to the driver's license window and sign in, but they are obviously accustomed to dealing with my sort of not-so-clever subterfuge and they sent me packing. I didn't mind so much, since it would have meant another trip to the ATM to get cash. And I didn't really comb my hair that much before I left the house.

From now on, I think I'm going to do as much as I can at the AAA office. They do almost everything (as long as it doesn't involve a new picture).