Fun at the DMV

[Enidah]

Recently I noticed that my drivers license was about to expire. Somehow the DMV had lost track of me and I needed to get over there and renew it quickly. It was the usual routine: stand in line, explain, get a number, sit and keep an eye on the number thing hanging from the ceiling so you don't miss your turn, go to another window, get more information, fill out forms, wonder who the hell all these strange people are and do they really live in my area

Finally get to the last window pay the money and hope my meds aren't about to cut out on me. Then get sent to the line to have my picture taken for my new license. Here is where it got interesting because when I went to have my picture taken I couldn't smile. I was determined to smile because I usually look so grim in my license picture and I thought I would change it up for once, but my face no longer worked. The muscles are gone on strike from all the stress and in my picture I simply look like I'm grimacing. I found this fascinating and started noticing that in my other pictures with family where I'm smiling that my smile has changed. I no longer have my big smile and my smile is also lopsided. So there you go oh, another notch in the PD belt. I am so grateful that I am 66 years old. That my kids are grown, that I get Social Security, and I don't have a mortgage. I can find these things amusing and interesting, but my heart goes out to the younger people with PD. I certainly would not have found it amusing or interesting were I younger and in a different situation.

[Serenity_finaly-1]

After my daughter failed at parallel parking 2x the DMV has become a sort of hell. I will go but for how long is anybodies guess.

[Enidah in reply to Serenity_finaly-1]

And why in the world is parallel parking even part of the test?! I lost that Talent about 5 years ago. I used to be magnificent at it. Now I drive a Mini and just scoot and going forward instead of backing up.

[M-o-ggy]

which country are you in?

[Enidah]

California

[pdpatient in reply to Enidah]

LoL. I love your answer 😂🤣👍👌

RKM - fellow Californian

[Lionore]

I avoid parallel parking whenever possible. It helps to be a suburban gal. For city appointments I take the train or my SO drives. Here in PA we can renew licenses online, don’t know if and when my age will cause a flag in the system. I have family in LA, San Fernando Valley and I’m in awe of how they drive the 12 lane freeways and park in such tiny lots.

[Sedona]

I hate having my photo taken, as my "smile" is not me, it's not how I feel inside.

[Cbgs]

Not only did I love taking pictures

I loved being in them

Alas PD has stolen that from me also

C!

[Alock2020]

I had a hellish experience getting my license renewed at the Maryland MVA. Had to stand in line for about an hour, concealing my arm tremor which is part of a vicious cycle as it feeds into my anxiety which feeds back to the tremor, and having to listen to the lady a couple of people behind me who felt compelled to make small talk. Managed to get through the process of providing documents and getting photographed, and even made a few jokes about Charles Bronson with the employees (I forget how that came up). After that, I managed to get to a bench far away from people, and sat down to calm my anxiety and shortness of breath. Typical panic attack; never had them before I was diagnosed with this wonderful disease.