I have to register my car, I’ve put it off for some time and so today I went to do it because I’ve almost run out of time before all of my Texas stuff expires. What a screwed up setup they’ve got here. Now, I know what you’re thinking, "There’s something stuck in my teeth." But you’re also probably thinking about how the government always has things screwed up. You’re probably right.

Anyhow, you should note that you must get your car inspected for emissions. I don’t know why, I know my car emits things, usually fumes that if I breath too much of I’ll die. Then, because I’m from out of state I had to have a VIN confirmation done. This is a check that costs an extra nine dollars. I figured it was cheaper than some checking systems because they must have to use computers to check to see if the car was reported stolen, or if there’s some issue with the car in the government records. If you were thinking along the same lines, you’re wrong, and so was I. Instead this check involved a gal looking at the VIN on my dashboard, the VIN on the side of my driver’s door [actually, it was the car’s dashboard and door] and the odometer reading. She signed the paper, I gave her my money and in $10 minutes flat she’d made just under $1.00 per minute. No computer checking software, no government database access, just two eyes, a pen and some paper and I was ‘legal’.

The fun didn’t stop their either because I had to go register the car now that it had been scientifically proven that my car emitted things from its tail pipe, the VIN numbers matched on my door and dashboard and my odometer was not showing 2 miles. I had to go to a building that was approximately 3 miles away and wait in a line to prove that I could pay more taxes and fees to own my Honda. I went up to the information desk and asked roughly how much registration might be. I had foolishly assumed that there might be some flat tax/fee that you pay and then they let you show that registration paper to the police if they so desire to see it. wrong. She told me it could be anywhere between $100.00 and $150.00 but she wasn’t sure, the computers would tell me [Sure use computers here].

The gal kindly called my number (the ticket said B29), "29." I rapidly stood up because all of the people working behind the counter called out numbers like it was an auction and I didn’t want to be skipped. One gal called out 24, waited (I’m not making this up) 3/4ths of a second and then called 25… So anyway I’m at the counter, she asks for my papers, I show them to her and she says after about 30 seconds, "Do you have registration that’s newer?" I told her not with me and so she sent me off and tomorrow I get to go again. The part that chaps my hide is that I already passed the VIN inspection which would in my humble opinion need the registration paperwork to prove that I’m me and that I own the car (or am making payments on it). So, tomorrow morning, bright and early I’m heading over there to register this car, I will do it, and I’m getting there before 7:00 AM, when they open.