Breathe
Today I relaxed. In what was to be one of the worst days for me, I got to breathe and relax. My trip to Vincennes, IN was put off, I need a break and I can do one of presentations later. It worked out well.

So today I figured I would relax, get my car from the shop, get insurance, finish up some school work, and sleep in. However I got a phone call at 8 am so I didn't get to sleep in, then I find out my shop did not get the part in for my car, and I can't find a good deal for insurance.

I was surprised that no one had horror stories about the Secretary of State. What? Every time I go it sucks, the old ladies behind the counter are all mean, and I have to wait forever. This time was no exception.

You go, and then you wait in a line. But the first line is just for you to tell some lady what you are there for. She gives out the ticker number, and whatever paperwork you need to fill out. Why can't they just post signs, which tell me to grab a number, and what forms I need. I can get my own number, I do it at the deli, I think I can do it at the Secretary of State Office. Then you sit and wait, wait for the numbers to go until they get to you, and for some reason you get excited when it is the number before you. Even though you know that number will take the longest, just because it is the number before yours.

They call my number, I hand them the form, which asked me three important questions, one of which was: Have I ever had a seizure while driving? NO. And if I had, would I seriously put Yes knowing it would mean I would not get my license? Then it asks me to write down height, eye color and weight. I could write anything I want. There was no scale, no tape measure... Come on now...

Finally I get up there, they ask for a few bucks, and then have to check my vision. "Are you wearing contacts?", the lady asks. Once again, they believe whatever I say and ask me to look in the little black box. Oh well, I got a new license coming in the mail.

Now I just need my car back, and find an insurance company. Wish me luck.

No car. No license. No fun.
The car did not get done today, the part came in late so I get it tomorrow. Then I decided I better just rent a car to drive to Indiana for my presentation on Thursday. So I go to www.enterprise.com to rent a car (I get a super discount through GVSU), when I am filling out the form it asked for divers license expiration date, so I take out my license to look...

I did not know your license expires when you turn 25. Seriously, I did not know. I plead ignorance on this and I mean it. So add another thing I have to do tomorrow, getting a new license. Tomorrow will be packed.

I have a Division of Student Services meeting in the morning, hopefully this one will be more exciting then the rest. Then I get to run to the Secretary of State Office, sit there forever waiting to get terrible customer service, take an ugly picture, have them lie to me about how long it will take for me to get my new license in the mail, and wonder why I bother paying taxes for such crappy service.

After the exciting trip to the Secretary of State Office I more then likely will have no desire to do anything else, but I still have a packed day. What will keep me going is that I have an exciting presentation on Thursday. The presentation I will be a part of at Vincennes University in Indiana is the first trial run of a new program from CampuSpeak, the company I am doing research for right now. If it goes well, it could mean more traveling and public presenting and speaking for me.

Well I got to run and get some rest, long day tomorrow. Feel free to share your success stories at the Secretary of State Office on my blog.

Productive
I wanted to see Novalí this weekend. Because of my car I was not able to, and did not have enough time to look into the train or other transportation. Since I did not get to go to Chicago I figured I would stay in and be productive.

I got a lot done. Washed the huge pile of clothes that took over the corner of my room. I am now practically done with all the paperwork for my internship class. Finally got to Walmart and picked up the last few apartment things I have been needing to get. I cleaned the kitchen with Hermen (he is the other clean roommate), we even tossed all that old crap in the fridge out. I read some research articles for one of my classes. Completed paperwork for my practicum class, and got closer to getting that finished.

For fun stuff, no I did not go out at all, I went to Best Buy and spent the gift certificate my parents gave me for my birthday. I got my amp, so now I got all the stereo stuff for my car, just need time to install it.

Sorry there is nothing funny in this post. This is the typical, boring story blog from Sam you all grew to love. I was not in the mood for funny this weekend.

Tonight I am trying to get more school work done, then get some rest and hopefully get some good news about my car in the morning. Keeping my fingers crossed, I need some good news right about now...