Hello, Natterers!

I'm back from my annual 6 week disappearing act. I arrived home from northern MI early this week to discover that my home internet is not working. I suspect I may remain somewhat scarce until that is taken care of.

This morning was complete adult FAIL that seems to have turned into a WIN.

As I was cleaning house last night I came across my vehicle registration post card (seriously, a post card) which showed my reg expired in May. Two and a half months ago. Total fail.

This morning I went to DMV to pay the fine and get things fixed up. Found out that while the post card said "No emmissions test required", my certification had run out between when the reg was due and now. So I paid for a 10 day permit and went to get the emissions test. Paid then $25 fr the honor. Then back to DMV to get my stickers.

And now the fun part. Adding up the permit, emissions test, late fine, and registration which adding 3 months to bring me current, I paid about $188. Looking at the post card, adding the reg cost on that plus the emissions test (which I would have to pay with my next reg anyway), and 1/4 of a year's worth of reg, I come up with $180. So I only paid an $8 fine for being two and a half months late? I'm confused. Happy, but confused.

Wow, that's a nice break! A few years ago, I had the same thing happen with my registration--driving into work one day, it suddenly occurred to me that I hadn't gotten my new sticker. When I parked the car, I went around to look at the sticker and noticed that it said "November" and it was already March. Went into the Sec. of State's driver's facility that evening and found I just had to pay $20 extra for the new sticker. I was just happy that I hadn't gotten pulled over by a cop in those three months.

I've missed my registration window more than once in CA, and I've gotten dinged heavily every time. I'm such a doof. No one to blame but myself--most of the time I could have done it online with minimal fuss. It just got lost in a stack of paper.

The DMV clerk I dealt with was really cool. But there were signs everywhere about "DON'T BE LATE". Fines started at $25 and went up to $100 max. But there is no way I paid anything close to $25 late fee.

And yes, Kathy - so glad I never got pulled over. I would have had an utter stupid face cause I had no clue I overdue.

Oh, oh - another WIN. I stopped by the post office to mail the box of polish to Bev and there were people using both of the Priority Mail machines. I poked my head to the counters - no line. I was done with my package before either of the folks at the machine. Woot!!!

Because...there's so much money to be made in science?

Hey, you always hear about those million-dollar studies of things that are stupid! Clearly, the million dollars just go straight into somebody's pocket! Scientists are RICH.

ION, I might just leave early. We are now down to three of 7 people here in my department. Honestly, I could have taken a long lunch and not felt guilty about it, so why not leave 20 minutes early, right?

So Emeline is having a play date with her "boyfriend" today. They had lunch, went to Putt-Putt and are now hanging out at his house with his mom and Joe. I was kind of concerned about it because she has been quite a pistol the past couple of days. However, I just got this picture texted to me with the caption "Geek girl FTW": [link]

I'm gonna stop worrying about it now.

So far today has been FAIL, and it better turn into WIN really soon. I would like to be able to connect to the corporate network for more than 5 minutes at a time, because there is NO WAY IN HELL I am going to the office today.

But! Pete out fetching lunch and blessed, blessed coffee, and in 40 minutes, I make the LJ post for my clothing sale, which means I may have a bunch of spending money soon.

Now! That's What I Call a Bunch of Dogs Wiping Their Butts, Volume 1

This is a supercut of dogs wiping their butts all over the place set to Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 Prelude.