yakkity yak, don't talk back

there is just one thing i hate more than apples: INJUSTICE.

i went to the DMV today to contest a ticket that was returned to me on a fluke. i ended up in front of a judge who said "ignorance is as bad as breaking the law" because i misunderstood a commonly misunderstood paper (his words), i was sent to him by 

the supervisor who agreed i didn't need to pay a fine... ok, here's the back story: i had a headlight bust this summer, i was pulled over and the officer says "no worries, no fine, just get it fixed and send this ticket to us in 24 hours". i did all of the above. turns out the ticket was ignored and sent back to me saying all my lights were out and i need to go to court... yadda yadda yadda, i get more papers in the mail saying "you owe $60, you owe $85... your license is suspended". i go to the DMV today and say "i got the light fixed, whats up?". here's whats up: i get humiliated in front of a judge and other traffic violaters

, i start crying, i keep crying, the lady at the desk calls Albany and describes me as a "poor little girl" (felt pretty good to hear at that point, honestly)... but because i didn't come sooner, i have to pay $115. for WHAT? for not pointing out their mistake soon enough... so i have to return, and explain it to another judge sometime in February. not worth it, i think. i'll end up coughing up the money. despite my clean driving record, despite sending the ticket it on time, i am still guilty? 

i walked out of the DMV with puffy eyes and a face as red as my hat. i bought a full pack of cigarettes, a diet coke, and yelled "FUCK YOU DMV. SUCK MY -something i don't have- " in the parking garage. 

i felt so bad for the folks in there. most of them looked like they couldn't really afford to pay the outrageous fee's $115, $215. Some poor lady had to transfer funds at the last minute, and I saw she had a waitress uniform on. I'm sure there were people present that were truely guilty of dangerous driving, but everyone was treated the same: it's your fault; the more you talk, the more you pay up, sucker!

and now i must move on to better feelings. i'm going to the Old Toad for Dryden happy hour... gonna sip some hot mead and chat with friends i really enjoy... and knowing me, i'll tell this story to about 5 people, each time making it more and more dramatic... telling them i started a fire in the dmv and a giant middle finger was evoked (see above).