The License of a Terrorist

I was talking to a friend of mine this afternoon after I returned from frantically trying to take care of some things I'd put off longer than I wanted, or expected to.

One of those things was renewing my driver's license, which expired on my birthday this year. Thankfully in our state we have a 30-day grace period to get the thing renewed without being required to take a written or driving test.

One of the things that kept me from just renewing the license on the way home from work was that whole photo thing. I've NEVER been a tremendously photogenic person even though I think I'm not all that ugly in real life! So... in order to renew the license, it was imperative that I have enough time to actually make myself up - do the hair, do the make-up, business casual of course - no fake eyelashes or bosoms pushed up on a platter - or a saucer, which is far closer to the truth ;)

And, it's wintertime in the Midwest, so I had to be very careful that I didn't wear a coat that would make my hair all static-y and flyaway.

In other words, I was well and totally freaked out about the stupid picture - not about the eye exam or the peripheral vision part of the test, but the PICTURE.

After the obligatory wait in line, and then the half hour sitting wait for turn, my number was called. Tests taken, sent to wait for picture.

I combed my hair into place, fluffed this side, tucked that side behind ear, thought better of it, changed it back.

My turn. I stood in front of the background screen and the lady told me the new laws required no glasses on anyone, even if they wore them all the time. Glasses can be a disguise, you know.

And, you can't smile or look pleasant. You are told to stare into the camera lens, keep a straight face - don't even try for a glimmer of a smile.

Ready for my mug shot, Mr. DeMille?