Mercury in Retrograde????

Recently, I won a booze cruise to the Bahamas.* Overall, a happy occurrence; however, a passport is required to board. On the surface that seems like an easy enough endeavor; yet, I am not certain if Mercury is Retrograde in Alyssaland but everything that can go wrong has gone wrong this far this week.


Oh did I mention I won the drawing on 10/17/10 but my guest and I must supply our information by 11/1/10? Yep, on Friday we will be driving to Detroit to secure expedited licenses to travel abroad. Prior to said appointment I need to get a birth certificate and a Michigan Driver’s License.

Yesterday, opting not to travel in what was predicted to be Armageddon, we ventured to the Secretary of State (SOS) in Grand Haven to acquire my Driver’s License. Armed with the information required in Illinois, I am informed I need to prove I have a Social Security Number (W-2, pay stub or government issued card), my identity (birth certificate or Passport), I am who I say I am with a photo idea (my Illinois license or a High School Yearbook**) and residence (utility bills, insurance certificate or a lease). I guess they do not trust that other states are doing their due diligence. Also, are there that many people longing to live in Michigan that they will lie about it such that two proofs of residence are necessary?

Luckily, the weather reports greatly exaggerated the rain portion of the doom and gloom therefore we later drove to the booming metropolis of Grand Rapids where I obtained two copies of my certificate.

First thing this morning I returned to the Grand Heven SOS armed with a pay stub, my valid out of state drivers license and two bills addressed to my parents as I could legally prove a family relationship given the birth certificate. Except, that branch doesn’t open until 11:00 on Wednesdays. Crap. After this ass ache I am going to need a booze cruise.

Having a doctor’s appointment later, I opt to go to the office in Muskegon—a lower caliber of clientele***—as it is nearby.

Did I mention that we have wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour and I fear the clown car—the Red 1999 Ford Escort—will get swept into the sky and I will land in Oz?

No surprise, I enter the doctor’s office to be told I didn’t need to have the test after all. Um, maybe you could have mentioned that yesterday when you called to confirm the appointment?

I am in and out of the SOS within 20 minutes. I would have been out quicker but the clerk initially entered all my information for an ID Card as, “No one can qualify for licenses anymore.” Said another way Mollie spends a large portion of her day issuing photo identification for people whom, for whatever reason, the justice system of Muskegon have dubbed unfit to drive. Furthermore, she does that more than issue documentation allowing one to do so.

Soon, I will write a blog about Muskegon Drivers….till then I need to say I thought they allowed any moron to operate a motor vehical.

Friday, my sister and I head to D-town for Passports. I pray after all this effort they offer something other than Bud Light.

Later today, I rushed to the post office to mail something before 5:00. After flying by the Fruitport Branch twice, I entered the building to discover they close at 4:00. Nice.

I attended yoga tonight. I usually have no issue empting my day and being present. The sum total of the events from today annihilated my mellow and the relaxation came as a blessing.

Do you ever have days like mine? If so share with me.  If you know of anyone who can relate pass this on to them.

* Bud Light you are good for something. When life is good in Alyssaland When bad it is...well read this blog.


** They didn’t put a timeline on this and I was tempted to bring in my 1992 North Muskegon High School Yearbook.


*** Fortunately for me the only thing I witnessed was the woman who locked her and her toddler daughter out her car. How do you even accomplish that this day in age?

http://www.sos.state.mi.us/drlic/proof.html