wolf Goes to Rehab (WAS: Tales from the New Nuthouse)

[wolf]

Not really a story from the rehab, but as I was heading home FROM the rehab, I have decided this counts ...

So, I was minding my own business, driving along, listening to my audiobook, and all of a sudden there were blue/reds flashing behind me.

No biggie. I know I wasn't speeding, so I figured the cop just wanted me to get out of his (or, as it turned out, her) way because there was an important meeting scheduled at the Dunkin Donuts.

I pulled off to the side, and waited for the officer to pass me ... and waited, as the cop pulled in behind me.

Bloody crap. I can't afford a ticket, but I swear I didn't do anything. No speeding, no littering, no rude gestures out the window ...

Cop walks up to the window and I poke my head out, ready to offer my license, registration, insurance card, and a bewildered look.

She steps into my sightline, and I look up and say, "Oh, Hi! What did I do?"

"Oh, it's YOU. Nothing."

"So, why am I pulled over?"

"Your license plate is unreadable."

"Oh, it's probably dirty. I'll give it a good clean when I get home."

"Cleaning won't help it. It has to be replaced."

Crap, I think. it's a vanity plate. They are fuck-all expensive to replace. I had it in my head that it would cost around $50 (and eventually it will, but not all at once)

Short version, I didn't get a ticket, got home and started looking into it. I could have replaced my current plate if I had the police fill out some form that I would have to get notarized, or I could apply for a new vanity plate for the princely sum of $20, plus I'll be paying to renew the tag when it comes up in a few months. But I did learn something ... the Commonwealth no longer automatically replaces all of the existing plates every 10 years, so they are more likely to become illegible over their life span.

My first choice place is now showing unavailable, with my second choice still available, so I know which one I'm getting.