Everyone talks about the horrendous lines and crowded waiting rooms when dealing with the DMV. It has become something of a cliche, really. I have been blessed with having never had to wait for more than 10 minutes at any DMV, ever. I can’t help but wonder if this is somehow related to the fact that Gladys seems to be my Godmother of sorts.

For those not familiar, Gladys is the goddess of parking and traffic. Every time you pay a toll or a parking meter, you are leaving money at her altars. If you don’t want to consider her deific or anything, just think of her as one of those spirits that Shakespeare was alluding to when he said “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” (Hamlet I,v,166) Personally, that’s more of how I consider Gladys. I was first introduced to the reference by my wife shortly after I met her for the first time.

Regardless of whether or not Gladys is a figment, deific, or “other,” I do know that I have remarkable luck in this field. Sure, I occasionally get stuck in traffic just like anyone else, but when it comes down to the wire and I actually NEED it to clear up, it does. Avenues of opportunity are made where previously there were none. A case in point: Mickey, her friend Julie, and myself were driving to a restaurant, and circled the lot for 5 minutes before we finally gave up — it didn’t look like anyone was even walking to their car. They got out so they could go get us a table, and I switched to the driver’s seat to continue to look for parking. 30 seconds later, I’d found a parking spot, right out front. This sort of stuff happens all the time. This is why I say that Gladys is my godmother.

Of course, the reason I bring this up is because we dealt with registering my car in Washington today. We drove less than a mile to the nearest location, took a ticket, and waited right around 10 minutes (not more) until we got to see someone. I had to fill out one form, show my title (which my father mailed to me, as I’d left it with him for safekeeping when I bought the car, and forgot to collect before moving), and pay a check. From the point of walking in the door to walking out the door, new plates in hand, it took maybe 20 minutes, tops. No emissions tests (car was new enough), no inspection necessary (other than emissions, they apparently don’t require inspection). They only even asked for one form of ID.

As I was putting on the plates out in front of the apartment, our neighbor happened to show up and chatted briefly. He was awestruck that the whole process went so quickly. Apparently when he moved from Utah, he had to show three forms of identification, did an emissions test, and then a background check with the police to check the VIN #. The whole process took him most of a day.

Yep, Gladys is DEFINITELY my godmother.