musing from and about my life

I was lucky enough that my office was closed for New Years Eve - now this is not such a big deal - we didn't have big plans but decided that this would be the perfect day to transfer my drivers license to a New York State one.

So on our rare weekly day off decided that it  would be time to do - after all I know have a permanent home and want to make this my home in every way and that includes the drivers license.

So I found out where to go and gathered my documents that reflected my current adress so that I could show that I didn't live in a PO Box.  I had my Texas DL, My expired Passport to prove who I am and a current utility bill and credit card statement showing the sunnyside address.

Arrived at the DMV location went to the window to get my instructions on what and where - this is the DMV afterall - and was promptly stopped from going any further.  Why you ask - did i have a warrent, was I a felon or convict out on parole.  No! My TDL does not have the date that it was issued to me originally.  The nice man told me that texas does not have a reciprication process with NY and therefore, I will need to get a copy of my driving record.

Also I would need to produce a copy of my Social Security Card it seems that since 9/11 your SS card has some sort of identification

I have not had a copy of that little paper card since back in the 80's when the group I was out with was mugged at gunpoint - but that would be another story.  Well since I couldn't get my DL the nice clerk said that the SS office was just a few blocks away I was at 34th street and the SS office is at 48th so a nice walk uptown had the time.  I got to the SS office and found out that since I live in Queens I had to go to the Queens SS Office.

So I took the train to past the airport - to get to the correct SS office.  Now this is where life seemed to be in my favor - I got there at 1141 based on the time stamp and was finished requesting my replacement card which I should have in about 2 weeks by 1215 so that took me all of about 30 minutes.  Not bad for a government office.

Now the strange part - is I don't have my DL, or My SS card, or my Driving Record.  But its all been requested and started   And I've been thinking about this in the wake of terrorism  threats, illegal imigration, and TSA security checks, it seems to me that at somepoint we are all going to be needing to have "our papers" to prove who we are and where we belong.

I can remember when we the for W9 form was started to root out illegal imigration as part of employment requirements and when you look at the list of how you could prove your citizenship,   Was US Passport, or Local State ID ie drivers license.  social security card, or military discharge form DD214.  Well at that time I was able to use my TDL and DD214.
 
Now i remember having one problem with a company and I personally thought that it was silly at the time but I met with an employer that wouldn't offer me the job because they weren't familar with anyone that didn't have a SS card? I flippantly said to the HR department that if that was the issue then I should be deported because I could use the trip to europe.  Exteme yes but I did make my point but didn't get the job at the time.

Currently a simple act of following the law - proving residency - having a current license in the state that I am living has become an adventure that has involved 3 government agency and 2 states and I still need to renew my passport.