Rose should like this one...

Last night I got to the Coleman Dock (Seattle Ferry Terminal) at just a bit after 11pm, and since the next ferry isn't until 12:15am, I had a nice long wait. For some reason, since I knew I had all the time in the world, I just idled my car over to the lane, at about 6 MPH. The speed limit is 10, and I don't think I've ever seen anyone able to obey such a low speed limit. As I'm idling along, I notice that the State Trooper car under the terminal has his parking lights on, and there's actually someone in it. Usually they just park there and wander around patrolling and stuff. Thanks to Homeland Security and stuff.

Anyway, I think nothing of it and roll into my spot and start playing Pokémon Gold on my Gameboy Color. (That's right, I'm not afraid to admit I play Pokémon). I'm just wandering around looking for trainer battles, since those are about the only thing that can give me decent cash and experience points...

Suddenly, some guy outside my window asks me how I'm doing, or some other breaking-the-ice comment. It spooked me, but what was I to expect with leaving my window rolled down. I look up and it's the Stater. Heart accelerating... don't panic... don't panic...

Basically, he was more curious than pursuant. When he randomly ran my plates (random? yeah right. classic car, personalized plates, scruffian behind the wheel; he was biased) he found that the car was considered totaled by the insurance company and wondered what was up. He mentioned things like junkyard and auction. Kinda made me think that he likes old cars and was wondering if I was getting rid of it - or how I had acquired it, since he never asked who I was, nor if it was my car.

I told him I was in an accident (Sherlock Holmes says: Implication of ownership prior to Total Loss established) and that the estimate of damage exceeded the Insurance Company's estimate of worth, so I now had to do a lot of crap, including getting a VIN inspection and getting a temporary registration pending reissued plates. As soon as I mentioned the temporary registration, I instinctively picked them up off the seat next to me and... that's where the fun begins.

Suddenly, Mr. WSP changes from Curious George into the Iron Hand of the Law. He whips out his big black flashlight, holds out his hand towards the temp registration, and demands to see it. Whereas before my heartrate had calmed and I was all open and stuff, now I paniced again and just tried to stay composed.

Did I mention the whole time this is happening, the midi melody from Pokémon is just chirping away from my left hand? I guess not... I wanted so desperately to turn it off, but I'd played for a half hour with some significant wealth and level increases - not something I just wanted to lose without saving.

After looking it over, he returns to Curious George, saying that the DB (I had to chuckle inside that he actually said dee-bee - I thought only geeks did. Oh yeah, that's database for those who don't know) had my plates as registration suspended. I never bothered pointing out the temporary plate in my back window, held up by my shark stuffed-animal. I had to explain that I couldn't be reissued plates until after my VIN inspection with the Washington State Patrol (hint hint) on November 10th.

He thanked me for the info, and I returned to playing my game...

Recap: Car's fixed and fine. Band site is up sans content. Moving into new house w/ fiance is slow...

In fact, I'm not sure if I ever mentioned our new house... I guess it was just a hectic 6 weeks in acquiring it, and a steady past 3 weeks getting moved in and organized. We don't have DSL yet, so I've been on very little, which probably explains the lack of updating.

So, yeah. Not living in an apartment anymore.

Which brings me to the entry at hand. I love my Snugglebunny.

I'm sitting here rocking out to Grenadine after I spent a few hours yesterday frantically transferring all of the band's website from plain HTML into PHP includes and stuff.

I was particularly proud of my work, and how quickly it all went as well. So, go check out Verdigris.net.

(Notice I'm not even getting into the fact that the pImpala's transmission melted down on me on Friday morning or that it's gonna cost some $1400 to get the damn thing fixed).

I meant to update this yesterday because I have news about...

        The Ongoing Saga of the pImpala

Yeah. Quick recap, eh? April 3rd, a young lady was so kind as to back into the side of my car. (At this point, details of the accident are rather irrelevant.) Her insurance company was contacted. She lied about the incident. No blame ("liability") could be assessed, so there was no resolution there. My insurance company considered the "collision" a total loss and used other viscious terms such as "totalled", "destroyed" and "you're fucked, punk" to describe the situation.

Now, on to the new stuff... On September 18th (I think?) I received the insurance reimbursement. $819.09 to cover some $2500+ worth of damage. Oh yeah, and it's just cosmetic damage. The car is fine...

Thursday, October 2nd, I got a letter from the Washington State Department of Licensing letting me know that my title and registration for my car had been canceled.

(I'll let that sink in a bit before I continue.)

According to the letter, it was no longer legal for me to drive my car on public roads or highways, nor park on public roads. There were some other things in there that it told me to do, including scheduling a VIN inspection with the Washington State Patrol. I called the WSP and their first available time was November 10th at 9:30am. That's 5 fucking weeks away. How the fuck am I going to manage without a car for 5 weeks?

Well, let's not fret yet. Also in the letter was instructions to get a transit permit. This suggestion was made at least 3 times in the 2.25 page letter. The requirements were title/registration and a scheduled VIN inspection. My parents were so kind as to drive me (What, am I 15 again?) to the DOL. After about 5 minutes and a $3.50 cheque, I had my transit permit, and some very depressing news.

The transit permit is good for the day of, and the day after the VIN inspection, only.

This brings me back to the whole how-can-I-survive-without-a-car question. The band? Work? Random trips to Subway?

I re-read the letter. True that 2 of the 3 references were about the transit permit but the third was actually about a 60-day total loss temporary permit application which is probably where I got the whole impression that the transit permit would solve all my problems. I filled out and printed out the form online, and the next morning (yesterday) took that in to the DOL. And $74.50 later I've got my temporary registration.

So, I can drive again. Temporary setback solved by the gratuitous use of money and stress. I'd like to thank the DOL, WSP, State Farm, PEMCO, and Heather McIntee for making this all possible.