The 22nd Terrace of Purgatory
I always loved Dante's description of the afterlife, with its Circles of Hell and especially the Terraces of Purgatory beyond. The word terrace conjures up a lovely outdoor patio setting with white lattice and vines and maybe a bougainvillea. That doesn't sound so terrible, right?
Today, upon discovering that my vehicle registration was about to expire, I made the cross-town trek to the edge of the Corvallis map and the terrace of purgatory that is the Department of Motor Vehicles. I stepped in the door and was bestowed with the almighty number 22. I glanced at the wall and discovered that they had just called number 5.
Why is it that the DMV only has copies of Ladies' Home Journal and Good Housekeeping? I think I spotted an ancient National Geographic across the room, but I don't think the gentleman reading it would've swapped a story about Tibet for "Can this marriage be saved?" I did like the display of license plates encircling the room, especially the one from Jordan with the funky Arabic numbers right above the Western-style numbers. I was starting to count them, but was called before I could finish and post the total.
It really wasn't all bad. The people working at the Corvallis DMV were genuinely friendly and helpful, once my number was finally called. I also was kindly informed that I could've saved myself the drive and renewed my registration online. D'oh!
Since the DMV relocated to the outer reaches and sold their former, more convenient building to the Salbasgeon Suites to be used as a meeting hall (and check out the mood lighting they added!), it's nice to discover that there is a much easier route than the one I took this morning. That probably wasn't much help to the lady who drew number 57 as we were leaving, though.
Today, upon discovering that my vehicle registration was about to expire, I made the cross-town trek to the edge of the Corvallis map and the terrace of purgatory that is the Department of Motor Vehicles. I stepped in the door and was bestowed with the almighty number 22. I glanced at the wall and discovered that they had just called number 5.
Why is it that the DMV only has copies of Ladies' Home Journal and Good Housekeeping? I think I spotted an ancient National Geographic across the room, but I don't think the gentleman reading it would've swapped a story about Tibet for "Can this marriage be saved?" I did like the display of license plates encircling the room, especially the one from Jordan with the funky Arabic numbers right above the Western-style numbers. I was starting to count them, but was called before I could finish and post the total.
It really wasn't all bad. The people working at the Corvallis DMV were genuinely friendly and helpful, once my number was finally called. I also was kindly informed that I could've saved myself the drive and renewed my registration online. D'oh!
Since the DMV relocated to the outer reaches and sold their former, more convenient building to the Salbasgeon Suites to be used as a meeting hall (and check out the mood lighting they added!), it's nice to discover that there is a much easier route than the one I took this morning. That probably wasn't much help to the lady who drew number 57 as we were leaving, though.
posted by Corvallist at
4:47 PM
4 Comments:
I had to go to DMV three times because I kept forgetting things and I never waited more than 5 minutes. When I was in Portland I never waited less than 15 minutes.
And the Salbasgeon Suites room is pretty awesome as an event space- It's weird (but logical) to think that the DMV built it. The picture was taken at that magical hour before impending night making it seem much cooler than it actually is.
By
Clinton, at 12:03 AM
I hate sitting and waiting at places like the DMV. The one here is much better than Indiana DMVs, that's for sure.
By
crallspace, at 8:33 AM
Was it me?? I was there waiting (and waiting...)for thing 1 to pass his permit test. No luck that day, so I'll be waiting again on Monday : )
By
Unknown, at 1:55 PM
Corvallist kid was with me, so I'm sure she would've said something. ;) Lots of kids with permit tests that day, though!
By
Corvallist, at 2:24 PM
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