Bureau of Motor Vehicles

I think it's fair to say that most BMVs (or DMV's depending on your state) have bad reputations. Drab decor, grumpy workers, endless lines... I still clearly remember my first trip to a DMV (in Massachusetts) to get my driving permit and whoa. An eye-opener on the ugliness of mankind.

So, it's always with a little trepidation that I go into a BMV. Yesterday was one of those days. My husband and I have birthdays a day apart, which are coming up, and it was time to renew our licenses. We drove to the BMV in the next town over and yes, the decor was drab, but the line was short, the clerk exceptionally nice and friendly, and we were in and out in no time. And my picture isn't so bad! A miracle. Though with Ohio's new licenses, the picture takes up a big chunk of real estate, a huge square of face. I really don't need to see my giant face every time I open my wallet. Really.

And hey, I had an idea for the BMV to make some (more) money. I think they should start offering air brushing for a fee (would come in handy with the new giant face look--I'd have forked over the extra cash) and also offer retakes of pictures for a fee if you don't like first one (my husband would probably have taken a do-over as he looks a bit thuggish in his pic). Everything is digital now--it'd be so easy. Ah, to dream.

All in all a good experience, but thankfully four more years before I have to do it again. And maybe the BMV will put a nice cheery color on the wall by then.