I can't drive 55

This is my newest motto...and a very costly one. Over the weekend while committing an act of service I received another speeding ticket. The second one within 4 months. Now prior to this I have never received an actual ticket. Sure I've been pulled over but managed to be let off with a warning.

I am starting to think that the state of Virgina has it out for me. Now let me just tell you this wasn't a normal ticket. I was in the HOV lane and cruising with the flow of traffic the state trooper pulled me over 81/65...I explained I was going with the flow he didn't question me. I handed him my license...blah, blah, blah you all know the drill.

Well 3 mins later he tells me my licence has been suspended in the state of Virginia. I flip out in shock. Apparently when you get a ticket in the State of Virginia they report you to the DMV and if you don't show up for court and just pay the speeding fine the DMV flags your licence and suspends it. They mail you something notifying you of this procedure (in this case it went to my LA address - STILL an CA resident). Are you still with me?? OK...So I start to panic, he see it in my eyes and ask me to come to his car. Once in his car he explains that after I paid my first ticket I was to notify the DMV...LIKE I KNEW THIS! I asked why doesn't the City of Alexandria notify the DMV since they reported me. He says that's not their job. He is still trying to be kind but and hard ass. I sit in silence and he is not only giving me a FULL speeding ticket he is giving me a ticket for failure to operate with a current licence. He says I clearly didn't know this but has to give it to me and I have to resolve this immediately if I want to drive in VA. Now the person in my car isn't suppose to drive due to medical reasons. But now has to drive because I legally can't. Tears start to flow down my face. He is rambling about something and the only things I hear are felony and court appearance in some town of route 66 (then my mind goes to a Depeche Mode song). I get out state trooper car and the girl I am "helping" moves out of the passenger seat. She is behind the car talking. She gets in and she said off the record if we were to go to another exit and switch he could not stop us and you could still drive. Being the law abiding citizen I am and really want to stick it to the state of VA we quickly change back to original positions.

Now I am back in the drive seat totally calm and just telling myself it is just money and I get on the phone with the DMV. They say it is $85 to reinstate my licence and they won't mail me a clearance letter unless I pay $8 on top of the $85 and it is sent to my LA address. Now I'm super irritated with the woman on the phone and my passenger keeps apologizing...WHICH I am so OVER...let it go I was the one speeding. Starting to lose my cool I hung up with the DMV and tell this girl to talk about her boy woes.

So at this time I have a court appearance in Manassas on August 29th and can drive in the state in VA. So the saga will continue in the next few weeks.

FYI...don't drive like you are from the west coast when you are temporarily living on the east coast.