Anything That Can Go Wrong, Will Go Wrong

Today, in preparation for our trip to Niagara Falls, Anthony and I went to apply for our passport cards.  We decided to make a day of it, getting our passport cards, going out to dinner, and doing some necessary shopping, combining business with pleasure.  We had looked online to figure out where we could get our passport stuff done at.  We decided on the Wooster Post Office as it was the only close place that would both take your passport photo and process your application.

I had no reason to believe that this process would be complicated, but I suppose I am hopelessly optimistic like that (or just plain naive).  I don't know why I ever thought anything concerning the government or government offices/institutions/employees would be quick, easy, or painless.  I don't mean to sound anti-government, but it has been a rough day.

We arrived at the post office and waited in line for our turn.  There were a few people behind us but the place wasn't overly busy.  When it was our turn, we stated that we needed to have our passport photos taken.  The lady who was helping us rudely said, "Well, I'm not going to do that for you.  If you want it done you are going to have to wait until it's not so busy, so you are going to be waiting awhile." 

Now commence the complaining (sorry, i need to vent).  The other post office employee was tied up with a woman that was doing who knows what.  She had a HUGE stack of something he was processing and was going to be tied up for awhile.  I understand her frustration.  But excuse me.  You advertised a service.  We have come here for said service.  We waited in line like everyone else.  We should be served, regardless of what service we are asking for.  We shouldn't be told to go stand in the corner and wait for a less busy time.  Everyone else will just have to wait their turn, just as we did.  That's life.  I mean seriously, have you ever been told at the grocery store that you have to go to the end of the line because they are busy and you have too many items.  Have you ever went to the bank with a bunch of transactions needing to be made and told that, after waiting your turn, they refuse to help you because they are too busy.  No!  It's just ridiculous.

She told us the BMV offers the same service and where it was located.  She clearly had no interest in serving us and was hoping we would leave.  So we decided to head to the BMV.  Well, the BMV wasn't exactly where Anthony thought it was (it had moved to a building behind the one it used to be in).  So when we didn't find it, someone thought the best solution would be to wander downtown Wooster looking for the street the post office said it was on.  I suggested asking for directions, but guys don't ask for directions.  He was sure he had seen the street before.

After 20 minutes of wandering aimlessly, we decided to go check out the building Anthony thought it was in, even though the BMV wasn't listed on the sign outdoor.  So we headed into that building to look for it.  Then we saw the sign posted on the door stating that the BMV had moved to the building behind.  So we attempted to drive behind the building and park closer, which would prove to be a dumb idea.  The street leading to the parking lot of the BMV was closed of due to the fair.  So we ended up spending 10 minutes driving in a big circle only to park where we had been, and walk to the BMV.

Once inside the building, we saw signs posted for passport stuff on the door of the Title Office, not the BMV.  Once inside the Title Office, we learned that the post office lady had wrongly told us that they did passport photos.  So we left and went to Discount DrugMart to have our photos taken.  Upon returning, we learned we would need to write three separate checks (one for the fee for each passport card and one combined check for the processing fee for each passport application).  Wouldn't you know it, we only had two checks in the check book, no cash on us, and they didn't take credit card.  So then Anthony had to run to the ATM.

Once all was said and done, Anthony looked at me and said "At some point it's just kind of comical, don't you think?".  NO, I do not think so.  I had had enough.  But I hope all of you reading this find the humor in the situation.  It took us two hours to get it all taken care of.  I'd like to think if had we stayed at the post office, we would have been done before that...but with that lady, who knows.

And don't even get me started on my trip to Kohl's to buy something off a registry for a bridal shower.  I would tell you all about it, but I have done enough complaining...and now I feel better.

Sincerely,
Grumplestiltskin