Get A Lfe

I had one of those moments I always believed this area was capable of, but never truly believed would ever happen.

Here's the scenario...
I was leaving my current, favorite store in the whole-wide-world, Costo, laughing and thoroughly enjoying a cool and needed, spiritual battery-charging phone conversation, with a NYC friend when I noticed a Harley biker-vest (look)-wearing, wallet-on-a-chain totin,' poop-kicking boots wearing, blue jean clad, black leather union army cap topped, 'salt-n-peppa' mutton chopped beard-havin'-man looking intently and tracking in my direction; his eyes hidden behind mirrored lenses.

I stopped and looked past me in the direction he was looking to see what he was looking at. Only to realize he may have been looking at me. Yeah, I knew. My heightened, New York Ninja senses are mostly wasted out here.
Then I remembered I had carelessly passed gas ten yards ago thinking I was downwind. Could the unthinkable have happened. Had a top hunter in the region sniffed me out? Was I in for a severe talking to? I thought to myself, 'don't be silly...'
Then I thought I had made some fashion faux pas by wearing a tie out back in the 'country' which could be as fatal as wearing red in Crip territory.

Then I thought that was silly too. This, after all, is forward-thinking Sacramento, the capitol of one of the great states in the union. I looked at myself in a vehicle I passed. I was moderately dressed - for NYC - collared blue shirt, tie, suit pants, nice square toed shoes - strolling to my car which was about 20-10 yards away and closing.

I looked at him again and his gaze seemed a bit more like a glare. Between the coverage of his over-sized Tom Cruise-esque aviator sunglasses, his small head and ample hair covering his skull and jowls it was near impossible to really tell if he was a very tanned white man or a light-skinned Black man. But as Forrest Gump said, "Stupid is as stupid does..." No matter the race or gender.

So, inquisitively, I asked him, "What is it? What did I miss?

He robustly replied, "I'm just waiting to see if you are going to get in your car and drive while you are talking on your phone..."

Really...

I can't make this sort of thing up.

"This is a hands-free state you know," he said again. As if his first comment wasn't stupid enough. Stealthily slipping through us was a Ford super duty truck, the kind with four wheels in the rear. It's occupant brazenly holding a cell to his ear and enjoying his conversation thoroughly.

I invited the gentleman to come to my church to which he replied something to the effect that only God could love me. I receive that! So, I invited him again. He turned and got into his truck.

I told my friend what had just happened. They heard the entire exchange.
And they said, "You know what?"
"Maybe you should have told him he was stupid. There are so many people walking around that just don't know they are. It's important that you tell them."

I wasn't really sure what to make of it and I certainly was not about to tell someone that stu-pod, stu-poid, whatever, that indeed they were. I'm sure that's how many a gun fight began back in the day... I can just see it.

Some folks really need to get a life.

New Califormia Driver License and ID Cards Released

“See it, Touch it, Trust it”

California DMV goes high-tech

By Gregory S. Cleghorne

Freelance Writer

California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) rolled out their newly designed and more secure driver license and identification cards today (Wednesday, Oct. 6) at the DMV field office in South Sacramento in an ongoing effort to improve driver license and ID card security.

The DMV’s supercharged cards are accompanied by the department’s new mantra, “See it, Touch it, Trust it,” referring to the license’ new look, feel and difficulty to counterfeit.

“The new security features, coupled with advanced technology, make California driver licenses and ID cards some of the most secure identification documents in the country,” said George Valverde, DMV Director. “We are confident they will be well-received by residents, business and law enforcement officials.”

Sacramento resident, Nicole Nesbitt, was understandably concerned about any monetary changes involved. “As long as there’s no additional cost, it’s cool,” she said.

One of the changes is the vertical format for the under 21 ID card, but the rest of the information remains the same. The high-tech models have more than just a new paint job. When the cards are held to a light, the image of a bear appears in a star-like formation and when held under ultraviolet light, embedded information is revealed. When touched, the cardholder’s raised signature and identifying numbers can be felt.

Annually, the DMV issues about 8.25 million driver licenses and ID cards to Californians and since the cards are designated as the state’s primary identification document, law enforcement officials and the DMV say it’s critical that it’s secure and accurate.

“We make millions of stops every year,” CHP Officer Mike Bradley said. “This will set the counterfeiters back about seven to 10 years.”

The cards, which have not changed since 2001, are the product of a joint task force including the CHP, DMV, Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC) and The Department of Homeland Security.

Matt Paulin, DMV Chief Deputy Director, summed up the changes with a touch of nostalgia, “The days of altering California licenses with a pen or a marker are over.”

Cardholders are not required to get new cards until the old ones expire unless they want one. Valverde said, “When it comes time to renew your card, DMV has many services that are offered online to help customers avoid going into to the field offices.”

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PHOTOS:

1501 - Matt Paulin, DMV Chief Deputy Director addresses the media with Steve Lerwill, CHP Division Chief, right and Jott Condie, far right, Executive Director, California Restaurant Association at the DMV South Sacramento field office.

1516 – Matt Paulin, DMV Chief Deputy Director explains the changes to the California driver license and ID cards.

1527 – CHP Officers Mike Bradley, left, and Adrian Quintero examine new license and ID cards

1536 – CHP Officer Jeanie Hoatson gives a news cameraman a close look at the new license and ID card.

1544 – Long line curls around DMV building in South Sacramento the day the new license and ID card are released.

1547 – Driver license replica.

1548 – Under 21 ID card is now vertical.