Sunday, January 25, 2009

I follow the rules

I have a reputation among my friends at work for being a stickler for the rules. One even used a label maker to affix the phrase "I FOLLOW THE RULES" to my work laptop last year. When my coworkers want to cross the street against a "Don't walk" sign, I hold back. When we were at Greenbuild last year, and they wanted to skip an all-staff meeting so we could make some progress on our demands in the press room, I got nervous. And when I sold my car this summer, they all thought it was hilariously unnecessary when I went out of my way to use my lunch break to walk to the DMV and return my license plates. "I still have my license plates from a car I sold three years ago," they said. "The DMV doesn't actually expect you to return your plates, even if it says so on their Web site," they said. But I did it anyway. And I kept the receipt.

And then, on Thursday, I got a letter in the mail. From the DMV. It was a NOTICE OF UNSATISFIED PARKING TICKETS. It accused me of failing to pay a parking ticket I received on Dec. 14 for parking in an alley at 13th and S streets. The ticket was attributed to a car with plates reading CX1904 - my old plates - but the car was a Chevrolet. It seems that either the parking enforcement officer incorrectly transcribed the plate number, or someone new has been assigned my plates but the DMV records have not been updated, or someone is using fraudulent plates with my old plates' number. So I called the DMV, and I was instructed to write a letter and send it to their office, along with a copy of the notice and my receipt for turning in my plates.

A receipt which I have.

A receipt which none of my coworkers would have had, given the same situation.

I follow the rules.

13 comments:

Marie said...

I absolutely love that you follow the rules! You would never catch me mocking you over that -- only praising and honoring. I also try to be an obedient/honest person, and I think this world would be a better place if more people were that way. Even the little things matter. Hooray for Doug!

amelia said...

I'm impressed - I never keep receipts. And, haha, you are a total rule follower. It's great.

Joe said...

It's nice to have the last laugh. I try to have one at least once a week if not once a day.

Unknown said...

However.....if you still had both plates...then maybe the whole fiasco wouldn't have happened. I really am quite the opposite of you...but then again I am pretty sure I am single handedly funding "Downtown Rising" with the money I have paid in parking tickets....that really kills me that you actually walked to the DMV to return your plates....only you...hahaha

Debra said...

You're a great story teller. Did you know that? I could have had the same thing happen to me and if I ever tried to relay the story I would put my audience to sleep...but with you? You put things in such a way that it is seriously a pleasure to read.

I wouldn't be surprised if you have a movie producer calling you up soon to ask for the rights to this story. Gosh, with the right music it could be another 'Rudy' or 'Hoosiers' or any other movie about an underdog coming out on top because of hard work and right choices :)

Love it!

Will and Michelle Ridd said...

Thanks for the laugh... I agree with Debra, you tell things in such a great way! I love it!

King Jimmie said...

You tool.


I tease! You kick ass.

WendyL said...

You are hilarious.
And you make me proud.

Will and Michelle Ridd said...

Thanks for the condolences...Phil will definitely be missed :(

Jeanne said...

You were always such an obedient child. You make your mother proud:)

Unknown said...

Nice one. I don't know how many times having a receipt has saved me. Whether it's something showing up wrong on a credit card or things more like your story here. Awesome narrative. :)

whittaker whites said...

your coworkers sound awesome.

rebellious, modern day heroes!

Anonymous said...

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