Losing My Oregon-ness

They make it rather impossible for DC transplants to maintain their other-state identity. Or maybe I it’s just a way to discourage the ownership of cars in the District. It’s true, there is no right to drive a Car in the Constitution but I have mine in DC. Hey, I drove out here and am a little scared of the idea of not being able to get out of the city and away from the hustle and bustle as often as I want to. That said, it’s been two weeks and I have had to plan several a day around my car. First I could not venture more than 2 hours away from it because of the zoned parking that required either a permit, which I didn’t have yet, or two-hour limit. So I stuck close the apt and moved it every few hours.

My big plan was to get “reciprocity” which is a thing you pay the DMV for to allow you to keep out of state plates and park in the District. This costs 240 bucks and is only good for 6 months. But in going to the police precinct to get my temporary parking permit, which you have to show a copy of your lease to get *Thank god the copy of the sublease that I wrote up worked, the nice lady told me I probably wouldn’t get it because you have to prove that you may only be here for 6 months. Can’t anyone prove that you might only be here for 6 months? I mean it’s not like I enlisted. At will employment?

To prevent this from becoming the longest entry to date I will jump to the end. I decided it was worth it to pay the 259 to just have my car registered in DC, giving up my precious Oregon plates and also surrendering my Oregon Driver’s License, which will prevent me from being able to vote in the November election in Oregon. I was ready to do this yesterday. Really I was. I made it all the way to the vehicle testing center, the first stop in this madness and I passed inspection except for the crack in my windshield. Oh my GOD. I was so frustrated. Why don’t they say that on the website or at least let me go with on a contingency that I have to fix it within 30 days? Now I am back at square one. I have to get another temporary permit so that I can make it til next Saturday without getting a ticket. I have to have my windshield fixed. But I have one more week to be an Oregonian and will I ever really change?