Water from the sky, SSN, BA, DL

Rain, I believe it is called. Last night it did, the first time since early April, if I remember correctly. I really had forgotten how nice the smell of a proper storm can be. The downside, is that after so long without rain, the roads become somewhat slippery as all the spilled fuel immediately rises to the surface.

On other notes, I finally got my social security number, which is the be all, end all enabler in the US. Without one, you can't do anything at all.

I immediately went to the most local (to the office) bank, to set up an account. WaMu happens to be the closest and had me an account open inside 15 minutes, cashing my first $ salary cheque instantly. Go WaMu.

Finally, I went to the DMV to see what I had to do about my driving licence. They gave me some forms to fill in, might as well do it now, they said. So I did. Then they gave me an eye test, there and then. Both eyes were fine, left eye was fine, right eye was, well, I could read the sign, but I need to see an optician soon. Then they took my photo. Then they said "now you need to do this written exam, take this, go over 'there' come back when you're done".

Eeek. This I wasn't expecting, but it was too late, so what the heck. 36 multiple choice questions on the law and methods of safe driving. 6 wrong answers is a fail. Using the method of "read the question carefully and figure out which answers sound most ridiculous" I selected the most appropriate answer. I passed, with, I believe 35 out of 36.

GREAT! Thinks I, now to get a shiny licence. or license as they say here.

"When would you like to book your physical test?"

Whaaa?

Yes, it would appear that I have to take an actual driving test. Oh Joy. Apparently it's easy. 20 minutes of basic driving and simple maneuvers. Hmm, we'll see about that.