DMV Nightmare

I hold a current Class B CDL, and have ever since the early `90's when Kommiecticut finally decided to get on board with the rest of the country. I previously held a state Class II, which meant an easy conversion to CDL B with a written test and $10 fee. It was during this conversion, that the state DMV, without even a learners permit or driving test, accidentally added the "M" motorcycle endorsement. I had ridden motorcycles without a license for years, and actually attempted to get it twice before. Unfortunately both times, the dude whose bike I was going to use to take my test was no longer around and the learners permit expired. 

I received the following notice in late May, but misplaced it in a pile of papers. I found it as the expiration date approached and Saturday the 9th was the only day I could get to DMV. You see, when the DMV started letting you do transactions on-line, they cut back their hours. They used to have a late day on Thursday, being open until 8 PM, but not any more. Someone like me that works 6 AM to 6 PM every weekday, means I am screwed and can only go on a Saturday.  In Kommiecticut, if you are a AAA member and have a standard drivers license you can renew at the local AAA office. Not if you have a CDL... as the notice says; "YOU MUST APPEAR IN PERSON" and "** YOU MUST GO TO DMV OFFICE TO RENEW **"

DMV license renewal, personal info redacted

Okay, so I made the following plans for Saturday: the weather will be beautiful so I am taking my bike. First, go to DMV and be there when they open. The process is simply to verify my records are in order, take a picture, and pay the fee. Done in 5 minutes and I don't even get the new license, they mail it to you. Next, go grab breakfast somewhere close by the DMV office. A quick trip to get some essentials at Wally World, and then go do a Patriot Guard mission in the next town over. It was a cemetery flag line only; no funeral home, procession escorts, or church service. I'd be home by 12:30.... HA!

Imagine playing a baseball game against state government. It is the bottom of the sixth inning and they are up by one run. Before anyone takes the field to start the seventh, they get the umpire to change the rules, call the game, and declare them the winner. That's kinda what happened here. Apparently, the Kommiecticut DMV is still operating under Chi-Com Xi Flu lock-down rules. You need to make an appointment ahead of time for everything. Unless I am blind, NOWHERE on this notice does it say such a thing, just that I have to appear in person (notice the language sounds eerily familiar to a criminal court summons). We were lined up outside waiting for the door to open, not a very big line. When I got to the door, the hefty bull-dyke DMV cop (she was actually very nice and helpful) asks to see my appointment confirmation. When I tell her I don't have one and nothing told me I needed one, she says she is sorry but I can not proceed in, and then assisted me in going to the DMV website on my phone to try and get a later morning appointment. I request earliest available appointment at the Willimantic office, and it tells me late afternoon Tuesday July 12th. SHIT! As the notice states at the bottom. a $25 fee will be charged for renewing late, no grace period, and I can't take that hit. She suggests trying the next closest office in Norwich. I try the same appointment request and BINGO! there is one available at 10:40. Unfortunately, that blows the Patriot Guard mission which takes place at the same time. I hop on the bike and head for Norwich.

Because it was a little after 8 AM when I hit the road, I decided to go to the McDonald's just across from DMV. The only thing I ever get at Mickey D's is breakfast, specifically the #5, a bacon-egg-cheese McGriddle with a hash brown and medium black coffee combo. I ate it inside the dining room, hit the restroom and saddled up to head to Norwich.

I next went to Wally World before the DMV since there was one in Norwich across RT. 82 from the DMV office and I had plenty of time before my appointment. I got my purchases quickly and moved my bike to the far end of the parking lot where there was a large shady area. I hung out for the next 50 minutes in the shade listening to tunes on the bike. At 10:30 I saddled up and drove the mile or so to DMV. I walked in, showed my confirmation on my phone, and had a seat. I waited about 5 minutes before I got called to the window. The office is still set up for Chi-Com Xi Flu lock-down with decals on the floor, separated chairs, and Plexiglas guards everywhere. Great... the window I get called to is staffed by the only dope in the whole place wearing a fucking face diaper behind her Plexiglas bubble. I can't hear a fucking thing she mumbles so every time I make her say it again... LOUDER! sometimes twice. The transaction went exactly as planned and lasted 5 minutes. I was out of there with a paper copy of my new license to carry as a temporary until the permanent card arrives.

On the way back I stopped to get gas at a station that has the lowest prices in the area. $4.16 per gallon, still $2 too high (FUCK JOE BIDEN!). I spot an opening and weave my bike through the cars at the pumps. Unfortunately, an older couple was coming around the island as I threw down the kickstand. She starts screaming and pointing because I got there first claiming I cut her off. I told her to calm down and stay where she was, I will be out of there quick and she won't lose her place. It took me about 4 minutes to grab a quick fill-up and I pulled out between her and another car and she was able to pull forward to the pump. I pulled into a parking place away from the pumps to put my helmet and gloves back on.

So the morning was a bust as far as doing the Patriot Guard mission. I feel kinda bad since I have not been able to do a PGR mission since last October. I work so many more hours I rarely have a weekday off and when I do there is no mission. Then if there is one on the weekend, I can't go because I am catching up on yard work or other chores. However, I did end up spending more ass time in the saddle of "The Beast" getting a much longer ride on a gorgeous sunny day.

78 Years Ago Today

The Hartford Circus Fire - July 6, 1944

6,800 souls were in attendance inside the Big Top when it went up. 168 perished, and approximately 600 were injured.

The canvas was waterproofed against rain with a mixture of paraffin wax and gasoline.

It is thought the fire was been started by a careless smoker, but no one really knows.

The absolute best resource, including color movie of the Big Top going up in flames.

My dearly departed Father was 10 years old at the time. He lived 20 miles from the site of the disaster in Willimansett, MA. All he would ever say about that day was "it was the day the clowns cried" and nothing more. I mean go silent and kinda walk away.  I don't believe he was there because I am positive I would know about it. But I am sure he knew kids that were there for the show, and between news accounts and their tales of the horror probably frightened the living shit out of him and scarred him for life.

On WTIC AM 1080 during the 11:30 newscast today, they played a recording from the radio broadcast about the fire from that fateful day. Afterward, they interviewed an elderly survivor, who said his uncles were there as well, and knew how to unfasten and drop the sides of the tent, allowing hundreds to escape.

As a firefighter, this is one of those historic deadly fires that we study, because they are the reasons for most of the life safety codes we have today.

True... Believe Me

 

Most of the guys I serve with (myself included) look like Kevin Heffernan's character Chief Terry McConky from the hysterical hit TV show "Tacoma FD." We like to say we're in shape because "round is a shape." Another one is that we're all on the raccoon diet because we eat a lot of junk.

I made this meme to reply to a tweet on Twitter that contained the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My reply with my meme got a bunch of likes and follows. After sexy french maid, sexy nurse is probably just about every guy's bedroom fantasy fun time. Of course, don't leave out sexy kitty or throw on a pair of eyeglasses for naughty teacher.

Happy Birthday, Cassidy

July 5, 1988  

Today would have been Cassidy Wofford's 34th birthday. She tragically ended her own life on My 28, 2011. I detailed more about her life and my encounter with her in this post on the anniversary of her suicide. I am just trying to keep her memory alive in my own small way. It is easy for someone like her to be discarded and forgotten in the history of the universe.

Coincidentally, I ran into one of the other EMTs from the call where I assisted her this past Saturday. I hadn't seen him in a long time so we BS'd for quite a while. I brought up the subject of that call we were on because her birthday was approaching and he remembered it well from at least 13 years ago. I think he was a little surprised that I remembered her birthday, but at least I got someone else thinking about her. I will see the other EMT from that call tonight at my sportsman's club meeting. I'll see if I can get him aside to talk about her for a few minutes.

So Happy Birthday Little One. May you be spending it in the peace you deserve.

Supplies Coming In

Ammo has been basically unavailable on retail shelves here in Kommiecticut for quite a while. At the height of the Dem-Panic there was nothing at all. It's getting better, but nothing for me. I had been wanting to replace most of my EDC ammo because it was pretty old and getting beat up from loading and unloading. I also needed to replenish my stocks of bullets for handloading for both pistol and rifle.

First up, finding my rifle bullets. I use a .311" 174 grain Sierra Matchking FMJBT for my precision loaded 7.62x54r rounds. My rifle's barrel slugged out to .311" not .308" and although .308" will easily give me M.O.M. (minute of man) they won't give me the precision I get from .311". I was buying them directly from Sierra, but they have been constantly out of stock. They have also been out of stock and unable to order at Sierra dealers... except one. Optics Planet took my order for 500 bullets for a total of $229.99 and a turn around time of 5-7 weeks. I thought I was completely out of them, but found a sealed box of 100 in my stash, and have 70 rounds loaded and ready to shoot, so no rush on those.

 Next, I decided that since I have been and will continue  shooting more, I should stock up on my handgun bullets. I only load Berry's copper plated bullets in 9mm, .38/.357 Magnum, .45 ACP, and 45 Long Colt. The plating prevents lead fouling and is safe to shoot in Glocks. It also spatters instead of fragmenting when shooting steel plates. They recommend not loading +P or too hot so the plating won't separate from the lead core. The boxes are marked with maximum velocity. I only load target rounds to function my guns so no problem. I ordered 250 9mm, 750 .45, and 1000 .38/.357's. The 9mm and 250 bullet box of .45 arrived yesterday, the balance should be here by Tuesday. Berry's shipped via USPS, so don't get me started on their retarded shipping notifications or tracking history.

Finally, my replacement carry ammo. I use nothing but Hornady Critical Defense. As I wrote earlier, I am unable to find any for sale locally. Because of Kommiecticut's restrictions, many places want nothing to do with selling online here. I looked around to see who would, and found Bud's Gun Shop out of Kentucky will. I have watched tons of Hickok45's videos and he gets guns and ammo from them all the time. Just scan them a copy of your Kommiecticut (or other state with similar infringements in place) pistol permit and drivers license once and you're good to go. They also have a "Qualified Purchase" program for LEO, military, and 1st Responder to get certain items at an automatic discount. Scan them a copy of your official ID once and you're set. I ordered a box of 25 .380ACP, two boxes of 25 of 9mm, and two boxes of 20 .45ACP. That is all I needed to fully load my mags and get rid of the beat up rounds. I'll shoot those at a future range outing since I never get to shoot full power factory loads.