For as long as I've been living in Lamar, MO, I have avoided taking any steps towards getting my license. There isn't really any particular reason aside from the fact that I far more prefer being the co-pilot and navigator than actual driver. Nevertheless, with our trip to LA quickly approaching, I thought it might be nice to actually have a license to help Joel out with the driving. With that in mind, i quickly read through the Missouri drivers handbook late Sunday night and decided that Monday after work I'd go in and take my learners permit exam.

Everything went well. For the most part at least. I passed my exam and was told to go to the license office where I'd receive my permit. Here in Lamar (and maybe Missouri in general?) we dint have a DMV. The Sheriffs department conducts the testing and then there's license offices that handle all the paper work. Anyways, so Joels mum and I make our way to the office and I hand the woman behind the counter my paper work, along with my passport to prove my lawful presence and identity and all that good stuff. Only, despite the fact that my passport clearly stated it was a US issued one, my nationality and place of birth, the woman had the nerve to ask me, "Are you a US Citizen?". Uhm...No, I just stole this passport from someone who was. I couldn't believe it. My citizenship has never been questioned before and I feel bothered by it. The woman gave me a hard time over the fact that my basic info was already in the system -- she asked repeatedly if i had a license before. Trust me, everyone and their mum would know if i had because I'd be so excited about it! She asked me why my info was in there -- I had no idea why it would be, except for the fact that maybe it was because I work for the county. Its the only explanation I could think of. On top of that, she seemed less than pleased that I didn't have my Social Security Card on me..something I never carry around, but I have my number memorized from all the college apps and fin aid forms I had to fill out years ago.

I happened to mention to my boss what happened and her response was pretty nonchalant and she excused the woman's questioning as "They're just not use to seeing passports." And continued to explain that when her husband, who's canadian, went in to get his license, they didn't ask him for any proofs. That only made things worse. Well i guess maybe the woman should have looked at it more carefully before asking me an asinine question such as, "are you a US citizen?", or I just need to be canadian.

Bah.