Picture Hell!
20 February 2008Today I spent almost 2 hours at the SAQ. The SAQ is the equivalent of the D.M.V., it’s where we Quebecers go to get our driver’s permits renewed.
We are a little lucky in that they only require us to have the picture on our permits redone every 4 years and for me that’s usually not soon enough.
8 years ago when they first started requiring that your photo be on the permit I got stuck with something hideous. Someone came in and yelled right as the woman took the picture. The startle effect made me look 12 and terrified. I tried, in vain, to get the lady to redo the picture but her only answer was “Looks like you, sorry.” So for 4 years every time I had to show photo i.d. people would laugh. The next time I had to get the photo done I was prepared. I was not spending 4 more years looking like a terrified little child. Ha! That year they got me wetting my lips. Yes, my driver’s permit has a picture of me with my tongue stuck out. Lovely. I seriously look like Chro-Magnum woman lusting after the most virile hunter of my tribe.
So today I was hesitant to go. What could they possibly do this time to make me look like a complete social reject? If I slipped her some cash would that assure me that I’d get something that at least looked as good as a mug shot? Maybe if I tried to screw up the picture it would come out looking respectable. Sigh. I opted for compassion. I showed the woman my last 2 permits. She was horrified. “Did *I* take that?” (um, like I remember who served me 4 years ago). I assured her it wasn’t her but that I was relying on her to do her best not to make me look like I shouldn’t be allowed to walk across a street alone muchless drive a car.
Click! Picture 1 seems I had my eyes closed. Probably out of fear of what the picture would look like.
Click! Seems I moved in #2
Click! #3 wasn’t my fault, the flash didn’t go off.
Click #4, #5 and #6 She didn’t even tell me what was wrong but I could see in her face that a decent shot better happen soon or I’d get whatever shot had my eyes open.
Click #7 had her sighing and she said “Madame, maybe you shouldn’t smile it makes you look like you’re grimacing.”
Click #8 had her sighing again but with relief. “That’s it. You’ll get your new permit in the mail in the next 10 days.”
I asked if I could see the photo but she quickly and emphatically told me it was impossible that I’d have to wait to see it on the actual permit.
I figure I got my wish and my driver’s permit photo will look like the mug shot of a homicidal maniac but the lady was smart. She knows that by the time I get it in the mail, there’s a good chance I won’t remember who she is and therefore won’t go DMV postal on her butt! I was suppose to make a stop at the post office after but figured that might not be such a good idea.
If this year’s photo is bad then you’ll see me in 4 years entering the building like this:
Take care~
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