So we settled on a car -- thanks to all of you who
offered comments. Given the crappy economy and our desire to avoid car payments, we went ahead and went the used Honda CR-V route. So far, so good.
Now, to take over the car's title, I had to make that dreaded visit to the DMV last Friday. Here's the biggest shocker: It was not an entirely unpleasant experience.
That's mostly because of the brand spanking new West Hollywood location, which
just opened this spring.
The building is unlike any DMV you've seen: Bright, airy, functional. The rotating sign outside teases you into thinking you're actually entering a fun store. Which, of course, you're not. Particularly once you're forced to bust open your checkbook. Ridiculous fees, of course, exist no matter how stylish the DMV.
More on the building:
Refurbishing a 1946 service garage, Shlemmer + Algaze +Associates Interiors and Architecture took the opportunity to create a building with a look-and-feel that is a throwback to the past. Using the attributes of the original structure, contractors were able to utilize the abundance of day lighting already streaming through the building minimizing the need for electricity. Other aspects of energy conservation efforts include state of the art heating and cooling equipment as well as a “cool roof” that deflects 70 percent of radiant sun energy.
I only had to wait about 18 minutes for my turn. Not bad... but then again, I'd signed up for a 9:30 appointment, and still had to wait until almost 9:50 for my turn. Which reminds me, you can dress it up in pretty architecture, but it's still the DMV.
And one more thought: I've never understood the deal with the DMV's terrible logo. It's like someone doodled big, blocky, out-of-proportion letters on a sheet of paper and then demanded that it be used as the agency's identifier.
