We can’t reveal your identity
The government has my best interests at heart. Keep repeating the phrase, and ignore everything else. This morning, our new insurance company requested a copy of our respective driving records. Respectfully, I’ve been careful, all of my life; my transcript is a blank page. With my name on top. And there’s the catch.
I recently traded my driving permit for a newer copy. Different province, same face. Part of the trade was that I surrender the old one. So far, so good. This morning, I was faced with a form that wanted my driver permit number. The old one… and like most other rational people, I don’t try to memorize the identifier on my identity cards. That’s why I have a name, memorized for decades now.
And so I called the government, who refused to tell me who I am/was. After all, I’m entitled to my privacy. No amount of cajoling made any difference. Finally, the clerk on the other end of the line said to submit the form, incompletely. I remain suspicious that this will be a reason for refusal, but with the printer fax in place on the kitchen table, I submitted the form into the all-knowing care of a civil servant. More to follow.
Had my first chance to cross the new Souris bridge today. No big deal; it’s a bridge. I’d gone to town to deposit cheques in the only available ATM within a ninety minute highway radius. In the big city, I parked at an available meter, and then received the following lesson in civic kindness.
“You won’t be able to stay parked that close to the sidewalk. They’ll fine you $50. And don’t bother putting any money in the meter, because the ticket man won’t be back around until Monday”.
In other news, the final signatures were put to paper, and our other house now belongs to a new owner.
