Today was another one of those..."Shit happens.  But don't worry, only to Mandy" moments.

In the past few weeks, I have spent countless hours pondering why in the world it is so difficult to pick up and move somewhere.  And the worst part is, it's not even the physical moving part that is so hard.  It's the paperwork part that is unbelieveable.

To all of my Ohio friends, let me tell you what one has to go through to become a legally driving resident after moving to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The first step is to find insurance.  Don't just go with who you've been with because it is not cheap to insure your car here.  Trust me.  Shop around. 

Once you're insured, go get your license.  Now here, it's slightly easier than Ohio.  You just need to show up with your out of state license, 2 proof of residency, your social security card and take an eye test.  No need to take your written test again.  They trust you.  Except on the whole "proof of residency" part.  To prove your residency in Pennsylvania you need to bring in two of the following:  a lease or mortage, W-2, a major Utility bill or your Weapons License. 

The thing on the list that threw me was the W-2.  I want to just shout, "Hello!  I just moved to this state!!  How the hell am I going to have a tax form for this state already?!  I just got here!"  But that's beside the point.

Now if you are like me and are living with family, you can't meet any of those forms of residency, you then need to take someone who you're living with to the DMV.  They have to provide their drivers license and sign an affidavit saying that you do live with them and yes, you live in the state.  And then you have to provide proof you live there, like a bank statement, a cell phone bill, a magazine...

Now, I don't know about you, but I don't know many people who would lie about living in Pennsylvania. 

Okay, so you got your license!  Wahooo!  Now you need to get your title switched from your old state to your new state.  Which, if you're still paying on your car, you need to call the bank to get a secret number for the notary to contact to get your title switched.  Once you get the title switch, you can register your car. 

But wait!  I miss the most important thing.  In Pennsylvania, you have to have your car inspected first.  The Commonwealth discriminates against cars (among other things, but that's a different story).  We don't just let any junk car drive down our roads.  Nope.  Your car must meet all kinds of safety requirements.  No bumpers attached by bungee cords or no doors on cars around here.  And if you live in one of the three major cities, you have to pass an emissions test as well. 

But once you've done that, you're done.  You're now a resident of Pennsylvania.


The best part...you cannot get all of those steps done at the same place.  It's advanced citizenship to drive here, you have to really want it.  And boy do they make you work for it.  I think that's why Pennsylvanians make fun of how most Ohioians drive.  Aside from your drivers ed course that Ohioians complete, they pretty much give away the ability to drive.  Clearly.  However, in the Keystone state, you have earn the right to drive.  It's a privilage, not a right.

I now have...it's 12.02am...FIVE days to do all of the above in.  Sounds easy enough right?  Ha!!  The "Mandy" moment is coming up tomorrow...