revjim.net

Journalling is difficult, at times. When life is hectic and all the important things are going on, I find I don't have the time to recount them here. And when things are slow and boring, I find I have nothing interesting to report. This is an account of what occured three weeks ago today — the day Jess and I got our marriage license.

I came home for lunch and took the rest of the day off to get our marriage license. After lunch, I looked up the location of the nearest Justice of the Peace and we headed out to the Old Red Courthouse in downtown Dallas. Since we had to pay the $36 fee in cash, I meant to stop at an ATM on the way there, but forgot until we were finally downtown. I drove up and down Main, Commerce and Elm streets looking for an ATM and a parking space, or which ever came first.

As I was heading East on Commerce, a cop got behind me and turned on his lights. I pulled over and he told me that I had run a red light. "Where?" I asked.

"Murphy Crosswalk," he responded in between responses to the person on the other end of his cell phone.

$195 fine for running a red light that I'm pretty sure I didn't run. And, even if I did, it's not even a street. It used to be a street about 40 years ago. Now it's just a crosswalk that goes from the federal building on Commerce to One Main Place. Ugh. I took my ticket, smiled and said, "Thank You" between tightly closed teeth and headed on my way.

I turned around, headed West on Main, still couldn't find a parking space, and gave up. I remembered that the North Dallas Government Building was on the list, and since I knew where that was, I just decided to head out there. We stopped at a gas station to get cash on the way.

We got there, went inside, and followed the signs that said "Marriage Licenses" only to find that that particular office was closed on Mondays. Ugh. Back home we went to consult the list.

I found another place in Richardson, but this time I wasn't taking any chances. I called and a man answered. "Do you issue marriage licenses?" I asked.

"Yes," he said.

"Right now?" I asked.

"We take out last customer at 4:10 and close at 4:30," he said.

"Thanks," I responded, and we headed on our way.

There were a few people in line in front of us so we waited about 10 minutes before getting to the counter. When I got there I told the lady what we needed and she pointed to a sign that, while contradicting the notice on the outside of the building, stated that marriage licenses were only issued until 11:00am. I told her that I was told they would issue one now. She asked what seemed to be the only other person there, a man, if he had spoke to me on the phone. Of course, he said, "no".

So, off we went to Carrollton, but only after calling them to ensure that they would indeed issue us a marriage license. They said they would.

We got there and, within 15 minutes, we had a marriage license in our hands. It seems like a miracle. It only took us 3 hours.

So now, today is the 21st day since I got my ticket. And, if I don't pay it today, a bench warrant will be issued and the fine will increase by $60. So, I'm off to pay my fine.

God, if you're listening, please let me be supreme ruler of the world for one day. I promise I won't do anything TOO bad.