A 59 Cent Light Bulb

Yesterday I learned a valuable lesson on the dark side of procrastination. Really I'm not a serious procrastinator. I consider it a minor affliction. But when it comes to my car, I must confess, I procrastinate. Washing it, cleaning out the inside, general maintenance - these things can wait. So, in January I was pulled over because the small light above my license plate was burned out. Not a big deal. I was given a fix- it ticket and had ten days to take care of it. A month later I was still thinking, "I really need to get that fixed." Finally, I went and bought the tiny little 59 cent light bulb and put it in the compartment between the front seats. To take care of later.

Well, as you can probably predict, it was out of sight and out of mind. Until last week. I received a notice from the court stating that "a warrant has been issued for your arrest." Immediately, I remembered the little light bulb. Of course I had to laugh. "You've got to be kidding. Arrest me? Because of a 59 cent light bulb?" But now they did have my attention. I have a friend who is a judge. I asked him what to do and he said fix it as I had originally been instructed and then come to his courtroom Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. and he'd take care of it for me. So I promptly put the bulb in, found a police officer to validate that it was fixed, and then I went to court the next morning. The clerk took the ticket, the judge signed it, the clerk sent it off somewhere into court cyperspace, and few minutes later handed me a dismissal. Thanks, Judge. All was good.

Until yesterday. I left my car to get the oil changed (Yes, I do get the oil changed every 3 months, faithfully.) When I came back the guys told me that someone had hit my car and then left. Sure enough there were several large black scrapes down the side. Never fear though. They had seen the whole thing, got his license plate number, and had already called the police. When the officer arrived he took my license and insurance info to plug into his computer. When he walked back over he told me not to worry. They'd find the guy and I should just have my insurance company call for a police report. "However, there is one other small thing," he said. "Did you know that your license has been suspended?" Seems my license has been suspended since March 3. Because of a 59 cent light bulb. I laughed and assured him that I had fixed the problem, albeit quite tardy. And that I had been to the court and had it dismissed. He said, "Well, your license is still suspended. You will have to call Topeka to sort it out and pay a reinstatement fee. And you can't drive." He then told me that if he had pulled me over for speeding, or if I'd had a minor fender bender out on the street, He would have been obligated to arrest me and take me to jail. I think he found it more than a little amusing. And I confess, I had to laugh to. (Who would I make my one phone call to?)

So, now I'm $65 poorer (reinstatement fee) and about a million dollars wiser. And I can't drive. I'm told it will probably take 5 to 10 days for all the paperwork to wind it's way through proper channels. Until then, I'm grounded. All because of a 59 cent light bulb.