alternative title might be: why can't other people do their jobs?
so i got a speeding ticket. i was speeding. my fault. but with the actual ticket, the officer handed me a form explaining that i was to wait 7 days before contacting the court. i also learned from this form what i needed to get together in order to apply to take defensive driving. so during the 7 day waiting period, i gathered up the several pieces of information that i needed, including a money order.
i waited 7 business days because, even though that wasn't stated on the form, i assumed that since the court is not open on the weekends, 7 business days was what was meant. (see? i've already come up with a way they could improve their efficiency. state "business days" on the form. i'm a genius.)
so i get in my car, drive down to the court while making sure to mind my speed, and enter the building. there is one lady behind the glass partition. she is on the phone. well, not an actual phone, but one of those little earpieces that makes you look like you've been partially assimilated by the borg (yeah to all who get the star trek reference!). i smile, acknowledging that i see that she is on the phone and am waiting patiently.
another lady walks up. "can i help you?" "good morning, i'd like to see about taking defensive driving." *handing over completed paperwork and information* *type, type, type* "hmmm. your ticket isn't in the system." (in my head -->) "maybe i won't have to pay it!!!!"
* 7 minute interruption to take a call even though she's right in the middle of "helping" me. i find that uber annoying. *
*hangs up/punches borg implant on side of head* me (out loud -->) "what does that mean?" "the police officer hasn't turned it in." wtf?
apparently, police officers turn in their tickets in batches, and officer friendly hadn't carted his over to the court in his radio flyer even though it had been the requisite 7 days stated in the form he himself handed me as he told me to watch my speed but not to have a nice day, which was fine because he pretty much crapified that day anyway. "call back on friday and see if the ticket has been turned in and processed. make sure you call, though, so that you don't have to make a trip for nothing." (she actually was nice, and it wasn't her fault.) "thank you."
call to the police station: "yeah, i was issued a ticket over seven days ago, and i just tried to pay it at the court, and they tell me that the officer hasn't turned it in yet." "oh, it can take 10 days for that to go through." "THEN DON'T PUT 7 DAYS ON THE FORM IF YOU REALLY MEAN 10 DAYS!!" *SLAM* okay, i didn't really say that, and i didn't really slam the phone down, but wth police officer and court system? maybe i should bill you for the 30 minutes i spent in your lovely, stark, institutional white 8'x7' lobby this morning. eventually, i bet i'll cancel out my debt to society because frankly, i don't expect anything to have changed by friday.
and that, if you're still reading, leads me to my original question and alternative title, why can't other people just do their frickin' jobs?

Re: trying to pay ticket: vent *long*
TTC #1 since February 2011
BFP #1 1/14/12 EDD 9/24/12 m/c at 8w4d on 2/20/12
March 2012- Dx with PCOS, started metformin
July 2012- SA completely normal
i had the same thing happen. i got a registration violation the day before our wedding on I-35. we take our honeymoon. a week after the honeymoon i go to pay it and its not in the system. it took them forever to get it in the system and in the midst of newlywed life i forgot to go back!! ugh. that turned into a mess.
i totally feel your pain!!
I read the whole thing nodding my head, "Yes, yes, yes!" WHY can't other people do their job?!
Ridiculous and that sucks
To do their jobs, people would actually be paid to work instead of just looking busy....And things would get done. I'm convinced the entire world would come to a crashing halt, gravity would fail, and the sun would blow itself up bringing a forever winter upon everyone...Otherwise why would people be getting paid to do what amounts to nothing?
lol.... Least, that's my theory anyways...