Untitled

Sometimes the lack of a title gives an element of artistry to a certain work. For example, it's not uncommon to come across a song called "The Untitled Hymn" or an article "Untitled". But when you really look at it, the fact that they are labeled untitled gives them the title Untitled. Good for them.

Cars, on the other hand, can not be untitled. Even though these are sometimes works of art, if you want to drive your car, it needs a title. At least where I come from it does. And so here begins my latest travail. (not sure if that's the right word, but this is my blog so there)

Over 1 month ago, I purchased a vehicle on eBay. No biggie. Been there, done that. I flew out to Norfolk, Virginia and drove the thing back home. It was truly a fun time. I proceeded to drive the new vehicle locally while I waited for the title to come to me so that I could get a legal registration. Title didn't come. And I got pulled over. Well, the officer was understanding. I showed him the bill of sale and he saw that I was within the 15 day grace period and so he didn't give me a ticket....for that....but that's another blog entry.

So, the 15 day grace period comes and goes. I put the new vehicle in the garage and started driving my old car. After a couple of days, I get ansy and decide to call the county courthouse (for the 3rd time) just to see if there was someway, anyway, to get a temporary registration or something that would allow me to drive the new car. No luck. However, in that conversation I was able to find out that the grace period is actually 30 days, not 15. There is hope.

I started driving the new car again, and was really enjoying having a radio to listen to when the 30 day grace period came and went. New car in garage, old car activated. Am I losing hope? Nope.

I am now on day 37, and no title is in sight. Here are the facts of the case as I know them. According to the seller, his lender released the title 32 days ago to the Virginia DMV. My lender has not received it, so it must be somewhere in the Virginia DMV system. That is all I know.

Meanwhile, I have made 1 month's car payment on the new vehicle. I have paid for 1 month's insurance on the new vehicle. And I have driven the vehicle about a total of 15 days (thankfully for me, I have had a fair amount of business travel lately)

So there you have it. Untitled is not a good thing in the world of automobiles.

Why did I write all of this out? Am I complaining? Certainly not! In fact, I hope that this blog entry shows that even when things don't go the way they are supposed to or even the way you want them to, there is no need to let that have a negative impact on your life. It's just a car. I know that it will all get worked out. I won't be paying on a vehicle that I can't drive forever. The title will come and then I will be able to drive it worry-free.

Happiness delayed is not happiness denied.