Inebriated? I think not...

About a month ago I was out late at night and decided I wanted an apple. I was down town and thought I would just drop by the ghetto Safeway and check out their fruit. Innocent enough, right?
I walked in, grabbed an apple, and bought it. I then got in my car and proceeded to drive home. The street I was driving on was not on my usual route home, and as I came to a stoplight, I realized I was in the left turn only lane. I wanted to go straight, so looking around as to make sure that no one was around, I pulled sharply into the adjoining through traffic lane. Mission accomplished.

As I advanced further on my journey home, I pulled into a left turn lane at a following stoplight. I put my blinker on, and when the light turned green I made a left turn. At which point red and blue lights flashed in my rear-view mirror.

The officer took his time in coming up to my window. In my mind I had done absolutely no wrong. He confronted me, and asked if I knew why he had pulled me over. I didn't. He then proceeded to tell me he had reason to believe from my driving that I was inebriated. Shocking. Luckily he didn't breathalyse me because he realized that I was indeed not driving under the influence. He couldn't find anything to give me a ticket for. I had handed him my license and registration the moment he had walked up but I couldn't find my insurance card for the life of me. He ended up giving me a ticket for not having my insurance. I was supposed to go and show my insurance at the municipal court and the fine would be rescinded.

I made several attempts to go to the court, but they were closed both times. Finally I made it in on a Friday within the 30 days of getting the fine. I thought I had 30 days, but it turns out I only had 15 to go in and show my insurance. The fine had doubled and was now $257. I almost choked... I really don't have that kind of money laying around... at least not for tickets. I talked to the judge and he said that all he could do was reduce my fine to $140. I paid my fine.

A couple days later I get a notice in the mail that my license is being suspended unless I prove I have purchased a certain kind of insurance. Turns out that because I'm a registered Oregon driver that I have to get "high risk" insurance because I am now a "high risk" driver. My insurance rate went up. I freaked out, but then I found out that it was just temporary. This was all very frustrating for me because I have a good driving record. I have never driven without insurance, never had a lapse in coverage. I've been insured with the same company for the entire time I've been driving. We have history...

... and all because I forgot to grab my insurance one night... and then I forgot to go show it to them within 15 days. It is irritating to be fined for doing absolutely nothing wrong. I can speed all I want, but if I'm ever doing something unintentionally wrong, I will pay the price for it. Just my luck. If anything, I will just drive more carefully. My bank account hurts. :)

I've been listening to Madonna's Confessions Tour album non-stop for the past two weeks... I need to move on. It is hot though. Just a heads up—it's addictive.