053122d

So, there are states that suck more than Louisiana, but listen. We moved here last fall, and in due course my wife got a Louisiana driver's license (not without difficulty, because the office kept closing [I'm looking at you, Covid]). I don't drive, but eventually I made an appointment to get a state I.D. After waiting a month or so for the date of my appointment, to the OMV office I go, only to hear these words: "Sir, you'll have to bring a certified marriage license if you don't want to use the name on your birth certificate." I thought of several things I could say, but what I said was "In Kansas, where we got married, if you want to change your name, you just do it" [unless your intent is to defraud. At least, this was the state of affairs in the '70s] and "It's on my Social Security card" [doesn't count]. What I should perhaps have said was "My wife didn't have to show the license. How come? Oooooh. Because Louisiana is a sexist state, where you, ma'am, are lucky to be allowed to hold a job!" Well, maybe not. So now I have to make a new appointment, wait, go back, wait, and THEN do what I should have accomplished today. OTOH, at least Louisiana has good food.