Social Security Administration

I arrived fully prepared to have to camp out for my turn. Parking didn’t seem to be too much of a problem, so I thought perhaps it wouldn’t be terribly crowded… psh. I almost didn’t have a seat in the waiting area. It’s not often, well, ever really, that one can say going through security is a pleasure, but the man was very cordial, offered congratulations on my recent marriage, and even gave extra instructions on where to go and how to sign in. When this type of kindness is offered in a government building, one understands that that employee is going beyond the call of duty. Alas, security was the highlight of the trip. The waiting area was chock-​full of folks, with a seemingly disproportionate amount of crying babies. It was clean, not in an inviting way like a dentist’s office, but in a way that made you not mind too much spending time there. Everyone’s eyes were either glued to their cell phones, or glued to the TV screen, which offered up information on how to retire the easy way (online, of course), top baby names (Noah, Liam, Jacob), science & health news (the doctor infected with ebola gained an appetite and was eating ice cream), the forecast (77% humidity, perfectly Southern), various ways to avoid the social security office (information that would’ve been useful to all these people BEFORE they got here), and, oh yeah, the ticket number now serving. I couldn’t figure out whatever algorithm was used to decide who went next. I tried to focus on just my letter, but the numbers jumped around before mine, after mine; names were called that were not on the screen. Ticket numbers were announced over the PA, but not displayed on the screen. It was best described as calm chaos, if that’s even a thing. Someone’s phone was blasting music that sounded like it came from a classic video game, Contra, perhaps. At that point, I decided that this was quality people watching, almost as good of a cross-​section of the population as one would find at the airport. That, and Mr. Security, made a trip that could have been a total chore into a borderline entertaining endeavor. However, I don’t think I’ll be knocking out the task of going to the DMV today. Another government office can wait until another day.

It’s the social security office… don’t go there unless you have a reason ;)
Previous trip was perf – I don’t think I was there more than 10 minutes. I think I arrived a bit earlier that time; so if ever I return, I’ll try to do better.
I felt so bad for the lady behind the window. Her computer was really struggling. It wouldn’t print for her so she had to ask the woman next to her to print. Unfortunately, some of our address was mistyped, so she had to print again. She tried with her computer again and oddly, it printed when she got fed up and rebooted her computer. It went like… computer shut down, printer finally printed, and then the computer rebooted. Poor gal, she was frustrated! I’m glad I was in good spirits that day because I would have lost it otherwise. We waited a good 45 minutes and I was fortunate the baby didn’t offer more than a happy squeal and loads of smiles.
I hope I don’t have to return for at least another 10 years…