A pretty nutty scene this morning when I pull into the parking lot of the Department of Motor Vehicles office in Santa Monica. No spots available and a dozen or so drivers waiting for something to open up. In the waiting room, there are no seats, and for those without an appointment the line is snaking to near the door. What's up with that? Apparently, it was the overflow from Monday, when the DMV was open on Columbus Day but many employees decided to take the day off. From the Daily Breeze:

In an effort to save the state $26 million, California leaders earlier this year slashed Columbus Day and Abraham Lincoln's birthday from the state workers' 14 paid holidays. But because a new labor agreement has not yet been approved, the members' expired contract terms and conditions - which include Columbus Day as a paid holiday - are still in effect, [said Yvonne Walker, president of the Service Employees International Union, Local 1000].

I was in and out in 10 minutes because I had made an appointment. Just wondering: Why doesn't everybody?