To make a short story long...

You should have seen me -- in my efficient and trustworthy and solid and family-friendly Toyota, traversing across 4 lanes of some of the worst traffic in the grand state of California. I whipped past fast and tight and agile and sexy and clean around those bloated SUVs, those loved fat whores for Big Oil, and many a disgruntled cellphone talking tailgater carrying major weaponry. To survive this feat in one piece requires the inner peace and skill of a Shaolin monk with the kick ass stop-action floating reflexes of the Matrix. But, God bless America, I did it!

However, as soon as I completed this great act of skill, endurance and raw bravery, I see flashing lights behind me. "Pull OVER" came over the microphone. I had to cross BACK through those 4 lanes again while a police car pulled behind me.

"ma'am, your tag expired June 2005".

I've never have been able to match my mother's coquettish power over police officers. I've tried the remorseful yet charming act, but my efforts came out more like Eddie Haskel unctuousness than anything else. So in the end, yes, damn! Foiled by a fix-it ticket!

Even super heroes often forget these little things such a re-registrations and smog checks.