I have had a really crappy experience getting to work today. I had been told the job was in Fredericksburg, which is well outside DC but still considered “commuting distance” because many people who live in Fredericksburg do commute to DC…although most of them take the train. But as if it weren’t bad enough that I had to drive that far, it turned out I had been given the wrong location. It wasn’t just off I-95 after all…it was in Dhalgren, at least 30 miles outside Fredericksburg.

So I started making my way there, only to find that my directions were still wrong. I had to pull over no less than three times to clarify where I was supposed to be before I finally figured it out myself (I do carry both DC- and Baltimore-area street maps at all times, but they don’t extend this far south) and made it to the base. I had been told I wouldn’t be able to find the building on my own, so I stopped at the Pass & ID Office for a map. I confirmed that my DOD contractor badge and car stickers would get me on-base, and got back into my car to drive up to the gate. (Because I already have the credentials from the job I work most of the time, when I’m not there I frequently get sent to other DOD facilities.)

When I pulled up to the guard, though, he told me to pull over. I was confused, but he explained that my registration stickers were expired. Yes, that’s true; I keep forgetting to take them out to the car. But I’ve never had a problem getting on the base where I normally work! So he said he would let me on base, but I’d have to leave my car at the visitor center. I tried calling my contact but didn’t get an answer, so I suited up with gloves, hat, and scarf and started walking.

Finally I got a call on my cell phone asking why I wasn’t there yet, and I explained what happened. They told me to wait in a building near me and somebody came to get me. I finally got there at about 10:30, after having left the house at 7:40! I hope I don’t have to come down here again for a long time.