In Honor of Today

Since today is Voting Day I thought I would share the story of how I was registered to vote. While this may seem like an insignificant thing, the way, in which it happened to me, I find humorous. Maybe you will to, if you don't its not really my responsibility, is it. :)
As many of you know I attended Virginia Military Institute a few years ago. As a freshman Rat, any upperclassman can stop you inside of barracks at anytime. So needless to say Rats steer clear of Barrack whenever they can, but sometimes it is unavoidable.
I forget where I was coming from, but I was dress in what they call Grey Blouse. This is a uniform that zips up (actually down) in the front with a high collar. I always thought it was our best looking uniform, anyways. I was walking though the Jackson Arch of Barracks (the only arch Rats are allowed to use) where there was a table set up to my left. I paid little attention to it since I was straining (an exaggerated form of attention) I looked straight ahead and was planning on making a mad, "controlled" dash to my room, when I heard the dreaded words, "RAT STOP!!!!" I paid no attention to this since I was not the only Rat around, hoping that the Upperclassman was calling out to some other Rat I continued on my fearful way. Again another loud, forceful shout rang out in the archway, "Rat in the Grey Blouse STOP!!!!" "Crap!" I thought to myself, anyone with a brain could see that I was the ONLY Rat in Grey Blouse for "miles" around. So I was pleased to stop for the "nice upperclassman." This is the conversation that followed. "Rat, are you registered to vote?" What, You stopped me for this?, I thought. "NO, SIR" I replied quickly and politely. "WHY THE HELL NOT!?", He quipped back. I replied, "This Rat is not old enough. (Did I mention that all rats must refer to themselves in third person and I was only 17 at the time?) He retorted, "When do you turn eighteen." In October, Sir!" "Well then you’re old enough. What state are you from?" "Ohio, Sir!" "Then sign this and you'll be registered! Now get out of my face!"
While, I would have been more than willing to register without being told, I find it funny that I was forced to register, no questions, no time to think things over. "Strain and sign the papers Rat."