OCTOBER 16, 2008

Personalizing My Ride

I recently completed a lifelong dream.

It didn’t require a degree in rocket science, the ability to hit a baseball, or good enough looks to attract Tiffani Amber Thiessen (but I would easily settle for Elizabeth Berkley).

I only needed a clever play on words and a few dollars.

This past weekend I received my new plates and registration for my car. On the DMV’s website I noticed how easily I could add a personalized vanity plate while renewing my registration. As a native of Massachusetts, where it is more expensive to get vanity plates, I was delighted. I quickly solicited some ideas on my personal blog and soon my new plates were on their way.

When I was 16 I thought personalized plates would be cool, but it was a luxury that few indulged in back in Chelmsford, MA. When I moved down to Virginia I noticed that the number of people who personalized was much higher - and I am not the only one to notice.

Personalized plates are now expanding globally. China recently allowed their citizens to purchase personalized plates for their automobiles. In contrast, license plates are randomly assigned in Europe and are very expensive for those who seek specific combinations. Just ask the English gentleman who paid over $20,000 for his.

In regards to my plates- be sure to honk if you are ever driving in Arlington and pass by a beat-up Toyota Corolla with my clever name play: Pho Sho.