The Great Texas Colander Caper: Can You Get Pastafarian in Your Driver's License Photo?
Ah, Texas. Land of wide-open spaces, ten-gallon hats, and...spaghetti strainers on driver's licenses? You might be surprised, but this existential question has actually been noodled on (see what I did there?) by some residents of the Lone Star State.
The Pastafarian Pilgrimage to the DMV
For those unfamiliar with the finer points of colander couture, this all stems from the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM for short). Yes, you read that right. Pastafarians, lovingly led by their noodly appendage, the Flying Spaghetti Monster, believe in a relaxed kind of religion that involves pirates, a strong aversion to Mondays, and, of course, the almighty colander.
Now, some Pastafarians take their devotion a step further, arguing that the colander is a sacred headwear option, just like a yarmulke or a hijab. This brings us to the question: can you rock a colander in your Texas driver's license photo?
The Verdict: Maybe Meatball-y, Maybe Not
The answer, like a perfectly cooked pot of spaghetti, is a little al dente. There have been cases in Texas where Pastafarians have successfully argued their right to wear a colander, citing religious freedom. In fact, there's even a precedent-setting case from 2013 of a Texas Tech student who got his photo taken with his trusty colander ([source]).
However, it's important to remember that DMV policies can be fusilli-er (get it?) than you might think. Some offices might not be familiar with the Pastafarian way of life, leading to a potential rejection of your colander-clad photo.
So, Should You Dress Like a Kitchen Utensil for Your Driver's License?
Here's the deal. If Pastafarianism is your genuine belief, and a colander is your religious headwear of choice, then by all means, fight for your right to party (with pasta, of course). Just be prepared to politely explain your beliefs to the DMV employee.
On the other hand, if you're just looking to add a touch of saucy silliness to your driver's license photo, a colander might not be the best option. The DMV isn't exactly known for its sense of humor, and you might end up waiting longer than it takes to boil a pot of water.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. Just remember, with great colander power comes great colander responsibility. May your driver's license photo be saucy, but not rejected, and may your travels be filled with open roads and perfectly drained pasta. Ramen.
