James Bond's license plate spinner would be really useful here

As a state, Oregon has a reputation for keeping to itself, doing its own thing, and making the state lines clear particularly when it comes to their southern bordering neighbor. Californians are generally blamed for the poor condition of pretty much everything in the state, from outrageous housing prices to Starbucks (Washington has been given statewide amnesty until 2013), so if you choose to reveal your CA-origin, your reception will likely be a little cooler, a little less, "Wow we're so glad to see you!"

You especially notice the distinction when you go from California license plates to Oregon license plates. With California plates, you don't really notice aggressive, edgy drivers pointing their vehicles at or away from your Hester Prynne stamp from the California DMV, because in much of California, that's pretty much an every day driving experience. But when you change to Oregon plates, the freeways, highways, and side streets suddenly become vastly different.

For example, If you are merging onto the freeway as a California-plated driver, Oregonian vehicles are inexplicably forced to either a) slow down to 30 to "assist you," leading to a chain reaction of slowness also called the Molalla Molasses effect, or b) speed up to try to innocently yet unsuccessfully save you from their freeways (which, again, if you're from LA, is just par for the course on the 10, 60, 210, and 405 at all times of day (can I get a, "WhatEverrrr???"). The 101 too, but it is so overcrowded with tourists that local aggressive drivers are the least of your concerns.). But when you don an Oregon plate, the cars seem to grow from their fenders a pair of open, white-gloved arms as if to say, "Welcome to our clean, reasonable Freeway, the way of the Free, the Free of way that delicately unites our glorious green state. We love you for even noticing how Free this wonder of pavement is, and we will gladly do anything possible to make your travels more footloose, fancy free, and just gall durn pleasant!" Its like Radiator Springs with more moss.

You will also notice that drivers smile and wave to fellow Oregon-plated motorists much more so than to their California-branded counterparts. "Hello, Friend!" their waves seem to signal to their kindred Ducks. Although to be truthful, some noble and courageous Oregonians will extend themselves to your heathen breed as if to say, "You poor, bureaucratically beaten-down smog-wearied soul. Come my child. It is better here. Let us partake of this peace together in the form of a shared thoroughfare, and perhaps we shall keep doing this in remembrance of this day. Breathe deeply. No no, its safe to do that here, little one." As a general rule though, you will be lucky to get so much as a virtual, "hmmphh."

In fact, the state Driver's License test does include this question:

42. When driving on a 4-lane highway through the towns of Boring or Wanker's Corner, and a Californian is inconsiderate enough (as usual) to attempt to change lanes or pass legally, you should:
a) Ignore them and speed up like you would a panhandler asking for crack-money
b) Ignore them like a cancerous mole that you should have gotten checked out months ago
c) Ignore them and hoist your, "NRA for Nader - Can't we all just get along?" flag
d) Pretend that there is no log truck speeding along in the oncoming lane, and wave them innocently into said lane
e) Pretend to sneeze and "accidentally" hit the gas, turn on your flashers and wipers, and generally act like Britney Spears throwing babies at the paparazzi (we're pretty sure she's from there too) in a vain attempt to scare them back to their hole
f) Any or preferably All of the above

My advice? By the power of Grey Skull, change your plates before you do anything else. Do not attempt to find a place to live. Do not attempt to find a library or farmer's market or a Peet's coffee or Powell Books. Of course, if you can swing it, James Bond-style rotating plates would be best, because when you go back to California, you will be expected to drive 15 miles slower per hour than everyone else, smiling and waving, unaware that you are infuriating every other driver who has someplace to go, right NOW. I think that's on the DMV test too.