[ZHereford]

No, I think your mother is right. The holiday weekend, bureaucratic nonsense, incompetence, etc.

I have a friend who just started working in the court system offices after being in the private sector for so long and she can't believe how inefficient and unmotivated the people are in the office. The real business world would never stand for such a lack of industriousness. People wait at the counter to get served - to pay a traffic ticket or whatever, and the girls just sit there talking about the last night's television program.
Very bad service! I can't believe the stories she tells me. I'm sure it's not like that everywhere, but it could be a factor here.
I wouldn't worry too much, it'll come. Those girls in the office sure aren't worrying about it!