Yikes! I didn't realize it's been since Wednesday since I've updated. I'll need to do better, but it's not happening this week.
Now, for my original intent - I'd like to preface my confession with a little background: probably my number one stressor outside of school is people who get in my way when I'm on a mission. This includes other drivers in traffic driving too slowly or pulling out in front of me, the slow fuckers in line ahead of me at the movie theatre who can't decide whether they want Pepsi or Dr. Pepper to go with their Jumbo Popcorn with butter and four packages of candy while all I want is a small popcorn and to make it to my movie before the credits, or the small child who darts in front of me in the grocery store while I run in to get two things and need to make it home so I can study. A sub-set within this pet peeve is people who park shitty; they get in my way because either a) I can't get into the space or b) even if I can get into the space I can't open my door to get out. This displays a selfishness and inconsiderate-ness that just really irks me. I mean really, take the 30 seconds and straighten that shit out.
In the grand scheme of things I understand that crappy parkers aren't really all that big of a deal, but I can't help it. They just piss me off. There have been many times where I'm all "I'm leaving them a note." I save this for the really, really egregious instances - where the ginormous SUV has it's ass all caddy-cornered and no one could get into or out of the space without some lube and a shoehorn. However, I've never actually left a note. Until now.
Yesterday I left my apartment complete with continent-sized backpack, overnight bag, water bottle, and purse, which I was going to put in on the passenger's side. Only I couldn't even walk on that side because some asshole was all up on the line and when I opened my door the marginal space left was too small to squeeze through those items without breaking my hand and/or the other car's sideview mirror (which I considered, because dude, it's his/her fault, but then I reconsidered because well, I need to take a little responsibility for all my baggage). Tonight when I returned home the SAME car was AGAIN parked all fucked-up like, only this time it was worse. The wheels were significantly over the line such that no car, no matter how compact, could fit in the space provided. Essentially this beat-up 1995 Ford Escort was taking up two spaces. And to make it worse, it was right in front of the entrance, and we all know that in the "parking game" the goal is always to get as close as possible to where you need to be.
So, since I was feeling a bit sassy and I happened to have my notebook and pen in my continent-sized backpack, I left the driver a note: "Nice parking job. Thanks!" Not nearly as mean-spirited and confrontational as I suppose it could be, but nonetheless sufficiently bitchy to leave me feeling a little guilty. I must be honest, though, I did get a good deal of satisfaction doing it, even though I knew it was ridiculous and maybe slightly mean. I didn't care because I felt vindicated from all the times it's happened before and really, dude, why didn't you just take the 30 seconds and straighten it out??
Alright, go ahead, lambast me with guilt and shame; I'm prepared to take it. Or, if you feel penitent, maybe you've got a confession of a ___-something meanie you'd like to get off your chest. The comments are waiting.
Update: I went to bed last night feeling a little juvenile and silly because of the whole parking thing. I even contemplated taking this post down and removing the note. When I woke up this morning, I had forgotten the whole thing. I walked outside to my own car, and saw that someone had scribbled on my note "LEARN HOW TO PARK!" (I had folded my note, so they wrote on the outside). Apparently this driver has pissed someone else off as well. Did the scribbler read my note or just take the opportunity that presented itself?
3 comments:
Let's hope the one who left that second note hadn't read yours. How rude that would have been to leave their own note on the outside of yours, which was obviously intended to be read a certain way. Here's how it could have gone down:
What's this on my car? A note. I wonder what it says. Hm. It's a compliment about my parking job...No, no, wait - they're being sarcastic!! Asshole! OK, take a breath and calm down. Maybe they're right. From now on, I will try to be more considerate in parking lots.
vs...
What's that on my car? A note that says "Learn how to Park!" Asshole...what's this on the inside? It just says the same thing. Stupid, redundant asshole. They could have at least been a little more subtle about it. I'll show them. Next time, I'm taking up THREE spaces.
I wonder what a tilda would've contributed to all this?
You were dead right to write the note Niki. I remember when I left a note on a car for sale saying I was interested in buying it with my contact details. When i went past it, my note had been removed, and replaced with a note left by someone who said they were VERY interested in the car. At first I was stunned, and thought I had been trumped. I came to my senses quickly, destroyed the note, and that car served me well for years to come...
Be like the peeing man and make a stand...
I say, "You Go, girl!" and feel no guilt about your note! It's the inconsiderate parker's problem. Having said that, though, having received an anonymous letter myself (on a completely unrelated matter) I think it's more gutsy to actually own up to your beef -- especially if it's a neighbor or someone you'd run into more frequently.
On my own confession page and in the same vein, I'm totally irked by lazy shoppers who leave their *&#$@ buggies in the parking space so you can't get in!
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