No, this is not the end of the world, I am up-dating this blog. I have truly received grief and chastisement from many of you! I cannot fully commit, but will try harder.
Parking!
I dragged my running partner Janet with me to the University of Utah in early February; we were participants in a research study. I park east of the stadium. Janet remarked that I had to park a mile to get to the psyche building and I told her that I had purchased the most expensive permit possible, and unless I was the president of the university, this was as close as I could get!
Parking has altered my a.m. schedule. Instead of leaving at 8:00 a.m., I leave at 6:50 a.m., just to get a parking spot!
Parking has made my blood pressure rise. Before I committed to leaving two hours before I have to be to my first class, the snow was usually so deep that it was impossible to see the lines, therefore, these crazy people would just park anywhere. One day, I had parked early and when I came out, I was trapped. A big truck (you know what they say about men that drive big trucks) parked on a five foot snow drift cutting me off from going forward. I had another drift on the other side and could not back out straight. Needless to say, I had to do a 27 point back out. By the time I got out, I was shaking and sweating in 21 degree weather. I finally got onto the road way, still in the parking lot, to find that people had just parked anywhere, and I couldn’t get out on the road way. I had to snake through the parking lot, at times getting out to make sure I wasn’t going to slide or hit into someone. By the time I got to the road, it had been over one hour. I was crazy!
One Thursday, as I made my way to my special parking place, there were two saw- horses with yellow tape blocking this $$$$ parking lot, with a sign saying: Closed. I freaked! Not to worry, I had scouted alternatives previously and went up by the Arts Center. I had a couple of options. The best one seemed too good to be true and was just off the road. I was so suspicious. I pulled in, got out to check the color of the curb; walked a few cars to the east and west to see if there were any signs posting any NO NO NO’s. I asked someone if they knew anything about the parking. It was clear! Well five hours later I came out to find a white and red cashier tape under my wiper. I freaked! I got into my car and my heart was racing (blood pressure). I called the number and to my surprise, I only had to be on hold for 11 minutes while pushing 17 buttons to get to this special place of “holding”. I did get some really nice person who explained that they wouldn’t have the information on their computer system until tomorrow (time for all negligent parkers to cool off).
This has not been resolved but on Tuesday when I am back on campus, I will be sure to return to the crime scene to see where I went wrong—I am too old for this. I think I am going to steal my mom’s handicap sticker!
Up-date: On Tuesday, I went to the crime scene. I drove all around ever the while looking/looking for any NO NO’s. Unless I am partially blind, there were no signs. I did an e-mail refute so I am now waiting to hear from the higher powers who will determine my fate! Is this worth $10?
