Parking

I honestly think I was a better parker before I got a reversing camera.

I read an article on self-parking cars once, that concluded the best course of action was, in fact, to learn to park.

When I drove a van, that I think only had rear sensors, I was an excellent parker, but now I often seem to make a meal of it.

And as if my assessment wasn't enough, one of the chicks I used to row with was dropping her daughter at Sass's school to coach netball and had this generalisation to share about the mothers:

They're in their big black four-wheel drives, with all their cameras and beepy things - and none of them can park for shit.

Now, I'm sure that's not everyone - but it is me!!

One very angry woman

It was only yesterday that I was saying how packed the gym is - and with that, of course, comes a parking issue.

This morning was particularly bad.

The car park was full, so I pulled back out into the traffic and attempted to park on the road. There was a woman who let me into the traffic and then seemed to be cross that I was trying to park. With the light change, I moved forward and could see the parking sign that had been obscured by a tree - no parking until 9am.

I pulled back into the traffic - now behind said women - who then went NUTS!! Gesticulating like the picture below, shaking her head, waving her hands, ranting to herself - for a full light change. It was quite the show!

She absolutely went OFF, eyeing me in her rear vision mirror - so I just calmly held her gaze and sipped my latte - which seemed to make her even madder.

As the lights changed and she pulled away, her final salute was the bird.

Seriously, she hadn't been at all inconvenienced by me - the traffic was shite anyway - I can only think she hates her life. She needs to breathe - or maybe go to the gym?!!!

Sarcasm or sincerity?

So I got this note under my car windscreen.

I was leaving the office and Elle was with me. From a distance, it almost looked like a ticket. For once, it wasn't.

It was perplexing. I had parked adjacent to a narrow driveway, but snuggled forward as far as I could go. I thought I was fine. But it did seem slightly strange to thank someone on doing the right thing. Elle had her money on sarcastic. I had been aware of the tight space and tried my best. I struggled not to feel vilified. Anyway, maybe she was wrong.

At home, Geoff took Elle's side. Bugger. Maybe I was wrong?

Late last week, my business partner Mandy and I were heading back into the office after a meeting and passed the site where the note had been issued. We're usually too focused on work to chat about such trivialities, but as we were strolling past, I relayed the tale.

Oh, she said with confidence. That was sincere.
How do you know? I asked, in complete awe of her wisdom.
Because I parked there once and was hanging over a bit. Not only did I get a ticket but the guy who lives there was out the front calling the towing company. I think he has them on speed-dial.

So there you go people. There's no need to always assume the worst after all.

Bucket List

I had a first yesterday - a tick that box moment. But it hadn't actually been on my bucket list.

I don't think I have the words to describe the emotional sensation of a late Friday afternoon, sun shining after months of cold and a hectic week, an appointment to have drinks with my sisters-in-laws, picking up my bag and car keys, thinking about where I'd parked - and remembering it was in a space that became a clearway half an hour earlier.

Shit!!

I flew down the stairs, out the door and looked up the street. As expected, my car was gone.

I'd been towed.

Goddammit! I was due at drinks in 30 minutes. I didn't even know who to call.

My friend Katie popped out from the shop our office is above to give me a consoling hug.

Oh well, I said. I had been trying to work out what to do with my car tonight - should I drive to drinks? Go home and see if Geoff could drop me off? Dilemma resolved! I'd Uber.

Our gorgeous account coordinator found the number for me and I called to discover I could collect it before 9pm or today before 1pm. Too easy!

And I was less than 10 minutes late to drinks.

Less cool was the $334 I had to pay to get it out of the pound. Still, I paid $64 for less than 3 hours parking in Sydeey last Friday - so by the hour I guess it was better value than that!

Just for the record, I did ask the guy at the pound how many get towed a day. 90 on a good day, he said. (Yes, that is a hair over $30k). What's a bad day, I asked. 60. I laughed! Good and bad for who?!! And yes, the city is the main location cars are towed from followed by.... Malvern!

I am seriously thinking I should give up this car caper and just ride a bike. Although I'm pretty crap at that and scared of the traffic :(

Parking

Is it just me or is your local shopping centre squeezing out those of us who have no special parking needs??

Of course we used to have a Disability Parking Permit. And I did do my best not to abuse it - but there were times, I confess, I was guilty.

There was one memorable occasion a few years back when we had braved Chadstone in the lead up to Christmas. (I'm now much older and wiser and wouldn't be so foolish to tackle that expedition again. And I think my local retailers are in greater need of my hard-earned dollars than Chaddy.) Having driven around for just a small while - given the circumstances - I spotted a free disabled park, pulled in and jumped out.

A toot from behind.

A gentleman in a old Falcon was waving me over. I jogged over to the window he was winding down with considerable effort.

Yes? I enquired, cheerfully.
Excuse me, do you have a disability? He asked gruffly, not impolitely, but not exactly friendly either.
What, me? I looked aghast and clasped my hand to my chest in dramatic disbelief. No! I don't have a disability, I repeated, unnecessarily.
You do realise that's a disabled spot you've just pulled into?
I glanced in the direction of my car for effect..
Actually, yes, I did notice that. I replied, still upbeat and cheerful. My daughter has a disability. I was just about to get her wheelchair out.
That shut him up. And in fact, I did have Jaz, her wheel chair, George, Elle and Sass all on board. So that time, thankfully, I was not guilty!

But back to the shopping centre.

Elle and I popped up there last week, during the day and there were parks for people with a disability, parks for seniors and parks for mothers with prams - but none for us.
This is ridiculous! I said to Elle, swinging around for a second lap. Okay - there seems to be about four of the pram ones, I'm pulling in. I might just have to duck around and unbuckle you  - just for effect - you can be the baby, even though we have no pram.
As most of you know, Elle is 14, rising in the front seat and taller than me.

We pulled into the forbidden park and I got out. I grabbed the green bags out of the back.
Elle? What are you doing?
Waiting for you to come and unbuckle me.
Like that was actually going to happen.... Get out!!!

Tonight, Sass and I popped up to the centre. Same issue. This time I elected to be Senior!! Perhaps more appropriate?! Or is the large van with sliding doors, tinted windows and My Family stickers on the back a bit of a give away?

How's the parking where you shop?