Yesterday evening, driving out of the parking garage, I noticed a small piece of
paper trapped under my driver's side windshield wiper. My first thought was, "Oh no, someone hit my car! But, they were nice enough to leave me a note with their information." At the next red light, I put the car in neutral, jumped out and grabbed the note. "Learn to Park 1 space per Car!" Just like that. I'm not sure why the author felt the need to capitalize 'Park' and 'Car' but that isn't the point, is it?
You see, I've had bad days. More times than I can count, I've said "Damn it!" under my breath (who am I kidding? If I say damn it, it's usually out loud) because someone took up two parking spaces. I, however, did not take two parking spaces. I may have parked a little too far to one side, but I have a very, very small car and sometimes when I pull into a space, I just can't tell if I'm in the center or not, but that isn't the point, is it?
I admit I may have done something like this...in my twenties. When I had time to waste, thought I was the most important being on the planet, and something someone else did made me so angry that my rage at the injustice of it all was seeping from every pore, and spilling out onto the street (ew), but that isn't the point, is it?
After reading the hastily scratched drivel, I wadded the note into a little ball and threw it on the floor of my car. Of course I was annoyed. I mean, how dare anyone criticize my parking. Not more than 5 minutes later, though, the entire thing was filed in my mental filing cabinet under, "no longer care, and completely forgotten." But, that isn't the point, is it?
The writer of the note obviously had such a terrible day that he/she felt strongly enough about my parking too close to one side (mind you, the entire 4th floor of the parking garage was empty, and there is an elevator) to waste spend time jotting down feelings about my parking job. What did the note-writer expect to happen? What outcome was this enraged essayist looking for? The scribbler wanted only to vent, letting me know I had irritated him/her? Perhaps, it was simply an expression of principle. That isn't the point, is it?
So, I, the evil, bad-parking-monster, say to you, irritated driver, I apologize for your inability to park in a tight parking garage and your urge to blame your inadequacies on others. I have to park in that garage everyday, yet I've come to terms with the issues. Perhaps bird meditation? Painting or sketching? I would suggest healing yourself through writing, but it looks like you've tried that already. And look...there is no point, is there?
--Amphitrite
