RESURRECT DEAD ON PLANET JUPiTER

a tale of 2 parking spaces

I’ve got a parking problem. Case in point. It’s rush hour. I’m on 19th street between Chestnut and Walnut. I see a space and stop. It’s a tight one, but I’m sure there’s enough room. Traffic is thick and I have to be fast. I pull in and cut very hard. I’m barely in, but I’m in. I pull back and forth 6, 8, 10 times. Finally I’m straight and snug to the curb. I get out. The front of the car has less than an inch clearance. I can’t stick my finger in the space between cars. I walk around to the back of the car and it’s almost the same story. An inch, an inch and a half at most separates my car from the one behind me. I’m so impressed with myself that I kick myself for not having my camera.

This isn’t the first time this has happened. I’ve parked in some very tight spots. But now the problem. I get home. There’s a spot on my block. A big spot. I’m in a little Civic and this is big enough for a Hummer. I stop and back up. The angle’s off, very soft, but I have plenty of room… but I can’t cut in. I’m up on the curb. I go back and forth a little. Backing onto the sidewalk, coming back down on the street, unable to get myself the clearance I need. I pull out and pull in again, this time successfully.

It seems that unchallenged, I lose my focus. This is a story about parking, but it translates well.