PONDERING PARKING

 

Ever notice the games of "brinkmanship" that occurs in and around parking areas? There is something sacred about finding the best spot near the door or perhaps a prize is involved. I play as well, I won't lie, but sometimes I just chalk up the bad spot to achieving more "steps" on my fitbit. I am more concerned with finding a space that I can pull through and exit frontwards. Not only does one have to dodge distracted drivers when driving around the lot, but backing up is fraught with the hazards of daydreaming pedestrians and cars zipping down the lanes "willy-nilly". 

Of course, by the time I exit the store my sedan sight lines are totally obliterated by the monster SUVs and trucks everyone seems to love surrounding me. I think they should be relegated to their own area actually. It is only by the grace of... as I edge slowly backwards and pray I am seen before getting walloped by someone cruising the lanes. But the distracted walker is even more insidious. People walk gaily and wantonly, drifting from one side to the other, with or without cart, stopping to smell the roses or whatever. What happened to watching where you are going and looking for hazards. All they know is the mantra "pedestrians have the right of way, la la la la la".  Saw that on the MSU campus when I was a student. Marked crosswalks were magically transformed into concrete and steel trench boxes invisibly protecting the walkers who plunged mindlessly into the midst of speeding cars. 

For those who have time to burn apparently, parking lot bingo is played by prowling endlessly up and down the lanes waiting for a premier spot to open up so that they can pounce with cat-like speed into the inviting portal. When it comes to blows or at least obscene gestures is when someone snakes from the other direction thinking "oh goody this spot just opened up" or from the other side trying to pull through (me). Depending on the size of vehicle, and driver, I make a decision on the recklessness of my path and act accordingly. 

When I see a line of cars bumper to bumper along a street I am quite impressed with the parallel prowess displayed by the the old-timers. I say old-timers as apparently the skill is no longer required in the driving test. To train our daughter on the maneuver her Dad offered himself up as a traffic cone that she had to back around without hitting anything, including Dad. As she trained in my sexy Riviera with its flat back window (loved that car), this was no easy task and required some skill.

 Like most people I do not look for parallel parking adventures but I do remember one time picking up my Father from the hospital. I was chatting away with my sister when I neatly and without fanfare backed into a parallel parking space right in front of the door in one smooth move. She was extremely impressed. As was I. Not paying attention is apparently the key. With cars being able to perform the task without human intervention, alas the skill will probably disappear altogether.

Of course another issue with the "older" driver is when should they stop driving and parking? Taking away the keys is taking away the freedom. Even if you only drive to church on Sundays, or the casino on Wednesday, we hate to be reliant on the "hope" someone is available to chauffer. Though a couple of ladies that the OH saw at church last Sunday are on the cusp. They moved so awkwardly that he opined that he can't figure out how they can be driving. I said well obviously they couldn't walk to church. I just hope no one was "cruising" the parking lot unaware. Nothing like flying canes, oversized purses and sensible shoes to totally mess up your day.