let’s kill the world

It’s been a while since I’ve brought up driving-related issues.  This is mainly due to the fact that the issues are typically the same: people suck at driving, don’t use blinkers, etc, etc. and I would run the risk of sounding repetitive (which I typically do anyway, but whatever).  However, since returning to school a whole new crop of parking issues have arisen and it pisses me off to no end.  Queens is terrible at providing parking accommodations for their commuter and residential students, so much so that I have had to resort to buying a commuter parking pass.  (I don’t typically feel the need to shell out $75 on a parking pass when I can park on the road… No longer is this the case).  One would think that the giant parking deck would solve most of these problems. Not so.  I’m certain that this piece of architecture only serves as an eyesore to anyone driving around that area of Charlotte and serves very little purpose as it seems no one freaking uses it. Having said that, I’d like to address the issue of parallel parking.

Now, parallel parking is a skill–understand that. It takes time and effort into becoming an ace at parking between cars.  It took me quite a long time to perfect this and I will admit that I’m not a pro yet (only because my car has no power steering).  But the rules are as follows:

1. Use your blinkers. It is imperative that you signal to others behind you that you are parking. As a driver I cannot stress enough how irritating (and dangerous) it is to nearly hit someone because they stop right in front of you and then proceed to attempt the parallel maneuver.

2.  If you realize mid-park that your car is too big to fit in that small spot please understand that this happens to everyone. Shimmy yourself out of that spot and find a better one.   You are not the only idiot who’s miscalculated the length of their car.  It’s nothing to be embarrassed about (although I tend to get nervous when people are on the street because I don’t like being watched.  The fear is something you must conquer).

3.  Lastly, and most important, PULL UP AS FAR AS YOU CAN while still leaving space to get out.  I cannot tell you how many times in the last week I have seen spaces almost available.  Leaving a half a car length between you and the car in front of you is pretty much retarded.  Not everyone has Mini Coopers or motorcycles to fit in those 3 feet spaces you leave.  Move to the front of the line, people.  It’s terribly inconvenient for other parallel-parking drivers and, furthermore, it’s a matter of courtesy.  Don’t be rude. To branch on that, don’t pull up too far so that the person in front of you is so sandwiched in that they can’t get out. It’s a matter of visual judgment. If you can’t judge the distance, then park in an actual space that is already pre-designated.

On another note: who the hell looks up “farting and fitness” as a search term?  To be honest, I’m terribly ashamed that one of my blog posts even came up as a result of that..