Not even close

Readers will ask me, “How do you come up with ideas for your blog posts?” It’s not hard. I see them every day. Scenes and situations that make me wonder, “What in the world is going on here?”

So this guy didn’t even try. He’s driving a very small SUV. He’s parked in an extra wide handicapped spot with extra room on the side, and he’s missed it by a mile. I don’t see a handicapped card hanging from his rearview mirror. I can’t really see the license plate clearly, but I’ll bet it’s not a handicapped plate. It’s just a guy or a gal who doesn’t quite understand how store parking lots work.

I’m pretty conscientious about how I park. If I get out and see that I’m not straight inside of the lines, I start the car up and straighten it out. That’s just me. If a car is a little bit off, no problem. Just try to get inside the lines.

In fact, I believe that’s one of the things required in the rest for a driver’s license. You have to get your vehicle in the spot without hitting any of the four cones on each corner.

Can you imagine if this guy or gal had to parallel park? Where I grew up, that skill was essential. Not so much where I live and drive now. But every once in a while, I’m glad my dad and driver’s ed teacher taught me how to do that with a big old late-60s Ford Fairlane station wagon.

I wonder if it’s acceptable to call someone out for this kind of behavior. We shy away from that, don’t we? When half the population has a concealed weapon, I don’t want to provoke anyone to anger.

Maybe I could come at this from a Good Samaritan perspective. How about I finish parking your car – inside the lines – while you mozy into the store for a sub, an energy drink and a few lottery tickets.

If you take another look at the picture, you’ll see that other parking-challenged customers were in the store that day. And this isn’t even down by the liquor store entrance.

I like to park far away from the entrance of the store, far away from folks whose driving skills match their parking abilities.