Friday, September 6, 2019

Musical Parking Spots

Earlier in the week, notices were posted to our doors indicating, beginning Monday, through the entire week, an asphalt company will be working on the South End parking lot — sealing, slurry, restriping, and “everyone with vehicles will have to park on the North End Side of the Community”.
Holy Smokes!
That’s a loss of 72 spots, more than enough to create a situation of insufficient parking for all residents come Monday.
It’s going to look like a game of musical chairs at the North End, with literally everyone jockeying for a spot, and there is no street parking.
Parking on the complex is open range — free and unassigned, except for those of us who pay $15 a month for an assigned carport.
Nevertheless, old folks are creatures of habit — generally park in the same spot and begin to feel the free spot is theirs.
Those residents are going to be upset when they see someone parking in their claimed spot.
Also, some desperate folks, unable to find a free spot, are going to park in a reserved carport ─ get yelled at by the resident paying for the spot or get their car towed, which we are allowed to call for a tow upon finding a car in our carport spot.
Next week is going to be insane!
My first thought was to avoid the chaos altogether ─ pack up my instant pot and escape on a little vaca for the week. However, I’ve got three days of pain cave training on the schedule and am not willing to give that up for so unimportant a reason.
Instead, I decided to prepare for the worse by getting a jump on the situation.
After grocery shopping this morningfor everything I feel I’ll need from now to next Friday, I moved the jeep to the North End, parking in front of Apache’s unit, because he’s ever watchful and will keep an eye on it for me. I’m leaving it there from now to the end of next week … not moving it for anything.
Of course, this is going to anger the resident that usually parks in that spot, feels the spot is hers/his, but Apache will handle him/her.
It also means I’ll be walking to/from the Pain Cave.
I don’t mind the extra cardio, and can easily walk the two blocks there, in the heat.
Walking back, after a workout, is going to be a challenge.
At any rate, the fun should start Sunday afternoon, or early Monday before the crew arrives, as residents begin jockeying for spots on the North End.
It's never boring around here.

5 comments:

  1. I can't even begin to imagine. We have several smallish lots but you're right it will be a nightmare.

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  2. Yes, that could get interesting! And for some Residents who might have mobility issues, it could be all the more problematic having to park further away from their Unit? Hopefully the paving company will be efficient and keep to schedule or finish earlier than expected so that things can return to normal. I think your Plan to avoid any potential drama or parking chaos is a good one. Sometimes when I go to regular Events in the City and I know Parking is going to be insufficient for the crowds, I arrive way early to ensure a good spot.

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  3. In Chicago when a person shovels out a spot from the snow and they have to leave, they put chairs in the open spot to save it. How many lawn chairs do you have?

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    Replies
    1. LOL, lawn chairs are doubtful, but might see a few orange cones.

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  4. What a mess. Yes, chaos.
    Walk to the pain cave, and uber home.

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