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So I drove over to our local B of A branch to deposit some checks. Because I have a vehicle that just barely fits into a standard parking spot and because I like to work a little exercise into errands, I parked as far away from the bank building as possible.
This bank has an enormous parking lot, way out of proportion with the number of customers there at any given time. I parked in the back of a lot, as far from the bank as I could get, under shade trees. There were at least forty spaces between myself and the next nearest vehicle.
So I've deposited my checks and I walk back to the van, realizing I haven't decided what to do with the rest of the day yet. I sit in the back. It's pleasantly warm and before I know it I've dozed off.
...only to be awakened by the van swaying back and forth. And there's no wind today.
I go up front to look and there's a pinch-faced old lady in a Volvo just getting ready to leave. And a note under my windshield wiper.
I get out and demand, "What do you think you're doing?"
"You can't park there and take up all the shade. Yadda yadda yadda yadda yackety-yack...."
I pointed. "There are shaded spaces there, there, there and there, and oh by the way, you're sitting in one. I swear to God some people get their panties in a bunch over the craziest things."
I took the note off the windshield, informed Prune Face that if she damaged my wiper the part alone is $600, wadded up the note without reading it and tossed it into her open window. I just missed hitting her. Then I made a production of noting her license number, went back in the van and took photos of her and her car with my cellphone from several angles as I left.
Overreaction? Maybe. But this is California and sheer lunacy knows no bounds. My vehicle is distinctive, there's no other like it in town. So it's potentially a target if Prunella decides to bring it. Time to get that dashboard cam.
Actually, FWIW, I think you did just fine. It's astonishing how bold people are when they think they don't have to face you. How did she know you weren't sick and actually not able to drive?
Sounds to me like you really needed that nap. (Isn't that what cats do?) :-)
Around here even old ladies can pack a dangerous weapon. Often the last thing someone now in the morgue said was "what do you think you are doing?"
I suppose there's a remote chance of that, though Prunella seemed to be more the type that cheers when police and the courts confiscate weapons from law-abiding citizens. This is Northern California, after all, where buying a doughnut at Whole Foods earns you a lecture from the person in line behind you. (True story.) Or your manner of unwrapping a straw at Starbucks prompts an outburst from another customer. (Also true.)
There is no imaginary injustice too small, no wrong too insignificant for some to right, apparently.
But this is California and sheer lunacy knows no bounds.
If this is true, then you can count yourself among that population if you continue to get out and confront strangers because they dared to call you on something.
Your story gave me a nice laugh. But people nowadays seem crazier than ever, and more likely to do something dangerous with their crazy. I am glad you made it out of the encounter okay.
Not to long ago someone left me a nasty gram on my windshield, something about cutting them off. I figured out it was the person who was sitting at a green light texting. Guess she was mad that I made a right turn at the light because I was tired of waiting on her illegal a$$.
I don't see much wrong with your reaction, although personally I'd have ratcheted it down to "What's up?" and folding the note with a "Here's your note back, bye." Don't throw things at people. Even a little kid knows that.
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