Bumper Cars

When I got my drivers license at 16 I had to prove my prowess at parallel parking. I didn't have to park in between any cars, I simply had to reverse my vehicle in a straight line. I hit the curb going back, again when straightening forward, and again on the 2nd attempt.

I could only assume I had miserably failed my entire examination based on the parallel parking portion, but after we returned to the DMV I was awarded my new shiny translucent freedom pass.

I have since improved upon my skils, often impressing those present in my vehicle with me when I am displaying my talents. But... I know many persons who haven't been bequeathed with my particular aptitude for curbside parking.

One of whom I witnessed on my way home from school the other day. I'm not sure what this bloke was trying to accomplish, whether he was practicing for a driving test or what, but he totally rammed into the car behind it. It was priceless!! He was in a massive truck, and he was parked in front of a small white Honda. I think he was trying to park, because based on the situation I don't think he could have been leaving. He somehow had backed up onto the curb, nearly parallel with the Honda behind him. As he left and attempted to drive off, he clipped the Honda and latched onto the Honda's bumper - and he just kept going and going and going. He was halfway into the street before he realized he was trailing the poor Honda's bumper.

The best part was that he got out of his car, tried to reattach the bumper to the Honda and then got back into his truck. Then, he looked all around and saw me writing down his license plate number. Then he got back out and left a note for the Honda.

That is one of the real perks of living downtown - the constant suspense of not knowing if your car will be demolished the next time you check on it.