Son of a....

Well, I got my first parking ticket today. I hate RVC....that town has the worst parking. I ran over to the shoe repair place to have several things fixed. I parked on the street just 4 stores down from where I was going. I fed the meter with a bright dime. I had a quarter but I wanted to stop at the Hallmark store and that place takes forever...so I was saving the quarter for my half hour stop as apposed to my t0 minute stop. Anyway, the old guy that runs the store was looking for a new lobster claw clasp for my purse strap. It took a little bit, plus he fixed it right then and there, which took a whole minute tops. Anyway, he had to write up the shoes and the bag. I prepaid and he had to give me the change. I mean, really it didn't seem like I was there that long. I was watching the time though and I knew I should get back.

I stepped out the door and I see that little rat slipping the ticket under my windshield wiper. I looked at my watch and that meter had not even been expired for a full minute yet. Now what drives me nuts is that I don't know how many times I have parked next to cars in RVC that have had expired meters and when I come back from my lengthy errands they are still there without a ticket. I'm a matter of seconds late and what happens...I get a ticket for $25.00, but that is if I pay it within 10 days...otherwise it goes up. Grrrrr. This is why I usually over pay for my parking, but I just didn't have the change to do it this time. I better go write a check right now. After that, I'm going to go put a film container full of quarters and dimes in the drawer under the passenger seat. That way nobody will take off with my change and I will always have back up meter money. I've done this before but they sneak off with my stash if I keep it in the glove box.