You may remember that I backed into a concrete pole at the gym about 6 weeks ago, resulting in a pole-sized dent in my rear bumper. Not being able to open the back hatch was getting really old, so yesterday morning I finally dropped my car off at the body shop to get a new bumper.
To get me through the next couple days without renting a car, Debbie offered me her roommate’s car. He works in Russia at least nine months per year, and his car ends up sitting in the garage for weeks on end with only the occasional drive around the block to make sure it still runs. Perfect! I needed a car, and Steve’s car needed to be driven.
My first outing in my borrowed car was the drive to UHCL last night for my weekly class. It wasn’t until I pulled into the parking lot that I realized I’d left my parking permit in my Xterra. “Crap,” I thought, “I hope I don’t get a ticket.” Not knowing what else to do, I parked and went to class. When I came out at 10:00, there was a lovely pink slip of paper under the windshield.
I got a ticket.
For those keeping score at home, the past five days have featured a stolen iPhone, the miraculous return of the stolen iPhone (though after I bought a new one, meaning no matter what I’m out the $40 restocking fee), putting my car in the body shop to the tune of $500, and now getting a parking ticket in a borrowed car.
Oh yeah, and the softball glove I need for our game tonight? Also still in my Xterra.
Is it Friday yet?
On the bright side, you have your ipod back, your car will be good as new at the end of the week, and you get to contribute to Auxiliary Services at your school for probably less than the cost of a rental. Believe it or not auxiliary services is doing a good job. Lol.
I got caught at UHCL without a tag once because I had Cari’s car. The police were very understanding when I explained and showed them my tag and they took back the ticket.
Also, you should’ve asked the Dad that had the kid with sticky fingers to pay the restocking fee. He could make his kids pay and teach them a lesson.
I called the police department today and explained. The woman on the phone told me “well the rules say you have to have a permit, and we offer temporary permits.” She told me my only options are to pay it or file an appeal. Obviously I’ll file an appeal.
I should’ve asked the dad — I wasn’t thinking about it at the time though.
Hey, when did you change up your blog? I always read it through a feeder. Way cool.
Whew. I thought you were going to say you wrecked the friend-of-a-friend’s car.
Don’t wait until Friday to have a beer is my advice.
You did say no questions asked for the return of your property. I guess you did have a question, “will you pay the re-stocking fee”. Next time it gets borrowed I would expect it not to be found.
Richard – yep, I did say “no questions asked” in my email. I didn’t even ask how the person came to have my phone in the first place. He volunteered the information when he returned it.
I’m just glad to have it back. I’m out $40 instead of $600, and lesson learned. I’ll be far more careful in the future.