Crappy Situation

Wow. Tonight was interesting. So I came out of work to find that my car was gone. I had parked on the street in what seemed to be an okay spot and it was not there anymore. I got really nervous that someone had stolen it so I started running up and down the block, pressing my panic button and searching for my car. It was no where to be seen. I went back to the office and told my co-workers. They walked with me to the spot where I remembered parking my car and sure enough, there WAS a sign that said "no parking between 9am and 5pm, Monday through Friday." I hadn't even seen it because the sign was so far away from where I actually parked. Everyone else was parked there. I'm thinking it is a residential parking zone and I parked in someone's spot so they called the cops on me. I'm going have to find out for sure though. I called 411 and got the number for Brooklyn tow pound. Sure enough, my little silver Toyota Corolla was there, being held captive for a ransom of $185. Ugh, I am broke as is.

Well I have the greatest friend in the whole wide world who dropped everything to come pick me up after work. I sat in Starbucks talking to my mom and complaining about my situation until he picked me up. He drove me to the tow pound and even spotted me the $185 so I could get my car tonight. While we were waiting online we started talking to a guy that was in front of us. He was telling us about how he parked illegally and meant to come back out to move his car but completely forgot until after work. When he came outside his car was gone too. While talking to him I realized that when you think you are having a horrible day, it really CAN get worse. As we were telling him the story, he got this sudden look of panic on his face and started patting down his pants and searching in his pockets. Turns out, he left his car keys in his jacket that he left at his office when he was rushing to get to the tow pound! The poor guy had even taken a cab here, and now for nothing because he had to wait another day (the pound closed at 9 and it was already 8:30). I felt so bad for him. I knew that I thought I had it bad but it definitely could be worse.

Well I got my car back, along with another $60 ticket. I am just so lucky to have such a great friend here to help me out. I am also so happy that my car wasn't actually stolen! I guess this is just one of the things you have to deal with while having a car in New York City. Finding parking really sucks and sometimes driving can be so much more of a hassel then taking the subways. I am now going to be so much more careful about where I park and make sure I read every single sign around me. I really didn't see that damn sign! I totally thought I was in the clear. Oh well, shit happens and you live and you learn.