The stars must be aligned with sun and moon, and the universe’s negative energy is shining upon my head.  Okay, that’s a bit dramatic, but the frustrating circumstances that are beyond my control  have been taking it’s toll the past 2 days.

Let me share a little story…

So, yesterday at 11:45 I got an email from a big manager that they are going to be in town at 12:30 and they want to go on sales calls with me, etc.  So, of course, I plan on being nowhere to be found at 12:30…and decide to take my lunch break parked with a good book in some shady spot.

So, I drive my car to a local park, and pull up to the parking lot.  There are no marked stalls in this gravel area, so use your imagination…I drive by a bulldozer at one end, 3 or so empty spaces, car, empty space, car.  I decide that I would park on the opposite side of the last car, and as I drive that way, I see it’s a handicapped stall so I swing around and park in between the two cars, roll down my windows and turn off the car.

I didn’t realize the car to my left had a mom and her teenage daughter in it…and as I’m reading, I notice that they turned UP their stereo.  I wasn’t listening to music, so it was no big deal.  Then the lady starts griping how SOME people have a lot of nerve parking up her F-ING @ss and they should move their car.  Especially since there are 3 F-ing empty spaces at the other end of the lot.  She continues to say how I parked up her f-ing @ss, until her daughter shouted “MOM stop!  Just move your car!”

Since it was obvious how I was inconveniencing her day, she starts up her car and tears out of her spot, spraying gravel the whole way and goes and parks on the other side of the other car.  She then continues to b!tch and moan about how f-ing rude I was for at least another 10 minutes.

Now, I realize that what I did was akin to standing too close to someone in the elevator.  You just don’t do it.  But honestly, I parked close, but not so close that they couldn’t easily get out of their car.  And I’m a pretty non-confrontational person to a complete stranger, that if they asked me to move, I probably would have done it without a thought.

After some time, and several dirty stares they finally left.

So this begs the question: Did I handle it right by just ignoring her?  Because I’m still thinking about it a day later, did she win?

Let’s face it: if I said anything to her, no matter how calm, it would have escalated the situation.  Do I appear weak and scared by not saying anything?  Remember, she has the power of crazy on her side.  For all I know, she could have a weapon in her car.  She looked normal, was dressed in nice work clothes.  She was just nuts.

I was at the park needing a retreat from the crap I’m getting at work, and this is the joy I find.  She’s certainly teaching her child that it’s okay to be crazy to complete strangers.  There’s a lack of politeness in society these days, and many people find it easy to treat someone on the street with contempt.  People just don’t care about those outside of their world anymore, and that has really worn me down.

On an up-note, I’m going to Oregon tomorrow with the love of my life to spend a fun-filled weekend with my good friends Luke & Erica.  We’ll have good food, good drink, and great fun!  AND I realized that I have next Thurs/Fri off, as well…no plans, but maybe a few days is what I need!