Technology

Verses

Love

I got a parking ticket the other day. Here is a picture that was sent to me of my car parked in a handicap only parking spot:

What this picture and the efficient, technical, camera equipment can't tell you is that I wasn't parked there! I was dropping my wife off at the building she works in.

            I love, honor, and respect my wife. She has had rheumatoid arthritis for over 25 years. She doesn't drive and depends on me to drive her where she needs and wants to go. I could just pull up and let her get out on her own. She could do that, but I love, honor, and respect her. So, I will stop, open the door for her, walk her 20 feet to the door of the building, open that door for her, tell her I love her and hope she has a good day. It is my favorite time of the day!  I then walk back to my car and drive to the Housing warehouse where I park for the day. I have been doing this for over ten years!

 I am there less than a minute and am always in sight of my car. There are six handicap spots there and at that time of the day usually only one is being used.

            The camera equipment can't understand the love I have for my wife. I contested the ticket in writing and they denied my appeal. The next step is to go before the parking committee and present my side orally.

 I am hoping the parking committee can understand the devotion and chivalry that we as a couple share!

            When I was younger, I spent several years in the Marine Corps. One of the things that they taught me was to be successful in accomplishing the task. They taught me to improvise, adapt, and overcome the situation. Since the camera equipment doesn't know what love is and can't understand the concept, we have improvised another way to drop her off.

The Parking Committee

            Finally, I was able to appear before the parking committee. I was prepared with my explanation.

            When I got there a woman escorted me to a conference room. There was a large table with people sitting around it. The Parking Committee is made up of faculty, staff, and students. I was expecting a few cold-hearted individuals.

            I was surprised and somewhat happy to see that the University Fire Marshall was on the committee. I thought I might have a chance! We were good friends. He has helped me to improve the fire alarms by backing up my decisions on the fire code. I have also helped him on the same things. Although he has never said it to me, others have told me that he thinks I am brilliant! I have had some experience swaying his decisions on fire alarms and maybe he would help me sway the committee!

            I preceded to tell my story. It consisted of what I wrote above. I also asked them if they knew that there were 6 handicap spots there and that most of them sit empty. They pulled up a map to look at it. I also told them that I see UPS, Postal vehicles, and Coke trucks parked there as they unload. They all smiled and shook their heads. One of them said, "We need to do something about that!"

            My friend, the Fire Marshall, never said a word. So much for the help I was expecting. As things started slowing down, the chairman of the committee suggested, "Would you accept it if I pay half and you pay half of the fine?" I said that he shouldn't have to pay for something I was charged with." He explained that he wouldn't personally pay it, but the parking department would forgive half of it. I then said I would take what I could but emphasized that I wasn't parked there and didn't think I needed a fine. I then was escorted out. The woman that led me out introduced herself as the Fire Marshal's wife. She confided in me that her first husband never opened the door for her and that the Fire Marshall was a real gentleman like me!

Technology versus Love

Love Wins!

            Later that day, I got an email from the committee. They changed the parking ticket to just a warning, and I wasn't charged anything! In this instance love triumphed over technology!