I Have Beaten the System

by William Jackson on 2005-04-11

One week ago, on 4 April 2005, I parked my best friendʼs car outside hisdorm. I remember it like it was only last week. It was 17:45, the veryminute those particular parking spots change from permit-only toanyone-can-park-there.

I began walking towards the swimming center, and I called the aforementionedbest friend to inform him concerning the whereabouts of his car. I left itthere because I would not be going to Family Home Evening with him. All waswell, the swimming was great, and the FHE that I did go to was fun, too.

Later that evening, I was waiting for my friend to come to my apartment so Icould drive him home. My phone rang. It was him.

“Heʼs close,” I thought. He always calls when he is close.

He actually called to tell me that I got a parking ticket. Unbelievable. Theviolation: “Parking a motor vehicle in an unauthorized are without a validpermit.” The time on the ticket: 17:45. Un-freaking-believable.

What parking attendant dares give me a ticket at the exact minute the areabecomes free game, and on the fourth anniversary to the day of the firsttime I ever donated blood? Seriously. This ticket had disrespect smeared allover it.

My best friend told me to appeal it; my roommate told me to appeal it; Iknew the whole time I was going to appeal it. I appealed it.

This morning I received an email from Parking & Transportation Services.

After review of the information you provided in your written appeal, theAppeals Officerʼs determination is to void the citation. Information onhow to avoid citations is available on the Parking and TransportationService (PTS) web site athttp://www.utexas.edu/parking/appeal/avoid/index.html.

Youʼre darned right the citation is void. Thanks for that link on how toavoid citations, as well. I could have used that a week ago.

In closing, I completely beat the system, and my sister would be so proud ofme.