Have you ever had to fight for something that you want? I mean, really, it’s a very unique situation to be in when one puts both life and limb on the line to achieve a goal, at least for something so very common.
The thing I find myself fighting for with such tenacity, such drive, such passion, is a parking spot in the midst of rows at the administration building before my 8:15 a.m. biology lab. That drive from Moselle to Ellisville on Tuesday morning is the highlight of my week because I am forced to turn what would reasonably be a calm, cool commute into something akin to turn three at Talladega Superspeedway. Now that probably has something to do with the fact I am usually rolling out of bed to start my day at roughly 7:45 a.m., but who isn’t at this school?
The thing about parking on Jones campus is that it’s a very risky business, and some might even call it an art; I know I do. The finesse one must acquire to get good at Jones parking is the concept of timing. If you’re too early, you’ll be stuck in a parking spot for an unseemly amount of time before your class starts and you’re stuck in your car looking like a fool. Being too late is just as bad because there more than likely won’t be a spot open in front of your building, and you’ll be forced to park about a mile away at the dorms (not that I would ever do that, I’m always on time).
The main issue facing the average Jones student is the minefield of cars leading up to that one last empty spot that you’ve worked so hard to secure in the time leading up to your class. For some reason, the spaces here on campus seem to only hold about half of the average American vehicle, so it isn’t unlike playing the game Operation when trying to traverse the final stretch up unto your well-deserved spot.
But then there is the most unfortunate of circumstances. You are driving along to class, all is well, you see a spot open just where it needs to be… and then it’s stolen out from under your wheels at the very last moment. Other than that, there could be the most aggravating outcome of someone being parked in a spot and a half, rendering you unable to park in what would be a pretty great spot. The amount of grief and stress that overcomes you can be anything but healthy. You begin to start questioning yourself and the methods in which the universe plays its awful tricks. In the end, you must either master the art of getting right in the sweet spot of not being too early and not missing your spot or else you’ll just have to invest in some shoes with good support because you’re bound to have a lot of walking in your future.
by Walker Robinson
