Magical Moment 432, "Skill"

Braving the crowded, confusing streets of Manhattan in my trusty Hyundai, I searched the narrow, one-way streets of the Lower East Side for a parking spot. I was in no mood to pay $35 or more for a garage. Searching hard for a vacant space between the lines of parked cars, I tried to block out the honking taxi cabs behind me, trying to rush me out of their way. But you have to drive slow, because if you're driving too fast when you see a spot and overshoot it, you're out of luck by the time you drive around the block and get back to it. The fire hydrant spaces are the trickiest. All that room by the curb, and what a waste! Park there, and expect a hefty fine. I know this from experience.

At last, up ahead. Could it be? Wait, is it a fire hydrant space? Nope! It's all mine! Time to parallel park. Slowing down, lining up with the passenger door of the front car. Oh that taxi driver is angry. Honking doesn't make me park faster! I have a flash of doubt. Can I make it? Is this meant for a compact car? Oh well. Gonna go for it. Now comes the fun part. Reverse, turn wheel, drive, turn wheel the other way. Repeat. Back and forth. Slowly inching my way into the blank spot of this cramped puzzle. At last. I'm in. No scratches, fender benders, bumper bumps, or mirror swipes.

When I got out, a man walked out the front door of a coffee shop that was located directly next to my car. Apparently, he had been sitting inside at his table, sipping his coffee, and watching the entire thing. He passed by me with a minimal nod and simply said the word, "Skill."

~~~

Nutty NYC metro transportation stories:

Useful in More than Just Traffic

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Murphy's Law Applies to Mustangs

A Few Priceless Moments

Magical Moment 625, "Thailand - the Elephants"

Needless to say, my favorite part of our Thailand vacation, was our week long volunteering at Elephant Nature Park ! The logging industry was banned in Thailand in 1989, leaving thousands of elephants unemployed. These elephants are now used for tourism. You may have heard of elephant shows featuring the animals playing soccer or painting pictures with their trunks. They are no doubt amazing to watch, but the sad truth is that these elephants have gone through a series of torture and abuse to "break their spirit" by their trainers. This short clip is very hard to watch, but it will give you an idea of what the elephants in captivity in the country of Thailand go through. The only elephants in Thailand who do not endure this, are the very few baby elephants who are first generation born in "safe captivity" at places like Elephant Nature Park. Every other elephant at this park has been brutally abused. Some have been blinded by their owners, le

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Magical Moment 280, "The Eleventh Hour"

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