Another One Caught: Parking Like the Rules Don't Apply

I caught another one.


Today I was on my way to the local Harris Teeter to pick up additional lottery tickets for the pool I'm in (more about that over at NielFlamm.com/blog). Harris Teeter is only about a mile from my house, and to get there, I pass Rivertowne Public House—which, by the way, has a great Caesar salad and chicken nachos if you've never been.


As I approached Harris Teeter, just past the Pub House, I noticed a white BMW X3 with a South Carolina license plate WUP 290. The driver was inching his way into a parking space so slowly that he backed up traffic in both directions. It wasn't a particularly difficult parking job—it just seemed like everyone else had to wait while he perfected it.


I didn't have time to snap a photo on the way in because I was headed to buy those lottery tickets. But I secretly hoped the BMW would still be there when I came back out on my way to get a car wash.


It was.


One thing that crossed my mind: this happened before anyone at the nearby pub would reasonably have had a chance to enjoy a few adult beverages and make questionable decisions afterward. From what I observed, this appeared to be a sober driver making a deliberate choice to take as much time as needed, regardless of the line of cars waiting behind him.


That's one of the reasons I'm glad I have this blog. It gives me a place to document the little moments that make you shake your head.


One quick note before anyone points it out: yes, you'll notice a golf cart parked in a handicap space. It appears to be a legitimate designated spot, and I don’t have information on whether the owner has a disability. I'm not making any assumptions about that.


What I am commenting on is the behavior I personally witnessed. Taking your time is one thing. Holding up traffic in both directions because you're determined to execute the perfect parking maneuver is another. A little consideration for the people around you goes a long way.


As a BMW owner myself, I hate seeing behavior that reinforces the stereotype that BMW drivers are selfish or entitled. Most of us aren't. Unfortunately, it only takes a few memorable moments like this to give everyone else a bad reputation.


Let's all remember that parking lots work best when everyone shares them with a little patience, courtesy, and awareness.


Have you ever witnessed a parking lot moment that made you wonder what someone was thinking? Leave a comment and let me know.

🥵 Summer Called… It Wants Its Temperature Back

I was out running errands around 3:00 PM EDT today, and my car’s thermometer looked like it had simply given up.


Then there was the humidity—easily 80% or more. You know the kind. You step outside, and your shirt immediately files for divorce from being dry.


The official temperature may have been one thing, but it felt like 200°F. I half expected to see eggs frying on the hood and my prosthetic asking for air conditioning.


If you saw someone sprinting from the parking lot to the nearest building, there was a good chance it was me. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and if you’re in the South, remember: you’re not sweating… you’re just slowly becoming part of the atmosphere.

I Was Offended… Apparently I’m a Senior Now

Today, I was offended.

Not by politics.

Not by social media.

Not even by hospital cafeteria coffee.

No… I was personally attacked by kindness.

I stopped by Harris Teeter on Ben Sawyer in Mount Pleasant to grab lunch before heading to the hospital to spend time with my mom. It wasn’t exactly a gourmet feast—a sandwich, a Coke Zero, a KitKat, and yes… a chocolate chip cookie.

Before anyone starts judging my nutritional choices, remember… hospitals burn emotional calories.

I rolled up to the self-checkout and hadn’t even entered my alternate ID or scanned my first item when a very pleasant Harris Teeter employee walked over and said:

“Let me give you an additional discount.”

Now we’re talking!

I’m thinking maybe it’s Customer Appreciation Day.

Maybe they liked my smile.

Maybe they recognized my dazzling personality.

I happily started scanning each item while the self-checkout AI watched me like I was starring in CSI: Grocery Store. Every beep felt like I was proving my innocence.

Finally, I hit Pay.

That’s when I saw it.

Senior Discount.

…Excuse me?

Senior?

Who?

Me?

Are you absolutely serious?

I thought I looked pretty good for my age. Half Asian genes are supposed to buy you extra time before aging catches up. We don’t gently age—we apparently hit the wall decades later… and then gravity just wins in one spectacular weekend.

Sure, I qualify for an AARP membership.

But I always viewed that as more of a suggestion than an identity.

Now I’m wondering if I should start saying things like, “Back in my day…”

Should I begin eating dinner at 4:15?

Am I required to complain about gas prices and the weather?

Should I start carrying hard candy in my pockets?

I guess the next logical step is downloading the OurTime dating app.

Apparently, society has spoken.

On the bright side…

If someone wants to save me money because they think I’ve earned enough birthdays, who am I to argue?

I’ll take the discount.

But I’m still recovering emotionally.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go yell at some kids to stay off my lawn.

…The lawn I don’t even have.

Getting older is weird.

At least the Coke Zero was still full price.

South Carolina Voters: Earn $125 for Two Hours of Your Time

I'm helping spread the word about a South Carolina voting market research study that will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, June 10, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

The study pays $125 for participation and is looking for White/Caucasian males in South Carolina who are comfortable participating on camera during a Zoom discussion.

If you think you qualify and would like more information, send me a direct message. Feel free to share this opportunity with someone who may be interested. Seeking White/Caucasian males in South Carolina who are comfortable appearing

The Great Handicap Parking Mystery of Mount Pleasant

Today I headed over to Town Square in Mount Pleasant to catch Pressure, the new D-Day movie.

(By the way, if you're curious what I thought about it, check out my movie review at https://NielFlamm.com/videos/moviereview.)

As a right above-the-knee amputee, I usually look for an accessible parking space. It's closer to the theater, the walk is easier, and getting in and out with a prosthetic leg is a whole lot less like an obstacle course.

Then I spotted it.

The same accessible parking space.

The same questionable parking job.

The same blue-haired driver.

At this point, I'm convinced this is either a social experiment or an attempt to see how many spaces one compact sedan can occupy at once.

Folks, this wasn't a monster truck. It wasn't an oversized SUV towing a boat. It wasn't a bus.

It was a mid-size sedan.

A vehicle specifically designed to fit between two painted lines.

Yet somehow it was parked like it had ricocheted off three shopping carts before coming to rest.

I stood there wondering if I should leave a helpful note:

"The lines aren't decorations."

Maybe the parking lot needs bowling bumpers.

Maybe flashing runway lights.

Maybe one of those airport workers with orange glow sticks directing traffic.

To the mystery blue-haired parker: I have faith in you. The engineers who designed your car have faith in you. The people who painted the parking lines have faith in you.

One day, you'll center that car.

Until then... I'll keep bringing my sense of humor.

And don't forget to check out my review of Pressure over at https://NielFlamm.com/videos/moviereview.