Don't oversleep in NYC...

Owning a car in NYC means that oversleeping could come with a hefty monetary punishment. Last week, I overslept for the first time in 3 years. I opened my eyes and nearly screamed when I saw the clock read 9:29. I had to be at work by 9:30 but most importantly alternative side parking was in effect and I had parked in a stop that had to be vacated by 9:30 on Tuesday morning. I quickly checked the website http://isalternatesideparkingineffect.com/ just in case it was some holiday I had never heard of and the street cleaning rules were not in effect today. Nope, I had to move my car. I tossed on a pair of pants and a shirt, grabbed my car keys and ran into my hallway. After punching the down button 10 times, the elevator finally came and I was off. Now I do love biking but running and I do not get along. My asthma flairs up and I am left gasping for breathe after 1 block.

My car was three blocks away from my apartment and the fear of a parking ticket propelled me down the street. As I was running I remembered that along with a ticket, my car could be permanently defaced with this sticker...



I had seen these on many cars in the neighborhood and the thought of having to scrape at the bright yellow sticker for hours gave me chills. I arrived at my car at 9:39 to find it completely alone on the side of the street. The last car parked, the only target for a traffic cop or worse an angry sanitation worker.

I scanned the windshield and the side windows and relaxed. I had made it and there was no ticket in sight. I got very lucky. My building has a circle in front where you can leave your car for 10 minutes. You give the doorman your keys and run upstairs to drop something or or in my case get dressed for work! I ran a brush through my hair and teeth and I was to NJ a little late but happy that I owed no money to NYC!