I tried to pay my parking ticket online, but I guess since it's an electronic ticket, it's not possible to do so until after 5 pm.
Out of curiosity, I wondered whether it might be worth contesting. So I gave it a go!
Enjoy!
_____________________________ (The Following is what I sent as my contest)
Recently I have been in the hopeful pursuit of a new job! Following the completion of my philosophy test today, I set out to look into downtown Columbus' restaurant scene (I think it would be fun to be a waitress!) and, having seen the restaurant 'Barley's' on my way down High Street, decided to stop off at one of the meters and secure an application! I couldn't wait!
Keys in bag, bag on my shoulder, wallet in-hand and one foot out the door I surveyed my change purse... only to find seven pennies. In a flash of hope I recalled mom's center console -- the change haven! As it was, I had tapped into this resource for my last parking venture, and only the pennies remained -- 11 to be exact.
Pennies in hand, carefully recounted, I headed for the meter. Suppose it didn't take pennies? It was worth a try, anyway.
One penny in -- no difference. I tried again with
two more -- still no consequence!
My critical thinking skills kicked-in, and lead me to Yankee Trader, where an employee kindly granted my request to exchange 15 pennies for a nickel and a dime. (Surely I wouldn't need too much money to walk back down to the restaurant afterward!) I headed back to the car, hopeful as ever.
nickel in -- 3 minutes! We're getting somewhere!
dime in -- 3 minutes! ? Wait...
3.. or is it 8?
Maybe the numbers were a little difficult to read.
Now, I am a pretty brisk walker, but not quick enough to get to the restaurant and back in three minutes. What could I do? I remembered the money mom gave me before she left for the weekend, got a dollar, and headed back for more change. On the way back, I passed one of High Street's merchants with whom I had earlier exchanged smiles in transit, and rather than walk back to the store, decided to explain what had happened and ask the kind sir whether he had change for a dollar.
Kind indeed! -- Though he did not have enough to exchange for the dollar, he had an array of nickels and dimes and pennies, and (pennies omitted--he must have known better)generously gave them to me without accepting my dollar as a trade. I walked back to the meter, relieved and really ready to pick up an application!
A few nickels and dimes later, I re-evaluated the meter. Was that thirty five minutes or twenty five? I supposed thirty five, and headed for Barleys.
The sign on the window told me it was open at 11. Every day? Every day. I conferred with my phone, and found it was only ten twenty-something am. Seeing the bright side, I realized that it gave me a good excuse to walk around downtown to see what other restaurants I might find -- and I had just about as much time as was left on the meter! Off I went!
I wandered, smiled, got a couple suggestions from others about where might be good to work, got an application (!), inquired about employment elsewhere, and realized it was just about time to get back.
Having just left the Hyatt (I saw online that their restaurant was hiring!) I was on the opposite side of the street from my car and the restaurant, and decided that, rather than cross the street and head all the way down and backtrack to get back to the car, (I'm pretty certain that side of High Street had seen enough of me earlier,) I would just make use of the crosswalk further down the side I was currently on.
On the way down, I glanced at the car to make sure it was safe; free of papers on the windshield and whatnot. Nice and clear! I figured I still had a few more minutes.
Waiting for the crosswalk to do its thing, I checked out the phone -- it was 11:03! -- I would have to do this fast! After a couple of traffic exchanges, I followed the lead of the white-light man at the other side, and finally -- finally!-- went over to pick up my application.
Application-in-folder-in-purse I headed back, relieved, to the car and got in. I put the keys in, sang along with the CD as I got myself arranged and -- what could that be! Found the orange paper waiting for me underneath the wiper.
Bummer.
I unbuckled, got out and picked up my surprise.
Perhaps youguys receive more that you like of these ticket-contests, so I understand if you're a little worn out by the stories, but if you happen to have some mercy to spare, I'd gladly accept it!
If not, I understand that's just the way life goes sometime. At least I know now it's about time to replenish the center-console's change-wealth :). (And that meters aren't keen on pennies!)
Regardless of your decision, it might be good to check that meter out to make sure others will be able to read it better -- surely I could have just done the math and counted as I put the change in, but in my excitement at the time I guess it didn't occur to me!
Thank you and take care,
Ashley :)
:: UPDATE ::
They weren't having any of it.
Bummer.
Oh, the lessons.
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