Happy New Year

Well, we're coming to the end of another year, and I'd like to wish all blog-readers a Happy New Year! And also, best wishes for 2010!

Updates from the Parking Services office:

Once a customer purchases a parking permit, the student worker must explain parking rules to them. The student worker enjoyed a particularly hungover customer who muttered a feeble 'okay' to every sentence she said. Shall I make my voice a little louder, so that thy headache will enjoy it more? Okay, that was bad. And kind of mean. And I didn't.

Customers appreciate a smile. One comment yesterday: "You were so agreeable and nice - now is the parking permit free too?" Er...noooooo. But nice try.

Students who transfer from universities where parking is free are rather disgruntled to learn that that privilege no longer applies for this university. At least he was a commuter. I'd have hated to tell him there were no resident permits available. And I nearly forgot the 50+ waiting list...

Yeah for the countdown to 2010!

A Description about this Parking Facility

I nearly forgot. Blog-readers will need a basic description of this parking facility to keep up with the news.

These posts take place within a quaint university situated in the middle of nowhere.
The writer is a student worker at their Parking Services Office.

Upon commencing her employment at said office, she has lost her faith in humanity. And yet, she loves her job. And she'll let you in on a little secret. She luuvvvveeees the 'angry customers.'

A parking permit is needed to park on university lots.

Permits are divided according to:

Commuter student

Resident student

Remote lot

First year resident students are usually saddled with the remote lots, and all of them are nearly a mile away from campus.

"And how do we get there?" they question, panicky.

"Walk," replies the student employee with a sympathetic smile. Yes, she does have a soft spot for the freshies.

"And look on the bright side," she says, trying to inject a little bit of a smile onto their sad faces. "During the late summer, you can enjoy the sun, get a bit of exericse, and maybe even a tan." Ahem. No, the student employee does not usually say the abovementioned last sentence, but, by working at this office, she has often learnt to appreciate that the glass is always half-full.

Night permits for the people who take night classes. It is a loooooooooot cheaper than the usual permit.

Motorcycle and moped permits.

Faculty and staff permits. They usually have the better lots.

Rockstar permits. A guaranteed spot in the super-duper, super-expensive reserved lots/spaces

Five day permit cards for those who visit the campus on an occassional basis.

Free emeritus permits for retired staff members.

Special permits for anyone who needs them on a temporary basis.

Vendor permits for anyone who is doing repairs on campus.

We do offer mobile permits which can be moved from vehicle to vehicle. They are purchased at the buyer's own risk; if they are lost, there is a pretty hefty replacement fee.

Additional notes:

Parking permits, except ones used on motorcycles, are not cheap.

Parking is very limited, very, very, very limited

Customer Questions and Answers

Question:
So, what do you guys do with all the money that you make?

Typical Answer:
As a privately-owned parking facility, we do not receive any state funds. The money that we obtain from issuing citations and selling parking permits is used to maintain the parking lots, cover any expenses, and plow snow during the wintertime.

Answer that I would love to give:
We take the cash, put it in a blender, and then we drink it.
Blog-reader, if you have ever seen that Family Guy episode where Bonnie finally has her baby, you will know what I'm talking about.

Hello!

This is a bit of a first time thing, so I am a little nervous doing this. But bear with me and suffer through the following sentences.
Basically, I work at a Parking Services office. For all who have received parking tickets, it is now time to reminisce about it, chunter, and complain. Please note that I said parking tickets, not speeding tickets!
But, after experiencing some rather incredible situations in my workplace, I hope to use this blog to talk about them, allow you to have a good laugh (hopefully the poor mortal who has been on the receiving end of my ridicule will not curse me to the utmost depths below ground), and inject a little sunshine into an otherwise tiring, gloomy day.
As a New Year's Resolution, I will keep this blog updated.