Parking Lot Stalker

Despite what the title says, I do not mean a malevolent stalker, but rather the stalker several tardy people become during any given school day at Ohio State University.  You see, the university oversells itself on parking passes for the year, and everyday when undergraduates, staff and faculty proceed to campus for their daily classes, meetings and work, those who arrive after 9 am inevitably face the competitive battlefield that is the main campus parking lots.

It's nearly impossible to get a space after 9 am on main campus, with 9:30 being the limit as students forgo their earlier classes later in the semester, but around 10:30 to till lunchtime, those who are tardy can usually stalk their prey (some crazy person leaving campus) for a spot closer than having to park across the river, or worse, West Campus.

I actually play this game quite often, as I prefer to get to work a little later and stay after evening rush hour, and trust me, it's worth it, especially in the Fall.  I have to say, I've gotten pretty adept at locating a student heading towards their space and leaving.  Other times, I stalk the medical campus parking lot in hopes that an early morning nurse or doctor is off to an early lunch.

Why not just park across the river you ask?  I'm terrified of spider bridge.  I'm not actually sure if the bridge from Ag campus has a name, but I started calling it spider bridge when I noticed that it is covered in spiders...all the time.  It's especially terrifying when you leave later in the evening and the moths are attracted to the lights on the bridges where just about every spider hangs out, waiting for dinner.

So instead, I'll creepily follow on the heels of a student to their parking spot and patiently wait for them to back out and leave.  It's not the best way to live but until I desire that 11 hour workday again, so it goes.  If you spot a silver Malibu following you someday, do not worry...I don't care who you are, I just want your space.

~Ame