Winter Games on our Street

Since it snowed all day yesterday, and the street now has a thick layer of snow and slush, the winter games are on.

Keeping the sidewalk clear of snow and ice is mandatory and can be fun. But this is not related to the winter games.

The winter games is my monicker for the fact that getting in and out of the street-level garage becomes difficult.

Our street is not wide, the garage sits way too close to the sidewalk, and there is a multi-apartment rental across from us. This means just the same as it does stateside: more cars than parking spaces.

All of our street is "no parking except in designated areas".

Which are designated by markings painted on the street.

Which, in turn, become invisible under snow.

All of a sudden, our German neighbors and more so their visitors, line the street right across the garage with their cars, making it a serious job to get in and out for us. Add a little impatience by some drivers who just want to pass through on their way to something very, very important and obviously feel that their honking will help you navigate so much better, and you have the setting for the winter games.

As with many other games, there are no true winners and losers. For me, the objective of the winter games is straightforward: get through the winter without bent sheet metal and residual spring time resentment towards folks who don't know better but who also do not think to use spaces just fifteen yards further down.

I guess, I'll have to start up the old HP printer and print out some nice, friendly reminder notes. But only after ringing the doorbells and asking in person.

Will we make it through another winter without an insurance claim?