A Parking Meter Salute!

Last night I had the opportunity to perform at one of the 'happenin' night spots in Tempe named the Loft. A truly eclectic crowd no doubt. There is always a sort of dread that I have when having to park my 'big rig' in downtown Tempe due to the plethora of traffic and drunk frat boys. So. Pulling up to the place to unload my massive amounts of amplifiers and other noise making junk, I find that there is no place to load in. I do find, however, a spot DIRECTLY in front of the door that I have to load into which happens to be in a fire lane. I reason to myself that I can 'park' here for the five minutes needed to unload my equipment. So. I unload my equipment uneventfully. It has been not even five minutes when I return to my vehicle to zip up my keyboard case and get into my car to move it. I am greeted by none other than the fearless (use magnificent booming low voice) TEMPE Police Department Meter Maid writing a parking ticket for my truck that was parked there for not even five minutes. As I was packing up and getting ready to move my truck he was typing in his little numbers into his little meter maid electronic ticket writer. I inquire, "are you writing me a ticket?" He responds robotically, "Yes. You see these three signs? No parking." My mind races with a thousand thoughts about ways to counteract his ticket but I arrive at nothing. I sheepishly take the ticket, upon which the officer lets me know not to do it again. I glance at the ticket.....$46!! For a 5 minute load in. I feel the familiar tightness that law enforcement pulls from my gut and move my car. I pull into a spot a little ways away and happen to spy the little old meter maid driving where I was parking. I step out of my car and ask him if that was an alright place to park. It was at this time when he jumped from his metermaid mobile, unholstered his night stick, and charged me citing disorderly conduct. Not Really. He just said yes. So....a big one fingered salute to the TEMPE POLICE DEPARTMENT PARKING METER MAIDS! God Bless you and your revenue raising ways.