Line Jumping Anyone?

Some days the fact that Multiple sclerosis is part of my life is not a major in my face factor and other days it seems that the world has decided to make sure I know.  It started over the weekend when I decided to upgrade a computer and ended this afternoon getting a parking pass.

A while ago my friend bought one of those packaged computer deals at a warehouse store on sale – cheap. All he wanted was the monitor so he sold me the computer cheap so cheap I will not say – it might make you cry.

After the little scare with the Gateway I started thinking – yes thinking again – O NO!    I was lucky this last computer wacko fest that when the Gateway machine stopped working I did have the XP machine as a backup. Maybe I should spruce it up a bit. It really is not that bad of a computer.  The only real suck things about it were the low watt power supply and the graphics (build into the board) –  Pentium Dual Core CPU running 2.6GHz not the fastest chip on the block but it will do.  Came with 5GB DDR2 ram so I stuck in another 1GB to even it up.   Went out a purchased a 460 watt power supply and a graphic card. Other than the 30 bucks saved up for the school parking pass my funds are gone for the month.  Lucked out getting a gift card for Christmas so I decided to spend the money on the puter.

Frustration mounts during this project – the little screws constantly fall from my fingers, if I can not see something I can not find it so hunting for wires while holding up a power box is annoying, and remembering exactly where plugs go – well I sort of solved that problem by taking pics of the inside before I began. How freaking frustrating! I used to be able to do all this with either hand now I am lucky if I can get a screw back in with both hands and thank goodness Catfish like to sniff out fallen screws and bolts hoping for something edible if I do not scare him off with my cussing.

Next, buying a parking pass should not be such a big deal. You go to the administration office, wait in line, hand of the money and your have a pass.  Well . … let me start with the closest available parking space was at the opposite end of the lot from the admin building. I am glad someone vacated a handicapped space I did not have to walk the length plus the width just the length of the lot. After getting across the roadway ( in the crosswalk) because a nice lady in the line of cars actually stopped and let us pedestrians cross I worked my way up the stairs. The stairway with the easier ramp access is at the end where the admin building is and the walkway that direction is full of fast moving oblivious youngsters. Ok, up the stairs, the right, to the left. around the building to the next building. Go right, go left, arrive at the door to the admin building.

I will try to describe this the best I can. The front of the door is blocked by two long white portable canvas tents. The line of people is outside the tents. There is no way the students would let anyone by them – well because that is cutting the line. I notice between where the tent is up to the doorway and a small trash can there is a crack. Maybe if a go there and peek around someone might let me in? Not a soul in sights. So I squished my way into the lobby past folks who made a few comments and walked to the right into a little alcove where the help window is usually open. Not today. Nope they are handling appointments of some sort.  I kept my eye open and the first time the cashier window closest to me finished with one person and before the first person in that big arse line got there I zipped over to it. The person next in line was not exactly happy about this.

I just looked at the gal and tried to act like this was so normal and said, excuse me but I am handicapped and can not stand in that line do you have a handicapped access window?  She says – uh huh.  I say well all I need is a parking permit can you sell me one? She looks over at the line and says – only if it is Ok with them. I say OK you go ask them. She looks at me, she looks the line,  thinks a moment and then she says – would you like a holder for your permit also?

So yeah I got the permit but when I got back to my truck I was kind of down.  Golly Gosh, even amusement parks and airports have rules for sanctioned cutting . … in Switzerland it is common practice for older women to cut it is against the law to cut into the ferry line in Washington – oh I so hope some of the peeps figured out that I could not stand in the long line – oh gee I am a line jumper.

I mean nothing like feeling like the old lady with the cane who cut in front of everyone.