The Crittenden Automotive Library

How (Not) to Drive on the Square

How (Not) to Drive on the Square

Gus Philpott
Woodstock Advocate
July 30, 2008

As I headed toward home early this evening, I drove around the Square from Main Street to Dean Street. As I approached the turn by Starbuck's, I noticed a blue Dodge Caravan stopped in the traffic lane next to a parked car, on the trunk of which sat two young men. (For a larger image, just click on the photo.)

When the driver of the Dodge didn't move, I fired up the trusty little camera and prepared to take a picture, expecting the driver to pull ahead and clear the driving lane. Instead, the young woman got out of her vehicle and walked back to ask if I was going to put her picture on my blog.

I suggested she might want to move her vehicle out of the traffic lane, and she stated that she wasn't violating any law. So I offered to clarify the law for her and asked her if she wanted me to call the police. "Sure, go ahead."

As I dialed the Woodstock Police, a car parked in front of Starbuck's backed out, and the young woman got back in her car and pulled into the parking space. I parked elsewhere and walked to her car to be sure I had seen the rear license plate correctly, and surprise! No front license plate.

Guess it's a good thing the cops didn't come. She could have gotten two tickets!

As I walked back to my car, she said in a loud voice to anyone within hearing, "That's the guy who takes pictures of peoples' cars and puts them on his bloggggg."

You know? If she had just pulled forward when I stopped behind her (or if anyone else came up the street behind her) and waited for her to move, this wouldn't even be happening. Instead, she earned herself some publicity by getting out of her vehicle and sounding off.

Happy to oblige, young lady.

© 2008 GUS PHILPOTT