Monday's Street Cleaning

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This menacing dude is over six feet tall. He has bulging muscles which he showcased by wearing only shorts. His stocky frame, easily weighing in at 235 lbs. or abouts, ran outside while I was writing to him a spicy line. He came out charging like the Hulk, except that he is shaved bald. Immediately we got into it. "I've left you a note before, not to park on my street." he said. Which part don't you understand that this is a public street? I innocently asked.

Again, as if speaking to a recalcitrant child he said, "I've told you nicely, and this is the second time -- don't park in front of my house again." He said this through clenched teeth, as his stocky frame barely contained repressed rage. Look man, if you put another note again on my car, I will deem this harassment and I am going to call the cops; this is public property! Again I felt the palpable anger emanating from him, and through his glazed eyes.

I realized, this was a futile attempt to reconcile. "Fuck you! You can't tell me what to do! This is public property!" I said this, as I quickly got into my car, and drove away. He backed away livid, to run back into his house. I noted that he still clutched my note, which reiterated what I'd said to him just before. Now what? I could go to the cops and make a big deal? I had not been very nice. I would put on my most angelic expression, and say that I was only defending my rights.

Yet, was it worth the hassle? Sister prudence who is perched on my right shoulder; counsels that I should carefully choose my battles. While the fallen angel whispers to me softly, "Fuck it! Don't let him bully you!" So, it's now choosing between pride or finding that my car has been torn apart somewhere in the Tijuana border. Do I save my pride, or sacrifice you baby? I just don't know how I will react tonight for Monday's is street cleaning night.

Stubbornly, I know that I am right, and I don't respond well to bullies at any time...yet, it really does comes down to my pride, or freezing my ass waiting for the MTA bus. I just don't know. Either way, I know that I will hate my decision. If I back down, I know that it will erode at my entrails like pouring acid. Then after a while, I come to realize that this is probably a lesson in humility for me, and I should just let it be and choose peace. Motherfucker!




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