Anniversary Tickets

This spring marks my 20-year anniversary as a licensed driver.

Ten years after I got my license, I got my first ticket.  It was a speeding ticket for doing a whopping 50 km/hr.  To my disgrace, however, it was in a 30 km/hr school zone.  Before you think I’m a completely horrible person, let me tell you why I didn’t slow down that day:

My husband’s shift had recently changed from Monday - Friday to Tuesday - Saturday.  I was used to shopping on Saturdays and not worrying about school zones.  Suddenly my shopping day was Monday but I was still thinking “Saturday”.  It was my first time out alone since giving birth to our second child, and I was heading to a mall to do some Christmas shopping.  I was very excited and took a route I didn’t normally take.  It was morning and the sun was shining in my eyes; hence, I didn’t even see the sign.

After I got my ticket, I cried all the way home and for most of the day.  I had just blown our Christmas budget on a speeding ticket and, of course, I felt bad about speeding in a school zone.  Thankfully, the judge said I didn’t look like a speeder and he reduced my ticket so it wouldn’t affect our insurance.

Ten years later, which was a few weeks ago, I got my second ticket.  Wouldn’t you know it, this time it was a parking ticket while I attended a candidate forum prior to the recent election.  Just doing my duty to be an informed voter and – BAM!  Beware: Active and thorough Peace Officer in town.

For my 30-year driving anniversary I’d prefer another kind of ticket – tickets for a Broadway musical.  But just in case, I’d better cut down on my jay-walking.