The expensive haircut

I was going to grow my hair out and get dreadlock extensions from the Hair Police, but the boyfriend was unamused so I got a haircut at Floyd’s 99 Barbershop in Uptown.

I parked at 4:15 p.m. and I was told that there was a 45 minute wait. I went back to feed my meter, waited, and got my haircut. I went back to my car afterward and the entire street was deserted. No car. I had a quick WTF moment and then saw the sign: “NO PARKING 4-6 PM.”

Towed. This was a very expensive haircut.

I walked the 3-4 miles to the impound lot with images of Parking Wars in my head. I was also worried about the towing fee, which is $300-400 cash in Miami. Turns out that the fee is only just over $100 in Minneapolis, so I was thrilled.

I was less thrilled when the impound lot attendant told me that my car was registered to Vivian Schmidt, who I never heard of. Apparently the previous owner was towed and the city hadn’t updated its records. The attendant eventually found my name in his system and didn’t even ask for proof of insurance because the guy next to me was in the process of an epic meltdown. That guy’s car was stolen and he was pissed that he still had to pay the impound fee because the thief misparked his car. Fail.