MY NEIGHBOR DECIDED TO ADORN MY VEHICLE WITH ADHESIVE FILM – I REFUSED TO LET IT GO UNADDRESSED. For weeks, my neighbor had a habit of usurping my designated parking space and leaving his vehicle directly in front of my residence. I repeatedly requested him to reposition his car and refrain from occupying my spot, explicitly stating that I AM AFFLICTED WITH PERSISTENT LEG DISCOMFORT AND REQUIRE A WALKING STICK FOR MOBILITY. He would consistently dismiss my appeals, and the situation persisted unabated. On the occasion of my most recent door knock, I adopted a somewhat stern tone. I insisted he relocate his vehicle so I could park in close proximity to my entrance. I assumed that would mark the cessation of the matter, but this morning, I awoke to discover my car ENCASED IN STICKY FILM. ARE YOU SERIOUS? NOT ONLY DO YOU POSSESS THE TEMERITY TO SEIZE THE PARKING PROVISIONED FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY, BUT YOU ALSO SEEK RETRIBUTION AGAINST ME AFTER I COMPEL YOU TO MOVE?! I DEVOTED THE ENTIRE FORENOON TO SLICING THROUGH THE MULTIPLE LAYERS OF ADHESIVE. While meticulously removing the adhesive residue from my windows, I had ample opportunity to conceive my retaliation strategy. And believe me, it was destined for magnificence. Consequently, upon my return, I proceeded to the ⬇️⬇️ most audacious maneuver of all. I contacted the homeowners association, armed with photographic evidence of his persistent parking violations, coupled with the rather sticky souvenir he’d left on my vehicle. I detailed my disability and the critical need for accessible parking, emphasizing his complete disregard for my repeated requests. I even included a politely worded, but firm, summary of our verbal exchanges, ensuring to highlight his dismissive attitude.
To my utter astonishment, and frankly, a considerable degree of vindication, the homeowners association acted swiftly. Within 24 hours, a sternly worded notice was plastered on his windshield, citing multiple violations and threatening towing if the behavior persisted. Furthermore, they levied a hefty fine for the parking infractions and, surprisingly, for the adhesive film incident, deeming it property damage – a clause I hadn’t even considered, but apparently existed within the fine print of our association rules.
The following morning, I observed him frantically scrubbing at the remnants of the HOA notice on his car, his face a mask of thunderous disbelief. He hasn’t parked in front of my house, let alone my designated spot, since. In fact, he seems to actively avoid even glancing in my direction.
Perhaps “magnificent” was an overstatement for my retaliation. There were no fireworks, no elaborate pranks, no shouting matches. But there was a quiet, satisfying resolution. The adhesive residue on my car was a pain, and his initial behavior was infuriating. However, sometimes, the most effective – and indeed, most “magnificent” – revenge is simply to utilize the systems in place, adhere to the rules, and let the wheels of justice, however bureaucratic, turn in your favor. And perhaps, just perhaps, he learned a valuable lesson about respecting disabled individuals and the importance of common courtesy, albeit a lesson delivered not by my anger, but by the cold, hard reality of a homeowners association fine. The sticky situation, in the end, cleaned itself up quite nicely.