By Doula Patti

Location:  Apartment Building near Lake Calhoun

Time:  10:40 — I’ll be nice and early!

Feeling:  Ready and confident.

I pull up to the garage door behind another car and enter.  I don’t see any card swiping device, so I figure it’s an automatic door.  I drive along and try to figure out where to park.  All spots are marked with numbers which makes me realize I’m probably in the residents garage.   I drive back to that good old automatic door and no matter how close I get–and I get CLOSE–it won’t open.

That’s when I notice a little box with the words “SmartPass.” GREAT!  I back up (thinking thank goodness no one is in line behind me) and try to call the client.  No service!  I drive up a level and try again.  Mama answers but doesn’t know how to get me out!  Not feeling so confident anymore.  Good thing I arrived early!

Then…I hear a car!  My chance to escape.  I follow inappropriately close to his bumper and get out before the garage door closes.  Sorry for tailing, Friend, but there’s a mom and baby upstairs who need me!