Glamour Sticky Situation of the Month

It somewhat pains me that the generation that follows me has no idea about the Glamour Sticky Situation of the Month.  The release of Glamour mag was usually on the 17th of the month and in my twenties, I was a faithful reader.  I read it cover to cover and it provided me with fashion advice, makeup techniques, which bathing suit was right for my figure, and other things I needed to know at the time.  My favorite section was "Glamour Sticky Situation of the Month".  I turned to that page first.  It would describe a real life dilemma that was common for women in their 20s and provide possible solutions and analysis of the solutions.  Situations like, my room-mate and her boyfriend are keeping me awake with their sexual activities, why do I do?   Or, I went out with 3 friends and only had an appetizer while they had alcohol and an entree and a dessert and then they want to split the bill equally four ways?  So, whenever, I had a dilemma, I would go to my friends and say, "I have a Glamour Sticky Situation of the month" and they were prepared to respond appropriately.  About the time I turned 30, Glamour mag stopped this column and I stopped buying the magazine.  Also, I felt I knew all that I needed to know about make-up.  

I now know that the Glamour Sticky Situation of the Month really was teaching young women to use Wise Mind.  That is a technique that realizes that sometimes your first reaction may not be the smartest in the long run and it is good to stop and take some time to evaluate all options before moving forward.  Often, you end up going with your gut anyway, but it is good to think about consequences before you act.  

I have a Glamour Sticky Situation on my hand right now.  The car in the picture is owned by an older woman.  I don't know for sure but I think she is in her early 80s.  This parking job was one of the best that I have seen her do.  It is not just her parking.  I have seen her driving.  She is a menace.  I don't think she is seeing clearly, her reaction time is not good, she has cut me off badly while lane changing just because he has not looked in her side mirror or did a shoulder check.  Her best driving days are definitely behind her.  I feel that not only is she in danger when she gets behind a wheel, but others are as well.  I would hate for her to be in an accident when I have observed her driving but did nothing.  

But, this is where it gets sticky.  This woman is abrasive.  To put it kindly, she has a "prickly personality".  She lives in my building so we occasionally interact.  One day, I was parking as she was taking packages out of her car.  I asked her if she needed help.  She told me to mind my f'ing business and accused me of trying to find out specifically where she lived so I could rob her.  That is one of the nicer things she has said to me.  One time, she was sitting with a friend in the lobby and as I walked by she said, "I would be ashamed going out in public with hair looking like that."  Usually, I let these comments go, but that day I stopped and told her that I already had a mother-in-law who judges me harshly so her input wasn't needed.  Every time we see each other, she has an unprovoked comment, and that goes for anyone.  I have seen her being cruel to others.  

So, for safety alone, I feel I should report her licence plate to the authorities and suggest she get an evaluation if she still can drive.  However, because she is so prickly, I don't know if that is influencing my judgement.  She appears to have atleast one adult child because one time she told me to hurry because I was blocking her view and her daughter was picking her up.  I thought of approaching the daughter, but I actually don't know who she is and I would only be approaching her when her mother was there, so that wouldn't work.  Plus, her daughter probably has the same concerns but perhaps has no influence.  

I know that driving affords the elderly a tremendous sense of independence.  She is master of her universe, so to speak, and can come and go when she pleases and set her own agenda.  I know losing the licence is devastating to that sense of independence.  As you age, you experience enough losses as it is.   Loss in overall functioning, loss in mobility, loss of friends and relatives, loss of interests.  It isn't always the "golden age".  Even though this woman is "prickly", I don't want her to lose this independence.  

And, I don't know if her driving is really that bad or if I just have preconceived notions based on her personality.  But, then, I actually think her driving is that bad and I couldn't bare the guilty if she harmed someone.  

It is certainly Glamour Sticky Situation of the Month.  For now, I will continue to observe.  I still don't know why Glamour Mag took out that column.  I have atleast one sticky situation each month.