RANT Rant to my wife and I for misinterpreting a parking sign, thinking we were in free parking hours. We were wrong and returned to a $44 parking ticket. Unfortunately, after parking we saw a young woman paying for parking and, trying to be helpful, we told her she didn’t have to pay. I’m sure she got a ticket too, but she’d left before we returned. If she’s reading this, we’re so sorry. Since it’s unlikely we’ll connect, we’ve tried to atone with a $44 donation to the U District Youth Center for homeless youth.

RAVE To the custodian at the school where I teach, who heard that I’d spilled a pot of soup in my car and cleaned it while I was teaching. I was so dreading that cleanup after school and so amazed to discover that the car was cleaner than I could have imagined. Thank you!

RANT and RAVE Rant for a man who loudly cussed when my adult, professional daughter who has a physical disability was slow retrieving her card at Starbucks. Rave for the woman in line who called him on his rudeness and for another patron who carried her drink to a table for her.

RANT To myself for showing up too early for my movie time of “Twilight” and chatting with friends. I didn’t realize it was the last scene from the movie because we thought we were early and were watching trailers. Fellow Twihards, I’m sorry for ruining your moviegoing experience.

RAVE To the angel who saved my life. I took a bite of a protein bar while driving and it got stuck in my airway. I couldn’t get a breath, stopped, got out of my car holding my throat using the sign for choking. The guy behind me stopped, got out of his car, grabbed me and pulled up under my diaphragm until the piece dislodged, then gave me a nice comforting hug.

RANT To pedestrians wearing all black on dark and rainy evenings/mornings. I’m sure your gloomy garb marks you as hip, but it makes you invisible to drivers. Bonus pedestrian tip: talking on a cellphone does not place you in a magic no-car zone.

The Seattle Times publishes reader rants and raves on a space-available basis. We reserve the right to edit for length or content. Send yours to rantandrave@seattletimes.com.