Yes, I have. I'm not even sure where to start but it seems that every random person is against me today. I've had the strangest interactions and what's worse, is that I haven't been able to find the appropriate "come-backs" in time and I wind up leaving the situation dumbfounded and looking lame.
So....
To the woman behind the cash register at CVS:
You have to open your mouth and emit sound in order for me to know you've said something. I can not be expected to read your mind. The last I checked, humans haven't been endowed with that power yet. So when you thought about asking me (twice as you said) about whether I wanted a bag to carry the 4 items that I bought out of the store, the catch is... YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO SAY THE WORDS. And should it have actually been MY fault, and if I really didn't hear you (which I know is not the case anyway), when I asked you for a bag, there is no need to lash out on me with, "You said 'no bag' that's why I asked you twice" in the rudest of all snotty tones.
And to the customer ordering next to me at Firehook Bakery at lunchtime, who offered his unsolicited advice to me:
No, I do not want an oatmeal cookie, even if you seemed to determine by the quickest observation of me that I need a "healthier option" than the peanut butter cup cookie I ordered. [I ordered my cookie and he turned to me and said, "You really should get an oatmeal cookie. It's healthier."] You have no idea what my eating habits are, nor when my last cookie was. I'm 5'2", 100 lbs, and have consistently low cholesterol and blood pressure. I go to the gym several times a week and walk 2 miles roundtrip to/from work every day. For all you know, mister, I gave up cookies years ago and this was my special treat. (not true, but he wouldn't have known that). So, mind your own business, get your own damn oatmeal cookie, and leave me to enjoy my Friday afternoon treat in peace.
Thank you.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The People Are Ready For Change
Got you there, didn't I?
You thought this was going to be another blog post dedicated to Barack Obama or our messed up electoral/ delegate vote system, or the news that Ralph Nadar has decided to ruin our election - again. Well, you are wrong. No politics here. At least not today. I'd like to talk about the Spring fashions I see popping up on the street around me. And it's still only in the 40s.
Yes, the people are ready for change. For a change in the actual climate (among others such as the economic climate and political climate, but we'll save that for another post.) Enough of the dreary 40 degree weather days. Either snow, or be sunny. But the hazy cool mist is getting old already.
Peep toed shoes have made their way back into my office and I've seen several women walking around with skirts on - sans hose. I'm even guilty of running out to lunch without my jacket on lately. Feels like it should be Spring already, even though it's not even March yet. (And even at that, the true Spring weather typically doesn't arrive until May.)
But as global warming persists, our seasons lack demarcation and somehow Fallwinterspring has become the norm. The slightest hint of snow brings everyone into a tizzy and I'm sure a forecast for a 60 degree day would be cause for shorts and flip flops. Yet, somehow, regardless of the forecast, we're left with the gray misty cool humidity. Not cause for an umbrella per se, but definitely enough for a bad hair day.
You thought this was going to be another blog post dedicated to Barack Obama or our messed up electoral/ delegate vote system, or the news that Ralph Nadar has decided to ruin our election - again. Well, you are wrong. No politics here. At least not today. I'd like to talk about the Spring fashions I see popping up on the street around me. And it's still only in the 40s.
Yes, the people are ready for change. For a change in the actual climate (among others such as the economic climate and political climate, but we'll save that for another post.) Enough of the dreary 40 degree weather days. Either snow, or be sunny. But the hazy cool mist is getting old already.
Peep toed shoes have made their way back into my office and I've seen several women walking around with skirts on - sans hose. I'm even guilty of running out to lunch without my jacket on lately. Feels like it should be Spring already, even though it's not even March yet. (And even at that, the true Spring weather typically doesn't arrive until May.)
But as global warming persists, our seasons lack demarcation and somehow Fallwinterspring has become the norm. The slightest hint of snow brings everyone into a tizzy and I'm sure a forecast for a 60 degree day would be cause for shorts and flip flops. Yet, somehow, regardless of the forecast, we're left with the gray misty cool humidity. Not cause for an umbrella per se, but definitely enough for a bad hair day.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Get Out The Vote
The Potomac Primaries. The Chesapeake Challenge. Whatever you want to call it, it's a busy day here in the D.C. area. Voter turnout is expected to be a record high, so accordingly, I made sure I was at my voting location at 7am. (Ok, I also had a 7:30 yoga class to attend, so I was up anyway.) My thought was: 7am, in, vote, and out. No more than 10 minutes tops. Joke on me.
My voting place is just a few steps away from my house. Really couldn't be easier. I peeked out the window this morning to see if the canvassers were in place, giving me a good indication that voting was about to begin. I bundle up, walk 10 steps down the sidewalk and there I am. Confronted with a line! At 6:59am, I was already 15th in a line of eager voters. Doors didn't open until 7:05am and when we all filed in, the realization hit quickly. There was only ONE person at the check-in table. A-G, H-P etc. Irrelavent. One person = one line. After check-in, you were funneled to another line - with one poll attendant - handing out the ballots. This was going to be a while.
Very quickly the line started increasing - two fold, four fold, until there were about 70 people in line by the time I left at 7:30am. Still, one person at the check-in table. At this rate, I can't imagine what it will be like at 6pm. Just remember, if you are in line by 8pm - the designated close of polls - they have to let you vote!
So, my advice to voters - bring a paper, bring a cup of joe, be friendly to your neighbors in line and just be patient. This is a huge day for us and worth savoring the impact we can have on this election.
My voting place is just a few steps away from my house. Really couldn't be easier. I peeked out the window this morning to see if the canvassers were in place, giving me a good indication that voting was about to begin. I bundle up, walk 10 steps down the sidewalk and there I am. Confronted with a line! At 6:59am, I was already 15th in a line of eager voters. Doors didn't open until 7:05am and when we all filed in, the realization hit quickly. There was only ONE person at the check-in table. A-G, H-P etc. Irrelavent. One person = one line. After check-in, you were funneled to another line - with one poll attendant - handing out the ballots. This was going to be a while.
Very quickly the line started increasing - two fold, four fold, until there were about 70 people in line by the time I left at 7:30am. Still, one person at the check-in table. At this rate, I can't imagine what it will be like at 6pm. Just remember, if you are in line by 8pm - the designated close of polls - they have to let you vote!
So, my advice to voters - bring a paper, bring a cup of joe, be friendly to your neighbors in line and just be patient. This is a huge day for us and worth savoring the impact we can have on this election.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Announcing a New Endeavor
Announcing the very preliminary, very unofficial, very soft launch of Draw Me A Sheep on Cafepress.com. Click the button to the right to view the first pieces in the Drawing Sheep clothing line. Yes, there are only two, and yes, they are both for babies, but stay tuned! More to come!
Direct link: www.cafepress.com/drawingsheep
Direct link: www.cafepress.com/drawingsheep
A Wake Up Call
I admit that I am completely wrapped up in this presidential election. It is all that I've been talking about it, I stayed up to watch the Super Tuesday returns, and I'm counting down the days until I get to vote on the 12th.
I also admit that I live in somewhat of an insular bubble. I often like to think that I'm in touch with other people and groups who are not just like me, but the truth of the matter is that I stick to my circles and social conversation often revolves around the interests that we share. That being said, I do look forward to moments, like the one I'm about to describe, that offer me a well-needed wake up call into what goes on in greater society.
I walk home from work every day passing a church on the corner of my block. I often stop to talk to the parking attendant (he inquires on why I haven't moved my car in days primarily so he can offer to buy it from me and I ask him what upcoming events are going on at the church, mainly so I can be sure that my car is not boxed in if I do need it.) Last night, after inviting me to a pancake breakfast and inquiring about my work-out regimin, I asked him if he was ready for the election this coming Tuesday (the church also happens to be my polling place and as the parking attendant, I figured he'd be busy since the predictions are for record crowds.)
The following is the conversation:
me: So, are you ready for the election on Tuesday?
him: Yeah, I'll be coming in on Monday night to help set up the machines. Is this the Obama - Hinton thing? (I'm fairly sure he said "Hinton" - I know he didn't say "Clinton.")
me: Yes, the presidential primary. Its going to be a busy voting day since the votes have been so close.
him: Oh, I thought it might be a school board election.
I walked away after our conversation reminded of the "everyone else," which is in fact a very large number of people, who do not know of or have no interest in this election. In 2004, only 64% of the registered voters actually voted. (This number has increased from 58% in 1996). As a democracy, we allow people to choose if they want to vote - which is, of course, a good thing - but the risk involved is that although our leaders are elected by a majority, they may be chosen by the few, not the many.
Then I wondered where the disconnect is. Is it that this person belongs to a social circle in which discussion of the upcoming election is not prominent, or does he not have access to the information?
I came out of the conversation remembering some words from my grandfather when we would jokingly disagree on our favorite candies, ice creams, food etc. "That's why they make vanilla and chocolate!"
It's all about choice.
I also admit that I live in somewhat of an insular bubble. I often like to think that I'm in touch with other people and groups who are not just like me, but the truth of the matter is that I stick to my circles and social conversation often revolves around the interests that we share. That being said, I do look forward to moments, like the one I'm about to describe, that offer me a well-needed wake up call into what goes on in greater society.
I walk home from work every day passing a church on the corner of my block. I often stop to talk to the parking attendant (he inquires on why I haven't moved my car in days primarily so he can offer to buy it from me and I ask him what upcoming events are going on at the church, mainly so I can be sure that my car is not boxed in if I do need it.) Last night, after inviting me to a pancake breakfast and inquiring about my work-out regimin, I asked him if he was ready for the election this coming Tuesday (the church also happens to be my polling place and as the parking attendant, I figured he'd be busy since the predictions are for record crowds.)
The following is the conversation:
me: So, are you ready for the election on Tuesday?
him: Yeah, I'll be coming in on Monday night to help set up the machines. Is this the Obama - Hinton thing? (I'm fairly sure he said "Hinton" - I know he didn't say "Clinton.")
me: Yes, the presidential primary. Its going to be a busy voting day since the votes have been so close.
him: Oh, I thought it might be a school board election.
I walked away after our conversation reminded of the "everyone else," which is in fact a very large number of people, who do not know of or have no interest in this election. In 2004, only 64% of the registered voters actually voted. (This number has increased from 58% in 1996). As a democracy, we allow people to choose if they want to vote - which is, of course, a good thing - but the risk involved is that although our leaders are elected by a majority, they may be chosen by the few, not the many.
Then I wondered where the disconnect is. Is it that this person belongs to a social circle in which discussion of the upcoming election is not prominent, or does he not have access to the information?
I came out of the conversation remembering some words from my grandfather when we would jokingly disagree on our favorite candies, ice creams, food etc. "That's why they make vanilla and chocolate!"
It's all about choice.
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