Crowd Control.
Written on 5 May 2008 by DuoI don’t mind crowds so much as I detest idiotic people in large quantities.
The issue comes to bear primarily when I grocery shop. I honestly believe that a lot of people are pretty considerate when they shop, but there seems to be a growing majority of people who have zero clue as to how they should behave when performing this activity.
1) Parents.
There are some parent’s, like one mom I saw on Saturday, who are just generally worn down from raising really active children. They do their best to manage their kids, fighting uphill all the way. While their kids are a pain to maneuver around, I generally don’t mind, because at least an effort is being made. The other type of parent, the one I really cannot stand one iota…are the type who do nothing to manage their children, and said kids thinks the grocery aisle’s are a free for all. Their kids dart to and fro, in front of your cart, stand in the way…it’s also worth mentioning, these are also typically the type who would sue you if you ran into their precious little snowflake with your cart. I had what looked like a 2 year old run right in front of my cart, with mom not even paying attention. She had walked ahead into the frozen food aisle, back turned while her daughter streamed in front of me. Before anyone says anything: I am a parent. I have the right to comment. My kid has always been well behaved in public places, because I actually parent, and manage my child. I reward good behavior, and set up negative consequences for incorrect behavior. And, most importantly, I always know where my child is. HINT FOR THE DENSE MINDED: THIS IS HOW IT’S SUPPOSED TO WORK.
2) The committee’s.
We all know who these folks are. These are the people who congregate and conversate in the following places:
* Right inside the entrance.
* Right inside the exit.
* In the narrowest aisle of the store.
* Any other place they can fill with their inane discussion.
You want to talk? Catch up? Do it outside. Or better yet, call them on the damned phone. In the words of Ben Affleck in “Mallrats”, I have no respect for people without a shopping agenda. Holding court in the soup aisle is not acceptable. You people are idiots, and you should be grabbed by the nape of the neck, and dragged out of the store and hurled into traffic. You are 50% of the reason why shopping sucks. I can see why my mother always went shopping at 1 AM.
3) The Inspectors.
Another group that needs to be dragged to the toy aisle, and beaten with wiffle ball bats. These are the folks who pace the meat and poultry coolers. Picking up this, looking at that. And they cannot make up their damned mind. You cant get to anything because they are moving up and down the cooler, and you cannot seem to predict their actions..it’s easier to just wait until they move on. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for looking at meat and taking a good look before you buy. However, I would ask you add a little coherency to your process. Pick beef or poultry, stay in that area until you have made your selection, then move to the other.
4) People who think they are more clever than they actually are in the parking lots.
Here is a tip: if the parking lot is near full, pulling through two spaces to jump to the other side makes you an idiot who annoys the absolute shit out of everyone else on the planet. In a full parking lot, you have to accept two things:
* There are no shortcuts to get to that space that just opened the other aisle over.
* There is no quick way to get out of the lot and onto the street.
Just follow the damned arrows, and stop trying thinking your some parking lot wizard. You’re a moron, and you need to die in a fire.
That’s about it. Just had to document the frustration that drove me to leave the grocery store when I was only about 80% done with my shopping, because all of these groups converged and annoyed the absolute crap out of me. I couldnt stand it anymore.
Meh.
Current Mood:
Annoyed
All I need now…
Written on 2 May 2008 by DuoThis weekend is going to be … well, let’s just say I am going to be busier than a one legged man at an ass-kicking contest.
I desperately need to buy a pair of futons. One for the living room, one for Selphie. Next up, I need to buy some really useful things for the house, namely a microwave and a vacuum. I also need to buy some other houseware types of items, rugs for the kitchen/bathroom, a towel set, frames, a shadowbox or two.
Then of course, comes the shopping for groceries. And I also need to buy booze for the housewarming party. And of course, get over to Seraph’s house to help with stuff around there. No rest for the wicked.
I did however, buy my bicycle. Seraph and I plan to dedicate ourselves to getting a bit more into shape by cutting out the crap (we pledged no fast food, and limited contact with other restaurants…I am going to fondly miss Taco Bell!) and ride every week along the lakefront.
I also wish to buy a ginormous kite. But that will have to wait till next month. Which is fine. I have plenty to fill my plate this month. Between rounding out the unpacking and house decorating, shopping, the party, helping Seraph move into her new apartment (2 EL STOPS AWAY FROM ME. YAY FOR MY SIDE), work and everything else…I have plenty to keep myself busy.
But, I definitely feel a hell of a lot better than I did 6 months ago. I feel as though I am riding a wave here.
Current Mood:
Accomplished & 
Enthralled
Ahhh, the month of May…
Written on 1 May 2008 by DuoSitting here, I cannot help but wonder if spring/summer will ever get here. It’s like 48 degrees outside, and we have had a crapload of rain and 32 degree days here.
I want to put my long coat and fedora away for the summer.
Le sigh.
Junk in the trunk
Written on 29 April 2008 by DuoAm I the only one who finds it disturbing that there are a great many people who basically roll a suitcase to and from work each and every day?
The last time I worked in the loop, not more than say…10 years ago people carried the usual assortment of briefcases, backpacks, etc. However one thing I have really noticed as of late is the number of people who cart friggin luggage to work. It makes me wonder…what exactly do you need a rolling case for?
I take my trusty backpack to work each day. It carries everything I need: My laptop, my portfolio, a book, my keys, various utility cables for my blackberry…etc, digital camera, a book (currently “On The Road”) and a small umbrella.
We live in a highly computerized world these days. I thought the advent of computer technology meant doing more, with less. My thinkpad is less than 5 lbs. So, it begs the question: what in the HELL do these people need what amounts to a piece of luggage for?
I mean, seriously. I see people with leather rolling cases that are akin to a small filing cabinet. People generally work 8 hours a day, with an hour commute to and from work. That’s 10 hours. in the other 14 hours not spent eating, or playing with the kids, do you really bring that much shit home with you to work on? If you do, it might explain a few things about the current state of society.
As the working people of downtown drag these rolling cases around, I cannot help but wonder what could be so critical that they have to truck it to and from each and every day? What the hell are you carrying in there? A midget? Or are you just taking a suitcase to work in case, on the off chance you are given a free trip to Cancun, but only if you leave for the airport in the next 5 minutes…
Boss: Jenkins!
Jenkins: Yes Boss?
Boss: I am sending you on a vacation to *spins the wheel of random vacations*…Puerto Rico! Are you all packed?
Jenkins: Yes sir!
Boss: Right! Off you go!
We wont even get into the fact that the people who drag these things around do so very badly. Knocking other suitcases or people around. It’s almost like car and truck traffic…(hey! Maybe Traffic Copter 5 could hover over Wacker Drive between Adams and Monroe and give us SIDEWALK traffic reports…”We have a gapers delay on the corner of Wacker and Adams outside the E-Trade building, where two leather rolling cases collided with a double sized suitcase and garment bag trailer, traffic is being re-routed to the other side along the sears tower..”) but on the sidewalk. But I seriously want to know, what the hell could be so voluminous, and so critical in this age with computers, VPN’s, and Excel…that you have to pack it into a suitcase and lug it to and from work daily?
This is strange, creepy and annoying all at the same time.
Current Mood:
Playful & 
Relaxed
Hubie needs to get a clue…
Written on 25 April 2008 by DuoPeople keep talking about “three track hell” on the EL. But to be honest with you, I have fewer problems commuting in the morning, than I do in the evening.
In the morning, all southbound Brown, Red and Purple line trains share one track between Belmont and Fullerton. This is so they can finish the track reconfiguration, and build the other half of the new stations. I usually never have an issue, trains arrive every couple minutes, and they do so in a nice orderly sequence. Typically Redline, a couple Brown Line trains, a Purple line here or there…
I get to work with little to no trouble, and I usually always have a seat.
In the evenings however, things get stupid. I take the brown line up to Fullerton, and transfer to the red line. The sequence in the afternoon is typically: Brown Line. Brown Line…and maybe then a Red Line train, already crammed to capacity. Sometimes I see three Brown Line trains before a Red Line train shows.
It’s nice and all that they increased capacity on the brown line. Yay. But the afternoon commutes suck northbound, where trains all operate on their own tracks. Red Line capacity sucks, and is slow. Logistically speaking, the CTA has issues with the evening rush hour when it comes to the Red Line.
Current Mood: Annoyed
