Random Rants and Raves

After slightly over 900 blog posts (oooh, I just heard the Editor moan), I have a ton of ideas stashed away that may never make it to virtual paper. Still, things happen that I jot down because “that would be a good way to start talking about…” Fortunately for the Editor, some of those not-ready-for-prime-time ideas are being purged today. I’m going to put them out there with just a little backstory, and this overstretched introduction that is my style, lately.

Rants are always good for a few chuckles and for letting off steam, but as the title telegraphs, there are small good things too.

Rant – No signs, no lines, no clue: I like to get gas on Fridays, so I don’t have to worry about getting gas over the weekend. It’s a pre-weekend gift to myself. And, since we live in the town with the airport, it saves me from sitting in line while the guy in front of me tries to stretch the hose over the rental car’s trunk (there’s a pump icon with an arrow on the dash, buddy). Never mind, that isn’t the rant. I followed a woman into the gas station on a Friday. Turns out, she wasn’t getting gas. She ignored the signs that said: “Gas Customers Only” – the lined parking spaces that said “Shopping” and she managed to park so as to block both pumps while she went in for two packs of cigarettes.

Rant – Switch to decaf: My commute requires me to take the left-lane exit from I-91s to I-84e. I didn’t design the highway, it’s not my fault. So, when the guy behind me starts flashing his high beams ¼ mile ahead of the exit, I really can’t be bothered. Chill buddy.

Rant – What time is it? Some company followed me on Twitter. I looked at a few of their tweets and decided to follow them back. Then, because of the nuances of iPhone notifications, I was woken up around 4:30 AM when this company sent a Direct Message (DM) to inform me of an upgrade to a product I don’t own.

Rave – New glass: I stopped at our favorite restaurant to get some pizza to go. I ordered a beer to have while waiting. The bartender was new, which is always a challenge at a bar where you’re well known. I ordered a Corona. She poured it in a frosted glass and tossed in a wedge of lime. So far, so good. As I was about to take a sip, she yelled: “wait! Don’t drink that!” Startled, I set the glass down. She had noticed a bad chip on the rim. She poured a new Corona into a new glass, added a new lime and told me it was on the house.

Rave – Breakfast: – On the Fridays on which I get my haircut, I usually meet my best friend for breakfast at a little diner near his house. During Lent, I had been skipping bacon (all sacrifice is noted, but bacon gets an star). We’ve been doing this for years, so the waiter came over with our coffee and said:

“Bacon egg and cheese on Italian toast for you, two eggs over easy with toast and home fries for you. And, since he’s gonna have some of your home fries, I’ll bring an extra plate.”

“Where’s the bacon?”

I added that since Lent was over, bacon was back on the menu. He smiled. A few minutes later, the food was delivered, sans bacon. When I pointed that out, he brought me a plate of bacon and put that “on the house!”

OK, one last rant…

Rant – Who does this? Someone who uses our company kitchen does. That thing that appears to be a paper towel is the last remnant of the roll – the one that is glued to the cardboard tube – the unusable sheet. I opened the cabinet to show exactly how difficult it would be to replace that roll. The cabinet is full of unwrapped rolls of paper towels!

The gallery today is a few more signs of spring. Thanks for spending some time here today.

I’m no good with tree names, but this is pretty.

This is in a place where we don’t really have flowers, but it still comes up each year.

These are at work, but they make coming to work a little easier.

These bushes haven’t grown well, but they are hanging on.

Signs of spring.

Sunrise in the yard with Maddie (you don’t want to see what she’s doing…trust me).

Ground cover is welcoming spring.

Sammy has his peanut.

This was a few weeks ago. The lilacs are waking up.

Our office park is getting brighter.

Our office park is getting brighter.

Along my ride home.

Pretty soon, we won’t see much when looking to the west.

Skittish squirrel doesn’t know that I’m handing out peanuts.

My ride home is getting brighter, even on a rainy day.

My ride home is getting brighter, even on a rainy day.

I wish I had a power line filter. but…