Random rants and observations

I've been on the road a lot lately, which has given me an excessive amount of time to think. Mostly I try to use this time to work out plot points for a new book, but all too often, instead, I drift into thoughts about all the things that drive me nuts.

I suspect this mental wandering could be fueled by my Starbucks iced mochas, which are the reason I'm on the road so blasted much in the first place. You see my nearest Starbucks is 45 minutes away, which is both a blessing and a curse. The curse, of course, is how far I have to drive to get that mocha -- and the dark chocolate covered Graham crackers to which I'm also recently addicted. The blessing is that it's NOT right around the corner, so I'm not dreaming up daily excuses to go there.

At the top of my current list of annoyances is the habit of way too many drivers who risk life and limb by pulling into 55 mph traffic from a side road, and then drive at a snail's pace. If they were in such a hurry to get on the highway, why on earth don't they drive the speed limit once they're out there?

Then there are the drivers who persist in driving in the passing lane and not budging...or passing. Or if they do eventually pull over, then speed up so it's all but impossible to pass them and move back to the right.

I'm also befuddled by managers at various stores who watch lines build up and do nothing to get additional cashiers in place. Or by managers who are late opening because at five minutes before opening time they've discovered their computers are down and have to figure out how to fix the problem before allowing customers in the door. And don't let me get started on the post office these days. Not the carriers, who are terrific, but the policies and management. Is it any wonder profits are down when they've made it all but impossible to figure out the ever-shrinking hours of operation?

However, lest you think I've entirely lost my sense of humor these days, I was greatly cheered today by a hotel sign that announced "friendly service for quality guest." I couldn't help wondering if a similar sign is what got the head of the IMF in big trouble at that fancy New York hotel!

So today what I wish for you is a reason to laugh no matter how many frustrations you face. A good chuckle really is good medicine!