Sure. It’s July. I know that because it’s 1000 degrees outside. And though Festivus is a Holiday celebrated in the winter, I don’t want to wait until then. I feel I need to “Air My Grievances”. Feats of strengths may follow at a later date.
Of “grievances” I have many. They range in degree of offenses from minor (or even major) “Annoyances” to what I also refer to as “Pet Peeves”.
Annoyances are things that happen, sometimes a routine basis, that get on my nerves, but I deal with. Where as pet-peeves really set me off.
Annoyance #1 You know how when you are loading the dishwasher and you drop silverware into the silverware tray and it has that mesh plastic screen? And you know how that 1 piece of silverware slips perfectly – PERFECTLY – through the meshing screen and won’t allow you to close the drawer? And you know how you seem to either need a cross between a degree from MIT and the strength of Ken Patera to get it out? Yeah, that annoys me.
Pet-Peeve #1 Shopping carts not being put back. Most frequently, it’s the grocery store, but it’s also at Lowes or Home Depot. People, put the cart in the corral and don’t just push it off away from your car. If you used the cart – put it in the corral. You’re being lazy – FACT.
Pet Peeve #2 If you are in a hurry and need to pop into a store, park in a parking place. Sure, I get it. You are going to be quick, and you think you can just park right out front and inconvenience everyone else. Most violations occur in front of a drug store or grocery stores. Get over yourself and park in a parking place. I know it might be a bit of a walk, but if you’re parking there to get cigarettes, trust me, your heart could use the exercise.
Annoyance #2 You know how when you get coffee some place to go? Or maybe it’s a coke from WaWa or a fountain drink from RoFo. And you know how the cup lid might not fit right? And you know how you go to lift it using the ridge created by a correctly fitting lid, but the lid comes off and burns your hand if it’s hot coffee or just spills if it’s a coke? Maybe you don’t actually drop it (as happened to me at Dairy Queen last week), but it comes off and you have a mess to deal with. Yeah, that annoys me.
Pet-Peeve #3 Cursing in the written word. Now, Big Jimmy ain’t no saint and I might curse in conversation. And I might curse when I swing a hammer and I don’t aim correctly. But that is usually unplanned and in conversation, it’s not scripted. But in the written word, whether in social media, or in a blog post like mine, the person typing has the choice of words to use. That person also made the conscious decision to hit enter and/or send. Now, sometimes, only a curse word will work to express that strong sentiment and I get that. But using a curse word, just to use a curse word is a big pet-peeve of mine.
Annoyance #3 When things don’t work. I’m a realist, so I get it – things break. Cars break. Electronics break. Appliances break. But some things have 1 purpose and no actual moving parts. Like a stapler (as did recently). A stapler has 1 purpose. ONE. It takes a “U” shaped thin small metal strip, pushes it into paper(s), bends the ends into itself creating a clasp that contains the paper(s). It has that sole purpose. So when it breaks – it’s of no use. Yeah, that annoys me.
Pet-Peeve #4 Blocking the box. We live in a beach area and traffic on weekends is horrible. HORRIBLE. But if you are here on vacation, many people live and work here. We use cross streets to cross the highway as we want to avoid the highway. It would be helpful if you’d not sit in the middle of the intersection when you are stuck in traffic, then when the light turns and I can now cross, you’re in the way.
Annoyance #4 Wet grass. I hate wet grass in the morning. Even if I have to take just a few steps to get to the car, it gets my shoes wet. This goes back to my early days of morning running and getting my shoes wet, which got my socks wet and they were wet for the entire run. Yeah, that annoys me.
Annoyance #5 Chronic lateness. As a personal trait – I really hate being late. I have always prided myself on deadlines and being on time. And many times, perhaps for a meeting when I have had to travel a longer distance than another person, the person closest to the meeting is late. And often, it’s the same person who is late. It’s not hard to be on time. Plan ahead. Yeah, that annoys me.
Pet-Peeve #5 If there is a lane closure – get over into the open lane as you can – don’t be “that guy” that has to drive up to the front of the line and expect to get over at the last second, going past all the cars that got into the open lane(s) in an orderly fashion. Traffic is most likely backed up enough, and you are causing it to be backed up even more. Your time is NOT more important than mine or anyone else’s. And yes, I am “that guy” who will move my car into that lane and straddle the lanes to not allow you to pass. And if the car ahead of me does the lane blockage, I also pull over just a tad and stay close so the driver can’t cut in.
Pet-Peeve #6 I think I saved the biggest for last. Possibly my biggest Pet-Peeve is cigarette butts. Now, I am not a smoker. But when people just flick their cigarette butts instead of discarding of them properly – it sets me off. Often, when walking into a store and having to get that very last puff, a person will just flick their butt onto the sidewalk – when 9 times out of 10 there is a cigarette butt receptible RIGHT THERE for the person to use. And yes, I will loudly voice my displeasure to the offended. I hate parking lots littered with cigarette butts. And even worse, sitting at a red light and seeing a smoker just flick their butt out the window onto the street or into the median. I don’t drive in front of your yard and throw our my water bottle in front of your house. Simply stated – it’s littering.
Somehow, I kept this to 5 annoyances and 6 pet-peeves. Not sure how that was possible. If you know me – you certainly know that I both get annoyed AND am also annoying on many different levels.
HAPPY FESTIVUS !!!!
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