They teach me good...

Loved this posting on Yahoo....Me talk pretty one day, because went to shcool!

Sun burn of the brain?

It's finally beach weather in New England, and after spending some time in the world where it is winter, I packed up my beach chair, snacks, water, and a towel, and headed to the beach.

While relaxing and reading, two young ladies (well, in their 20's), began a stimulating conversations about how hot it was outside. The following conversation happened between the hours of 10:00 - 11:oo on Satursday, June 19th.(Boston.com picture by David L.Ryan)

"It is so hot out."
"I know. I get heat stroke all the time."
"Me too. Almost every time, when it's hot out. It's so bad."
"I know. Me too.

Ladies, if you are out there:

"Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia, an abnormally elevated body temperature with accompanying physical and neurological symptoms. Unlike heat cramps and heat exhaustion, two forms of hyperthermia that are less severe, heat stroke is a true medical emergency that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated." -Medicine.net

Upon second thought, maybe they have experienced the neurological part of heat stroke.

Water, Water, (oblivious people) Everywhere...

With a water main breaking on May 1st, 2010 it seems as though panic burned through Boston like a wild fire. The Governor of Massachusetts was telling you to boil you water, and the news was telling you that you could get parasites. Bottom line, some water hadn't gone through a water filtration system.
Being born and raised on a farm, I was raised with well water. So, sometimes you have to get out a pot and boil water. Not a big deal. However, in areas surrounding the water main break, you would have thought the world was coming to an end. People were fighting over water, waiting in line for water for up to three hours, and even driving to New Hampshire to get water. This was even after people were instructed that all that needed to be done, was to boil your water! Much like the action itself, not rocket science.
There was still other things to drink, outside of water, that could be used for your food preparation needs. Milk was still available, seltzer water, and all of those crazy things. Additionally, in the US, between 3% to 10% are every effected by incidents like a water main breaking, and even less are effected health wise when it does happen. It felt like mass hysteria, and I couldn't even imagine how the people who were driving to New Hampshire would deal if they were living in another place in the world.
If you aren't walking 10 miles one way in 110 degree heat, didn't have to live through an earthquake in Haiti that collapsed an entire infrastructure and made it impossible to find anything to drink, or have water that that you can drink right out of the tap 90% of the time, feel lucky. You only had to boil your water.
Footnote: While the water "crisis" was happening, I walked into a store that was only about 20 minutes away from Boston, where I live, and found that they had a gallon of water for $1.29. They were nowhere near running out of it either.

Ridiculous Rotary

A quick note for all those people out there that don't know the rules of the rotary or roundabout. This is a particular shout out to the driver that made the great decision to not yield to a certain Honda CR-V in Quincy, MA. I now know my brakes work well, and that you are a completely oblivious Massachusetts driver.

Massachusetts Rotary Traffic Rules: Traffic moves in a counter­clockwise direction around a rotary. You must always yield the right­ of­ way to vehicles already in the rotary (unless directed differently by local signs or police officers) and to pedestrians. You should use your turn signals in the same way as any other intersection: travel through the rotary and, when you are ready to exit, use your right turn signal.

Here's a little shot out to the most well know rotary/roundabout out there:

Paris - Arc de Triumphe

Oblivious wedding guest

Getting to attend the wedding of one of your best friends in the whole world is one of the greatest gifts life can give to you. A perfect day, a gorgeous bride, a groom that is smiling ear-to-ear, good food, and a wonderful location. It couldn't have been any better, and it was a treat for me to get to attend a wedding like this one.
A place at Table #4 was another treat the bride offered up. Here I got to meet the wedding guest that was wearing the flamingo pink dress that was just a size or two to small, the gold stripper heels that were just a little to cheap, the make-up that was a just a little poured on, the boobs that were made just a little to big by the doctor, the hair that seemed to have been left to set just a few minutes to long, and the mouth that was just a little to big for the words that were coming out of it. Yes, I know, you are probably thinking, "well, this is going to be the oblivious part," and you'd be wrong.

After the salad and before the main course, was when it happened. How the statement came about, I don't really recall. Yet, when I heard, "The average salary for the average European is $200K," my mouth fell open.
At first, when you hear a comment like this, it's hard to know what to do. Was it a joke? Was she serious? Hmm...let's wait for another few comments..., "Yeah, I don't like the Greeks, because there Communists....Women make up half the boards in the United States..."

Ok...Hmm...Should I say something? I'm at the wedding of one of my closest friends...I can't...Hmm...I have to say something....So, as kindly as possible, I say:

1. The "average" European doesn't make $200K. It's closer to the $40K range (even in those heavily taxes countries).
2. Greece is not a Communist country, it's Socialist (although some get this confused).
3. Women make up 2% of those on boards (Based on reports from USNews, White House Reports, and many, many, many more).

Alas, these were not the only amazingly oblivious comments, but they were the winners.

Books, TV, magazines, The Internet....they provide so much information. Subscriptions anyone?

Just a matter of time until the oblivious service post happened

Is it possible to have bad service with a happy ending? Perhaps.

At the end of a very fun group birthday brunch, at a local favorite in downtown Boston, we received our check, not looking at it to quickly, because we knew were going to split it. The bill for the 6 of us was only $150 (including the 18% gratuity), not bad. So, we paid, and continued happily talking for another 20 minutes or so. It was a good time, the discussions were funny, and the meal had been pretty good. So, we were excited. Then it happened.
"You all didn't pay for your drinks," said one of the servers as he laid another check down on our table, "So, here is the bill."
"Too bad," jokingly said one of the brunch group, as the rest of us looked up perplexed at the fact that 20 minutes after paying our final bill another check had appeared. The server just looked at her, and walked away.

It looked as though we were going to have to pay this additional bill, even though we all started to talk about how tacky it was to bring such a small bill after paying such a large bill that included gratutity.

Looking down at the bill, I said, "$22 for our sodas, tea, and coffee." Everyone ponied up the money, but did it so as we discussed whether we should tell the manager about how tacky this seemed to us. Finally, I decided that I would be that person, as we were getting up to leave, and the rest of the group went towards the door.
"Are you the manager?" I asked the only man with the tie.
"Yes," he replied with food in hand.
"I just want to let you know that after having just paid a bill for $150 dollars for a group of 6, that I think it is really tacky to bring a bill over for the $22 dollars of soda, coffee and tea that we had."
"Did you pay with a credit card?" he said with a frustrated look on his face.
"No, we paid with cash," I replied, not expecting anything in return, but an apology.
"That is not acceptable. Let me give you your money back," he said, and looked at his co-worker who had given us the bill.

Reaching for the bill, the manager looked at me, and said, "I'm very sorry, that's just not acceptable."

"It's not necessary, but thank you," I said, as another one of the group was handed the money, and started to distribute it back.
While it appears that the one server was completely oblivious to what good service was the other came through. So, a bad moment in service can have a happy ending people. While an apathetic
approach by the server would have been what we needed in the first place, getting a response that was twice as good (money back), was twice as nice!

Oblivious in the rain

You may have seen on TV that the Boston area has gotten 10.5 inches of rain in 72 hours. Maybe, you even got to experience the 50mph hour winds and the pelting rain. Got to love it! I do, because I get to see the kinds of people who make this kind of storm entirely worth it.

"What kinds of people are you talking about?" You may ask. Well, those would be the oblivious people that believe that they can drive through a river of water that comes up their windows.

Bravo, people! You made a girl tear up!

See all the smarties in action, the quotes I imagine they said just prior, and the quotes I imagine they said just after:

PICTURE 1:
BEFORE:"Honey, I am just going out for groceries."

(Photo from Boston.com - Grocery store parking lot.)

AFTER: "Honey, they were all out of water. Can you believe it?"

PICTURE 2:
BEFORE (a couple of years ago):"What sold me on my 2002 CRV was the storage capacity, collapsible picnic table, hidden storage compartment, and the amphibious vehicle capabilities that came standard."

(Photo from Boston.com)

AFTER: "Sh-t. I forgot I didn't get that."

PICTURE 3:
BEFORE (Duval Patrick, Governor): "It's really been raining out there. We should really put signs up to keep the people safe and off flooded roads."

(Photo from Boston.com)

AFTER: "Were finished putting signs up. Wanna' go get a beer?" (notice the background)

Thank you, Massachusetts! Goodnight!

PART 3: And a he did what???? The obvilious drunk.

Yes, some people get sick on planes. It can happen, but have you ever heard of someone peeing there seat? That's right folks...It can happen. While waiting for my plane from Seattle to Boston to take off, we were delayed, because one of my fellow passengers peed his seat.
Thank you Mr. Seat Pee'er. I now know it is possible. Next time aim for this:
P.S., If you were wondering if he got kicked off the plane. Yes, he did. Plus, the other passengers were moved from around the row, and a cleaning crew came on board and changed out the entire seat.

PART 2: One pinch oblivious B-tch. Two pinches oblivious drunks.

Even as a frequent traveler, I still believe that flying is an amazing feat. Why? Well, you are taking a piece of machinery that ways a few tons, catapulting it into the air (Yes, people, I do understand you are not really catapulting it into the air and there is a lot of engineering behind it), and it actually stays! Amazing!

It's a joy, not a task to fly, and people take the whole experience for granted. Also, ladies and gentleman, those people that help to get you there (pilots and flight attendants) are amazing. Think about it people...How would you feel having to serve every kind of person that roams the earth and do it with a smile? Tough job? I think so. That is why it is always interesting to see how people act.

On my trip from Boston to Seattle, my center row-mate proved that it can be a task. When they do beverage service, it is important to say exactly what you want, and most of the time the flight attendants will give it you.

"Cranberry juice," said the woman sitting next to me.
"Certainly," said the flight attendant, as she puts ice into a nice glass and fills it with cranberry juice.
"I said no ice! Strain it out!" The woman next to me says in a high pitched nasty tone.
"Ma'am, I don't have the ability to strain it out. I'm sorry," the flight attendant says nicely.
"Well, you need to figure it out," says my b-tchy row mate.
"I'll take it," I say, and the flight attendant hands me the drink.
"Thank you," the flight attendant responds, as she pours a new cranberry juice for my row-mate.

When done the flight attendant continues proceeds to ask the couple across from me what they would like, and they respond as follows:

"I'll have two glasses of wine, and my wife will have two vodkas and cranberry juice." To which the flight attendance happily pours, charges them for, and proceeds on out of ear shot.

"What a b-tch," says the no ice row-mate, trying to get my attention.

Completely engaged in my book, I choose not to engage her, because I want to tell her how nasty she just was to the flight attendant. Luckily, she doesn't pursue me further, until towards the end of the flight.

After having watched the couple to my left proceed to get another eight servings of two wines and two vodkas with cranberry, the plane lands, (None to soon, as the couple where making out for the last hour or so) taxis in to the gate, and we begin to wait for people offload.
"Wasn't that flight attendant a b-tch?" says no ice lady to the drunk couple.
"Definitely," says the drunk wife, as she leans forwards and tumbles into me.
"Couldn't believe how she talked to me. I am going to write a letter to the airline," no ice lady says, as she places her bag on my seat on top of my bag.
"You should. They shouldn't get away with rudeness," says the drunk husband, as he pulls on his cigarette smelling leather jacket, and proceeds to push me into the row behind me.
"Great, sounds like a recipe for fun to me. You, nasty b-tch of a woman, get together with your drunk row-mates, and write that letter," I say to myself, and the line starts to move off the plane.

Got to love one pinch oblivious b-tch, and two pinches of oblivious drunks.

PART 1: One pinch oblivious B-tch. Two pinches oblivious drunks.

Six hour flights are always a challenge. It's a gamble who your fellow travelers will be, and you always are left crossing your fingers that it is going to be someone nice. Sometimes the gamble pays off...sometimes it doesn't.

After boarding a plane that was going from Boston to Seattle, I engaged in a wonderful conversation with row-mate of mine about the book, Invictus. He had seen the movie, which I hadn't, and we were having a great time talking about the differences between the two. Being that I had just booked to South Africa, I commented to him about how excited I was about seeing the places they talked about in the book. He was excited for me, said how he wouldn't mind doing that either, and asked me where I was going.

Just then our center older and overweight female row-mate showed up. I moved into the aisle to let her in and smiled. She responded that, "she couldn't believe how long it took her to get on the plane." Politely, I shrugged my shoulders and said, "Yeah, it can be tough at times," to which she didn't say anything back to. So, I decided to respond to the window row-mate I had been talking to about South Africa, because he had asked me a question.

"I am going to Johannesburg for one day, Kruger National Park for four days, and Cape Town for six days. I couldn't be more excited," I said as I sat down and buckled my seat belt. My fellow window row-mate said, "Understandable. I would be too."

"That place is awful. It's so dangerous, and your really shouldn't go out anywhere without letting someone at your hotel know where you are going. I know, I've been there. It dirty and dangerous everywhere," said the woman who had just sat down.

Awwwwkkkkkwwwaaaarrrrrddddd.....

This comment stopped our conversation dead in its tracks, and the gentleman that I had been talking to happily, and furrowed his brow. "What a Debbie Downer thing to say," I thought.

"Well, anyhow, I hope you have an amazing trip," said the man, as he picked up the book he had been reading before the center row-mate's arrival. "Thank you. I am sure it is going to be an amazing trip," I responded, as I grabbed my book and continued to read.

End...PART 1

Oblivious Sports Fan

Thank you Olympics for sharing with us your motto of "Faster. Higher. Stonger." It always feels special to cheer on the world, hear the stories that encourage the children of the world to be active and competitive, and to see moments of triumph after years of hard work!

I am a huge fan (fan n: an enthusiastic follower or admirer), and usually this means that you know the colors of your team or even other teams. However, I had this theory challenged while I was traveling on a bus from Whistler, B.C. to Vancouver, B.C.

Thank you family of four who spent a half hour discussiong how the Swedish flag was white and blue...
How the Finish flag was red and white...
How the Norwegian flag was white, with a white and blue vertical stripe...
And finally, how the Dutch flag was red and white flag with a "Red Cross" looking thing in the center....
You made rethink the meaning of an Olympic fan.

Oblivious Driver

While driving on Route 93 in Boston, during rush hour traffic, I got stuck behind a driver that was speeding up and slowing down. A lot of times this can be contributed to the rush hour texter, who believes that they can text and drive at the same time. Ah, alas, this was no early morning texter, but someone who believed that it was a good idea to drive and read a book.

Completely Oblivious Dedication

Dedication: Thank you oblivious people for being you. I'll never get tired of your ignorance and stupidity. Bravo!