Fast Food Chaos - Or Not?

Making the decision to go for fast food is one that takes place many once a month or every other month for me. 95% of the time I am exhausted from a stressful week, and just want to breeze through the local Burger King (the only one within miles and miles of me). For my local Burger King, it usually isn't a breeze in and breeze out kind of experience. Yet, for some reason I keep going back and I keep getting burned.

On my last trip it I pulled into the drive through, ordered and proceeded to wait 20 minutes for my meal. I know, you are probably wondering why I didn't leave. Well, I physically couldn't, even in my SUV. There is a cement wall on either side like you are being herded like cattle towards the trough of gluttony (which is probably what the designers were thinking when they designed the trough). About 10 minutes in my blood pressure had risen, and I tried to survey again if there was a way out. Car behind, car in-infront, and cement on either side. No chance. 15 minutes in, I realized I had a smart phone, and Googled BK. The goal, tell BK what happened at this establishment (like it was going to matter). The moment I hit send, all of a sudden car started to move, and I pulled up to the window. When I met the pimply-faced teenagers face, there was no mention of the fact I had just been waiting there for 20 minutes. She had to have known it. I got my soda and the sandwich came another 2 minutes later. When the window opened with it, I finally decided I should ask a question.

"What happened?"
"Oh, my manager didn't schedule enough people to work tonight," the pimply-faced girl said as four staff people moved about behind her.
"That's too bad. Does she know that there is a 20 minute wait for fast-food right now?"
"Um, I think so," she responded back.
"Ok, well, I just thought I'd let you know," I said in a way that I thought would eek out some sort of recognition  of the fact that wasn't a good thing. Alas, nothing.

The question is whether I am the oblivious one for eating some of the most unhealthy food I could get my hands on? (I'd like to think I go in fully aware of the caliber of the food. We all know it isn't some five star restaurant.) Or, is someone else oblivious? Does the poor girl taking orders know that 20 minutes isn't usually typical for fast food? Does the manager care about what they are managing at all? Does the Burger King chain care? Who knows. All I know is that there was some obliviousness going on, because each time I go, I wait, and it's the same thing.

10 Ways to Know You Were 'That Person' on St. Patty's

Source

Boston is a sea of green around St. Patty's Day. The bars are filled to capacity. Restaurants are jammed.  Parties are happening at every other apartment. It serves as a really good reason for people to get together and hang out. For some the day can be a little much, because they revel a little to much in St. Patty's Day spirit. 

10 Ways to Know that You Were 'That Person' on St. Patty's: 

• You knock a bar, stocked with expensive alcohol, down a complete flight of stairs. 
• You slowly moved away from the bar if you either threw up there or knocked something over, because you know you are too drunk to clean it up
• You stay up until 3am, only to wake up watch the parade, and pass out drunk again by 11am.
• You are hitting on a chick or dude that isn't attractive, because you are too drunk to know better.
• You invite people to a party where you don't know anybody, and no one knows you. 
• You find people randomly saying, "Eat something. Have a glass of water." 
• You are sunburned from going to the beach for a St. Patty's Day dip, but you passed on a dune instead 
• You find yourself in a cab with no money, because someone put you there 
• You wake up in the morning and don't where you are or who the person is next to you 
• Your neighbor won't talk to you for weeks/years, because your party spilled over onto their property  

Isn't That Poopy?

I grew up on a farm. I was surrounded by poop. It was just part of living on a farm. Yes, you stepped in it from time to time, it was just part of living on a farm. However, one thing that I thought that I could gain when I moved away from the farm, which I only visit from time to time, is the ability to not step in dog poop at random.  That is exactly what happened the other day. 

It was dark out. I was walking out to my car with a friend to go out somewhere, and I felt that unmistakable squish under my shoe, I just knew it had happened. The obligatory words came out of my mouth, and for the next five minutes I'm doing the Michael Jackson Moon Walk in an effort to get the poop off my shoe. All the while my friend is trying to comfort me, which lead to the comment that, "There are two types of people in the world. Those that have stepped in dog poop, and those that haven't stepped in dog poop yet." Yeah, thanks for those comforting words. Somehow, that never helps when that awful smell is burning your nostrils. 

My question is why do I have to step in dog poop at all? Why can't people, off the farm, bring a little plastic baggy with them on their walks. I've done it, and will continue to do it. Yes, it's fine if your dog runs back in the woods where you can see him, and does his business. You don't have to clean it up then. However, when you are walking on a road, and your Great Dane takes his moment by the side of a car door, I beg. Please pick it up! 

Otherwise, you are the oblivious pet owner! You don't want to be that, do you? 

I Lift Things Up and Put Them Down

The gym. You lift things up and put them down. It might just be your legs, but for many people it is dumbbells. However, dumbbells at the gym takes on a whole new meeting when you are talking about the oblivious gym member.

Let's review them.

Mr. Uuunnnggghhhh - If you can't handle the weight you are lifting, maybe you shouldn't be lifting it. You are wasting more energy than you should when you are doing this uuunnngggghhhh sound, and it sounds like you are ripping something important when you do it.

Mr. & Mrs. Snap - The gym is NOT meant to be a photo-shoot set for your Facebook page. It's a place that you are come to work out. It's not like the hair salon where you go to look pretty, it's a place for sweating and working out.

The Gym Potato - Yes, people, there are televisions at the gym. Yes, they are there for you to look at while you are treading along on the elliptical machine, and 95% of the time people aren't even listening to them. They are working out to the music that they have one their own iPod, etc. It is not your house and, yes, there are people that are interested in using the machine that you are currently using to sit and do nothing on while watching TV.

Mr. or Mrs. I Don't Get Why I'm Not Loosing Weight Going to the Gym - So, you bought a gym membership. Congrats! You are half way to getting skinny and shedding those pounds. Surprisingly, the other half is about working out, which includes cardio, weight lifting, and those things that lift your heart rate up a bit. It's not meant for sitting on your butt or sucking on your 60 ounce Slurpy.

Ms. and Mrs. Spandex - Spandex can be very nice for going to the gym. It breathes, it moves with you, but don't abuse it people. I do not want to see your camel toe poking out, the dimples only your significant other should see, or how big your package is, thank you.

You Want to See My Birthday Suit - You work out. You get sweaty. You have a date afterwards, or, maybe a game of bridge. So, you have to shower at the gym. Great, that's what the shower is for, but parading around like it's a nude beach on Fire Island isn't for the weak of heart. I complement you in your feeling free with your body, but it might not be what everyone wants to see. I'm just saying.

Mr. or Mrs. Sloppy Seconds - Thanks for the offer to let me sit, lean against, rub against your sweaty drippings, but I'd prefer not to. There is a towel and spray for a reason. Use it!

Then, drum role please, there is................

Mr. I See London, I See France, I See Your Underpants (or Worse) - In yoga class or while you are doing leg presses, there are some moves that you shorts slide down. It happens, but it shouldn't a traumatic event, where you are left twitching with disgust or feeling like you opened a naughty magazine. Please, I beg of you, buy some underpants.

Hello, let me introduce myself, I'm a customer

Over the weekend, I went to the dentist and was surprised by the customer services that was delivered. I walked right in, and was taken right in for my cleaning. When I was done and it was time to talk about a random bill that I was getting, and they couldn't explain that amount I was getting charged, they took care of it. It was amazing. Out of all the places I would have guessed that I would receive good customer service, it wouldn't have been at the dentist. If the dentist can do it, why can't others. Perhaps, I am getting older or it's just something that I notice, but customer service is harder to come by these days. 

We've all been there. We walk up to the counter looking to check out, and Chatty Cathy 1 and Chatty Cathy 2 are talking about their weekends. You stand there starring at them, and the conversation just keeps going. You stand there a little longer. Maybe you pull out your credit card to help them see that you are looking to check out, alas no movement. Perhaps, a little clearing of the throat, "Ehhh...Hhhmmm." Nope. Still not working. Hmmm... you take on another strategy...knock something over...knock into something. Yep, that does it. 

Having worked for a five star hotel for a couple of years, customer service takes so little effort, and it's so nice when it is done. 

The following are just a few things businesses could do to make their customers happy:  

1. Answer the phone - it's so nice to get a real person on the phone. 

2. Listen to your customers - it's nice when the old adage, "The customer is always right," comes into play (even if they aren't right). At least make the customer feel heard, by saying, "I understand," or, "how can I help fix this," and many more simple sentences.  

3. Deal with complaints, don't fight them. People seem to be focused on saying, "Oh well, you can't please everyone," but you can certainly try. Your business might reap the rewards by trying to be understanding.

4. Help a person out. If someone is looking to solve a solution and you help them out, it might help you in the future. It could be as simple as helping them with directions. 

5. Follow through. If you say something is going to be done by a certain time, be sure that it's done by that certain time. Nothing pisses a customer off more than their expectations not being met when someone tells them something is going to be done by certain time. 

6. Train your employees. Make sure your employees know what you expect from them, when it comes to customer service. 

7. Take the extra step. If someone is looking for something, help them find it. Maybe even go with them to find it. People LOVE that kind of customer service. 

8. My very favorite customer service idea is when a little something extra is thrown in to mix. Who doesn't love a freebie. It doesn't need to be done every time, but when the situation calls for it. Why not? 

Why is all this important? No one likes an oblivious customer service person.   

Is Europe a country?

I'm brunette. My brother is a blonde. I've dyed my hair dark red. It doesn't matter what color your hair is, it's what's under those follicles. Some have more under there, but some don't. It's natural, but sometimes you just have to wonder.

If was going to go on a national TV show, was going to be quizzed on my knowledge of 1st Grade through 5th grade subjects, I'd think about picking up some basic history book, geography book, or a math book. You know, just to review the simple random things you might have forgotten. This chick, takes it to a WHOLE new level for me though. 

A big congrats to this chick! She's officially the most oblivious person when it comes to basic geography.  

Pedestrian Crossing

As a person who used to live in downtown Boston, I've spent a lot of time walking, crossing streets, and taking public transportation. Now, I've moved to the suburbs, and I drive a lot more. Yet, driving or walking, we've all met the oblivious pedestrian. The oblivious pedestrian can take on many roles in the street.

The first is the pedestrian that comes to mind in the pedestrian that doesn't look both ways before crossing. They just keep walking.

This man did it in Hanoi, which doesn't seem like the best idea, but his obliviousness served him well.

 

Then is the every popular man on the cell phone. The person that is ties their shoe in the middle of the street. The couple making out in the middle of the road for no good reason. The person who j-walks in an area without a cross walk, and surprises a driver with the, "Hi. I'm crossing now and thought it was a a good idea just to come in the street without any kind of warning, and proceed to walk at a snails pace." Then lastly, we can not forget, the pedestrian that walks around in the pitch black wearing all black. Bravo, pedestrian, bravo!

The video below details almost all of the oblivious pedestrians that can be imagines, with the exception of the elusive night walker. 

 

You tell me. What do you think these drivers are thinking? 

Don't fret. There will always be those that will continue being oblivious pedestrians and someday they will meet the oblivious driver = implosion. 

 

A Blizzard Brings 'Em Out

A dash of snow, a peppering of cold, and a sprig of stupidity, and you have a highlight video for the books, and a blogpost to go with it.

Thank you, Boston. It seems like a smart idea to be driving around after the government tells you it is a State of Emergency, and start taking pictures from your car.

Especially, when a trees down in the road ahead of you.

Hell, it's not even safe for a lot of people be in their houses.

I don't think this car had blizzard superpowers, nor chains, nor 4x4 drive to avoid this act from above. (Note to self, don't park under a tree during a wet, heavy, blizzard)

Here's the view from my backyard. Not about to go out until the roads are much better.

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.