Randomness from the past 24 hours...

#1. Actual weirdness at the pharmacy:

Random Man: I'm here to pick up two prescriptions for my wife, Deloris Smith. It should be two different crazy pills.

Pharm. Asst.: (Stares uncomfortably and then turns to search for the prescriptions)

Random Man: There should be two.

Pharm. Asst.: Sir, I don't see any prescriptions for crazy pills under that name. I did find these two, but they aren't crazy pills.

Random Man: Okay, I will just take these then. She can call about the other stuff.

Pharm. Asst.: That's fine.

I was next and wanted so badly to ask for my crazy nasal spray prescription, but I chickened out, and the pharmacist didn't look to be in a good mood.

#2. Thrift store weirdness:

Yesterday, a guy in the thrift store asked the cashier if they had any Christmas lights. She told him that they did not, and suggested that he try Walmart. "They have cheap ones there," she shared. The man looked at the floor for several seconds, and then confessed "I'm not welcome at Walmarts [sic] any more... Not something I did, but I lent my car..."

*Very awkward pause.

"Well, how about the Dollar Tree, I think I saw some... " The man looked down again.

#3. It's nice to be nice:

I know nothing of women's footwear. I crossed paths with a very stunningly elegant woman, she wore amazing burnished silver shoes. It was obvious that she had taken great care in essembling her outfit. Everything about her flowed a silvery dance.

"Now, that's a pair of shoes," I told her! She stopped and looked down as if their beauty were a surprise to her as well. She beamed as she thanked me. I may have made her day.

I should add, I did not stop nor break my stride for fear of her response. The news has trained me to fear complimenting people. I do it anyway. ❤

#4. Let it go:

I have decided to let it go therefore, I will leave out the details. I will say that we have become a nation of petty bullies. I yelled at someone today that had decided I was fair game to flex their stupid on. "SHUT THE F' UP," I told him. I seriously hate that that was the only effective solution for ending a ridiculous exchange that should never have happened. People?

Going Bump In The Night

I have dust and mold allergies so, you can imagine how this time of year can be problematic. The great side effect of forced heat are recycled particulates. I have a couple prescription nasal sprays, in addition to over-the-counter allergy meds. Not being able to breathe properly at times makes you tired. In addition to the allergies, and a full day, I was exhausted, and fell asleep around nine-thirty.

I just woke up completely mummied, encased in sheets and my comforter. As if that wasn't strange enough, as I awoke at the very end of the bed,  I could feel my neck tightly constrained by the bedding.  I guess that I started to choke, tried to stand, and then flailed myself against a 5' tall loaded bookcase at the end of the bed. I fully awoke from the sound and weight of half of the bookcase's contents falling on me.

I pulled myself from the wreckage coughing furiously. It took me about a half hour to control the coughing.

Nightmare? It couldn't be the disembodied spirits that live here entertaining themselves, they are always so nice to me. 🤓

The Good and The Very Bad

In a world that seems increasing ugly, sad, and cruel, I pray each day that I will be guided to seek and share joy. In what might seem the smallest of ways, we might change another's day or life. I greet strangers, hold doors, help others when I can. If nothing else, I offer the world a smile.

On the bus this morning, I ended up in conversation with a 16 year old couple who have recently moved here from Washington State. They hadn't come together, rather the universe converged their paths. They were a true delight!

Excited, they were on their way to the DMV to apply for learner's permits, and to secure state issued photo IDs. They had their automotive futures all planned out. The young guy took a protective lead. He said that they had done a lot of research, and knew what to look for in used vehicles. He added that used car dealers would probably try to cheat his beautiful friend, but he would be there to make certain that nothing of the sort transpired. Overly modern folks might have dubbed him sexist, but seeing his posture, his serious smile and gallantry made me almost tear. I glanced over for the girl's response. Her dimples and demure smile said it all. We chatted, and laughed as we discussed the ins and outs of the New York State Drivers License process. I pulled the cord for my stop, while making certain that they knew where to get off a couple stops ahead. I wanted to tag along with them for the day they were so much fun.

I successfully ran my errands.

In the rain, I traveled by bus back to the hub in order to transfer onward to campus. At the hub my joyous mood drastically changed. At the university stop a young man in a wheelchair approached. I stepped aside to offer him room. He appeared to be a burn victim. The poor man was without ears, had one leg, where is left eye should have been skin was graphed tightly leaving no appearance of any purpose for that side of his face. His entire head looked raw and light pink. A tall student and others looked down on the man in curious contempt.

Rather than step aside to make way for the driver to lower the ramp for the man, more than a dozen people stood their ground either intentionally ignoring the man, or keeping watch from the corner of their eyes, as if to dare him to try to board before them. I tried to make eye contact with any or all of them. I could not, they were concentrating on being their worst selves. After those "people" boarded, I wedged myself sideways preventing the others (probably a couple dozen people) from getting on the bus. The man then backed his chair away a few feet. I greeted him with a smile and asked if he was going to board? He looked around at the impatient scowling faces and said with a smile "Thank you very much! I think that I will wait inside for the next bus. I don't want to bother people." My heart sank.

Yeah, "Oh the humanity," is about right.

BIZARRO

As I keep saying...
If something really bizarro is to happen, the universe will place me there to at least witness.  About five or six years ago, I would always see a day-pass mental health patient about campus here. He was so drugged up that he often would just drop where he stood, curl into the fetal position, and fall asleep immediately. He was particularly fond of blocking the entrance to the Optometrist office in the little mall at campus. He was otherwise harmless  so, the maintenance man would gently wake him, and he would be on his way.

I felt sorry for the poor fellow, and often went out of my way to greet him. He was always very friendly, but of few words.

Today, I saw him. As we approached he smiled broadly in recognition. As I was about to say "hello," he declared "I SEE YOU TOOK ALL THAT FUCKIN' WEIGHT OFF!" He then let out a huge belly laugh. I smiled like you would when you have no idea what the heck just happened.

In all fairness, I am at least 25 lbs lighter. 😂

Tug-of-war

Yesterday, from the bus window  I could see a downtown bank having some sort of employee appreciation day. There were two teams of roughly a dozen at a Tug-of-war contest, with many others cheering them on. It looked like great fun.

Behind me sat a teenager, he described the struggle as "Some kind of country shit." Other teens and adults agreed with him as they tried to understand.

I remember Tug-of-war being the best part of elementary school gym, as well as my dad's company outings. Are they not allowed anymore? Has our litigious society added it to the list of ready cash actionable causes? "My kid broke his arm and got muddy! Pay up!"

Maybe, they'll watch a YouTube, Tug-of-war video later. It's the same as participating, no?

Irony?

The bus hub security guard; is roughly 30 years old, forty pounds over weight, his polyester pants are about six inches too long, and he always needs a shave. He glares at bus patrons as they come and go as if they were something nasty on his shoe.

Two actual police officers are stationed at the bus hub when the high schools let out. Yesterday, two officers stood talking. The security guard walked past them a couple times. He stared at them, his eyes begging for acknowledgement. On the third pass, both officers finally acknowledged him by glaring as if he was something nasty on their shoes.

Donut Trigger

I was triggered earlier...

Triggered! One Summer in college, I worked at a factory that made the fillings for donuts (Yes, there's a cheap joke in there.) There were giant bubbling caldrons, and half of the day I stood with a hundred pound bag of sugar on my shoulder, slowly pouring into the vat. The permanently angry lifer would yell at me and call me made up curse words, if I got tired and poured the sugar too slowly or too quickly he would get really loud. Each day, the mean old fat dude would call me names and threaten to toss me into the boiling nauseating vat. Like clockwork, the bell would sound for lunch, which was also my reprieve.

The afternoons were spent downstairs, where a pipeline pumped the sugary ooze into plastic bags. I had to grab the hot bags as the machine sealed them, (like an old Lucy episode) and fill boxes for shipment. We weren't given gloves, and every opportunity was taken to remind us of how much they hated college boys. I still hate donuts. 🤓

I Actually Only Drink Decaf...

Randomness from Wednesday and Thursday...

- Insider Tip: If you ask people "Do you want to hear a funny story?" they will never decline. This might be useful in delivering bad news, breaking up, firings, or even actual jokes. 🤓

- Hey cool dudes, clearing your nasal passages, and spitting over a garbage can indoors (even in a public place,) is well beneath you. If it isn't, try harder. I hate being made to feel like someone's repressed maiden aunt. 🙄

- I just saw an undergrad male with a Top Knot Bun literally sticking from the top of his head. He was telling a young lady "I am literally a perfectionist!" 🙄

- Students who take public transportation here are given specific bus passes for the nearest routes two and from their respective homes. This is to prevent them from skipping school and "riding the rails" all day.

Earlier a student boarded my bus with the wrong routed pass. He was belligerent and refused to get off of the bus when politely told by the driver. The kid just stood there shouting "I ain't gettin' off," as if it made him correct; while holding up the other passengers. The driver turned off the engine, and I imagine was about to summon the police, which I also imagine was policy.

A random stranger came forward, and asked if she could pay for the kid. She did, and the kid thanked her, but went to the back of the bus still cursing about being right.

My first thought was that, this woman was much kinder than myself. Actually, she wasn't, because the kid learned nothing.

- If I were a much lower life-form, I might offer #metoo re-branding consultations, but you can't smack or vomit on clients.

Seriously, are power and sexual misconduct cousins?

- The sin isn't in not knowing.
The sin is in not Googling.

- A child asked me earlier "If people drink the blood at church, then why are they afraid of vampires?" Other than "That's brilliant," I didn't have an answer.

- Tomorrow's Friday...

Thanks, Universe!

Wednesday, the universe was busy making me smile, and or shake my head.

#1.
Ever have those elusive grocery items that you keep forgetting to purchase? In my case, I have been out of eggs for two weeks. I've ignored phone reminders, and tossed away slips of paper. This afternoon I went to #Wegmans, and left triumphant! Mission accomplished, but not before the next few instances...

#2.
I guess that I have that kind of face? A thirty-ish dude in the grocery store, held me up extolling the virtues of grape jelly. He was obviously heavily medicated. While I admit that I wished that I could snap my fingers and disappear, I am glad that I could not. Who knows, this may have been his only human contact in a week. Sixty seconds that was good for both of us really.

#3.
Two year old: Mommy, what time is it?

Humorless, Mean mom: Why you gotta know? You gotta go somewhere?

TYO: I have to go to work.

HMM: I wish you did have some work to go to!

TYO: Well...

Poor kid. 😕

#4.
Why me? An attractive very fit, 50-ish woman in running gear sidled up her cart next to mine in Wegmans. I was trying to decide between Almond Milk and Fat Free Milk so, it took a second to notice her. When I looked over at her, she smiled and said "This is the stuff you need, 100% Chocolate Milk!" #WorstpickuplineEVER then opened the container and took an unhealthy swig, and smiled. I awkwardly said that she had caught me at the wrong life stage. "Chocolate Milk or Milky Way bars is always great," she added.  She then waited for my answer.

"Everything in moderation. Have a nice day." She smiled, and fortunately took the queue.

I am getting better at losing people. 😛

#5.
From Tuesday, while at another store...

One of my biggest pet-peeves is when store clerks make an error, and then act as if you are a jerk for not going along with things. My total was $9.27, and I presented $9.00 in coupons. The cashier told me that my total was $9.26 after the discounts. After calling an assistant manager and a manager for help, they re-rang things four more times. I was patient and apologetic. I thanked them at the end, and they all glared as if they wished they could throat punch me, as the cashier took my 26¢.

I didn't have the heart or time to tell them that one of my two items was actually missed marked. My cost actually should have been -73¢. 😂

Two Local Marketing Tales...

It's 90°F here and sunny. Nevertheless, I still wanted my long Sunday walk.

Just a couple blocks away at a corner house, a middle-aged woman was having a garage sale. I continued a half block West, and decided to go to the sale. There weren't any cars or people there so, I thought that it might be the neighborly thing to do. It is odd that in all these years, I have never seen this woman or anyone who lives in this house.

As I approached, the woman was arranging items on a table with her back to me. Smiling, I was about to greet her. She glanced in my direction from the corner of her eye for a brief second. No hello, nor acknowledgement of any kind. Still smiling my awkward smile, I looked about. Being an "expert" at sales, I noticed immediately that nothing was tagged. This is an obvious sign that the seller will haggle and overcharge, if you let them. The stuff was crap! I had half a mind to make my way up the hill, and grab several garbage bags for her. She offered basement stored mildued ripped upholstered chairs, and other furniture items that some might mistake as antiques, rather than just stinky junk.

Almost immediately her dogs started to bark wildly from the inside of the house. They barked and strained to get out. Still, she did not acknowledge me, but told the dogs to "Quit barking," after a few minutes.

I continued to look about wondering if I would be acknowledged. I was so glad my self-esteem wasn't wrapped up in this situation. The writer in me always wants to actually see the wrecked train. The entire time she puttered in the same spot with her back to me. I got bored and strolled off, but not without noticing her hubby's used undershirts. I can't image that naked people in the Artic would be interested. From across the street, I turned to look back. She looked blankly angry; like someone who's always angry. I smiled, and wondered if she had ever heard of marketing.

About a mile further down, a tall handsome grinning man, jogged across the street. He rushed right up to me and the conversation follows:

Man: Hey, how are you doing today?
Me: Pretty well (I didn't stop walking)
Man: Hey, can I talk to you for a second?
Me: No
Man: (Both chuckling and grinning) Oh, come on, man. A brotha can't even talk to you?
Me: No, no he can't (Smiling)
Man: I just wanted to talk to you about my gospel CD. It's meant to uplift you when you are down. All I am asking is that you take one free of charge, and give it a listen.
Me: No, thank you.
Man: (Still exuberant AF) Man, ah man, you won't even take a free CD that is meant to uplift you?
Me: Okay. How could I say no?
Man: Here you go. My name's Mel, and yours?
Me: Douglass, and thank you, Mel.
Man: (Shakes my hand firmly) Give that a listen, and have a great day!

Mel probably could teach salesmanship and marketing.

UPDATE: Apparently, the woman's sale failed. I just passed by and most of her junk has been pushed to the curb for the garbage truck. 

Do The Right Thing (s)...

Two tales from my day...

#1.
I stopped by the little corner store near the hospital. Ahead of me in line was a father (roughly my age), and his late twenties son. The father, who I have never seen before sneered at me, and tilted his head to the side, indicating to the son that he should look back.

The son looked directly at me. He seemed embarrassed. He waited for me at the door, held it, smiled, and wished me a great day. He was overcompensating for his dad.

We all know right from wrong. It doesn't take any great courage to make good choices towards others, we have just got to want to be good people.

#2.
Three blocks away from the house, I noticed a face down unopened envelope in the middle of the street. There were no people about. The envelope contained the paycheck of someone I've never heard of before. The address was over a mile away. I could see "Pay to the order of:," at the edge of the envelope's window.

Neighbor-lady was sitting out as I walked by, so I asked if she would take me to the envelope's address. She said that she was "Always up for an adventure." We found the street, which was 🎲-y. As we parked in front of the house, I jokingly begged her to not take off and leave me, in that screaming like a school girl was about I the energy I have left today.

Weirdness. There was a big "Apartment For Rent," sign in the window. No one lived there. What to do?  What to do?

I wrote "Moved. Return to sender," on the envelope and dropped it in a mailbox.

This was actually more exciting as it unfolded. 😛

Kids these days?

My doctor's office has moved since my last appointment. The swanky new professional building is huge. I arrived early to check in, and asked the receptionist for direction. She told me that the young volunteer seated next to me would escort me to the doctor's office.

The volunteer appeared to be 15 or 16 years old, very pale, with maybe a permanently confused facial expression. I tried to make small talk on our journey, but she wasn't having it.

After navigating a maze of corridors, we took the elevator. I smiled awkwardly, but this volunteer child of the corn, just stared as if to say "You're really kinda creepy, aren't you?"

The elevator doors opened and she stepped out, turning in silence to see if I was following. Again, I offered my "I don't know what the heck is going on," smile. She looked away at the wall. We walked down a long corridor and then she spoke, and pointed at a door. I thanked her, and she quickly walked away without responding.

I reached for the door handle and walked into the room. This wasn't my doctor's office but, rather an employee lounge of some sort. I apologized and I backed out of the room. As I turned from the door, I noticed a reception area. I walked across the hall, and up to the woman sitting there, and confessed that I was lost. She and the woman next to her chuckled as she told me "I would assume so, this is an OB-GYN practice."

Apparently, my doctor's office is at 3-M and not 2-M.

Kids these days...

How to respond to hate?

I was just at Wegmans getting salad fixings for dinner. It's a beautiful sunny 84°F. I was dressed as I often am for these warm days; a button front camp shirt and fitted flat front shorts.

As I reached for a cart, I noticed two very rough looking women in their mid-late twenties. I had never seen them before. Their demeanor, unkempt hair and clothing were odd for this Wegmans location. People don't go to Wegmans looking like crap regardless of socio-economic status, and they looked really bad.

Our eyes met for a split second. The taller and meaner of the two then declared while gesturing towards me "See that! I can't stand that! I hate fucking faggots! I'd slice that motherfucker up in a second."

I didn't respond. I just pretended that it didn't happen. I imagine that if I had said anything at all, I would have been physically attacked. They continued on their way mumbling hate. I entered the store and immediately found Hydroponic Boston Big lettuce.

There is a part of me that says "You don't know where those people came from, what their lives have been or are... They obviously are in pain, and it's not really about you." There is a greater part of me that says "To hell with that theoretical liberal Bullshit! I don't want anyone that filled with hate anywhere near me, or anyone that I care about." People so basic that they verbally fantasize about harm another person just because they are presented differently than themselves may not be worth anyone's time?

It is interesting that many who are liberal or conservative may have definite opinions here, but have never had experiences that I have too many to count. One side wants to save the A-social, and the other wants a gated community from them. The best response probably lies somewhere in the middle. Having experiences like these makes me both afraid and a little ashamed by my response. I really shouldn't be lead to either emotion shopping for dinner.

All In A Weekend

Friday Early Afternoon:
For years I have seen a gent in his mid-80's riding a mountain bike about town. Our paths finally crossed just now. What a delightful man. He told me of how decades ago he fell twenty feet, broke several vertebra, and was told that he would never walk again. He said that he didn't accept the diagnosis, pulled himself together, and purchased his first bicycle.

"God is good. I've been riding every day since. Most days at least 20 miles."

Never give up! ❤

Saturday:
Stayed in and hid from the 100°F heat, exercised vigorously out of boredom.

Friday Late Afternoon:
For an hour and a half I have been walking about with my fly down. Dang, people, see somethin', say somethin'! 🙄

Sunday Early Afternoon:
I forgot to bring water on my walk in this 90°F heat. I stopped at a gas station for a bottle. Embarrassingly, the two one dollar bills that I gave the cashier were damp. "Ewwww, are you a dancer, he asked?" "Flatterer," I responded.

It went right over his head. 😛

Sunday Late Afternoon:
On my walk home, three different strangers offered me cold water, and gentle warnings about the heat. There is far more goodness than hate in this country regardless of what They want us to believe.

Sunday 8:00p.m.:
It's still 92° and I am afraid if I move I will catch fire. Not really, but it is a great excuse to not do laundry. 😛

Just a thought...

Yesterday, as I was leaving the pharmacy and heading to the grocery store next door, a woman stopped me and asked for a dollar. She was; tall, at least sixty pounds overweight, her hair was a fright, clothing dirty... She didn't look homeless, maybe depressed or permanently angry?

As she asked for the money, she looked me up and down with a squinting disapproval. I probably presented the exact opposite of her.

I walked away thinking "That's Syracuse alright! A person who hasn't washed or changed clothes in a couple three days, judging someone else's appearance, while begging for money." As I walked, I reconsidered those thoughts. She didn't hurt me, she pushed herself further away from where she needs to be. Sad really.

Maybe, he is smarter?

It's little nephew's birthday. Someone gave him some sort of game which requires assembly...

LN: Uncle Lester, I got this for my birthday. Please help me put it together.

ME: (Looks at huge box) 100 parts? What the f***?

LN: Oooou, Uncle Lester said a curse word.

ME: Yes, yes, I did.

* I stare at the box for ten minutes

LN: Maybe, if you looked at the instructions? Here.

ME: Oh, great idea!

LN: Uncle Lester, how about you just watch? I am probably smarter than you are.

Me: LOL. If you say so.
(I sit back wondering, who gave him this crap?)

Fifteen minutes past.

LN: All done Uncle Lester.

ME: Great, but I think this part goes over here?

LN: No, it doesn't.

ME: 😐

Peace

I had a lovely chat with a woman at the bottom of my hill. I hadn't seen her for almost a year. She loves to garden, and has a beautiful property. I was admiring her meticulous work, when I heard her say hello from her enclosed porch. She sounded different, like a person with hearing difficult.

She slowly formulated words to tell me that eight months ago she had as the result of medical error, two strokes in one day.

As you might suspect, her road to recovery hasn't been easy. However, her rode to enlightenment has been amazing. She has learned to appreciate life, and peace, and joy. After a life changing event four years ago, she fell into a despair that until now she didn't realize she was even in. Her strokes have served as moments of clarity. She now sees that things come together when we find peace, and not the other way around.

Our paths crossed today for a reason, to share. Don't ignore your opportunities. ❤

No good deed

I fell asleep two hours ago, and now I am awake. 🙁

So, here's a weird tale from my day.

The elderly woman in front of me in the grocery store line was twenty cents short. She seemed nervous and flustered by her miscalculation. I had a couple dimes in my pocket, which I handed to the cashier. The woman was very grateful. She smiled broadly "You are such a kind gentleman."

Seemingly, out of nowhere, a 30-ish, unkempt, racially ambiguous dude appeared at my side. He half smiled and said, "You will be blessed for this." No, this wasn't a "Touched by an Angel" episode. He stood uncomfortably close to me. I could feel his hot breath on my face and neck. There was a wall to my right, so there was nowhere for me to go. I looked him in the eye as if to question his violation of my personal space. Smiling, he added, "It's always good to help people out. You agree with that don't you?" "Sometimes," I answered, still wondering why he was so close.

"Yeah, I was homeless once, and I'm not doing so well now, he shared. I gave him a sympathetic look and nodded as if I hadn't stopped listening.

This was one of those bag-it-yourself stores, and I moved to the bagging counter, then placed my crackers in my bag. I could feel him staring at me as he was being waited on. I took my phone out and read emails, as I waited for him to leave. I had walked the mile over from campus, and I didn't want to be followed. Perhaps, I seem paranoid, but I have endured the type before; any act of kindness is interpreted as a sucker waiting to be had.

He waited outside the door and to the right.

A Birthday Song

I have to share this...
Yesterday, I walked the two miles down to the Dollar Tree. When finished there, I went next door to the thrift store. As I was leaving a cute chubby 8 year old walked up to me, and joyfully sang the birthday song. (Although, highly functioning, I suspect he was somewhere on the Autism Spectrum ) Taken a little aback in that I had never seen him in my life before, I asked if it was his birthday?

"No, Sir, my birthday is July 16th," he offered. "Well, my birthday is tomorrow!" He seemed overjoyed with this news, and started over with the best rendition of the Happy Birthday song that I have ever heard.

Ain't the universe grand!

Microaggression?

For those of you who have never heard me whine about my physical impairments, I have a six inch plate and eight screws permanently affixed to my lower right leg, arthritis, a damaged metatarsal nerve, and sciatica. While none of these conditions are debilitating, and I exercise daily, by most medical classifications, I am indeed considered handi-capable.

For my over all health, I take the hills, and make my walking as beneficial as possible. I did just that on my journey to the grocery store earlier. I slowly made my way up the unshoveled hill on Madison Street towards Comstock Avenue. It is a brisk day, but sunny, lovely.

I traverse snowy unshoveled ground gingerly, in that the plate is the result of a fall on black ice. Looking ahead of me I noticed two sorority sisters dressed in their signature black down parkas and Ray Bans, walking towards me in conversation. One was taller than the other, and neither could have weighed one hundred pounds. I continued to walk, watch the ground and them, in that the walking space was very narrow. As they approached, I assumed they would move to their right in that there was a bank of snow at least a couple feet high to my right.

The shorter of the two looked up at me just ten feet from me. When they reached me they didn't take a half step to the right as I anticipated. The shorter girl walking in front, with a determined look on her face rammed right into me. She did not excuse herself. A little shocked, I stopped and told them that they needed to share the sidewalk. The second girl looked shocked as well, but rather she looked at me as if she could not believe what "I" had just done to her sister. The first girl still did not acknowledge me. She prompted the other girl to continue her conversation as if nothing had happened.

When you believe that you are so important to the world, and so much better than others that you believe a guy nearly forty years your senior should hop into a snow bank to make way for you, that's not just bad manners, that's some privilege crap.

White Guys Behaving Badly

All twelve registers in the grocery store had at least four people waiting. I imagine that it was so busy because the past few days have been so wintry.

As I waited patiently, a man a couple carts behind me bellowed "Is anybody working here?" He was ignored so, he got louder, and directed his attention to my cashier and the store employee whispering to her. "Hey, if you want to have a personal conversation go the fuck outside!" The cashier half smiled, and the 20-something Latino employee dude's expression was akin to "I know this MF ain't stressin me?"

I looked behind me to see an; angry, overweight, 60-ish, white man. He looked as if he wanted a fight. Just then another customer in the next lane with the exact same discriptors shouted at the man "Hey, watch your mouth there are nice people here!"

"Who the fuck are you supposed to be? You got a problem with me, we can take it outside," angry man yelled. Feeling uncomfortable, I stared at the cart in front of me and wondered what the French looking dude hanging on to it was going to do with two dozen cans of sardines? He smiled am uncomfortable smile. He didn't want to be in an impromptu brawl either.

The two grey-haired pony tailed dudes continued. The mid-40's sharp looking black manager guy walked up to them, and without a word brought them both to silence. The Savior of our sensibilities, and Mr. Privilege returned to their carts.

"Geez, you got to watch those guys with ponytails," I told the cashier when it was my turn.

Caregiver

As I walked in today's frigid tundra, I noticed about a half block ahead, a person "parked" in the middle of the southbound driving lane. Vehicle after vehicle swerved to miss who I could now clearly see was an elderly white gentleman on a burgundy motorized scooter. Across the street was a corner store, and a funeral home parking lot on my side.

I wasn't sure what to think. I walked slowly past as people walking and in cars appeared curious, yet no one approached the man. Well, you know yours truly... I walked over to the man and said. " Sir, are you alright?" He told me that he was okay, but couldn't get his scooter over the snow bank. I asked if I could help? He repeated that he was "fine," but this time added that he was waiting for his caregiver, as he pointed towards the store.

I looked over in the direction of where he pointed, and noticed a 35-ish black woman walking towards us with a "I'll cut a b!tch" expression. She glared at me, and I have seen the look before. It was as if to say "Why aren't you minding your own F-ing business." The look was so harsh that I looked away.

Then, old man started up his scooter, and motored forward. He thanked me as he got going. He now 75 yards ahead of me. I looked behind me, and the caregiver was 75 yards behind me.