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¢. 😂