Susan invited me to go with Walter and her to the "Singalong" our Sunrise Bay Singers presented last night and I accepted with pleasure. Later, Leslie called with the same offer--I'm lucky to have such friends. Saw lots of Drama Club people there, as well as others who came up to compliment me on the Dionne Q. thing. The evening was great fun; I just wish Pat could have gone along.
Okay, here's my list prompted by Pat McH. R.'s "what irritates me" listing of yesterday, but on a somewhat different track. I'm going to make it a little more formal, plus add some things I like. Hope all you thousands (hundreds, dozens, handful, three?) will do the same.
Things I Dislike About Modern Life:
T.V. in doctors' offices: This drives me crazy--what, are they trying to make you sicker?
T.V. in general: It's everywhere and I'm beginning to wonder if it's actually watching us, as in 1984.
"Music"--so called--in supermarkets: This horrible auditory dysentery is not for the customers, of course, but for the vacant-eyed teenaged cashiers.
Various under-40s who call me "Sweetie," "Honey," and other inane endearments and/or who think older people are "cute." Always makes me want to yell out a stream of obscenities--or vomit and show them what "cute" really is.
The stickers on fruits and veggies, each individual one. Naturally, this isn't for the convenience of the customer, god forbid, but for the almighty distributor. (Yes, I pick each off when I get home from the store.)
"Gift" registries: Geez, they're supposed to be gifts, aren't they? I make a practice of never giving gifts on anybody's "registry."*
The promotion and general acceptance of lousy English usage: It's everywhere and few care, but the reason it's a problem is because language reflects (and influences) thought. Hey, think about that.
Celebrity Worship: Talk about mindless, brainless!
GWB and his nefarious gang: Talk about mindless, brainless!
Things I Like About Modern Life:
On-line banking: So convenient, including, of course, paying bills on-line, using a debit card, and ATMs.
Designer coffee: especially hazelnut.
Crockpots: no surprise there.
More casual and/or comfortable dressing: I realize this can morph into sloppiness, but generally enjoy myself more without being poured into a girdle and teetering on stiletto heels.
Questioning authority: This includes all things political (and that covers a broad range), the religion we learned in second grade (you'll go to hell if you use birth control), and the popular wisdom which is so often wrong--but not always, which is why it's important to recognize yourself as the final arbiter of your own morals.
Blogs! Yes, yes, I love the personal ones (present company enthusiastically included!), and lots of others, except the cynically commercial.
Well, this isn't a comprehensive list, by any means, just the things that came to mind (and have been festering...festering...for years, until I just had to pick up the gun and shoot out the television in Dr. Goreguts office...).
* I know all the arguments for "gift" registries and I know almost everybody having a shower, getting married, having a baby, having an affair (oops--scratch that), or whatever, rushes to greedily list the things they want, as opposed to the ugly vase Aunt Martha will give them. It just seems so cold to me, and so sad.
But on the bright side, guess who's happy? All the manufacturers and stores who are raking in the dough.