Monday, June 27, 2011

A quickie

I wrote a longish post, only to have it gobbled up into cyberspace. So here's a quickie...

I need to get outta the negative and into the positive, but I can't believe I forgot to tell you the big pet peeve that started the whole thing. I really can't stand it when people get gas and then leave their car parked at the pump. Please, pull into a parking space!

Other pet peeves: when food tables are not set up for people to walk on both sides and when an organizations website does not include a staff list. Both unnecessary time wasters.

Lastly, for the love of God people, alumni is plural. For females, it is alumnae. They are the plural of alumnus and alumna, respectively. I was at UMCP for an event when I heard someone express their pleasure that Larry David had graduated from UM. He was so excited that he wanted to give $, even though he was"not an alumni." I bet the English department there is letting out a collective sigh a relief.

Have a good week, y'all!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Pet Peeves, Part Two

In the few short months I've lived in Annapolis, I think I've experienced every major pet peeve I have. Let me just get through a few.

1. Please don't block the sidewalk. I like to walk my boy and dog. I don't like being forced onto the street so that you can park your car or ride your bike. Yes, I'm the mom who scolds kids for riding their bike on the sidewalk. Read your bike laws, folks. And what's up with the sidewalks that end? I love Shel Silverstein as much as the next gal, but what are people s'pose to do with strollers or, heaven forbid, wheelchairs? Also, if you want to stroll and chat with your friend, do not walk side-by-side and take up the whole stinkin' sidewalk. Oh, and if you choose to wear uncomfortable footwear, please step aside and let people who wear sensible shoes pass.

1B. Do NOT block my driveway. Yes, my godawful neighbors park head-in (which is technically illegal). Not to mention there are often 7 (count 'em SEV-EN) cars, so I can't pull directly out of my driveway. Eek.

2. Why can people not understand traffic circles and four-way stops? I think this may deserve it's own post on another day.

3. I sometimes wish I could go to that magical place where people who do not let you merge think you are going. Hang up and drive, folks.

4. If I am in a crosswalk, I have the law and common sense on my side. Stop. I promise to walk briskly. If you want to cross the street, please do so in a crosswalk. I'll stop for you -- I'm not nuts -- but I would rather not have someone rear end me in the process.

5. I'm not exactly the grammar police and I completely understand that the times are a changin', but there are some things that just grate my nerves. I know you are trying to sound intelligent, but sometimes "and me" is correct. Remember it this way: would you say "I" did (blank) or "me" did (blank)? I also remember a day when our Waffle House waitress corrected her co-worker for saying that she was "conversating." You go, girl. Don't even get me started about people asking where something is at. It works for Beck, but not in general conversation. You know, in the act of CONVERSING.

All right, enough of that. More soon.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Pet Peeves, Part 1

I don't consider myself a witty person. Well, maybe in a British comedy sorta way. I do, however, occasionally get a few likes and comments on my facebook statuses. Most of them are stolen from my friend Maggie and directed at my sister Rene. I really need to get those two together, as they have always reminded me of each other. Anyway, I digress.

The statuses that have gotten a lot of comments have been those about my pet peeves. I don't really have a lot of them, but the ones I have are strong. They have gotten a lot stronger being here in the North. Yes, sorry folks, but Maryland is the North to me. I plan to put together a definitive list, but I thought I'd stick to the ones that occur in my own house for this post.

1. Why do I always feel like I have to mop up the sink and floor after my husband washes dishes or gets ready in the morning? How do I manage to accomplish these activities without creating a puddle?

2. Why am I the one who has to get S ready to go somewhere? My husband, who takes about 5 minutes to get ready, will actually sleep in or do something else why I get myself, the dog, and the boy ready for wherever it is we're going. I think this is carried over from when I stayed home with S. Anyway, it drives me bonkers.

3. Does it really take that much more energy to throw dirty clothes in the hamper than it does to toss them on the floor?

4. When it's summer, I tend to dress for the weather -- shorts, tanks, sandals. My husband, who is already hot natured, will wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Then he wants to blast the AC in the house and car. So, I spend most of the summer wrapped up in a blanket and jacket.

5. Yes, I know I have a strange habit of freezing almost everything. It goes back to being single and not wanting things to go bad. My husband thinks it's weird, but I did explain that it is best to put things in the fridge when it is hot and humid. I think he finally believed me when we spent way too much time last weekend tossing out moldy bread and getting rid of fruit flies.

Ok, that's enough for now. More later.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Let's get it started

Ok, so I've jumped on the blog bandwagon. Where to begin? I'll save all the juicy bits for later, but first want to do some "about me" stuff to get started. Here are ten random factoids:

1. I am the queen of random factoids. People who are around me long enough tend to know that. I am also a natural concierge. I may not know a lot about X, but I can get you to the person who does. The fact that I do museum interpretation and visitor services is directly due to these talents.

2. I'm good at darts. And bowling.

3. I am a trained storm spotter. Not to be confused with a storm chaser. I, along with my friend Christine, call into the "batphone" to report weather phenomena.

4. When I was small, I wanted to be a newscaster when I grew up...like Connie Chung. Funny, now my husband has a crush on Anne Curry. I also used to give tours of my hometown to visiting relatives (see point #1).

5. I don't like raisins or dried fruit in general. Or coconut. Something about the texture.

6. I should've been a city planner.

7. I had a lot of names planned for my future children that my parents thought were weird. I think they're happy with my choice for my son's name, although it is still not common.

8. I think my eyebrows are my best feature.

9. My favorite state is Iowa and my favorite president is Calvin Coolidge. Don't ask why unless you want a really long explanation.

10. I like to watch Cops and other true crime shows. I blame this on my Granny, since she always had a police scanner on when I visited her house.

So, folks, what else would you like to know?