Rage Against...Everything?

I'm not sure what is going on with me lately, but little things irritate me to no end. Meaning, I'm getting furious over idiotic, daily life things. It's like I have 'roid rage, but without the steroids. Odd. Perhaps mildly justified (see below), but really, still out of proportion.

A few examples: I stopped at McDonalds the other day to pick up a hot fudge sundae for B, who wasn't feeling well. I wanted to do something nice for her; alas, McDonalds did not assist me. Why? Because apparently their idea of a hot fudge sundae is a squirt of chocolate on the bottom of the cup, a ton of vanilla ice cream, and then a drizzle of chocolate on top. And to make it worse, it had to be the slowest McDonalds ever. Honestly. So normally, this incident would leave me mildly irritated. Not last week though; I was seriously angry. So much so that I complained for a long time to B. And I think I twittered about it too. Whoa. Like I said, I think I had a right to be irritated, as I paid for something and didn't receive it, but come on - get a grip!

Another example: I grocery shop at Target a lot. I find the experience to usually suck, as they are normally out of many, many things, and their produce goes bad in approximately 3 minutes (okay, okay, more like four days). Plus, it's always overcrowded, and people drive their carts like they drive their cars - idiotically. One of my biggest pet peeves at Target is the cashiers. Usually, they are slow, and half the time they have no idea how to bag groceries. Sometimes they attempt to use all plastic bags without asking (when I'm shopping, I buy a lot of food - WW makes me eat at home a lot more). What, am I supposed to carry out 20 plastic bags? How does that make any sense? Another thing - they always try to put the fruit in with the cans, which greatly bruises the fruit (which then shortens its short life even further). And the other day, my cashier packed ALL of my cans in one bag. Hello moron! How am I supposed to carry that bag without having it break into several pieces in the parking lot? And he also forgot to use my coupons (after HE had pushed them to the side). When I mentioned that, he said I had to go to customer service if I wanted the credit. Now, it wasn't like I was going to be saving a lot, but it's the principle really. How can someone do their job so poorly??? I left Target feeling so angry that I actually vented to Karen on the phone. I swear I need daily Xanax or something...

One more example - I paid for a car wash tonight and the car wash failed to finish washing my car. I was in a hurry, so I asked the cashier if I could have my money back. He refused and said I could have a free wash, which meant having to go to the end of the line and waiting again...for a car wash that may or may not work. Again. I didn't have time, so I took the free wash and left in a huff, vowing to myself to never shop there again. Honestly, how can all these places be so craptastic? How can I learn to accept that I live in a mediocre, at best, world? Perhaps I need to seriously consider my xanax idea above...

Or maybe it's not totally me, and maybe we are just living in a world without customer service and without quality products, making me rightfully disgruntled, at least somewhat so. I don't remember things being so awful even five years ago. I'm not sure what is happening, but customer service seems to be completely dead. I really don't think it's too much to ask for decent service and a decent product when I'm SPENDING money on it. Come on people, get with the show! I also hate the argument that people don't want to work hard because they aren't paid well. Hello, I worked at Wal-Mart and Byerlys as a kid, and I busted my ass for my tiny wages. I guess some people just don't believe in working hard or even just doing a good job anymore either. Sad, but true. This is not to say that I don't believe in paying people livable wages. Obviously I know many people are paid horrifically, particularly teachers, but that is a post for another day. However, along with my belief that we should pay people better, I guess I just believe people should work hard and do their best too, no matter what their job is.

Unfortunately, I don't think the world is going to be changing any time soon, so I need to figure out how to implement an attitude adjustment if I don't want to be a raging bitch all of the time. I think lowering my expectations is a good place to start, and perhaps I need to reexamine where I choose to spend my money as well. I used to love Target, but it's not the same as it was even 5 years ago. Too much cost cutting has led to some horrible experiences, and they have changed their political priorities as well. Maybe it's time to shop elsewhere, though I refuse to go to Wal-Mart. Same goes for eating out - maybe I will only choose places that still value service and provide quality food. Might cost a bit more, but probably worth it.

Regardless of what I change, I know I have to do something. If I don't, I'll be the mad woman driving around screaming to myself in a Honda Civic...watch out world! :)

Just call me Snooker

Why Snooker you ask? Well, that would be my name if Sarah Palin was my mother. Actually, my full name would be Snooker Hinge Palin. If I just put in Lisa Marie and not Lisa Marie Schmid, my name becomes Pump Bust. Awesome. A tiny part of me feels bad for making fun of Palin personally, but then I remember that she constantly lies and attacks Obama non-stop, also with lies. Then I don't feel as bad, and I just giggle a bit. If you want to find out your Palin name, click here.

In other Sarah Palin related news, someone sent me an article that truly frightened me. I'm guessing that the author is extremely liberal, but if even half of the stuff in it is true, she is absolutely a horrifying choice to potentially lead our nation. Check out that article here.

One more silly thing re: Sarah Palin: I actually received a letter from the lovely Governor Palin. I guess we are BFFs now. In reality, the letter just urged me to visit Alaska if I hadn't already. Before my trip, I requested a visitor's guide from the state and I guess my name was added to some sort of database. Whatever the reason, I now have a letter from Sarah sitting on the ledge. Awesome!

Finally, and in all seriousness, McCain's selection of Sarah Palin changed the presidential election. She appeals to the voters Obama struggles to attract, and John McCain now has a decent chance of winning come November. Just as its true with GWB, most Americans don't seem to mind the lies, deceit, and lack of experience because Sarah presents as an "average joe." In reality, and also just like GWB, this couldn't be further from the truth. Regardless, it's clear that she has changed the race, and Obama needs help.

Most people know I strongly supported Hilary Clinton in the primary, but I'm now asking you to join me in supporting Obama with your time, your advocacy, or your money. As dramatic as this sounds, the future of our nation really is at stake. America cannot handle another 4 or 8 years of Bush/McCain policy. It's up to us to make a difference, and Obama needs all the help he can get. Click here to donate, find ways to volunteer, or to find information on voter registration. Speaking of voter registration, and it's quite possibly more important than time and money, the registration deadlines are rapidly approaching in many states (not Minnesota; we can register the same day). So, if you haven't already, get out and register ASAP. Obama needs you on election day! Together we can ensure that Sarah returns to Alaska, where she belongs.

Babo's Bird's road trip adventures

As I noted in an earlier entry, we brought along a little road trip pal - Babo's Bird, Babo or BB for short. BB made many appearances on the trip, and fortunately, he's still with us. Why fortunately you might ask? Well, it turns out that BB is quite the risk taker! He'll basically do anything for a good photo, even if it means risking death. I told him I wasn't going to come rescue him if he fell off the path at the geyser basins, but he still insisted on the pics. Honestly, he's lucky to be alive. Hopefully he doesn't do anything foolish in Bozeman or on the way back to Saint Paul. Check out some of his adventures below:

Can I ask you a question? - myspace blog post

So I went out dancing on Saturday night, and I had a good time (contrary to popular belief, I was NOT hammered. I was simply buzzed. People, I'm ALWAYS hyper when I'm out. Get with it.). There was another G and Schmiddy dance off, and this time, people clapped at the end. How can you go wrong?

However, I think the funniest thing that happened on Saturday night involved a stranger and ABB. As we were walking out, the stranger says to ABB, can I ask you a question? E and I are thinking, oh she's going to get digits. Woot. Nope, the chick says, are you a Jew? Hysterical! They then proceeded to have a conversation about their synagogues, ABB met the woman's partner, etc. Now, I think it's cool that the woman asked, but holy random. I guess it was a Jewish themed weekend (I love your curly hair, do you use product? It's called Jew...). I really am a wannabe-I think I deserve to be chosen! Alas, I really am not all that religious period. I think I just want to be a cultural jew.

In other news, my summer of playing an attorney began on May 21! So far, so good. I actually like it, which is great because as you all know, I really don't care for law school. I've finished several projects, but I haven't had any reviews yet. I hope things go well so I can have a job upon graduation...It really is a good firm.Besides working, I've been out to eat and out for happy hours more than I ever have in my life! I've been to Mortons, BANK, Zelo, The Holy Land Deli, Kierans, Brits, Atlas, and Martini Blu (probably other places I'm forgetting too). It's truly wild and SO different from working for the government. Hopefully I'll have a few weeks off between working and school because I'm going to need to sign up for fat camp. Seriously. It's crazy. Fun, but crazy.

So, I'm sure you are all waiting for a funny story. I hate to disappoint, so here you go! I ride the train to work everyday...one morning, I was sitting down holding on to my bag, an umbrella, a soda, and possibly something else (I can't remember). Anyway, I'm kind of zoning out listening to the ipod when I look up and notice that a Maslon summer associate has sat down across from me. Right away, I realize I recognize her from somewhere and that she is a fellow rainbower. I don't think much about it the rest of the way, but as my stop approaches, I stand up (too soon, which adds to the humor of the upcoming situation), and proceed to drop my umbrella, which lands under her feet. I then have to bend down and pick it up, and it basically got stuck, so she had to lift her feet up. I finally pick that up and then drop my soda. At least that didn't go under her feet (and was in a bottle). So I got off the train and I'm chuckling to myself as I walk into work. On a whim, I decide to post a missed connection on Craigslist saying something like, Hey Maslon summer associate on the light rail, sorry about the umbrella situation, my morning was a comedy of errors. I post this and think, ah, she'll never see it. Well, I was WRONG. Not only did she see it, but it turns out she is friends with one of my friends, who saw the post, recognized it as me (I'm not sure how at all), and sent it to her (her name is Sarah, in case you want to know and she also interviewed at my firm, which is why she looked familiar to me). Also, OTHER people also recognized the post and knew it was me. WTF people! Does everyone read CL MC? I guess so.

Anyway, I actually ran into Sarah at Pi on Saturday, and the first thing that popped out of my mouth was, hey, it's the train woman! Ha, nice. Anyway, there you go. Amusing tidbits from my life.

Okay, I must go to the 8th grade graduation ceremony now. It's actually a mass, which means I'll be going to church for the first time in...ages. Gricus, I think you should pray for my soul.

I miss my peeps; shout out if you want to hang out. Adios!

My Date with Family Law - myspace blog post

Danette: How was your Sunday?

Me: Okay, I had a hot date with Family Law.

Danette: Did you get to first base with Family Law?

Me: Absolutely, but I'm stuck at second. That bitch doesn't put out.

Danette: Ha! Well, it IS Family Law!

Me: True. They hate the gays.

Danette: LOL (me too).

The end.