I’m in kind of a foul mood this week, probably due to the heat and the fires, so this is a really bad time to post one of my very, very rare rants…
but I’m doing it anyway.
Here are four things I’m really sick of and what I’m doing to make it all better:
1. Online attacks against religions, political parties, or whatever. Some people don’t seem to care who they offend or hurt. The folks launching these online attacks are aggressive, mean, inconsiderate, and often uninformed.
What am I’m doing about it? I’m unfriending on Facebook, unfollowing on Twitter, and dropping bloggers from my Google Reader if they behave badly. I’m not spoiling for a fight, and I’m not interested in listening to or reading the words of those who choose to exercise their precious freedom of speech in this manner.
Heavens. I feel better already. On to No. 2:
2. Patiently waiting behind drivers when the light turns green (especially in the left turn lane when the green arrow doesn’t remain on very long) because said driver is busy with his phone/texting/GPS map or whatever he’s doing besides moving his car.
What am I’m doing about it? “Patiently” is going out the window. The “two second rule” now applies. If the driver can move but is clearly not paying attention, I’m going to honk my horn, something I’ve avoided doing my whole life except in emergencies because I thought it was bad manners.
3. Sales calls, survey and poll calls, political calls, and solicitation calls from charities and schools (knowing the second and third type will be increasing as we get closer to the election).
What am I doing about it? We finally got caller ID and voice mail (as opposed to an answering machine) on our phone, and I don’t answer if I don’t know who the caller is (or know and don’t want to listen to the pitch). If I receive any important calls and the names don’t show up on the ID, I sure hope they leave a message. “Unknown caller” or “Toll free number” just don’t cut it.
4. Not having enough time to do all the things I want to cram into each day.
What am I doing about it? I’m rethinking everything I do and cutting out the least enjoyable activities while increasing the time I spend on the stuff I love the most. You’ve probably already noticed I’m posting to my blog less frequently and spending less time tweeting, updating, and commenting. All of that is fun, but not nearly as much fun as the other things I want to do like reading and writing more, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.
There. Rant accomplished. Over and out.