Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Do they have any clue???

This has been on my mind quite a bit lately so I thought this would be perfect blog material. Nothing like an outlet for random, rambling thinking. My question to you is this: Do annoying people realize just how annoying they really are to the rest of the world??? Before I continue on, I will freely admit that I am fully aware that my actions may be seen as annoying at times. I do make a concerted effort to be respectful of those around me so I don't become "another one of those annoying people".

Let me throw out a few examples of the people that I am referring to that you may have run across at some point in your life:

* the non-stop sniffler on the airplane. Have you ever thought about using a Kleenex??

* the car in the left lane driving 55 m.p.h. - do you ever wonder why people are blowing by you and shooting you dirty looks????

* while I'm on the subject of drivers...how about the driver that LOVES to ride your bumper?? Nothing like not being able to see the headlights on the car BEHIND you on an icy road. Can you say "accident waiting to happen"? Insurance companies LOVE these drivers!

* or how about the person that refuses to allow you to merge?? I must say, I LOVE the feeling of drag racing a semi in order to merge onto the freeway - NOT! What's up with that????

* the LOUD talker at the coffee shop....you know what?? I'm really not that interested in what is going on in your life so STOP screaming! Everyone else just wanted to stop in and enjoy a relaxing cup of hot coffee amidst the low buzzing of random voices. Did you notice I said "LOW"???

* the incessant talkers during staff meetings..Come on people! You're all teachers! How annoying is it when your kids are talking in class while you are trying to teach??? Enough said!

* while I'm on the subject of talkers......don't you love it when people talk on their cell phones like they are in the privacy of their own home while in a doctor's office waiting room???? Have a little courtesy for those around you and either leave the area or make the call very BRIEF!!! T.M.I. from strangers!

* I know that we are taught that there are NO dumb questions but I beg to differ! There are SOME dumb questions. You know them when you hear them. Those are the questions that people ask that are typically not paying attention to what is going on around them or perhaps they really are clueless! Ughhhhhhhhhh.

* people that continually complain about the cold temperatures and snow. Ummm, "Hello"...you do live in Wisconsin. What are you expecting???? This weather happens every year so why the surprise when we get 8-10 inches of snow on any given day during October-April??? Why the shock when we are dealing with below zero temperatures???? This isn't Hawaii! What was your first clue????????

I'm tuckered out just thinking of how frustrating it is to deal with said individuals. Gotta run. To be continued........

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Tears

From the distance, I saw her sitting on the leather couch in the airport lobby with a blank look on her face. Her brown eyes looked vacant as she stared off into space. Her face remained expressionless; the television blared in the background as children raced around the lobby. I eased into an empty seat near her. I quickly glanced over at her out of the corner of my eye and saw tears rolling down her cheek. I fumbled around in my bag, hurriedly looking for a kleenex to hand to her.



Why was she crying?? Why was she so sad?? I reached out my hand and gave her my pack of kleenex; she slowly reached over and took hold of the small, clear package. She quietly said "Thank you", never once allowing her eyes to meet mine. She kept her head down and wiped away the tears that were now streaming down her face uncontrollably. I tried not to stare at the young lady sobbing on the couch but couldn't seem to keep my eyes off of her. What was it that was making her so sad? What happened in her life? Did something happen to a family member? Did she just receive some horrible news about a friend? As I was about to ask her what was wrong, I heard a cell phone ring. She reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out the ringing phone. She listened carefully and hung up without saying a word. As I was about to ask if she was O.K., she got up from the couch, grabbed her bags and left; tears still streaming down her face. I tried to catch up to her but lost her in the crowd.......

I suddenly opened my eyes and realized that my pillow was damp. I touched my cheek and felt the water streaming down my left side. Those tears were my tears. I reached for a kleenex to wipe them away but they kept coming like raindrops in the midst of a spring shower. The emptiness returned and the sadness overwhelmed me once again.........