Shopping Thoughts

So Jamie, Kate and I went shopping. This is usually a joyful experience for me. Not so much last night. Why is it that tall sizes are 33inches in length?? What genuinely tall person wears that length of pants? I’m practically a 36. This is ridiculous. And I really REALLY don’t want to spend in excess of $50 on a pair of pants that I have to dry clean anyway. GR!

Slackers.

First of all, what is it that these war protesters do for a living? Or are they of the many unemployed? What is the deal? Of course, they did start their protests after 5 and there were a few people in business suits…

Secondly, I work for the company that has the Army account. This means that we are automatically evil. Therefore we have protesters outside of our building. It’s a mild nuisance because sometimes we have to use different doors. But even then, not a big deal. And it was really not entirely a surprise when I heard on ABC this morning that there would be protesters at the Federal Buildings, the Boeing Headquarters and Leo Burnett. Not too shocking at all. The news cast indicated that the protesters would arrive at my office around the same time I would. I kind of looked forward to the excitement of rowdy protesters at 8 a.m.

As I walked to work, I passed the Boeing HQs. There was a paddy wagon in front of the building and blue barricades on the sidewalk. But, alas, no protesters! It was a few minutes past 8 a.m. I thought, “Perhaps these protesters are stuck in traffic or there was a long line at Starbucks.” A few minutes later, I arrived at my building. A block west of my building there were a few more squad cars than normal. There were a few officers putting on their riot gear, which was kind of thrilling. I always wanted to have a dangerous and exciting job!

I walked through the back entrance of my building and up the stairs to the lobby. Nothing was different. The doors on Wacker were free of any crazy protesters. I checked the time: 8:10 a.m. I talked to the security guards at the elevator.

“Hey guys, where are the protesters?” I asked.

“I dunno,” said the shorter one, shrugging his shoulders. “I guess they’re late.”

Which brings me to the greater societal issue at hand. Punctuality. Movies, shows, trains–never on time any more! It’s not to say they’re always late–sometimes trains have been early (something that also strands me on the platform if I don’t get there to cross in time), sometimes movies close the doors before the previews. Being ON TIME is a lost art. I am guilty. I bet you are too! You say you aren’t, but I know you are. What’s worse about the people who are early is that they then complain about people who are on time or late. They have cheesy mantras like, “Early is on time, on time is late.” This is to guilt the rest of us into their sick game.

What it all boils down to is it just isn’t good enough. And maybe that’s what the protesters are REALLY protesting.