After several years of working with the public, it has come to mind that I have become bitter to a certain respect. I am a fairly happy go lucky person, but when one of the 100 gets broken, I get irked. Funny word, irked.  I do enjoy finding a word people do not use often, and then try to use it as many times as I can in one day. Sure it can get annoying, but if more people used it, then I wouldn’t have to.  Anyway back to the 100, which I never fully explained. The 100 is a list of 100 things that drive me up the wall.  The sad thing is that some of the things are so minor, but after so many years, they just have become a major issue. I’ll be at work, and if one of the 100 occurs I would say something to the fact that ok, number 66 on my list of things that annoy me. I assign numbers, but I cannot remember which number goes with which annoyance, except for number one.

Number one is easy. Stupid people, I simply cannot handle ignorance.  I am not a genius by any means, although those online tests say I am. However common sense should just be a given, however too many people on this planet seem to be lacking common sense.  For example, playing with fire is not a good thing, fire burns and if you decide playing with fire is a hobby, then that equals jail time.  I work in a business that is 24/7. We do not close for anything, pretty sure there can be an attack on the city and we would stay open, for those that need bottled water or a pack of gum. Every year I choose to work Thanksgiving, It is a pretty easy day and I get paid double.  Most of my calls go something like this “Can I help you?” “Are you all open today?” I have yet to find a place that has someone there just to answer the phone and say no we are closed. Think people, just take a minute and think about what you just asked.  We even had a person come up to us in the store and ask us if we were open. Why in the world, would we look open, only to just appear that way so we can let people know we are closed?  Some of these people have children. I am starting to think that the movie Idiocracy is not too far off. This is just a sample of the people I see day in and day out. I could go on and on, but for now that will be adequate.

I still need to find a proper numbering system for my annoyances. I am too picky, almost obsessive compulsive to the point where I would never be happy with the way the list was put together. The only exception is number one, stupid people, that is just a given.  In the coming weeks I shall discuss more of my annoyances, but for now just a couple will suffice.

Number ?,  is what I like to call those who feel a turn signal is an option not a right to the other drivers on the road. I overuse my turn signal. I feel the need to just use it all the time. I like to use it in parking lots; I like letting people know where I am going. However, there are different types of turn signal abusers. We first have the do not use at all types. Those are the types where you need to stay twenty cars back, just to make sure. I really hate those types. Is it too hard to just move your hand a few inches to say “Hey guess what, I am going to move over into this lane!” or what about “I feel the need to turn onto this street!” Those just don’t care. I remember a time when I got myself a ticket for expired tags. In line at the courthouse, there were a slew of folks all that were ticketed for not using their turn signals. They all felt that it was just so silly and stupid, that there were ticketed for such a ridiculous offense. Can’t be that ridiculous or silly or stupid, if a cop decided it was your lucky day and pulled you over. We also have the last minute users. I am not talking about the “Oh shoot! This is my exit.” Or “Frack! This is the street I need to turn down.” I am talking about the already in the other lane and turn it on at the last second types. Seriously folks, if you have already moved over, what is the point?  I really am not sure why, such a little thing like a turn signal annoys me so much. You have to think about those who follow too closely, if one of those aforementioned does not use a turn signal, then BAM! We have ourselves a nice little fender bender.  Common courtesy is all I ask. Just move the hand over and make use of what the automakers installed on your vehicle.  If you think about it, I could combine number 1 and this one and wonder if they will use the excuse of the car running out of blinker fluid. If that happens, just lock me up and throw away the key.

Well folks that is all the time we have today. Tune in next time for more annoyances. Will you be included in one of them?  Just use that gray matter that is up in your head and I am pretty sure you will be just fine. Till next time, remember fire bad, turn signals good.

E.