Why does it seem that the littlest of things can set off a normal every day occurrence and make it into World War III? Speaking of World War's they just had in the news an story about the last WWI veterans still living. One is from Ohio and is 108. There was a quote from his 85 year old daughter. It seems very surreal to think about how long he has lived and how many changes he has seen. I wonder what his one piece of advice would be for the world. What has he experienced that his shaped his world -- what is his contribution? Maybe mine should be to not get quite so annoyed at all those little things. Easier said than done, of course.
My top 10 Little Annoyances (In no particular order)
1. Trimming your nails with a knife.
2. Whining and complaining about things you can't change.
3. Whining and complaining about things you could change, but don't.
4. People who aren't open to hear the other point of view.
5. Books being treated badly.
6. Chocolate being under appreciated.
7. Never getting to go to the bathroom uninterrupted.
8. Getting caught up in a good book and staying up way to late, then having to be coherent at work the next day. (But it's usually worth it.)
9. People who outbid me in the last minute on an eBay auction.
10. Toilet paper on the roll the wrong way.
What are yours? Those little (or not so little) things that get under your skin?
I fear I should log out now, so I can go read a book -- but, oh no, I won't stay up too late. I have to be in early tomorrow.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Monday, April 09, 2007
Shopping as an Altruistic Activity
What can I say, I've been out there living life and haven't had time to write about it. Okay, really I've just discovered something else to do on the computer and my Internet connection is slow, so it has consumed all of my time. I've discovered eBay. Yes, I know what you're thinking -- she's addicted to shopping -- well, you would be right. Only, I already was, this just means I don't have to leave the house to do it. This could be extremely dangerous for someone with my anti-social tendencies, but fortunately, or unfortunately as the case may be, it isn't quite the same thing as shopping in person. But now I can have the thrill of the hunt right here in my own home. I can also get rid of all those things I don't want anymore and then use the money to buy new stuff. I'm trying to keep the amount spend about even with the amount sold. It's working so far.
It amazes me the things you can find, and sell on eBay. I put up some DVD's thinking I'd get a dollar or two and they sold for eight. It's also fun to just look around and see what other people are buying and selling. If I had the time (and better that dial up) I could get lost just browsing through the offerings. At first it seems like a daunting task -- there are so many possibilities, where to begin? But once you get into it, it leads you from one place to the next, then eBay starts giving you ideas and recommendations (like any good shopping site that wants you to keep shopping.) Pretty soon you're bidding on a lot of 50 doorknobs and don't remember even having that many doors once the glaze of addiction fades and reality sets in.
My husband thinks I'm addicted and is on a first name basis with the UPS man. He got mad at him for driving on our new concrete, but where else was he supposed to go? Me, I now having a speaking relationship with the Postmaster of our small local post office. (See, it's even expanding my social network.) Between eBay and my book swap site it seems like I'm single handedly keeping the post office in business. I'll bet the post office loves the advent of online shopping and exchange sites. Maybe they'll think about that before the next rate increase. Sure everyone is (okay, my Grandmother will never do it, but most everyone else is) using email instead of sending letters. But once you get through the email inquiries, there is the final exchange through the US Mail or some other carrier. They should be grateful. Think of all those lovely packages stacked up and waited to be sorted and delivered from one end of the country to the other.
There you go -- I have now logically connected shopping and supporting the government. (This didn't even include all those shopping indexes, sales tax, and jobs supported by shopping.) We're expanding our horizons, touching people from across the country and around the world. Pretty soon the world will be one mall with no boundaries, the only wars will be price wars, the only conflicts will come when there aren't enough Coach handbags, or scrapbook paper with sailboats, or diamond earrings for everyone. But then there will be substitutions, people will benefit from war and conflict by getting a good deal -- the ultimate goal of any shopper.
It amazes me the things you can find, and sell on eBay. I put up some DVD's thinking I'd get a dollar or two and they sold for eight. It's also fun to just look around and see what other people are buying and selling. If I had the time (and better that dial up) I could get lost just browsing through the offerings. At first it seems like a daunting task -- there are so many possibilities, where to begin? But once you get into it, it leads you from one place to the next, then eBay starts giving you ideas and recommendations (like any good shopping site that wants you to keep shopping.) Pretty soon you're bidding on a lot of 50 doorknobs and don't remember even having that many doors once the glaze of addiction fades and reality sets in.
My husband thinks I'm addicted and is on a first name basis with the UPS man. He got mad at him for driving on our new concrete, but where else was he supposed to go? Me, I now having a speaking relationship with the Postmaster of our small local post office. (See, it's even expanding my social network.) Between eBay and my book swap site it seems like I'm single handedly keeping the post office in business. I'll bet the post office loves the advent of online shopping and exchange sites. Maybe they'll think about that before the next rate increase. Sure everyone is (okay, my Grandmother will never do it, but most everyone else is) using email instead of sending letters. But once you get through the email inquiries, there is the final exchange through the US Mail or some other carrier. They should be grateful. Think of all those lovely packages stacked up and waited to be sorted and delivered from one end of the country to the other.
There you go -- I have now logically connected shopping and supporting the government. (This didn't even include all those shopping indexes, sales tax, and jobs supported by shopping.) We're expanding our horizons, touching people from across the country and around the world. Pretty soon the world will be one mall with no boundaries, the only wars will be price wars, the only conflicts will come when there aren't enough Coach handbags, or scrapbook paper with sailboats, or diamond earrings for everyone. But then there will be substitutions, people will benefit from war and conflict by getting a good deal -- the ultimate goal of any shopper.
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