Liquid Terrorism?

So, I found this picture on BBC News online. I don't own it, can't claim it, didn't take it.

But it seemed to fit. What is up with this refusal to allow people the basic "neccessities" for plane travel? I understand that a "major terrorist plot" has been detected, but it seems that everyone is failing to notice that we should be celebrating. Our English allies discovered the plot before anyone was hurt (the would-be terrorists hadn't even bought tickets yet), and several sick people are in jail. Why are we all screaming and crying? Why will I not be allowed to take my carry-on onto the next plane I fly on? (I am a total baby - I have to take "stuff to do" on a trip to the grocery store.)

According to a news report on cnn.com, some people were fine with all the trouble, including Tisha Presley who was quoted as saying, "I assume before too long we'll be naked on the plane -- and that's fine with me." But it isn't fine with me. (Think about the last person you sat next to on a plane - do you really want to see them nakid?) Travel, by plane or otherwise, will never be truly safe. We'd be stupid to think otherwise. Still, it shouldn't be so horribly uncomfortable. If our intellegence services are half as competant as those in England, I see no reason to worry. I will still fly - though doing so without a book, I-Pod, or my crochett would be pretty painful.

My trip to the bank...

So I was at the bank the other day and I asked the teller for my balance. He smiled at me and said, “Are you signed up for online banking? It’s free, and-”

I cut him off. “No, and I’m not interested, thanks.”

Like every used car salesman you’ve ever hated, he didn’t get the hint. “It only takes a minute of your time-”

Getting annoyed, I cut him off again, “Listen, I’m not buying what you’re selling. Can I just get my balance please?”

He blinked, then he tried again. (It wasn’t like he couldn’t tell I was annoyed, I just think the bulletproof glass separating him and I made him feel safe.) “I’m not trying to sell you anything, ma’am, just save you time and effort.”

I looked at him. (Okay, I glared at the moron.) He wasn’t getting it. “Listen, I’m here, in the bank, trying to make a deposit. You are here, in the bank, taking my deposit. In what way does it save me time and effort to drive or bus to the library, log in, look up my account, and check the balance? I’m already here. Does it hurt you to give me my balance?!?”

After my admittedly venomous reply, he got me my balance. But the whole thing got me thinking. At what point did our society decide that everyone had access to the internet at home? More to the point, at what point did it become acceptable behavior to assume that because a technology was available, a person should be making use of it? (Or would, if they were smart enough to know it existed.) Nearly every time I ask for my balance, I get a sales pitch. What is wrong with walking into a bank and expecting service from the people behind the counter? Since when was that a bad thing?

So you think your job sucks...

I was browsing in a chain bookstore one time and I came upon a book call something like "So you think your job sucks." (Probably not the real title.) Anyway, the book was all about some of the worst jobs in the world. The author was trying to make the point that no matter how bad your job may be, the ones listed were worse. The only problem with that was that I'd had more than two of those jobs. More than three. In my relatively short life span, I've held four of the worse jobs ever.

Want to know the bright side? I have stories. Lots and lots of stories. If you play your cards right, I may even be willing to share them.

For instance, the first time I was ever offered pot, I was riding bitch (center seat) in the front of a moving van between two co-workers. I'd just graduated from highschool and had never so much as smoked a cigarette, but these two guys were lighting up a joint and passing it back and forth in front of me like it was no big deal. I think I remained pretty calm on the outside, but inside I was totally freaking out. Especially when we got lost. Most especially when the stoners thought that the police car behind us was following the van. (I was trying desperately to think of a way to convince the nice police man that I really was an innocent victim in all of this when God smiled on me and the car turned.)

I learned more at that job than just how to pack antique china like nobody's business.

I just made my first Etsy sale!

For those of you who don't know, Etsy is a place online to buy and sell handmade items of every shape and size. As a crafty person, I have dreams of one day at least recouping at least a portion of the money I spend on tools and product by selling the items I make. I've been dreaming this particular dream for many years, but so far, this is as close as I've come. But now, the future looks bright! Today, a few sheets of handmade paper. Tomorrow, the world! :)

Anyway, check out Etsy if you feel like doing som online shopping that is a little different. Check out my shop. (AnDesignArts) Yes, that was a shameless plug. But seriously, check out Etsy. Really. Like, right now. :)