So, I’m sitting at the coffeehouse this morning, contemplating what I could write about. This feels better, btw, at least more productive than usual, since I often find myself thinking “I should write about _____” and then not doing anything with it.
But, as often seems to be the case with me, I was getting bupkis in the way of ideas. So, I finished my delightful latte, got back in the car, and headed home.
And then, as sometimes happens, the universe provides…
Remember a couple posts back when I asked (rhetorically, I thought) if you’ve ever had a “WTF was I thinking?” moment? Less than five minutes out from the coffeehouse, as I was heading south, I witnessed the end result of poor decision-making skills driving toward me. A plain, nondescript, white van, the kind that used to be called a cargo van but now is more like an abduction van. At least according to movies that have abduction scenes in them. The van was heading north, bearing a cargo of sheet rock on its roof rack. I’m pretty sure the drivers conversation with himself before he left the home improvement store was something along the lines of “Should I throw a strap over that stuff? Nah, I’m not going that far…”
Turns out he chose poorly, as I watched first one, then two, then, ultimately, five sheets of drywall raise up off the roof of his van, catching wind and snapping backward into two (or more) large pieces against the rear of his van, finally smashing into the roadway in his wake. Fortunately there was no one behind him. I imagine he planned for some waste when he made his purchase. But dayam buddy, that much?
I continued on my merry way home with a little literary fuel. Thank you stranger.
On another note, I made a brief PSA regarding the upcoming election at the end of my last post. I didn’t anticipate anything else political between posting that and Election Day, but I figured since I’d talked the talk I should also walk the walk. I early voted yesterday. It was a little busier than I anticipated but still only took me fifteen minutes or so to accomplish. Judging from the crowd, and tbh, assigning stereotypes to my fellow early voters (and their walkers, canes, caregivers, et al) my Democratic (uppercase D intended) vote put me squarely in the minority of the democratic (lowercase d intended) process.
I’m ok with that btw. Some might ask what the point of voting is when you’re so outnumbered your candidate can’t possibly win. I counter that by saying this; not voting is a guarantee your voice will not be heard. Even if the candidate of your choice is defeated, the person elected still represents you. Regardless of your (or their) party affiliation. Remember folks, democracy is a contact sport. And in this case, that contact needs to be made by you with whomever represents you in whatever public office they may hold. You want something done? Stop in and see them or a staffer of theirs, in person. As often as you can. Once you force them to assign a face to your name it becomes a more complex issue for them to tell you “no”. And, by the same token, make sure and thank them whenever they vote the way you ask them to on an issue. No one wants to hear all bitching, all of the time. *climbs off soapbox*
Finally, and this will be brief, I’d just like to leave you with this. In using a public restroom here, well, anywhere really, you’ll typically see a sign on the wall reminding employees to wash up after using the facilities. These signs often bear the name of the state capital, in this case Raleigh.
It’s not possible for me to see that word without hearing it in Andy Griffith’s voice. I mean, like every single time.
Raleigh.
See? You can’t not do it, can you?
Vote.