I'm having one of those days. I feel like the world is full of people who exist solely for the purpose of pissing me off and/or annoying me.
I got a call this morning from the bank today because I didn't get around to seeing them over the weekend to write them a check for the money that they suddenly decided they wanted to pay Stephanie directly. They figured this out one day before closing. Keep in mind that the refinancing contract doesn't say a thing about this. In fact, the only thing they legally needed to worry about was that Steph filed a quit-claim on the house, and that's it. As she put it (witty as usual), I can blow that money on crack if I so desire, so long as I cut her a check within four months. Of course, this means I need to cut them a check for the shortfall first in the cash-out amount. And if pissing me off wasn't enough, they also want her to write a letter, just one sentence indicating that she accepts the money from me, and it has to be notorized! Nevermind that they have our separation agreement, which we both signed, as well as a lawyer, a paralegal, the judge and the clerk of courts indicating we're all cool with it. Can you believe that?
All jacked up on that phone call, I left work and sought the comfort of a big warm Chipotle burrito. There's one person in line, and it's some little woman who can't see over the counter, on the phone trying to describe what she might want. The guy behind the counter is just shaking his head. People are stacking behind me. She's totally oblivious to her surroundings.
I thought about going to Geauga Lake and blowing off some steam on coasters, but I figured I'd encounter another little burrito girl who was going to annoy me. So instead I retreated to the park. So what happens there? Some woman pulls up next to me, in an otherwise empty lot, where she leaves her car running, windows up (it's 72 degrees), for half an hour while she applies makeup. I don't know if her rudeness bothered me more than her complete disregard for the environment and oil consumption, but I felt like I had to give up on human beings at that point.
I'm a social person, and I value close friendships. But these kinds of days make me want to lock myself in my house and never come out. And when I look back at this string of events, they're not even a big deal! No one is personally fucking with me, it's just that their actions annoy me. Why can't I let that go?
I know that I shouldn't let stuff outside of my control, particularly stuff that doesn't have severe and direct impact on me, get me all worked up. Of course, the fact that it does leads to more self-loathing and it starts to get into this endless loop. I know it's stupid, but I guess it's the symptom of being a passionate person. I need to balance some of that passion with a healthy dose of reason. I think reason is all that can keep you grounded in an unreasonable world.
I have little respect for people who feel they must drive everywhere they go - I take the bus or train to work everyday to help save the environment, save money, get EXERCISE and support a transit system in which with higher ridership = better service. I know it’s not 100% feasible for everybody, OR may take an extra 10 minutes, but generally people are lazy or too embarrassed around here.
I saw on national news, just yesterday, some dumb woman say "gas is something that's required to live our everyday lives...". BS. Only if you're in love with your car and are to "proud" or lazy to take a bus to work or wherever you want to go.
In addition, being a slow news day, a local TV station here in Cleveland made the comment that the "all day pass" signs could be interpreted as an insult to "the types of people who ride RTA". It’s absurd! It's ridiculous that the local media fuels Cleveland’s inferiority complex and casts the impression that taking the bus means you’re a poor dirt worthless person. Any other progressive city is full of citizens proud to take mass transit.
And for the record, people who take the bus to work are NOT poor. I make almost 65k a year and have a nice car, but take the RTA to save money and cut back on air pollution. Seeing people drive 3 miles down the shoreway everyday makes me sick.
Sorry for my rant, Jeff, but the woman in the car doing her makeup just reminded me of my own little frustration, so I felt the need to step up on my soap box.
A BIG part of the problem with public transit is that it is terribly inefficient for use in the current suburban development model this country has been obsessed with over the past 60 years. It's dysfunctional and in world of declining oil supply and ever increasing energy prices, we're going to be very sorry we made such an investment in an oil-dependent lifestyle.
"I don't know if her rudeness bothered me more than her complete disregard for the environment and oil consumption, but I felt like I had to give up on human beings at that point."
Why did either bother you? Granted, you may have your own personal beliefs in place, but other people don't value your beliefs and value their own. That is what America is really all about. Is it right? No, but never stress over things you can't control or change. It just depresses you.
"I have little respect for people who feel they must drive everywhere they go - I take the bus or train..."
Must be nice to have public transportation as an option (rolls eyes).
A) You don't get it. I know you don't have a choice but to share this planet. Which was the point. You don't have a choice, yet you seem to get so bothered that other people don't care. Like I said, you don't have a choice, so why do you let the other people bother you when you can't do anything about it?
B) If you're talking about the American Flag, LOL. And I don't think I can do whatever the **** I want. I have a belief system, its a higher power than any Flag, and if I did what ever I wanted, I wouldn't have those beliefs.
You spend a lot of time whining about other people and what they do. Haven't you realized that they have just as much of a right to not care as you do to care?
No, you don't have a right to not care. That makes you a piece of shit human being who can't look further than your own nose. You aren't entitled to shit, especially if it's at the expense of someone else. You aren't just responsible for you, because you don't live in a bubble.
Why do I care? Which part of "have to share the planet" isn't clear to you? Part of the reason I don't have kids is because I can't fathom bringing them into this world knowing that people around me are making it a shitty place without caring about the consequences of how it will affect future generations.
And it's not like we can't reverse the process either. Baby boomers did plenty to fuck up the world, but they're the same people who have been leading the way to make it better today. So you're either a selfish bastard who contributes to the problem, or you're doing your part to offer solutions.
"I/you/we have a right" is a cop out for people who don't bother to think anything out.
"I/you/we have a right" is a cop out for people who don't bother to think anything out."
No, It isn't! You want every one to value the same beliefs that you do. How Arrogant! They may not be 'Right' or 'Moral' in your eyes, but the have FREE WILL to do as they please. Once they lose that in order to catre to YOUR beliefs, it kinda ends up not being free will.
Just because you have a belief or value DOES NOT make it what everyone else should do. You've just entered in to a whole new level of self centeredness.
Who are you to say that EVERYONE MUST CARE AND TAKE CARE OF THE PLANET for you? What gives YOU the right to DEMAND that?
I'm sorry, but the planet does not belong to you. Regardless of what you think. You were born here. You didn't create it, you weren't given it, and you don't determine what will happen to it. It doesn't work that way.
You're Not God.
What the fuck are you talking about? Where did I say anything belonged to me or that I was God?
I demand it because it's an extension of how you treat others. I don't kick you in the nuts, and I wouldn't shit on your front porch. I expect the same from other people. It's called respect. I respect your shit, you respect mine, and in this case, we have to share the same thing.
You won't change your mind regardless of what I say. If you have such great free will, drop off the grid, stop working and try to exist without the people and world around you. We'll see how free your will is then.
"Where did I say anything belonged to me or that I was God?"
You don't have to say it to exude that attitude.
"If you have such great free will, drop off the grid, stop working and try to exist without the people and world around you."
And you obviously don't understand free will. Will I do that? No, because I choose to live on the grid, work, and exist with the people around me. Could I drop off, not work, and be a hermit? Sure! I don't WANT to. Obviously neither do most people. But I have the choice to do so if I want to.
Still, it goes back to the fact that you think everyone should have the same beliefs that you do. You believe people should respect the things you do. It Doesn't Work That way. If I don't want to respect you, I'm not required to. You can't make me. I have the ability to go to a park in my big ole SUV with a full tank of gas and run the airconditioner for a full day if I choose to.
You don't like it? Fine. Complain, but you stress out over it and take it like its a personal attack. You yourself said that you feel like everyone else is out to get you.
Here's a thought: That lady in her car? Doesn't care about you because to her, you don't exist. She wasn't out to get you. She wasn't doing it to tick you off. And she has no Idea that she was 'disrespecting' you. Because she, like you, probably thinks that you don't care. She doesn't, why should you?
I could just as easily be offended by something as ridiculous as how much time you spend at work, on the internet, blogging, doing Buzz, etc. and not going out there in your free time doing what I think YOU should be doing. But I know that I can't control you. I don't want to.
Get a new Therapist, this one isn't working.
"Still, it goes back to the fact that you think everyone should have the same beliefs that you do."
No, I think everyone should be considerate toward other people. Figure out the difference. If you think that's a character flaw, then you're just as bad as the woman in the car. I look out for people and am not oblivious to the environment we share. The whole do onto others thing.
"Get a new Therapist, this one isn't working."
Just because you read my blog doesn't mean you know me. Don't be an asshole.
"That makes you a piece of shit human being who can't look further than your own nose."
"I demand it because it's an extension of how you treat others. I don't kick you in the nuts, and I wouldn't shit on your front porch. I expect the same from other people. It's called respect."
The irony here is uncanny.
I hate all people equally. People exist to annoy, and find the world filling up with more and more of them.