Zombies!

During January's snow storm of the year I had the unfortunate opportunity to watch a lot of news programs. I generally hate watching the news begins it is always doom and gloom and how the economy is in such a horrible condition. However, one day there was a brief relief from the business world apocalypse! Some pranksters in Georgia managed to hack into the computer system of several electronic road information signs. The signs went from displaying traffic information to displaying "Zombies in area! Run!" and "Beware! Nazi Zombies!" The media coverage quickly caught my attention and for a brief moment, I felt like I was in some sort of utopian frame of mind where there existed people in the world who actually have a good sense of humor. Not only do these vigilantes have a good sense of humor they also have the gumption to commit such a wonderful act of hilarity! I'm sure whoever the people were are either being severely punished or are thinking back and laughing about what they have done. Or quite possibly they are doing both and enjoying it. I say more power to the people who do such things to relieve some of the tension in this world. I'd like to meet the people who did the sign alterations and buy them a soda and enjoy some good laughs. Bottoms up to you free thinkers out there!

Illiterate Teachers

Unfortunately this evening I was graced with the opportunity to speak with a local school teacher. I didn't ask where she teaches or her name. So anonymously I will humiliate her. She told me she was a teacher. After informing me of her career we carried on our conversation with the typical ice breaking cliches. Throughout the conversation she made use of extremely improper grammar. I try to speak properly most of the time because it's my responsibility as an English major. But this lady said, and I quote, " I ain't never" and she also made several subject verb agreement errors. I know this sounds very judgmental but I honestly don't hold everyone to the strict proper English standards. However, a teacher should be publicly lynched for using improper English! A teacher's sole purpose is to educate the youth of America. It is quite obvious in this situation that teachers are failing the school systems. No wonder why illiteracy rates are so high. We need educated people to educate people. No exceptions!

Sour Cream

Today before class I was eating at the Taco Bell near school and as usual I spent my lunchtime enjoying some food and watching people. I generally eat alone so to entertain myself I simply observe the other patrons and formulate random perspectives into the lives of other people. However, today I was astonished by the attitude expressed by one of the customers. This unknown person ordered his meal and apparently asked for the sour cream on meal to be put on the side. The Taco Bell staff managed to make his order incorrectly and put the dollop of sour cream on his meal rather than on the side. When the man's girlfriend/spouse informed him of the mistake he abruptly ordered that she have the staff re make his meal. At this point I restrained myself from slapping the man. Obviously he wanted the sour cream since he ordered on the side rather than not all. And the one lump of sour cream would not have proved itself a major obstacle if he simply would have removed it with a lovely spork on his own free will. I think the man illustrated a bad attitude that is shared by many Americans. The attitude of 'have someone else do it for me rather than do it myself' really annoys me. I could understand his attitude if it were a major problem or dilemma that the man was not able to correct himself. But it was not a major problem by any stretch of the imagination and the man's reaction was too severe to warrant any sympathetic thought from me. My point is, maybe people should quit complaining about miniscule inconveniences and take a little responsibility for a few things. There's nothing wrong with having some initiative. So maybe the Taco Bell staff replaced the dollop of sour cream with a lump of who knows what to express their shared disgust. As I  walked to the door I looked the man in his eyes with a strange smirky smile on my face as I thought to myself, 'Maybe I should stay away from the public service industry.'