Other People

When I'm stuck behind someone on their cel phone (chatting with their poodles dietician, or maybe it's their finicky poodle), with a large bag (of puppy sweaters, no doubt), and blocking the escalator or sidewalk or door to the train or elevator, I'm tempted to say, "Other People," to remind them why manners are not an anachronism. There's a mall-walk that extends to the sidewalks downtown. That aimless shuffle similar to the maneuver the CHP use when they need to perform a rolling stop on the freeway, except the CHP doesn't have the advantage of an umbrella or shopping bags or sheer girth.

Come on, people! There's too many of us to behave this way. WAIT until everyone is off the train before you start getting on. WAIT until the train has actually stopped and the doors opened and everyone in front of you has gotten off before you get up with your bags and push your way to the door. STOP and get out of the way if you're going to chat with your vetenarian's dietician, or to suck on that 349 ounce carbonated juice beverage you are filling your lungs with.

My day off but I went in to take care of some nasty HR business I can't talk about here. On the way home on the crowded train it didn't help that someone I fired several months ago got on and stood pressed up against me. Probably one of the worst firings I've ever done, too. We are advised to be honest, but sometimes it's better to give people an out rather than tell them what you think.

It's cold today, too. Kinda nice. Bossman took the managers to dinner last night. We walked about 100 feet to a very nice restaraunt (Straights) and had a decious, fun asian-fusion meal; passing around "what is this again?" and "careful, that one is really, really, really spicey"'s. Got home and downloaded Steve Job's keynote address and lusted after the new iPhone for about two hours until I came back to my senses. Alas, no Mac or OS announcements... (as I shove my way through MacWorld for a free sticky pad and another useles keychain). "Get out of my way, other people!"