Venting

I guess this is like the opposite of a Thankful Thursday post.

1. Google Reader. They changed their whole look, and that's fine I guess, but in the process they changed where the "previous/next post" button is. I'm STILL bringing my cursor down to the bottom of the screen and then getting all angry when I remember it's up at the top right now. Why, Google? WHY??

2. Google+. Speaking of Google, I haven't been able to use Google+ (Google Plus?) in months. They suspended my account because my name wasn't the format they wanted. I changed it, but it's still just suspended indefinitely. It says it's "under review" like it'll get fixed soon, but nothing has changed in almost three months. I can't post anything there. I wasn't hooked on it anyway, and I'm tempted to deactivate, but it just makes me annoyed that it happened at all and that they don't provide any way to clarify or fix the situation.

3. Target. Yes, I'm about to complain about Target, even though I love it. Two things really annoyed me the other day. One was the fact that a woman was boldly walking her dog around on a leash, and at least three employees saw her but said nothing. I'm not talking about a seeing eye dog, it was a small terrier or something. Is it suddenly okay to walk your dog around inside stores?

4. Target 2. This is something that has bothered me many times, but I was reminded the other day. When you see that yellow "low price" (or some other wording) tag hanging off the shelf like there's a sale, often you can scoot it over to reveal the original price underneath. And often that original price is EXACTLY THE SAME as the "low price." I know what they're doing--they're trying to draw attention like there is some deal and you should stock up, but in reality they have done nothing but spend time and money hanging tags on the shelves in order to trick you. Other times you might see it say "Price Cut," and if you look at the original price, it might be literally 2 or 4 cents more. I have a photo to prove it (but can't find it right now, sorry). I don't like it when businesses try to trick you. Target is also known for their fluorescent red-orange clearance stickers. They draw the eye, but often you'll see the "clearance" price is less than a dollar off the original price. That's not clearance, Target. Don't insult me.

5. Putting a long-sleeved sweater over a long-sleeved shirt. It gets all twisted on the arms. As my coworker would say, it whomps.


6. The holiday season. Yes, I know this is going to sound totally grinchy, but every year I have less and less patience for the extended festivities and obligations that come with the holidays. I have nothing against the holidays themselves (of course not!), but the pressure we have to deal with is ridiculous. The stores start carrying Christmas decor before Halloween, but by November 1 they are in full-blown Christmas mode. There are constant messages around us to buy presents for everyone, spend lots of money, attend (and host) many parties when things are already hectic, listen to Christmas music 24/7, and go to great lengths to get together with relatives when flying is expensive and road conditions are iffy. I guess I just wish everyone would calm down. We should remember and celebrate Jesus's birth, for sure. But the other stuff should be for enhancing the season, not burning us out.

7. My pride. It's out of control sometimes. I can be less-than-loving in how I talk to people when I am looking out for myself.

Okay, I think that's enough grouchiness for today.



In good news, it's been sunny (even if cold) and I'm just so thankful (again) for free evenings. With work being stressful at times, they are my happy section of the day that I can look forward to. Also, there should be a new episode of Ringer ready for me to watch online! Yes, I've been watching Ringer. My taste in TV shows is impeccable.


(Those photos were taken with my phone and edited in Picplz. That's why they're kind of odd.)