Things that I’ve noticed

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Some of the drivers I encounter

I talk to other drivers while I’m driving. I coach their driving style or comment on their intelligence. Very occasionally I will say nice job (but don’t count on it). If someone cuts me off but they have an animal sticker on their bumper, any kind – I love dogs or cats or even a rescue sticker, I will soften my correcting approach. I don’t use the really bad words but stick to the “golly, gosh” variety. I think people who love animals are kinder people although not necessarily better drivers.

Since the pandemic, I’ve tried making sense out of retail. There isn’t any. Back in the old days (before pandemic), I knew what hours were less crowded; what products are best bought quickly; and places you can depend on. It doesn’t hold anymore. With different work schedules it’s as likely to be crowded early in the day as it is right after the traditional work day ends. As for the supply chain, no words can describe it. Don’t like it.

Do you have some observations to share?

64 thoughts on “Things that I’ve noticed”

  1. It has been a real challenge to get my pantry shopping in the house this year. I’ve been doing the pantry shopping for non-perishable groceries to last for a six-month period (November 1st through April 30th) for decades and can usually accomplish this task in five to six large shopping trips. This year, thankfully I started on Labor Day weekend before the supply chain crisis was in full bloom. But I didn’t finish as there were limitations and to make matters worse, my store has been undergoing a remodeling and THEY had to contend with a supply chain crisis in that they trashed some of the decrepit store shelves to make room for the shiny new ones, some which still have not arrived. The remodel is not done and the organization of aisles etc. makes no sense to me. I just completed the entire process and as I mentioned in another comment, bags are here, there and everywhere. I did some shopping before I went to the Park after the time change, made it home barely on time to grab a bite, get cleaned up and get to work – at night I don’t feel like dealing with it. But it’s here and I will need a roadmap to find things.

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  3. There are shortages here once again, and prices are higher than ever. Doubt that will change anytime soon. As for the mask thing, the city I live in has lifted the mask mandate, but some stores and the bus system still require them. It’s sad that so many small businesses have closed. Some of my favorite neighborhood shops and restaurants are gone.

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  4. We took a trip to Bed, Bath & Beyond… been over a year. It is a 30 minute drive for us and we won’t be returning. I am feeling a general case of edginess out and about. I am wondering if there will be some of us who will not spring back well from this pandemic and feel the joy we once had. An observation and a concern. SSNS and I have a lot to say to other drivers and really bad words just sort of pop out!

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    • I lost my zest for shopping. I have to buy a cell phone. I’ve been researching but I really like to talk to a knowledgeable person at a store. I went today but the store didn’t have a tech person so I could buy but would have to start it up and transfer myself. This is when I need an 8 year old neighbor. Anyhow I don’t want to go anywhere else. I even treated myself to a Starbucks refresher but it didn’t balance the scales. No, I’m not springing back.

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            • I have an old Samsung android. My dilemma is to get another Samsung or go with an iPhone which I’ve never had. The place to get the iPhone is clear across town. Boogers. My cell is failing. Can’t access bank and this morning it took me 10 minutes to order my Starbucks. I need a 12 year old neighbor to help me out!

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              • I think it is a steep learning curve to switch from an android to an iPhone. Just my opinion. I think an iPhone is very user friendly and pretty much walks you through the process of learning how to use their phone. I like Apple’s dot com support online. I have found a YouTube Channel that has been a great help for iPhone… Payette Forward. Good luck on your decision. I am sure peeps that read you would be more than happy to help. I have a feeling though that you are like me and would just keep hammering away until you figured it out. I also am thinking that the last thing you want to do right now is figure out a new phone!

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  5. My observation is that ordering online then having something delivered is wonderful BUT objects are packed in either too much packaging or not enough. There is waste in the first case, and possible breakage in the latter. Both make me angsty.

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  7. When I saw the “in short supply” sign up by toilet paper in the grocery store last Sunday it hit me that we are – yet again – going through tough times. Retail is crazy – again. I’m back to ordering online. Shops are hit and miss about masks, etc. so I just sit at my computer and shop away. Hopefully post-winter we will see something even remotely close to “normal” (whatever that is). Sigh. By the way I talk to other drivers too – but I am RARELY polite – good thing they can’t hear me.

    Hugs, Pam 🙂

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    • It’s always a good thing they can’t hear you. A school bus driver almost hit me. She had a stop sign. She stopped and pulled out. I didn’t have a stop sign and was going through the intersection. Obviously school bus drivers aren’t any better than anyone else!

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  8. Retail is definitely crazy! Things are closed at odd hours and on odd days – I think it’s staffing issues for the most part here. Though the supply chain is definitely a mess. Lots of empty shelves and spaces, and inexplicable things not available.

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  11. My grocery store opens at 7 most days. I thought this was great when I found this out, but a lot of people had the same idea and I still had to stand in line. I guess it’s still better than later in the day. We still have to wear masks indoors here. If I’m out walking around the neighborhood I just distance myself from people, but the busier streets I put on my mask.

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  12. I have been flustered by businesses with shorter hours and fewer available days because of staffing needs. There isn’t any consistency. On the other hand I think I’m growing accustomed to lower expectations.

    Hope the kitchen remodel has started well for you, Kate. 😉

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    • Day one was a good start for the renovation. I tried to call a business all week. Today I finally got through to someone. Their hours changed drastically and I was calling at all the wrong times/days.

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  13. Speaking of turn signal,one day I was crossing the street when car turned the corner with their turn signal on.I almost got hit by the car! There are more crazy drivers in Kentucky than there are in New York and New York has a lot of crazy drivers,how dumb is that? They should use the turn signal.It isn’t there to look at!

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  16. I was doing errands yesterday, driving in the right lane, looked in both mirrors, all clear, put blinkers on to move to the left lane, started over, and a large tree service truck going fast, laid on their horn and kept coming at me even though I was halfway to the left lane. I pulled back into the right lane while he still laid on the horn. Scared the bejesus out of me. He was heading right for my driver’s door, and he never slowed down. I felt like pulling over and walking home. As for the supply chain, there is no figuring it out. Also, I can try to buy something on line at the grocery, and it is out of stock or needs to be shipped. If I go in the store, there it is on the shelf. Drives me nuts. It’s happened twice just this week. Why use the online order system, if you still have to go in the store?

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  19. I give entire, profane lecture to other drivers on a daily basis: “Accelerator on the right, you complete waste of human flesh,” “Your turn signal is a useful tool, maybe you could try it once in a while?!” “It’s a DOUBLE YELLOW, for #$%@’s sake!”

    Los Angeles provides endless opportunities for swearing and lecturing. But remember to always keep your windows up.

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    • Yes, I was in the drive through lane at Starbucks a few years ago and a woman pulled up next to me and started to yell at me about my driving. I had been in line for a few minutes so I don’t know if I was her intended target or any red car would do. I didn’t understand a word she said (yes, her window was down) but she was very enthusiastic about it all. Usually I know when I do something stupid. This time it missed me. Fortunately a mocha latte made it all better.

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  20. Love that a dog’s comment!!!
    We ran in for aa “quick” grocery trip a few days go in a normally slack time- it was nuts. Swarmed. People must be panicking over Thanksgiving dinner supplies – the stranger aisles were bumper to bumper. And the canned goods shoulder to shoulder.Once again the media here driving Nutsville: Shortages – shortages – shortage. Hysteria – hysteria – hysteria, UGH
    All dogs ( and cats) have become soothing therapy animals (and the only ones with sense, maybe)

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    • My cats have demanded that I get an extra case from Chewy just in case the frantic mob hits them. They don’t understand that by buying that case they are part of the frantic mob! Yes on media. They can whip up a crowd faster than a Kitchenaid mixer!

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  21. You’re so right regarding shopping hours. Every grocery store outing, no matter what time of day seems as if it’s the day before Super Bowl Sunday and packed to the gills. I groan every time I have to go now because I know it won’t be a quick pop in and out like it used to be. And I’m worn out hearing the “supply chain issues” excuse for every single thing. People need to come up with more clever and imaginative excuses if quality service is to be in short supply.

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  22. I have not been shopping enough to say. If it isn’t at the grocery store or perhaps the pet supply store, I’ve likely not been there. I tried to go to the eyeglass store to get my glasses adjusted, but they were no longer open on Saturday. I would need an appointment for a Saturday visit. Their hours had all changed. Everyone in the family knows that if we plan to go somewhere in person, we need to check their hours first, but somehow I hadn’t taken my own advice.🙀 Overall, there is just no guarantee that anything we want is in stock, whether shopping in person or online.

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