04.12.07
Posted in Pet Peeves at 5:08 pm by Mark Lilback
[slug]grocery_shopping[/slug]
I really can’t comprehend how someone can accidentally get in the express checkout lane with a full basket of groceries. And I really can’t understand why the store staff doesn’t say something.
When approaching the register, you have to look to see if the light is on. The light is normally on the Express Checkout sign. And it should be pretty obvious to everyone that the only lane that cells cigarettes is an express lane! (10 items or less versus the normal 20 items or less at Wal-Mart.)
I guess I was just raised differently. Hell, I question getting in the express lane when I have 21 items, even if it would save me 5-10 minutes. Heck, even when I’m in a regular line with even half a cart of stuff, I’ll always let anyone behind me with a couple items go ahead.
Another thing: why does stores still accept checks? What checking account doesn’t come with a debit card? Heck, Wal-Mart doesn’t even keep the checks anymore, they just run the routing and account number like a credit card number. But instead of entering a PIN or signing for the purchase, I’ve got to wait while someone writes out a check (that should have been written, except for the amount, while they waited in line), digs our their ID, etc.
Hell, they guy with 40+ items in the 10 item lane at Wal-Mart last week realized he forgot something after writing his check and was about to tear it up and write a new one!! With at least 6 customers behind him!
Not accepting checks would be a real win-win situation. No more waiting while people write out checks, get approval, etc. The stores don’t have to worry about hot checks. And we save a few trees!
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Posted in Personal at 4:55 pm by Mark Lilback
[slug]health[/slug]
Once again, I’ve been hit by health problems again. This time it was a abscess on my lower back right below the waist. It became incredibly painful, and boy did it hurt when the doctor lanced it. I stayed in the hospital for four days, and probably close to another four days before it in pain and recovering afterwards. I’m still on antibiotics and it is still there, just not as nasty.
This goes on top of being bipolar and diabetes. A normal A1c rating (the measure of blood sugar levels in blood over the last 120 days) is 4 to 6. The American Diabetic Association says a value of 7 is acceptable for a diabetic. That’s what mine was in the fall. Down from a 9 the year before. Last month, I was a 10.4.
Obviously, I really need to reduce my sugar levels. I’m starting back at kickboxing next week, which will help. But I’m not sure what to do about my diet. Anyone who knew me 10+ years ago would be amazed at it. Back then I lived on pizza, burgers, and multiple pitchers of kool aid a day. Now I eat vegetables (really! that’s a huge change), only drink water and sugar-free drinks, and live off foods made with Splenda.
A few years ago, when moving apartments after 9/11 (I lived two blocks away), I herniated my L2/L3 disc which pinched every nerve to my lower body. That was some serious pain. Even with years of physical therapy, my back still really hurts. According to my surgeon at the time, I have the back of a 65 year-old, and will have multiple disc problems throughout my life.
Add to that multiple kidney stones and serious digestive problems leading to my gall bladder being removed, and I haven’t been a healthy boy. Throw the depression I frequently get even though I’m on multiple drugs for my bipolar disorder, and things don’t look too good. Plus, I had a few other problems last year that left me incapacitated for months.
Not that I’m feeling down, at least not right now. Today I feel really good and finally decided to get some thoughts off my chest. Expect more posts soon.
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