A Simple Greeting Required

I hate to be ignored.  Surprised?  It's bad enough being ignored in a conversation but lately I have noticed being ignored on the street.  Let me explain.  I was casually walking on Elmwood when I see an acquaintance in the window of a coffee shop.  He is sitting with two women, looks right at me, recognized me and turns away without a "hi" or a smile.  I smiled and lifted my hand to wave, but he already turned away.  Why?

Last week I was in the grocery store, it was pretty crowded.  I friend is at the end of the aisle, I swear she sees me and turns around.   I chase after her, actually just walked quickly but she was gone. What is happening here?

I make it a point to at least say HI to anyone I know when I see them.  That's common courtesy isn't it?  When someone turns away I feel they are trying to hide something.  Maybe they are doing something they don't want you to see.  What are you hanging out with drug dealers and planning attacks  It's ridiculous.  Or is it simply that they cannot be bothered to say a simple greeting.  Do I talk too much?  Probably, but please I  know a  simple greeting when it is appropriate.

I joke with one friend who I see completely put together in the morning while I am looking a little shall we say haggard.  When we pass on our walks I smile and cover my face, saying "You did not see me - I look terrible".  We laugh and continue on.

So here's the thing.  If you see me, stop and say hi or wave or give me a big smile.  I will not bother you and it will make me feel that you are indeed a friend and that you are not hiding anything.  If not I will hunt you down, make a fool of myself and keep you talking for at least 1/2 hour!

Gone Again

We dropped Max off at camp yesterday and already the house is feeling empty and quiet.  Everything changes when he is away.  Granted I get so much more done.  THe cab driver role and house cleaner role are very time consuming when you have a teenager.

This week we will eat differently.  No real meals, unless its a salad.  Most likely we will go out for a cocktail before dinner and then just catch some appetizers.

This week we will relax differently.  No games or playing cards or tackling each other.  Most likely we will take long walks and read.

This week the house will be clean.  Big difference.  Less laundry, no more glasses and food in the family room, no stray GatorAide bottles or candy rappers, no sweatshirts on the kitchen table or sporting equipment blocking the door entrances.

This week will be quiet.  No new ipod sounds, no screaming video games, no non-stop text messaging.  No never ending stories, no non-stop questions, no hysterical laughing.

I can't wait until Max come home.

Qualified Advice

I have a problem with people who give unsolicited advice, especially when they are not qualified to give advice on the subject they are pontificating about.  Here are a few people who should either keep quiet or refrain from adamantly distributing garble.

- Uncle who borrowed money but insists on discussing how to manage retirement funds
- Friend who has never entered a gym discussing the problems with exercise routines
- Overweight acquaintance scoffing at cleansing or fasting programs
- Unemployed mother barking about the trials of full time employment
- Childless couple discussing the parental discipline choices
- Public school parents insulting the private school education
- Conservatives benefiting from public aid while slamming the democratic government's hand on approach

This list could go on but for now I think that's enough.