Elizabeth

I went to lunch with my mom today. There were a lot of options that we could choose from, and we decided upon going to a burger place who's mascot is the cheerful robin. The primary reason was that I love steak fries. Well, actually, I like any kind of french fries. Or furthermore, any potatoes, or any type, combination, or style of potato would be my favorite.

Being the observer that I am, I notice service. Usually, the service is pretty decent at this place. Though, I sometimes question word choices, behaviors, or catchy jingo that servers tend to use at places like this, as most of the servers are either in high school or immediately out of it.

I love how they open the door for their customers, and on this particular occasion, a very small girl with a very squeaky voice greeted us. I'm always a bit put off when this age group refers to mixed gendered groups as "guys" when greeted, but I thought I would put that out of my mind. After all, I have had a lot of things going through my mind in the last 24 hours.

So we sat down, I ordered coffee. I was very impressed when my coffee came. Usually at this particular place the coffee is just thrown on the table, with any of the accoutrements tossed to the side on the bare table. This is no easy feat, mind you, since at places like this one, they have ALL kinds of paraphenalia adorning the top of the table to prompt me to try something different. As a creature of habit (and very particular about what I like) I opted for the ordinary. But, the remarkable thing was that this time, the coffee was served on a plate, and had a doily placed under it, the stirring spoon (well, soup spoon...) set neatly to one side, and the cream neatly placed opposite the spoon. Impressive as it was, I knew that 1) this wasn't done by some bubble gum chewing boy named Cody, and 2) obviously this young lady was fishing for tips. I almost took the bait, but waited until the whole episode played out at the restaurant.

This delusion of detailed serving was quickly scorched to oblivion when the young server would sit by the table, and interject her comments about other patrons, how she didn't wish to have to wait on a huge table of about 12, and that (after mumbling her dissatisfaction with the situation) said, "don't tell anyone." I didn't quite get that.

I like dining without extraneous interruption from the wait staff. This girl, however, just didn't really know how to leave. Like an uninvited houseguest that comes without warning, and doesn't know when to leave and is a huge burden or imposition on the host (hell, I have a relative and his wife like that...), I couldn't help but become overly annoyed.

Well, after my order of fries came out cold, and having this young daisy thrust herself upon my mom's and my conversation, I ended up giving an ordinary tip. The doily might have been a nice touch, but when everything settled, it was just ordinary. I wonder how many times this happens. I guess service is more than just a coffee cup on a doily.

Creative Marketing

As I was driving to an offsite meeting today, I noticed a creative marketing device that really was "thinking out of the box." As I was stopped at a busy intersection waiting for a stoplight, I noticed a driver's education vehicle in the lane next to me, with a student behind the wheel, the vehicular tutor, and a student passenger in the back seat. They happened to be in the left turn lane, and I was behind them in the straight ahead lane.

It was really hard not to miss the student driver. After all, every side of the vehicle had the CESA1 Driver's Education signs on them in their blazon yellow with black lettering. Usually, being somewhat paranoid, I try to avoid these marked vehicles for fear that, like a rabbit caught in uncoming traffic, should an errant decision be made by the driving novice, I wouldn't have a half ton of aluminum and fiberglass on wheels careen into my innocent (and new) vehicle at any given second.

I kept watching the vehicle, and noticed that the instructor must have been giving some constructive feedback to the student. It was quite animated. I have no idea what they were talking about, but as I looked at the light, I noticed that this vehicle was keeping about 4 cars behind it from getting through the intersection. The left turn light was green.

I felt a sense of relief, when I noticed that on the one door of the vehicle (the passenger rear door) was an ad: for State Farm Insurance, with the name and phone number of the agent listed on it. Thank god someone was using their brain!

Perhaps any repeat offender, drunk driver, or other person prone to driving negligence should be also required to have such sign. It certainly made me breathe a sigh of relief today!

That's what I call creative (and practical) marketing!

Expired

I'm running out of time. My driver's license is coming due next week, and I have been putting off getting it renewed. Normally, such a task should be pretty benign, but my stomach churns just thinking about getting it done.

I have nothing to worry about. I can still see. I haven't had any driving issues. But why do I worry? Well, it's not the friendliest place to spend any iota of time. It could possibly be the charming atmosphere when one goes there. The cattle gates, the gloomy decor, the overly friendly personalities, and the lines of people are all reasons why I should flock there without care. One would think that it is the most popular place to be. I love extensive lines of people waiting, and the lovely service the clerks there provide. The hours are so convenient. After all, as a working person, the 9-4 Monday through Tuesday, the 11-11:15 on Wednesday, and the 2-2:02 on Thursdays and Fridays are, for me, the most convenient ever.

I sure hope I have the right forms too. Like the post office, I best better make sure that I arrive in the right frame of mind. Heaven forbid that I have the inappropriate document, let alone have it completed correctly (and we all know that guy at the post office.....yes.....the loud, scoldy one....). I might need therapy afterward. And that's just another day out of the office......

And the photos.....anyone who knows me, knows how I well I like my picture taken, and unless it's a Glamor Shot with a lot of airbrushing, I ain't happy. Anyone who also knows me knows how much I love declaring my weight as well. I hope they have a Xanax dispenser. I'll need it. I sigh as I post this, only for the fact that renewing this necessary evil is a requirement. After all, I must be mobile. I feel so resigned.

Perhaps I need to take a day off, as it might take me at least 3 hours to get this accomplished, and about 4 hours of drinking afterward (the latter being a better use of my time, and a far more attractive option).

Help!