Archives in Category: Annoyances

Ten minutes to write. Less time to read.

Pledge Drives

Posted on October 27, 2015

I understand that public radio and television stations need their audiences’ financial support to maintain an independence from advertisers. And, believe me, I like watching programs that are not constantly interrupted by automobile manufacturers, Big Pharma, and big box retailers.

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Back in the Pool

Posted on October 7, 2015

On September 30, I wrote about my search for an indoor swimming pool in my community that met my requirements. Over the past couple years, I’ve felt like Goldilocks:  one pool was too warm, the other too cold.  Was

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Pre

Posted on September 23, 2015

I’m clear that the prefix ‘pre’ indicates something that goes before something else.  For instance, a pre-nup is an agreement between two parties that is signed before the nuptial day. Pre-meditated murder is one that is planned in advance. Pre-existing

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Back to School

Posted on September 8, 2015

Students all over Michigan return to the classroom today, while in neighboring states they’ve been back in school for a week or two. We can thank the Michigan legislature that passed a law in 2005 to prevent schools from opening

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We Interrupt This Program . . .

Posted on March 23, 2015

My local classical station is about to launch its semi-annual fund raiser.  For the past few days, announcers have been telling me that the official start of the campaign is March 28.But the truth is the radio station campaigns all

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Waterfowl

Posted on March 19, 2015

As of yesterday, the pond that is our home’s western boundary lost its last vestiges of ice.  It was bound to happen sooner or later; but I was hoping for as late as possible, the reason being that as soon

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Half-Way

Posted on March 18, 2015

I am officially half way through my builder’s course and have done it in the time frame that I’d hoped. However, I’ve hit a snag.

In the most recent session, we were given floor plans for a garage as well

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DST

Posted on March 11, 2015

Daylight Savings Time (DST) went into effect three nights ago, and I’m still confused about what time to get up in the morning. No, I’m not a morning person. Yes, I could set an alarm. And, yes again, this isn’t

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Absent from Class

Posted on February 7, 2015

There is a new app out there that tells parents when their college aged students are absent from class. They get an email saying that Johnny didn’t attend English 101 or Sociology 320 today.

Really?  Do we need this?

The

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Universal Standards

Posted on January 26, 2015

I don’t understand it, although I suspect it’s driven by money.  Some things have universal standards; others don’t.

Cases in point: Electrical outlets.  They all accommodate various cords, regardless of the appliance in question. Bridges:  They all accommodate trucks from

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