When did that happen?
As a writer, I am constantly observing people and the world around me. In that capacity,
I’m always on the lookout for things that irk me or kind of hit me the wrong way.
Things like these, for example:
When did a sports team losing two games in a row become a losing streak as I heard one radio announcer recently declare? Really? Two games is a streak? A bad patch maybe, but not a streak.
When did it become OK for homes and businesses to decorate for Christmas before Remembrance Day? This trend seems to be increasing every year and it is not OK. Simply stated, this is not acceptable and should never happen. As a sign of respect, the least we can do is wait until Nov. 12 before pulling out the colourful lights and ornaments.
When did commercialism take over the world? Seriously, enough already! Who wants to see Christmas ads running on television before the end of October and before Halloween?
When did it become acceptable to sit in a Remembrance Day ceremony and use your phone for texting? Oh wait. It hasn’t become acceptable and all I can say is shame on you. Is nothing sacred anymore?
When did it become acceptable to throw lit cigarette butts out the window of your vehicle so that they can smack into my windshield? I’m not judging you for smoking, but please stop doing that. If your vehicle doesn’t have an ashtray, then find one and use it.
When did it become acceptable for physically abled people to use parking spots designated for physically challenged people? Never! So people, please stop using them. If you’re parked in one of the clearly designated spots and someone who really needs it can’t get one, then they are forced to park elsewhere further away from the building. Handicapped parking spots are reserved close to buildings for a reason and being more convenient for people who can more easily get around isn’t one of them.
When did it become OK to throw your litter out the car window? Well, we all know that never happened. Come on people, There’s no need to ruin our beautiful countryside with litter and garbage. It’s your trash. Take it home with you for proper disposal but don’t litter.
When did it become acceptable to make a turn without using your signal lights? Again, never. It’s one of the most basic rules of the road. Too bad so many people seem to forget it. Be safe. Drive defensively.
When did children stop going outside to play? Oh wait. Didn’t that happen with the arrival of home computer and video games?
When did children start asking for iphones and ipads for Christmas? Does that mean trucks and dolls are no longer in fashion? It’s a different world from when I was a kid, indeed.
When did our world become such a dark place that we can no longer go an entire month without hearing news of some horrible attack, bombing or mass shooting? We live in a sad society, my friends. The times have changed.
When did the price of food become so out of reach that it now costs more than $5 to buy two apples? Talk about inflation. Wow.
When did it become acceptable for people to spout their own uninformed, and often offensive, views and opinions through social media and pass them off as fact? Seriously, people, do your homework before you take to the cyber networks and make a fool out of yourself and all of those who follow you.
When did it become acceptable for millions of people in the United States to believe the lies spewed by Donald Trump? The minute on June 16, 2015, when he announced he was running for the Republican nomination. That seems like so long ago.
When did it become acceptable to dismiss the dire warning of global warming as fake science? Oh wait. It has always been fake science if you’re Donald Trump or his followers, but I’m thinking the people of California would have something to say about that.
When did it become OK to blame someone else for your problems? Seriously. If something isn’t right in your life, then you need to do something about it. Yes, there is no question that it takes less effort to sit back and point your finger at someone else than it does to take some initiative to do the work for yourself. However, you’ll often find that making a positive contribution is much more rewarding than complaining, but it does take some effort.
When did vehicles entering Highway 103 (or any highway for that matter) have more right of way than vehicles presently on the road? Wait. That’s not how it works. Safety first, please.
When did it become acceptable for people to operate their motor vehicles while using their cellphones? Oh wait. That didn’t happen. Come on people, Stop doing that. You are going to kill someone.
When did it become acceptable to drive your car with an animal perched in your lap? Yes, we know you love Fido or Rex or whatever you call your furry friend, but technically, you are not supposed to do that. If you aren’t worried about your safety and the wellbeing of others on the road, think about the danger your pup is in by sitting on your lap.
When did it become OK for businesses to expect you to follow an electronic maze in search of a real person to talk to, only to end up right back to where you started? Technology! Good grief. If you don’t want to talk to people, then just disconnect your phones and be done with it.
When the world seems like a dark and bleak place and we face issues for which we’re seeking answers, sometimes all you have to do is ask the question, or at least that’s the view from here.
When did commercialism take over the world? Seriously, enough already! Who wants to see Christmas ads running on television before the end of October and before Halloween?