This Applies To Everyone But Me

R.a.n.t. of week 01/27/13

I've hinted at this pet-peeve on many occasions. It's when people ignore simple rules. Never mind making their own lane on the free-way, sometimes it's just the simple things that drive me up the wall. I recently had to renew my drivers license and I was in a big hurry. I planned several things for the day including an approaching trip to the dentist, re-signing up for Weight Watchers and making it to the gym. I mention all the other things I planned to illustrate how busy my schedule was. If anyone has ever been to the DMV, you know how long the lines can be. As I and everyone else were waiting patiently in line, some lady simply walks up to the counter and demands to be next. No rhyme, no reason, she just didn't want to wait. It's not like she shouldn't have known, signs were posted all over the place, and how can you miss seeing the queue? Well, maybe she couldn't read or is half-blind. I suspect the former.is one possibility. At first the attendant began dealing with her until someone else in the line mentioned how she had cut everyone else off. Her reply? "I don't have time". No, neither do any of us. At least she was asked to go to the back of the line. The rest of the time she grumbled about wanting to get back home because standing in line was ridiculous. I guess she felt the rules didn't apply to her. Or maybe she felt the rest of us were enjoying our queue session.

Another example of the "simple rules" is part of my continued annoyance with my fitness gym. I won't even talk about when someone steals my soap (another r.a.n.t?), that's just being rude. There are plenty of signs posted to make the experience a more pleasing one; at least one less devoid of chaos. When on the track, slower people (much like cars) should be to the side. No, this doesn't apply to everyone. Some people would rather walk in the centre of the track, and go as slow as possible, slightly weaving left or right. Then there are the couple who walk side by side, blocking the entire track so no one can get through. A few more rules people seem to forget about or act as if they don't apply to them - wiping off equipment when done, disposing of garbage in the bin. How about don't take photos of people. Really? People need to be told this?

How about rules at the grocery store? In a recent r.a.n.t. I talked about people in the speedy zone who like to check out with more items than they are allowed. I'd rehash that here, but you can just read about it HERE. Wow, just looked back at this article. I thought it was going to be a quick, short and simple rant. When I get going, I really get going. Now I feel bad for going over bloggers newly enacted one-paragraph rule. Really, only one paragraph? Surely that rule doesn't apply to me.

What rules do people ignore that really bother you?










* For the record, blogger has NOT enacted a one-paragraph rule. I made that up.

Paying for Nothing

R.a.n.t. of week 09/23/12 

Ever come to the realization you've been paying for nothing? That's happened to me from time to time, I'll sign up for something, forget it's on a monthly renewal, forget to adjust my chequebook, and even forget to take advantage of what I'm paying for. (Anyone remember Columbia Record Club)? The list of things I've done this with are Netflix rentals, Bally's fitness club, Weight Watchers, Support for a favourite podcast and beer of the month club. Wait no, I've never done beer of the month, but I have heard about it and it does sound like something I'd get involved in. 

So what happens? Invariably, life happens. I get involved in one thing or another and forget to take full advantage of what I'm paying for. Then there's the positive and negative side of these payments coming from my cheque account, rather than a credit card account. The positive side is I have a monthly reminder that I'm paying for these items. The negative side is forgetting about these payments till I realize there may not be enough money in the bank to cover these monthly charges. Suddenly I'm frantically searching the couch cushions for loose pocket change.

It wouldn't be so bad if I made full use of these services, but 7 times out of 9 the monthly payments are processed and I try to recall how much I've actually made use of said items. I think it's clear to me now what I must do. I need to start 'trimming the fat' as it were. I need to be more ruthless in what I'm paying for, cutting out what I seldom use, and being more frugal from this point on. I need to make it to the gym or cut that out, I need to curb my podcast support, rethink my Netflix account and above all things; sign up for this beer of the month club I've heard about.

Writing Month A Success!

As some of you may know, this past month I was engaged in a writing challenge. I made it my goal for each day to write either a poem, short story or article. It has been a great month and I've been on goal. I finished the last of my stories on Tuesday. Wednesday have been my Biggest Loser recaps and I will continue to do them into the next month, so no worries there (if you read and/or enjoy). With three days left in my writing challenge I was going to write a three part story but due to lack of interest in the project and to gear myself up for November, which I have declared to be my fitness month, I've decided to write three articles to finish the month. I've actually been looking forward to November for several reasons. The biggest reason is with all the writing I've been doing, my exercise and diet have taken a terrible turn for the worse, especially the last two weeks where I really didn't watch what I was eating. I've been up to all hours of the night to get my writing done and I think it's taken it's toll. I'm starting to feel awful and know the reason why. Not taking care of what I'm putting into my body is having a drastic effect. But I stuck to my goal and I'm proud of myself for that. That's how I got the idea for a fitness goal. Knowing how dedicated I become to something once I'm focused I've got high hopes this Fitness month I'll be able to lose at least 20 pounds. That is my goal for the month. To keep me on task, I've devised a few rules I'm going to try and stick to. Following is the list, which I'll explain more in detail in tomorrows article.

No coffee - only Milk / Water
No Alcohol
30 minutes of exercise daily
Breakfast: Fruit, oatmeal, WW English Muffin...
Lunch: Sandwich, fruit...
Dinner: lean meat, serving of vegetables.
10:00 bedtime - up at 6:00 for exercise.
No fast food. Exception (Subway)
Snacking will be limited to popcorn, dairy, or WW snacks.
One vitamin a day.

I'm willing to bet I can do this. I'll appreciate all the help I receive from my family and friends.

For those following this blog, the rest of my fitness articles and results will be posted on my other blog. You can read it here: http://bobjillalison.blogspot.com/