12 Sep, 2008
Posted By: Johnny
WARNING: This Post Containes Hints of Male Sensitivity - Reader Discretion Advised
Recently, our Chili the Cat developed some fairly serious issues. It is probably safe to assume he was within a day or so of certain demise. Cats are funny creatures that way. They tend to hide their ailments until it is nearly too late to help. You have to pay close attention to the few signs they do show. Humans, on the other hand, love to share. If they are happy, they show it…If they are mad, they show and if they are sad, they show it.
Case in point: my girlfriend’s emotions related to the forementioned misfortunes of our cat. After a week of taking him in to different veterinarians including a 12:00 - 3:30 AM Labor Day visit to the animal urgent care clinic, the girlfriend was in an emotional spiral. The next day, Chili seemed to be on his last leg - we decided to take him to another clinic.
After dropping him off at the clinic, my girlfriend stopped for coffee at a near-by Starbucks. Very shaken by the whole ordeal, she no doubt struggled to keep her emotions in check as she stood in line. When she arrived at the counter, she finally let go into tears.
So, here we have the picture painted; two total strangers meeting for the first time under fairly neutral circumstances. One of these strangers is openly upset. The other? As the first tears rolled and the bottom lip quivered, the barista sprung into action and attempted to provide support…
“Do you want some water?” Read the rest of this entry »
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14 Aug, 2008
Posted By: Johnny
Recently, I had the craving for a $6 Burger. I will admit Carl’s Jr. has some fairly decent grinds when it comes to fast food. It’s probably as simple as the fact that the burgers are “charbroiled” instead of flat grilled or fried. In any event, it tastes good and its convenient when you’re pressed for time. It should be noted that I did not state “good for you.” - I am only making the point that in a pinch, you can get a tasty meal.
My story, however, isn’t just about the food - it’s about the operation, the work environment, the inner workings if you will. As I pulled up to the drive-through window, I noticed a sign above many papers hanging on the wall on the other side of the building… While not completely guarded from view it’s placement behind the service counter suggested it was not meant for public view. What was this you ask?
The sign read, “Daily Game Plan”…
Game plan…a term usually reserved for strategic efforts that eventually become known to those who witness the outcome as the “epic battle”, the “major offensive”, or the “game of the century.”
What could Carl’s Jr. possibly have to say to it’s employees that would warrant its own wall and header sign - not to mention the fact that it is a DAILY game plan…like they have enough to say everyday to fill a whole wall! If we were to get a close examination of the wall, we might see things like “cleanliness is key,” “safe food handling,” “customer satisfaction,” and the ever popular “up-selling tips.”
Remember some of those “black-sheep” ad campaigns?
They seem to leave a certain impression of the establishment, right? Yet from the standard corporate blathering on their walls (I am guessing this is a standard feature found in all stores) - they are far from the in-your face feed barn they portray themselves to be. So, when you drive up or walk into Carl’s Jr. those images you have in your head from their campaigns go unfulfilled….Instead, you get the standard fast-food service - provided by unenthusiastic “associates” (another misplaced word in the fast food world). Read the rest of this entry »
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17 May, 2008
Posted By: Johnny
- Fancy car…check.
- Latest and greatest mobile communication device…check.
- Power tie…check.
- The slightest hint of a “clue”…uhhh…ummm…well, not so much.
My last entry briefly discussed that sickening feeling we all get when a police car pulls in behind you - worse yet, how you feel when the lights actually come on. This installment, I believe, is even worse…
Irvine, CA really has a problem with traffic congestion during the 5:00 PM rush-hour. A combination of far too many cars and many close traffic lights can really snarl things up. Not sure if it is by design, but you can imagine the revenue generating opportunities for local law enforcement, as motorists constantly look for ways to shave seconds off their commutes.
The intersection of Michelson Drive and Jamboree Road is full of these opportunities. The straight lanes on Michelson for through traffic crossing Jamboree seem long enough, right? Not even close! Everyday from about 4:45 to 5:00 PM, these two lanes back-up all the way to Teller - making it nearly impossible to get into the turn lanes to go left on Jamboree. Further, most cars turning left on Jamboree at this time are looking to get on the 405 Fwy - requiring them to merge to the right shortly after turning on to Jamboree. This results in the outside turn lane filling up - blocking easy access to the inside turn lane. So, in order to save those precious seconds we discussed earlier, some clever drivers have started crossing the double yellow (and driving on the wrong side of the road) to enter the inside left turn-lanes.
While making a right turn onto Michelson from Teller (toward Jamboree), I witnessed a BMW cross the intersection into an on-coming lane to get to the inside turn lane. Before he came to a stop, a motorcycle cop, who was parked in a driveway to the right, shot across the road and pulled up along the driver’s side of the BMW. The fun had begun! Read the rest of this entry »
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23 Apr, 2008
Posted By: Johnny
So, how nervous do you get when a police officer is driving right behind you? What feelings surface when you are motoring along, minding your own business (being nothing but a complete Model Citizen) and you look in your rearview mirror to find a good ‘ole black and white on your six? No matter how good your driving skills are; despite the fact that you know you have adhered to the entire applicable vehicle code, you cannot fight-off the nervous feeling….you know this to be true! You turn down your radio, sit up straight, grab the wheel at 10 and 2 and start praying for the police officer to pass you by. This story, I believe, is a direct result of that nervousness.
As I was on my way home the other evening, I was stopped at a red light at the intersection of MacArthur and Fairchild waiting to turn left onto MacArthur. As I looked to the left, I noticed a car moving rather slowly to the North on MacArthur in the right-hand lane. As the car approached the intersection, it moved into the left lane. It was at this point that the police motorcycle (depicted as a car in the picture) came into view, slowly trailing the car with lights flashing. As the car broke the plane of the intersection, the driver came to virtually a complete stop (in the fast lane, mind you) and abruptly executed a U-Turn. Just one problem here - the intersection is clearly marked with a NO U-TURN sign! After executing the u-turn, she slowed and eventually pulled-over.
Was this a case of extreme nervousness? Was she in shock - suffering from delusions as a result of the flashing lights??? Whatever the case, not only did she likely make her situation much worse as far as traffic laws are concerned, she risked the lives of complete strangers in the oncoming cars.
While most of us would agree that nervousness resulting from being pulled-over is understandable, it is likely that none of us would condone irrational, reckless behavior like this… Drivers oblivious to the rest of the world; definitely not Model Citizens!
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