more oddities, observations & omg's...
My favorite authors write mysteries and thriller fiction. Each story has a detective like character that can multi-task. Individually, he or she seems to be able to observe and take note of life going on around them while simultaneously fulfilling the mission or assignment .
The sleuth or protagonist never miss important details that lead to a successful conclusion of the case. I would like to mimic that ability, and, to that end, I have been practicing my powers of observation by trying to be more aware of my surroundings.
Have I improved? Not sure. But, now, when I am about to bump into someone in a store or as I'm about to pass through a door and coincidentally arrive at the same spot on the floor as someone else, I no longer say, Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you. But, the fact is...
HUH? What's up with that?
Perhaps the acuteness of my observational skillset depends or relies upon a certain level of interest in the object within my visual realm. Maybe a certain stimulus is required to notice objects or people around me.
It is with those thoughts in mind, I showcase the following sightings or observations that appeal to me on some level. Perhaps you've taken note of the same or similar observations, oddities, and omg's.
Do Americans care about the January 6th insurrection? Observation: If former President Obama had incited African Americans to storm the Capitol for any reason, the very same people who in fact did try to overthrow the government would be in the forefront screaming for Obama's imprisonment, or worse.
Can't help but notice the shortage of new cars. I really did think we produced those chips in the United States. How naive.
Could there be a link between the number of people who don't have jobs and the seemingly large number of homeless people on the streets across America?
Have I noticed a degree of apathy among Americans concerning the war in Ukraine?
While shopping at my favorite supermarket, I noticed a number of products have changed their well known picture brand identity. Most notably, Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix and Uncle Ben's Rice.
As gasoline prices decline, I see the dollar amount on the gas pump still moves at a far greater speed than the gallons pumped as my prized Thunderbird only burns premium fuel.
It has been an annual tradition for 150,000 race fans to sing My Old Kentucky Home at the start of the annual Kentucky Derby held the first Saturday in May. Each year there is an effort to abolish the song from the festivities and last spring was no different. Although there is not a definitive year the song was first sung to signal post time for the The Run for the Roses, it is believed to have started in 1921.
The original lyrics by Stephen Foster include the line....the darkies are gay (those opposed to the song voiced the opinion the words insinuate slavery made African Americans happy). The revised version reads....old folks are gay. Very complicated history.
I have noticed the rapid deterioration of what used to be called political middle ground. I don't see a single presidential candidate on either side of the aisle who walks that path. As has happened periodically throughout our history, we appear to be in another window of extremism.
New gun laws in several states have allowed some to wear a gun in a holster on their belts. Shades of William Johnstone.
A California sports bar owned by a group of women opened a few months ago. It has dozens of video screens showing only women's sporting events. The bar has been packed and is called The Sports Bra.
A trip north on I-65 from Louisville to Indianapolis was interrupted when a detour onto old Highway 31 was required. I couldn't help but observe the number of abandoned motels that dotted the highway which runs parallel to the interstate. In a Lee Child novel, Jack Reacher had encountered a similar scene while driving down an old two lane highway. The author wrote, Each building was a different size and shape, yet, they were all the same. Individually, and in total, they spoke of a different time, economy and culture.
In Lexington, Kentucky, we saw a bait shop situated on a small lake. The beaten and corrupt weatherboard sign above the door read, Old Hooker Bait and Tackle Shop.
A sign to identify a hair styling salon read, Twisted Scissors.
A billboard here in Louisville sponsored by Norton Children's Hospital features a large drawing of a baby playing with alphabet-lettered blocks on the left side of the yellow background and a teen holding a tablet or iPad on the right side of the board. The caption reads, From ABC's to OMG's.
I noticed concerts are back. Some major talent has played to packed venues nationwide.
Even though my theory is unsupported by scientific data, I would be willing to bet the farm that there's a correlation between aging and an increased number of visits to a variety of doctors.
It seems (among men) fist bumps have replaced hand shakes and elbow bumps as well as any other familiar gesture of greeting.
If you have noted a particular observation, oddity, or omg, and would like to share it in a future oddities, observations, & omg's, just click Post a Comment on the title page of this blog. Your contribution is welcome.
Coming up: more POS and their goals; another oddities, observations, and omg's, and; a job$ somebody's gotta do. Plus, we'll find out what men talk about every morning while having coffee at Mcdonalds.
And, this final observation. The more my wife and I travel, the more I wish I had invested in tattoo shops years ago. So many people have chosen to use their bodies as canvasses.
HUH? What's up with that?
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