Snow + Roads + Stupid People = Road Rage

Well, we've recently been dumped on here in Southeast Michigan. 10" in the last couple of days, with another 3" supposed to drop today. Looking out my office window at work, I'd say 3" is the least we'll get. It's been coming down steady for the last couple of hours.

My daily commute is 48 miles each way. 90% Freeway, 10% back roads. My 10% back road stretch this morning took me 25 minutes! This is something I'll never understand. I live in Michigan, I realize it's going to snow. I prepare for that mentally and physically. I understand there are extra precautions I must take, and adjust my schedule to accommodate the possibilities on the roads. However, what I don't understand is, why the other drivers in this state act like Anthrax is falling from the sky and their death is looming around each curve.

Seriously. YOU LIVE IN MICHIGAN!!!! Why does snow surprise anyone? How does snow surprise ANYONE in Michigan? This isn't Florida, people. HELLO???? Does this compute? The roads are plowed, they aren't icy or slippery, yet people drive like they've never seen this magical white powder falling from the sky. It's not mana from heaven, you morons. IT'S SNOW!!!!

You'd think I was actually in Florida, in some sort of senile living facility the way these people forget from one year to the next what it's like to live here. It's not that hard to drive in snow, I actually prefer it to the rain. What we need is a mandatory moron lane on the highways which allow anyone driving under the speed limit to mosey along at their personal leisure. This would allow those of us who aren't idiots to drive in the remainder of the lanes and arrive at work on time.

Yes, I complained publicly on a blog. I'm too transparent. Yes it's fleshly and very non Christlike to call people morons. Doesn't take away from it being truthful...

I need to make a bumper sticker for my car.... "Jesus loves you, I think you're an idiot."

9 Years...

Dec 17th, 1999. An Ice Storm, 250 or so guests, and the my beautiful bride. Quite an evening, what I can remember of it. It's such a blur, it went so fast. I think I had two bites of my dinner. My family was in full effect as to be expected... My sister tried to steal a centerpiece...lol... Good times.

So yeah, nine years later. One son (almost 4) and another little one on the way. 4 moves (Apartment, to Town House, to Condo, to current House) and plenty of memories in between. I love my wife more than words can describe. You can call me soft, or say I'm not manly or whatever. I just love my wife, and I'm not embarrassed to let people know it. I need her, as she completes me. God has made us for each other, and we fit better than spandex. Word.

I'm gonna go listen to some Toni Tony Tone.... (if you don't get that, you're mad young)

WWW +10, Retail Shops 0

I love Christmas time. It's a fun time of hustle and bustle, and everyone is so stressed about gifts, and dinners, and family disputes. Hilarity ensues, I benefit from it greatly. That's probably selfish, but at least I'm transparent.

I'm proud to report, for two years running, I've denied all local retailers my income. I'm sorry if that offends some of you unionized folks who believe we should support our local business, but that's reality. 90% of local business's won't or can't compete with online pricing. Why is that?

Is the cost of electricity, heat, and water for a storefront that much more expensive than shipping a few million packages from a warehouse for an online retailer? I truly don't know, but I can only assume the costs are similar. So overhead for the local retailers is merely an excuse.

When the local retailer has an Optimus Prime Transformer for $49.99 + Tax and I can purchase it online for $38.99 with Free Shipping and No Tax, what incentive do I have to drive to that retailer, and plunk down more of my hard-earned coin for the same exact product? This makes NO logical sense to me. Nor should it to you. However, some people will argue that we need to support our local retailers, preserve jobs, boost our local economy, etc...

I'm not buying it. Figuratively or literally. Honestly, we aren't preserving anything by supporting our local Wal-Mart or Best Buy. A local specialty shop, sure. But then you're paying for a service or convenience not provided by other retailers and often not found online. It's the personal touch that draws us to such locations. That I understand. But please, explain why I should buy from my local Best Buy instead of NewEgg.com when I can save $10, $20, or even $300 on an item?

There are multiple reasons why I shop online exclusively these days.

1. Convenience: I don't even have to do anything but click some buttons. That's worth it.

2. Price: More often than not, it's cheaper online and I don't have additional costs in gas, mileage, etc...

3. Availability: I can almost always find what I'm looking for online, when a local retailer may not stock an item or have been sold out.

4. Lazy: Yes, I'm lazy.

5. No Crowds: I'm not a people person (surprise!). I despise crowded malls and stores with people groping products that I could potentially purchase.

I could go on... but I digress. I'm probably talking to the wrong crowd anyway. The four people who read this blog are online, and reading a blog. They probably don't care either... :)