Best wishes and a long happy future together to them both!)
Yesterday morning I was in the Y
for a much-needed stint on the treadmill. All this indoor living is taking its
toll; somehow I’m both restless and lethargic.
The Today show was
going strong on the TV mounted on the wall and I untangled my new earbuds. I’m
unhappy with these new ones – the sound is tinny and they won’t stay in – but my others
were beginning to zap me with sudden little shocks. Great for keeping you
alert, but I could end up with an aversion for any form of exercise.
Matt Lowry and Savannah Guthrie were standing
in the cold with screaming fans and my attention drifted from the Post Office
across the street, over to the traffic going by, and then to the next row of
treadmills in front of me. Only two were occupied. One by a slim young woman
who could easily power Cleveland if
her machine were hooked to their power grid. The other by a smallish man, maybe
late 50s. Unlike everyone else in their sneakers and exercise togs, he was
wearing crisp navy blue shorts with a dark stripe down the side, a pale blue
shirt, black socks, and black orthopedic shoes.
A
mailman. Why was he there? I wondered if postal workers receive bonus pay after
so many miles and he was tacking a few more onto the company pedometer. Or maybe
he was some kind of walk-aholic. Talk about your busman’s holiday.
Later
that day I decided to run into Macys at the nearby mall. I hadn’t been there
for months. This mall, one of the first in the area, is no longer the upscale
shopping venue it was when it began. Still, it’s handy if you just want to run
in for one or two basic items.
I entered the store and the first
thing to greet me was a large man just standing there, scanning the store. He
was wearing a bright red jacket and when he turned I could see, “Macys Security” emblazoned across the back. Subtle.
Whatever
happened to secret store police? I’d much rather they’d use those “shoppers”
who skulk around watching for shoplifters. I’m not sure I want to frequent a
business so beleaguered they have to post bouncers in the middle of the aisle.
I felt less safe, not more. Instead of indulging myself by checking out the
sale racks and poking through the jewelry, I bought my one item and got the
heck out of Dodge.
This whole country has gone certifiably crazy. We are no more or less safe than we ever were, in fact crime is pretty much down it seems I read somewhere and yet the whole country is gripped by fear and heartlessness.
ReplyDeleteEllen arrived before me and has delivered a mutual opinion. How about those two youngsters who cannot walk home from the park; their parents in Maryland charged with neglect.
ReplyDeleteI heard another reference to that on the radio today. I remember sending my kids out on paper routes and my daughter selling Girl Scout cookies. Days gone by, now.
DeleteI do not know if there is less or more of certain types of crime, but the TV stations continually beat the fear drum and that will make us all concerned as it worms its way into our brains. I am of an age where fear of death is not a great as it once was. I have lived a long and rich life, but would hate to leave this earth due to some criminal or terrorist. The tenor of the dialogue is much worse and until people can be polite about the President even if they disagree with him, I think anger and violence are the game of the day.
ReplyDeleteWhether it's perception or reality, it is sad. I've noticed an increase in security, or visibility of security, too, and they make me nervous and less likely to shop as well.
ReplyDeleteFunny, isn't it? It produces the opposite reaction I imagine they intended.
DeleteInternet shopping is probably more dangerous for fear of cyber attack. Take stock of what you have and keep it for another 20 years, then you will be safe.
DeleteOther than for food items, I do most of my shopping on line these days. And yes, the news channels beat the drums of fear and anxiety, I guess because they can and people respond to it. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI live in tiny town Arkansas and feel pretty secure. Might be blissful ignorance but I am enjoying it. If I lived in a large urban area, I might be more concerned. The news shows do spread the fear.
ReplyDeleteSpring's coming and you'll soon be outside. Yes, security does give yo a start.
ReplyDeleteI remember the first time we visited Chicago about 2001 maybe and there were uniformed officers in most of the stores...a liquor store had two! WE don't have security guards here, but crime is way up here...we live near a Reservation and the drug use is so rampant. No one ever seems to go to jail. I am so discouraged by the lack of law enforcement...so I would welcome security guards! :)
ReplyDeleteIt was serene in the store, so I suppose I wasn't the only one the bouncer was scaring.
DeleteIf you want good quality non-tinny earbuds you have to fork over the $$$. I have Sennheiser and JVC. I've also had Toshiba, (came with the best walkman I ever owned) and Sony. I don't use them much anymore, I plug the MP3 into external speakers at home, and the big ipod is in the dock pretty much permanently.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm not sure if it's because I'm there, the rat on the treadmill, generating my own electricity.
DeleteMaybe I'll try again with a better brand of earbuds.
Treadmill shouldn't make any difference. I have a friend who regularly runs 5km a day on hers with earbuds in. I don't remember what brand she has, she lives in Switzerland. Ask around and see what others think of their brands, anyone who says their sound is tinny, cross that brand off the list. tone is very important.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I hate being made to feel like a criminal while I shop. Whether it's scads of security guards, or staff following me around, or packages of razor blades kept locked away, it's all rather irksome! :)
ReplyDelete