A Few Minor Annoyances ............

I was up and out early today, as usual. The change in seasons means that the sun doesn't stream through my bedroom window as early, but it is also the time of year that I am constantly annoyed by the Landscapers/School Bus parade.

When I grew up in The Bronx I knew nothing about School Buses - you either walked or took Mass Transit. Now I live in New Jersey and, although there are several schools close by, the School Buses start stopping out in front - or around the corner - or across the street - as early as 8 AM, honking their horns if the kid(s) aren't waiting. This is added to the last gasp for the local Landscapers who are now adding the sound of leaf blowers to their repertoire.

Now, the noise is bad enough but just try driving anywhere before 9 AM. The Landscaper trucks and trailers are parked everywhere - on both sides of the street - and narrowing down the amount of space we drivers can use. Add the constantly stopping School Buses to this mess and it's almost impossible to get around.

Trying to bypass these annoyances, I drove around the block and took Green Street to St. George. Yes, the nuisances were there but Green is pretty wide and mostly commercial so I only had to deal with a couple of Crossing Guards. (Another annoyance - they need to learn how NOT to swing their Stop signs around indiscriminately).

I headed up towards Pathmark. I live with a cat and the only litter she'll use is from there. On a whim, I took a right onto Avenel Street and found myself coming up behind this woman.

I got to her just as she reached the tree line.

Point, press, Flash.

A couple of quick lefts then a right and I stopped at Pathmark. I picked up the litter and one of those cereal-on-the-go, single bowl units of Special K to eat in the car.

The Pathmark area in across St. George from a Home Depot and there's a traffic light there. Common courtesy dictates that cars leaving from both sides should use their blinkers so that the car across the way knows what you're going to do. I had my left blinker on and so did the car exiting Home Depot. When we got the green light I started to turn left and had to slam on my breaks because the idiot drove straight across. We both stopped in the middle yelling and gesturing but English wasn't even close to his second language and I just drove around him, annoyed again.

I stopped at the Main Library and used one of their copiers. Then, browsing their sales books, I picked up one by Dan Brown and a recent addition to James Patterson's Alex Cross series.

They're doing some road work (another annoying thing) at the Library's entrance so I had to drive out through the back lot. That's where I came across this guy.

He just kept staring at me as he strolled by and, frankly, that annoyed me too.

Point, press, Flash.

I came out in some side streets, made my way back to St. George, and headed for Metuchen. Since I'd had some luck with new books, I thought I'd check out the Library there.

I parked on Library Street and headed for the back entrance - as I always do - only to find that they were replacing the door so I had to walk around to the front. Again, something annoying. I did pick up a novel by Herman Melville that was a fictionalized account of his year on a Man-of-War. I walked around to the back and drove towards South Plainfield.

I stopped at the Thrift Store and picked up 2 button-down flannel shirts for less then $10 total. I headed back.

Along New Dover Road, I saw this guy heading towards me.

I was almost over all my annoyances. Almost.

Point, press, Flash.

I stopped at a Subways and picked up a sandwich.

As I drove home I thought about the morning. I'd had a pretty nice drive. I'd picked up about $28 worth of books for $1.50. I had 2 new flannel shirts for the coming cold weather. I had a 12-inch sub that would be my lunch and supper. All in all, it had been a pretty good day although there had been ..

a few minor annoyances.