Tired

I am tired and I need to vent a little bit here. Perhaps those who read this may think about it, and themselves, and then apply the message.

I was at a grocery store tonight buying coffee and cat food...simple right? When I took a long time to write a check, and then get the old address checked out...and the time it took to get it cleared...the folks behind me were visibly annoyed. (A period of MAYBE two minutes.) The lady behind me stood within 12 inches of me, with her stuff already on the board...we were in the EXPRESS checkout...(can't just hold it and wait?) She would fidget, and *SIGH* at every opportunity. Unfortunately, the "standingwaytooclose" thing is a common occurrence around here. I purposefully don't look at these people and will bump into them, then say, "I'm sorry." Just to get the point across...they typically move away after that. And it's better than saying, "Back the hell up!" These are the same people who ALSO write checks. They wait until the person at the counter gets done ringing them up, then they fumble through their (purses usually) and then dig for a pen, and then ask for change. You CAN write most of a check prior to the total being rung up. I EXPECT this, and don't get too wrapped up in it. I will wait patiently and quietly at a respectful personal distance away from them.

So I was a little irritated by the whole bit. Simply because they were old checks, with a Montana address, they have to go through a whole process...even with a valid Idaho state driver's license and a local phone number and address...to clear it. (Part of the reason I was upset was because I had already been to one store that turned me down after the whole deal. "We just can't make this happen." Thanks a lot.) ....looks like I need to buy a new box of checks...so much for stocking up.

THEN, when I got outside, I waited patiently while folks AMBLED across the drive out. They both looked at me. They didn't wait for me to go. They cut in front of my truck and AMBLED.

So, what I've come up with is that people are so self-centered, self-involved, impatient, and RUDE that if you are in their way...they will make it known. However, if they are in YOUR way or cutting into YOUR time, it's your problem....they don't even pay attention to it! How can people be like this?

Mess 'o fish or reincarnation?

I think probably both. So this is what I caught the other day on the ice. It took a day to figure out perch. They like the bottom 12 inches of water I guess because it is warmer. You also must find a school.

But, this is the story. So. You catch some fish. You throw them on the ice. An hour and a half later, they are frozen stiff and hanging on a hook...in a bag...outside your door in freezing temperatures. You bring these fish in, to clean them, and put them in a sink full of cool water.

Would you imagine that fifteen minutes later, that they will move their tails, suck water, splash, and raise their nasty little spines when you touch them? Yea, well it can happen. They did this to me. And a couple, when I got them on the cutting board, would flop around like I'd just pulled them out of the water! Freaked me out to no end, so...no fish dinner for me that night. I still can't do it. It was a little too bizarre too quick. Now, I shall wait a day before bringing them in and dealing with them.

I Googled this and found some reports of this same thing happening to others. I guess if their "core" doesn't freeze, they kinda go into a hibernation or coma. I'll tell you what, you dunk me underwater for 90 minutes...I'm done for. Fish, well fish are something else altogether!

I want to write more about perch fishing later, since I just figured out what it takes...but this is enough right now.

Did it again

So on the second of January I jumped into the lake at midnight. I missed the "scheduled" one on the first, so figured I'd jump in on my own.

Well, it was pretty warm out at the time, probably around 30-something degrees.

I went back in last night at a balmy 9 degrees. Funny how nice the water felt, much warmer than the air. Again, I had driven down to the lake so I could have a warm place to go once getting out. Came home with pretty cold fingers and jumped into a cool shower...gradually increasing the hot water until the mirror fogged up and I was toasty. Then I had cocoa!

It really is a good time. I never figured I'd like to do something like that, but I think my boredom is getting the better of me. Good to wake yourself up every now and again.