Good morning.
I guess I should answer my own questions...
For me, the post office line just depends on my mood. Sometimes when the lines are really long - like around this time of year - I actually sort of enjoy waiting in line. I kind of laugh at myself for coming to the post office around the same time that everyone else in there has decided to come to the post office. And, yes, the people watching is lots of fun too. I also tend to be a bit of "helper" - if I notice someone is looking for the correct forms to fill out, then I help them find the right ones; if someone is clearly just standing in line for stamps - and there happens to be a "store" or stamp only line, then I direct them over there, etc. -Hey, it eventually helps the line move along much faster. However, my local post office in Richmond does irk me regularly - and I hardly ever go there. Five "windows", but usually there are only two people working, most of the time one... and then there's usually the one clerk who is at his/her counter, but is working on other stuff... kind of a false hope. When I'm up in Fairfax, my parents live right by the big regional post office. Lots of windows, lots of clerks, and a postal store counter (for those stamp only purchases). And, best of all, they open early, and stay open late (until 11:30 or midnight depending upon the time of the year - seven days a week!). And since they are one of the main regional offices, I've always had very good "luck" with delivery times. I've mailed letters from there one morning, and they were in NYC the next morning - and that was just with a stamp on the envelope - no priority nor ovenight.
Bank lines are bearable since I'm usually in line to make a deposit, so... It's worth it. And if it does look like it will take a while, I just use the ATM.
Theatre lines - I don't like getting to my seat too early - especially when most seats in NYC are a little cramped and don't have enough leg room. And there's only so many times I can read through the Playbill.
The longest line I've ever stood in had to be for a ride at Disneyworld. However, it did move fast strangely enough.
The longest amount of time I've ever spent in line was probably for a free theatre/music event. Just had to get there early, and stay there until the event began. I'll get back later with specifics if I remember them.
And as for my favorite "line" - "Um, you look like you need a backrub..."
*Any other DRs remember that SNL skit with "Siskel & Ebert" reviewing "adult movies"? Still makes me laugh!
Book recommendations - and I think I've recommended them before... If you're in the mood for something New Age-y, give
The Four Agreements a try. It's a short book. Some of the language does get a little "ethereal" at times, but it does make its point and present its ideas. For a wonderful journey,
The Adventures of Kavalier & Clay can't be beat. This is a particular favorite of DR Jason. It will be interesting to see what happens in/to the movie adaptation of it. And, yes indeed,
Benjamin Kritzer and
Kritzerland are wonderful reads too. And if you happen to be in the mood for a major read of a major classic, there's that somewhat new translation on
Anna Karenina. Very well done.
As for G&S - I've played rehearsals for a Savoyards group... Some of those people are downright scary I tell you! Scary! Capital-S! I'll go see a G&S show if someone has tickets, but not something I'd purchase on my own. Oh, and as for "The Mikado Out West" - I do believe there's a company that licenses that version - I seem to recall that title from my days as a print music buyer.
Oh, and for all you coffee (or coffe_ if you prefer) mavens, did you know that the darker the roast, the less caffeine there is in the finished product (usually). The extra roasting does help deepen and enrich the flavor of the beans, but it also burns off/out some of the caffeine. However, the extra roasting also enhance some of the other compounds in coffee, and part of the resulting buzz is from those compounds, not the caffeine. *A friend of mine jets horrible jitters from drinking coffee, but she does need caffeine every now and then - can you say, "Two show day"? Her doctor recommended that she switch over to some teas that have caffeine - some with some comparable amounts to coffee. Well, it worked. She drinks the tea, gets her caffeine fix, but no jitters. It was all the other "stuff" in coffee that was giving her the jitters.
-What am I today? A fount of knowledge? Hope I'm not coming down with anything.. <knock wood>
Game shows: I liked "$64,000 Question" too. However, didn't it eventually turn into the "128,000 Question"? However, my favorites ones have to be the locally produced high school quiz shows. Great questions - hard ones too, and they move along pretty fast. And the "smarts" on some of those kids - makes me feel good about the future.
I shall now return to my regular programming...
