Irritants

Alright. I admit it. I'm cranky.

Things that especially torque me lately:

1) Telemarketers can not be bothered to call you anymore. Apparently, you just weren't doing your part. And, so, why would they call you, really? What a waste of time for them. Instead, they have a recording call you telling you how important it is that you call them.

Um, TelemarketingPookie? I ain't calling you back. I ain't even listening to the recorded pitch, no matter how many times your perky actor inserts the word "urgent" into it. [In my best 'Dana Carvey does Bush the elder' voice]: Not gonna happen.

I barely call the people I like back, this is how much I dislike being on the telephone. Why the heck would I call you?!

Similarly, the television commercials which end with "Nowwhat.com". Does anyone really go to this web-site to find out what this is about? Was "YeahIgiveash*t.com" already taken?

2) The number of conservative radio hosts that have taken to describing themselves as "independent thinkers"--not conservative, not liberal, but "truly open-minded", as if this will somehow draw them a larger listening base. Chyeah. All one has to do is listen to their rants for two minutes to know which side of the political spectrum they firmly land on. And I do. I listen sometimes for half-an-hour at a time. And then I react like anyone would who has been the recipient of an earwig.

Some of the people I love the most in this world are conservatives. But the difference is, they own it. Fergawdssake, be who you are. Embrace it! Have a little backbone! I can respect people whose opinions are different from mine but not if they cloak them in the guise of "impartiality."

3) Billy Mays. Or perhaps I should say BILLY MAYS!!! I am amazed at how many different advertisers have hired this guy. Are there really sheep listening to this guy who think, "Well, if he's yelling that loudly, it must be good!" Do they yell back at the television "OKAY, BILLY!! I'LL GET IT RIGHT AWAY!!!!"?