Stressed out? You're not alone. Experiences over the last week seem to reinforce the fact that there's a crazy negative vibe going on, and it's got nothing to do with the nasty winter weather (since we haven't had any of that yet anyway).

Situation #1

Waiting for the bus in morning rush hour. A crowd is gathering. No bus in sight. More people. Finally, a mostly packed bus arrives, and the waiting crowd attempts to muscle their way on. An altercation with a young, rough-and-tough looking teenager over the use of transfer has made the driver edgy. The teenager saunters off the bus spewing cuss words.

I attempt to board the bus and get in enough to put in my money. The driver keeps asking us to get behind the white line, or he won't leave. We are all behind a white line, but there are several white lines and apparently we are not behind the right one.

The crowd squeezes back into the bus. I gently nudge the driver, who stand up in his seat and tells me, "That's my seat miss! Don't try to get in my seat.! You have to get behind the white line!"

Whoa.

I look at him in utter astonishment.

"What would you like me to do? I've already paid."

"Here's a transfer."

I take his transfer and get off the bus. Another bus comes shortly after and I get on it without consequence and make my weary way to work.

* * *

Situation #2

In one of the many local coffee establishments with a friend waiting for for our frothy hot drinks. As each hot drink is ready, the server tells us to pick them up. We pick them up and go over to the sugar/milk station to look around for lids.

"Here's your lids here."

"I've got some lids from over here thanks"

"No, you should use these lids."

"I'm not sure..."

"I got these lids out for you over here! You should use these ones!"

"Oh, well. These lids work just as..."

"No! You need to use these lids! People get mad at us when they use the wrong lid and they spill their hot coffee."

"...Oh..."

What the hell is that all about?

We take our hot drinks carefully and exchange confused looks as we leave.

* * *

Think about it - "Life is too important to be taken seriously". Words to live by.