Random questions

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Ever get a totally random question during a conversation with someone that has nothing to do with what you were talking about?

The kind of question that makes you think, “What do they know and how do they know it?”

After all, the question is based on information they aren’t supposed to have or know about. But, based on the randomness of the question, it makes you think they know something they aren’t supposed to and not letting on what they know.

And then, to top it off, they just drop the subject altogether and then move on, like they were just trying to gauge your reaction. Kinda like they are pushing your buttons just to see what happens.

Ever happen to you?

Group texts

Photo by Torsten Dettlaff on Pexels.com

I feel very strongly about this. Like, VERY strongly.

Group texts (and even group chats, for that matter) are impossibly stupid and annoying.

I don’t want to participate in all the inane drivel most people have to talk about. I especially don’t like my phone getting lit up because of a stupid conversation.

Please don’t include me, unless it is an emergency or something needs to be coordinated. Otherwise, leave me out! AND once those few instances need to be used, stop using the group chat asap. Delete it so there is no accident in choosing the wrong one.

UGH. I despise their use…and, quite frankly, I despise people who feel the need to use them often.

Now you know why I am so grumpy all the time. I just don’t like people. Really.

Reply All

business communication computer connection

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com


“Reply All” should never be used.

Unless there is an extreme need (i.e. an extenuating circumstance that requires mass communication) to a previously sent message or it is mutually agreed upon between all parties involved that a conversation should take place via email.

Otherwise, you may be signing yourself up for a throat punch.

Seriously people. Seriously.

I don’t need to see your reply to the cute puppy picture someone sent out. I don’t care if you have grandkids to share if someone has sent a picture of their grandkids. In almost every case, I don’t need your two cents. I don’t need to see your comment about anything someone sent out that isn’t directly pertinent to me.

We have enough email to wade through on a daily basis, let alone to have to deal with people inane comments about stuff that is only remotely related to me. And by remotely, I mean I happen to work in the same organization.

Good grief. Stop using the Reply All!



cookies on square white ceramic plate

Photo by Oleg Magni on Pexels.com

Me: Freeze, Dirt Bag!

Daughter: Dad!

Me: I said freeze! Now, put down my chocolate chip cookie and step away.

Daughter: Dad, it’s just a cookie. Lighten up.

Me: No, it is NOT just a cookie. It is MY cookie and you are not authorized to touch it, let alone eat it.

Daughter: Dad…

Me: You are seriously jeopardizing my ability to love you right now. Drop it!

Daughter: I swear your old age is making you crazy…

Anyone else like chocolate chip cookies as much as me?

Anyone else not like sharing them?

Anyone else feel like your job as a dad is to eat all the chocolate chip cookies before you have to share with the kids? Yeah, me too.

I swear if I have to share another cookie with my kids…

Avoid or ignore?

close up photo of woman covering her ears

Photo by Oleg Magni on Pexels.com

No, I am not talking about doing that childhood favorite of skipping down the road obnoxiously swinging your arms, smiling, and just generally being carefree.

I am talking when someone purposely and obviously skips (avoids?) you but manages to respond to everyone else.

I don’t make it habit of leaving comments on other people’s blogs just so to leave a comment. I am selective and I try to put thought into it so that it can generate a conversations. I also make every effort to respond to comments left on my blog as I believe engagement is a good thing (at least when the comment isn’t purposely malicious).

Anyway, I have noticed that certain bloggers out there are really good at leaving a comment, a thank you, a thumbs up, etc. for the people who take time to comment on their blog. I think that is great, especially if there are a lot of comments, because it takes time. Returning the love is a good thing.

However, it also becomes a rather conspicuous omission when they fail to respond as well. As an example, a blog I made a comment to yesterday had 48 comments as of this morning. Now, we know that WordPress (for some reason) counts all comments, including the ones from the author, so really there were fewer than 48 comments from people who read the blog. As I scrolled through this morning to see if I received a comment (maybe I had missed a notification?), I noticed that every single comment the blog received go a response except mine. In some cases, there were multiple responses from the author.

Hmmm, weird.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not butthurt here. I just think it is rather interesting because it is SO OBVIOUS.

What habits of bloggers to you find annoying? Do you have any that you really appreciate?

Communication busted

marketing man person communication

Photo by Gratisography on Pexels.com

Things around here are just not working.

Have you ever had a hard time talking with someone because you just don’t have anything to talk about? Or, had a hard time just because every time a conversation starts it ends up in a disagreement?

Not only do we live in a society that seems to have a hard time having a conversation, but often we find the same thing happening in our personal relationships too. There is just no way to break down the walls and just no way to carry on without conflict. So, everyone does their own thing and then nothing gets any better. Really, it just gets worse. The next time you try to engage someone the meltdown just comes that much more quickly.

What’s left is perpetual egg shell walking and no real relationships, just shallow surface existence.

The death of conversation is upon us.

Can’t hear you

fried meat beside sliced lemon and white mustard

Photo by Valeria Boltneva on Pexels.com

We are an entertainment society, as in we all want to be entertained all the time. Look at our culture. We carry around computers in our hands that are used for some communication, but mostly for entertainment.

It comes in various forms, but usually there is some kind of entertainment even when you go out to eat. TVs on the wall. Touch pads of some sort on the table. Music playing overhead. A live band. You are likely to find at least one of these forms of entertainment in a dining establishment near you.

The other day I was out to eat at a place and the music was so loud (not a band, just overhead) that I couldn’t talk with the person across the table from me. It felt like we had to shout at each other just to tell the other person we couldn’t hear what they were saying because of the music.

We probably should have left, but instead endured the abuse of our ears while we ate.

Maybe I am just getting old, though I don’t think it is that. I like loud music, but there is a time and place for it. When it comes to being social with others I don’t think music blaring is an appropriate time to give the speakers a workout. Most people like to visit while they eat.

So, is this becoming common practice these days? I noticed a while back while out with my family as well, though it wasn’t as bad as the last place it was still rather annoying.

Friends, what do you know about this? Are you similarly annoyed by the rising volume of music in restaurants?

Leave me some air!

man and woman talking to each other while sitting on chair

Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

We all know one. We all probably work with one. You know the one…

You know, the one person in your life (hopefully you only have one) from your extended family or a co-worker that talks a mile a minute and won’t let anyone get a single word in? You know, the person who talks so fast they literally suck the air out of the room so no one else has a chance to contribute to the conversation, which usually ends up being one sided?

Ah, you do have one. You are thinking of them now, and it irritates you even now just thinking about it…

This one is for you today. This one is for you to at least have the chance to get three words in. You don’t have to explain. You don’t have to name names (unless it will make you feel better). All you have to do is leave a comment with their relationship to you. Examples = Brother in law; lady in the cubicle next to me; the boss; my last date; etc.

Go ahead. You’ll feel better. This air is just for you….inhale, exhale….breathe….and release…

Conference workshop boredom

photography of a woman sitting on the chair listening to music

Photo by Min An on Pexels.com

Every had to travel for work to attend a workshop or conference, only to regret that you went because the boredom is excruciating?

Yeah. That was me yesterday. And I have another day to go. Boring…

To top it all off, I have a co-worker sitting next to me that wants to talk about everything and has to say something about everything. So, not only is the presentation boring, but the person next to me won’t shut up and is annoying.

Perhaps I can hangout with the coffee machine. It at least provides something interesting, and I am going to need it today.

More coffee please!

photo of person holding white paper cup

Photo by Elliot Fais on Pexels.com