Grumpy Old Man

Hmm, it seems that I am becoming more and more grumpy again. This does not bode well. I don't really want to be a Grumpy Old Man, but it seems that the description attributed to them in the series seems scarily familiar to anyone who knows me. Well, I'm getting to that age, I guess.

Anyway, I was literally livid on the way into work this morning. The number of people who cut me up, zoomed past in the empty lane and then cut in at the last minute, contributing to the already lengthy queue I was sitting in, and generally caused my blood to boil, all for what? To shave 30 seconds off their journey? We all have places to go pal! But imagine my chagrin when it turns out that of the 5 people that cut me up today, 3 of them were women! It seems to me that women are becoming even more aggressive drivers than their male counterparts. It never used to be that way... and now that I'm reading what I'm writing, I've realised that it's worse than I thought, the transfer to grumpy old man is complete and I've turned into my Grandfather! And a Male Chauvinist Pig! Arghh!

Ok, relax! *sips tea*

*deep breath*

I'm fine now. Really. I guess the problem is not one of road-rage etc, but one more of common courtesy. I don't mind letting people in, as long as it is acknowledged in some manner. Just like stopping at a crossing to let somebody over. yes it's a law in the Highway Code, but at the same time, surely acknowledgement of said action is little to ask? A "Thank-you" in exchange for holding a door open for somebody is all it takes to put a smile on my face, or lift my mood.

As Bill & Ted once said "Be excellent to each other" Courtesy is free and will get you a long way in life.

On another note, being a new parent, I've discovered a drawback to parenthood that I had not previously considered. I got in last night, my partner had taken my 9 month old son to baby & toddler group again. (Mondays and Wednesdays). They are holding a fund-raising event at the end of the month and so the usual requests came back for any old stuff not wanted or items for the tombola and so forth, on Monday. Fine, no problem, glad to help out the local group and so on. Until I got in yesterday.
"Hi sweetheart, how was work?"
"Fine, thanks, how was Toddler Group?"
"Oh fine, you know. "
"Ah, cool"
"Oh by the way, I've volunteered you to run the '£1 a go on the Wii' stand."
"What?"
"I thought you wouldn't mind"
"Right, right. Who's supplying the Wii?", knowing what was coming next.
"We are. Plus Guitar Hero and I thought, the projector too"
"What?!?"

So joy! I get to risk my kit getting damaged and watch it happen at the same time, all in the name of fundraising! Thus, I shall state for the record, here and now, because I know once you start doing these things it never stops, but I shall not be cajoled, bribed or manoeuvred into a position whereby I am on every blooming school committee possible for the next 18 years of my child's life. Get it? Got it? Good!

Don't get me wrong, naturally I take an interest in anything my child will be involved in, but do I honestly have to be roped into absolutely everything? I mean he's only 9 months old!

Where's my time on the Wii? I got a guitar for christmas and I still haven't learnt a chord yet. My time is precious too. So, if you ever cut me up or cause me any sort of angst and frustration whilst driving, I'm noting your number, calling DVLA, finding out where you live, coming round your house and hauling you off to the next fundraiser and forcing you to be on the Wii stand! There, that's karma at work for you ;o)

Be warned!