And this is why I growl at the TV

We don't watch a whole lot of TV around here, mostly because we only have basic cable--22 channels. When we do watch, it is often PBS, which we both love. At the moment, though, PBS has chucked their usual lineup in order to conduct their "Telefund," so we've been suffering through some network shows. (I know they have to raise money. It's just really annoying that they're asking me for money to support the shows I enjoy, while they're pre-empting, you know, the shows I enjoy.) Aside from the quality programming, there is one particular reason why I love PBS...there are no commercials.

There are a few exceptions, but commercials, in general, annoy the heck out of me. I see this one every morning while I'm getting ready for work:



Gaah! Melodramatic much? "A prescription?!? What do I have??" Geez, lady, it's eye drops. Buck up! It's not like they're going to kill you.

I saw this one for the first time yesterday:



The commercial itself isn't terribly irritating, but there's something in there that I think is absolutely ridiculous. At 0:26, when the driver pulls close to the guy to grab the burger, a message appears: "Professional driver on closed road. Do not attempt." Is this really something someone would attempt? Veering over to the side of the road to snatch a cheeseburger? Considering the vehicular maneuvering that would have to take place, not to mention having to find someone who just happens to be sitting on the side of the road eating? I'm really skeptical about this.

This is the one that really makes me think I might snap:



I cannot STAND that kid. It's probably very, very wrong to feel that way about a child, but I can't help it. I see this commercial every morning, and every morning I go on a mini-tirade about it. It makes my husband's day, I'm sure.

There are many others, but those are my worst. How about you? Are you easily annoyed by commercials? Which ones get to you?

One burger, please hold the interrogation

I don't like to cook. I don't like it, and Mr. Nerd isn't one of those guys who needs a meat-and-two-veg kind of meal every night, so we often take advantage of the dollar menu at one of our local fast-food joints. Lately, the drive-thru ordering procedure at these places has been making me nuts. Here's why.

Drive-thru person (DTP): Hi, welcome to McArwenby's Bell. Would you like to try our new McMeat Blaster Combo?
Me: No, thank you. I would like a single burger with pi-
DTP: Would you like cheese on that?
Me: No, thank you. Single with pickle, lettuce, and tomato. An order of chicken nug-
DTP: What kind of sauce with that?

Me: No sauce, please. A large order of fri-
DTP: Are you sure you don't want to make that a combo? You could save 19 cents.
Me: No, thank you, just the sandwich and fries. A side sal-
DTP: What kind of dressing?
Me: No dressing, please. That'll be it.
DTP: Would you like to try our new Siberian Tundra MochaJava Freeze?
Me: No, thank you. THAT WILL BE IT. (Who am I kidding?) Well, yeah...small, please.
DTP: Okay, what did you have after the single fish sandwich with pickle, mayo, and onion?
Me: AUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! (begin beating head repeatedly on steering wheel)

Seriously, people. I am a good order-er. I speak slowly and clearly, group like items together, and give you a pause between items so you have time to key them in. But I can't do that if YOU WON'T LET ME SPEAK FOR A FREAKIN' SECOND WITHOUT ASKING A QUESTION. (ahem) I would love to roll up to the speaker and immediately say, "I'm going to give you my order, exactly as I want it. If I want cheese, sauce or dressing, I will say so. Do not, under any circumstances, ask me any questions!" But, I don't want to be that person. (And I definitely don't want some irritated drive-thru worker to befoul my Siberian Tundra MochaJava Freeze.) So, is this a widespread tendency with drive-thru restaurants, or is it just a local thing? I'm getting kind of tired of working myself up into a nervous frenzy just for some chicken nuggets. It still beats the heck out of cooking, though.

fast food meal came from here