What do rush hour traffic, changing your clocks to standard time, the writer’s strike, and the return of high gasoline prices have in common? They are all things that I’d rather not have to deal with.
Ever since Labor Day, the rush hour traffic for my morning commute has been a nightmare. Yes, I’ve always been complaining, but this time, I actually did something about it. I’ve switched to a new route into downtown (more about that in another post) and even started waking up earlier to beat the rush (crazy, isn’t it?). The only concern with that is that I feel there is a higher risk for deadlier accidents on the highway — faster speeds, its still pitch dark outside, people still groggy, and perhaps, still sleeping at the wheel.
Which goes on to my next item: the change to standard time. Not only do I get to drive to work in the morning in total darkness, but by the time I finish work I get to drive home in complete darkness as well. When am I going to be able to enjoy the sun around here? Be careful for Seasonal Affective Disorder, its the silent killer.
At least when I get home I’ll be able to enjoy my Tivo’d episodes of The Office and Scrubs, right? Nope. The writers are on strike and the final season of Scrubs is in jeopardy!! Don’t get me wrong, I feel the WGA has a very good point about getting a fair contract, but I hope it’ll all be over soon. I need my Scrubs.
And finally, gas prices are on the rise again, and this time, theres no hurricanes. Another prediction of an above-average hurricane season has been a flop (two years in a row the NHC has been wrong), but still no relief for gas prices. Blame it on increased international demand and the weakening dollar — which, by the way, is now worth less than the Canadian dollar. Remember when there were two prices on the back of books (one for US$ and second for CAN$)… that was when the one US dollar = roughly 1.5 Canadian dollars. Now, a buck gets you 90 cents in Canadian coin, which is just insane.
Ah well. The holidays are coming.