Hands Up Those People Who Saw an Elephant Today

Why are there so many dumb people out there? I am not talking about people who are just slow, like "Life is like a box of chocolates" slow. I mean people who are in positions of authority, have some responsibility, and yet seem to have nothing but sawdust between their ears.

So Donna ordered a book from Barnes and Noble. It was a great deal, like 50% this set of three textbooks, regularly $500.00. When the package arrives, it has just one book. "Huh," we say "isn't that strange." We check the website and it says that sometimes they send parts of things from different warehouses. Donna sends them an email and there responses is this: "Sorry we only sent you one book. To remedy this situation we will send you the complete three volume set at no extra charge. In addition to this, because of the cost of shipping please keep and enjoy volume." First, you bet your ass you are sending the set at no extra cost. Why would any company make you pay again for something you never received in the first place? Second, why not just send you volumes 2 and 3? If they are OK with you keeping volume 1, just send the other 2. It doesn't come in a wrapped set, but as separate books (hence why they only sent 1 in the first place). All I can say is "Wow."

As a teacher, I have seen a lot of things. There have been a ton of things I wish I had written down, simply because nobody would ever believe that people would actually say those things. I love teaching, and I think students are great. Most approach things with an open mind, and work hard (at least when they really have to). I need someone to explain this to me though. There are 4-5 weeks left in class. Student X is currently passing and is in no real danger of failing, as long as he gets in the couple of late assignments he owes me. Friday, he withdraws from the course because: a) he thinks he is going to fail the final because he hasn't been paying attention and doesn't want to do the assignments, and b) Friday was grad car wash day and you could wash cars if you owed any work. Hmmmm... finish assignments, pass the course, or drop the course and wash cars. I know what choice I would make.

I had another good story about people who act first and think second, but I can't remember it. Apparently I am one of them.

Moving day is coming up fast. I am getting excited. Donna and I went and checked out some prices the other day for some stuff we need, and I just saw one of Donna's friends who is moving back to Vancouver and needs to get rid of some of his stuff. Basically good deals for us, which is nice since I just spent another couple of hundred dollars on my car to get the plugs and wires done (I almost didn't make it home the other day; there was some sort of short and there was like no firing at all).

And I saw an elephant today. Beat that.