Where do you draw the line???

I love my pet goose, Peep-Peep.  He arrived as an egg.  I incubated that egg (along with 11 others that didn't make it!)..I was there every step of the way when he first "pipped" (a small crack in the shell...signaling the beginning of his emergence into the world) .  I monitored his progress (or lack there of) for nearly 48 hrs., before I had to make a tough decision:  either REMOVE him from the egg shell....which, if done incorrectly could KILL HIM...or watch him die from dehydration and exhaustion ANYWAY.  With these as my only options, I figured it was worth the gamble.  I carefully helped him extract himself from the confining shell. 

This, was the end result of my diligence...and HIS will to live!  (Isn't he CUTE??!) I named him "Peep-Peep" because for those nearly 48 hrs he was trapped in his shell, his constant cries were "peep-peep!  peep-peep!!"  Well, as time went on, he became VERY attached to me and my Honey.  We fixed him up a "home" in a large plastic box.

He seemed to be a happy gosling.  We were happy and loved to come home each night and play with him.  We'd take him out of his box and let him roam around the house a little while (supervised, of course!) 

He quickly out-grew his plastic box!  Fortunately, the immediate "back yard" was already chain-linked fenced.  We had to move our beloved little Peep-Peep outside!!  The first night was HORRIBLE...for ME.  He weathered the transition just fine.  I had a sleepless night, worried that "something" might get him during the night!   Nothing did, of course, and after several nights, I was finally able to once again sleep peacefully, know Peep was going to be alright. 

As the weeks turned into months, Peep was finally big enough to learn to swim.  Our first excursions to the pond were successful and Honey and I believed it would be easy to eventually relocate him to the pond.  WRONG!

After a 'close encounter' with a very large catfish, Peep was terrified of the pond & would do anything he could think of to avoid the pond!!  We even physically picked him up & carried him to the pond & pitched him in the water.  He would frantically made a run for 'home'...he never wanted to leave the confines of the back yard.  Poor peep!!  I felt so sorry for him & wanted to him to be able to enjoy water like a normal goose....so I got the kiddie pool out of storage, put it in his yard, and filled it up.  OH, MY! He was one happy little goose! 

He lived for many happy months in the backyard & we eventually had to get him a larger pool.  He sat in his pool for hours each day....content to view the world from the safety of his chain-link enclosure.

I worried about his having no shade while swimming, so devised a 'make-shift' cabana for him. 

The Beginning of the End

He loved and married a small town girl, and left his father's house, as young men have done throughout the ages.  Like most young men, he was full of hopes & dreams of the future.  He was a quiet man and kept a lot of his feelings hidden behind an expressionless face.  Many people thought he was just 'unfeeling'.  Truth was....he was quietly, and privately, assessing everything...in his own way.  He had the most gentle of hearts, and felt things very deeply.  Those who knew him well, knew this...those who didn't, thought it a weakness.  

As time passed...there were those who felt they had to do his thinking for him....make his decisions for him....direct his every move.  Afterall, he was weak & incapable of directing the course of his own destiny!   Those people were his wife's people...how could he defy them?  Those were people SHE loved & trusted.   Surely, THEY wanted what was best for both of them...right??    Her people didn't trust him to make good decisions, so they made his decisions for him.  For many, many years....from many, many directions, all he heard was "this is what you need to do"...."if you're smart, you'll do what I'm telling you".   And so it went. 

His father, who loved him deeply, tried to open his eyes to the reality that 'not everyone is thinking of your best interests' ...'.not everyone is your friend' .  The boy, on the other hand, as children often do, felt wiser than his father; denounced his father; refused to accept his father's guidance; refused to believe that 'her' people, who professed to love him, had ulterior motives for their actions.  The son always sought the best in everyone he met.  He could not fathom that there were those, who while professing to be his 'friend'....would in reality, be seeking their own gain.   They all had their own agenda.  The boy couldn't see past his own big heart.  It was the beginning of his end!

A great divide began to separate father & son.  The son believed the father to be pious, selfish, and self-centered.  The father believed it was best to leave the son alone....to let him find his own way; make his own mistakes & learn from them, rather than continue to widen the chasm that was forming between them.  God knows, the boy already had enough people telling him what he 'needed to do'.  And so it was.

I am a witness to this tale, and I tell it as I saw it.   The son was as stubborn as his father!  Neither seemed to know how to bridge the gap between them.   Years went by.   With each passing year, the gap got wider.  'Others' in the community knew of the rift, but did nothing other than pass judgement on father & son.  The 'others' knew they could never manipulate the father...but the son was an easy mark....and they all took advantage! 

The son had finally reached his saturation point.  He needed to find an escape...a release...from the constant demands of  'the others'.  Because of the magnitude of the divide between he & his father, he didn't feel he could turn toward 'home'.  He instead, turned to alcohol.  For a little while...it worked, but as we all know, it's only a very temporary escape.   Eventually, no amount of alcohol brought the release the son needed.  Eventually, even his 'friends' refused to take his calls.  Word was out that if it's after 5pm, and a weekend...he's drunk.  The 'others' began to avoid him.  They didn't know how to deal with him.  They didn't WANT to deal with him.  When he was drunk...he was of no use to them! 

In his final hours, he made many, many phone calls.  No one answered.  Would it have made a difference?  I think not.   He was not meant for this world.   His heart was too kind.  He made the choice to seek the ultimate escape, and took his own life.  INSTANT RELIEF from the pain & grief he had lived with for so many years! 

Those of us left behind are still in shock.  We will always ask the 'what if's'?  We will always wonder if there was something more we could have done to help the son find happiness in this life.   We will mourn, forever, what could have been.  But those of us who loved him will find the answers to our questions BECAUSE we loved him.  The 'others' ...well, maybe there are no answers for them.   Who knows?? 

Funny how things work out.  As tragic as this has been....the 'good' from this horrible event has already surfaced.  The healing has begun...at least for the family.  

The 'others' are showing their true colors.  Like vultures, they have swooped in and are casting lots for all the son's worldly possessions.   None of them have considered the father's feelings....or the sisters'.   But all of US have declared, it's only material THINGS.  But, NO ONE can take away our memories!  No one can sell them or trash them.  No one can put a price tag on them.  They are ours FOREVER.....so go ahead....TAKE IT ALL!  SELL IT ALL!  And just know, that when all is said and done....YOU will never have what WE have had with him!!

"Day-Of-The-Week" Panties

Remember when you could buy girls/ladies panties that had the days of the week embroidered on them?  Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday, etc.  They came in a 7 pair pack and each "day" was a different color.  I was tempted  several times, as a teenager, to buy a package of them.  I thought it was rather cool! 

FORTY YEARS LATER....I'm glad I never did!!!  I've been giving this some serious thought for the past few hours.  What if laundry didn't get done on time?  Let's say Tuesday rolls around again, but "Tuesday"s panties are still not clean??  Could you possibly wear "Wednesday"s panties on Tuesday?  What if you should wear "Friday"s panties on Wednesday??  Or...God forbid...what if you wore "Wednesday"s panties on Friday, and were involved in an accident of some sort??  When you got to the hospital, would they think you'd been wearing the same pair of panties for the past three days????  Worse, still...what if they found a body at the bottom of a ravine, on Saturday, wearing "Friday"s panties?  But the person REALLY got pushed over the edge on the previous Monday!  If the investigators believe the body has only been there since the previous day, they're NOT going to catch the perpetrator!  He's already had five days to get away!  Do you see how this could become a huge problem, putting day names on panties?

WHOSE  STUPID IDEA WAS THIS, ANYWAY?? 

If this should ever come to a vote in your area, I hope you will consider what I've said and vote sensibly!

"Leave Well Enough Alone"

Those words have become my new "mantra".  I find myself saying that to myself many times a day now.  I am somewhat of a "perfectionist", I guess, and in the past, would always 'keep at' something until I felt it to be as near perfect as I could get it....whether it be makeup, hair, artwork, housekeeping, or whatever.  Many times....especially with HAIR, I would do more harm than good by continuing to 'mess' with it, trying to get that last hair in just exactly the right place. (know what I mean??)  Because I had to 'tweak' that one last strand, I screwed up the entire "do", and had to start over.  VERY time consuming when you're in a hurry!  Maybe it's an attitude that you acquire with age.  I am getting to where "good enough" is FINE with me.  I no longer seem to be compelled to PERFECTION.  Life is so much easier these days! I have learned that, in the grand scheme of things, it really is OK to be less than perfect.  It is OK....just to BE.  No pressure...no deadlines...no stress.  I'm liking this stage of my life.  It's enlightening!  I'm also leaning toward that freedom that comes when I can finally convince myself to stop wearing makeup.  How exhillarating THAT is going to be!!  I haven't quite gotten there YET.  I remain 'makeup free' on weekends, whenever possible, but am looking forward to the day when I can just wash my face & go.  Too bad I didn't inherit my mother's beauty & perfect complexion.  I'm at an age now where I find it amusing to observe young girls who just can't wait to wear makeup....because I know they will be where I'm at someday.....they, too, will look forward to the sheer luxury of wearing NONE.  Yes....it really is wonderful to experience the freedom of simplicity!   And while you're at it......just leave "well enough" ALONE!!

"FAMILY" defined....

According to The American Heritage Dictionary ...family is defined as such:
     fam·i·ly (fămə-lē, fămlē)   n. pl. fam·i·lies
     1.   a. A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children.
      b. Two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place.
      2. All the members of a household under one roof.

Now consider, if you will, MY definintion of "family". 
You may be related by blood,  to other human beings, but this is attributable to an "accident of birth", and certainly not by any conscious effort on your part.  An accident of birth does NOT necessarily create a "family". (Look at the fatherless children in your own community; look at the mothers who neglect and abuse their children....you call THAT "family"??)

I consider my family to consist of several people, both blood, and non-blood related, individuals.  The non-blood family members are sometimes held in higher regard, because I actually CHOSE them to be part of my "family".  This is a distinction that is not given lightly!  These members had to EARN my respect and high regard.  These members were chosen because they have proven, on countless occasions, that they have MY bests interest at heart.  There is never a hidden agenda or a self-serving "act" of generosity.

Then, on the other hand....I have "blood relatives" that I refuse to allow to cross my threshhold.  These individuals cannot be trusted.  THEY have proven, time and time again, that they are only out for themselves.  They have no regard for me, or my possessions.  They take what they want, when they want, and have no concern for how the loss will affect ME, financially or emotionally.   The fact that I took these individuals into my home in times past, and gave generously of my time, attention, and money in an attempt to help improve THEIR current situation, obviously meant nothing to them. I am a kind-hearted person, and apparently, because of this,  I was simply an easy 'mark'.  Don't make the mistake of confusing my kind heartedness with weakness!  I was made a fool of;  I was used;  I was cheated;  and I was lied to.....repeatedly.  WHY WOULD I STILL CONSIDER THESE  INDIVIDUALS "FAMILY" ?????   Please refer back to section 1., part b. of the above definition:  "people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another"  I do NOT share goals or values with liars, theives, and cheats, therefore, I do not consider these types of persons my "family", regardless of bloodlines and DNA!  And by the time I cut you out of MY family, my "long term commitment" to you has already been abused and exhausted!  I am a christian.  I believe that we are to forgive others.  Even Jesus said that we are to "turn the other cheek".........but He never said what to do AFTER we have turned the other cheek!  I forgive those who have wronged me in the past, but I am NOT duty-bound, by blood OR christianity, to allow them to CONTINUE misusing me!   

In the Bible, Luke 18:22, Jesus tells us we are to forgive others "...until seventy times seven."  So, being a christian, I will continue to forgive you for being a dumbass and constantly making bad choices & decisions for your life...I will forgive you these things...but I will NOT allow you to continue making ME the target of your transgressions.  YOU are not my "family"...you were simply an accident of birth.  Just as I can choose who I want to allow INTO my family.....I can also choose who I will NOT allow.

If this offends you....it is probably because you spend way too much time dwelling on what you perceive as your "rights" and "privileges"!  The ONLY "birthright" you have is the promise of salvation by God.  There is no other.  I suggest to you,  to get your head out of your ass and become a better person.  Perhaps then, not only will the family you were BORN into accept you back into the fold, but you may find new "families" CHOOSING to make you a member, simply because you enhance their lives.

And if my words STILL offend you......GET OVER IT!!

PET PEEVES!!!!!!

We all have them.....but some of mine, (that I thought were dead), have suddenly been resurrected!!  GR-R-R-R-R!!!!

I work for a real estate management company.  My job involves answering the phones and re-routing calls to the appropriate persons.  I take roughly 45-55 calls per day on average.  Some of these calls are from the on-site managers of our apartment complexes (we have 38 of them)  Other calls are from perspective renters inquiring about details and cost.  Still other calls are from actual tenants, already ensconced in one of the properties my company owns and  manages.  We have several single-family dwellings which are occupied.  At some point in time, throughout the month, I talk to most of these people. 

I have spent many, many years working in corporate America.  I EXPECT (silly me!!) a certain amount of courtesy, consideration, and INTELLIGENCE!! Guess I need to back up...regroup....and remind myself that I am no longer working in the metropolis of our state's capitol.  I am now working in "Hillbillie Hollow".  Most high school graduates in this neck of the woods can spell their own names, and know enough grammar to "get by".  But PHONE ETIQUETTE  is a FOREIGN LANGUAGE!!!! 

With nearly every call I take, the caller immediately launches into his or her script without so much as even stating their names or in any way identifying themselves.  I don't need to know that you've just received an eviction notice..."in error" (yeah, right!) and you want 'someone' to "get this straightened out" for you.   First of all.....we don't issue eviction notices on the spur of the moment.  You have to be seriously delinquent in your rent to get one!  Secondly...it would be of tremendous help to know WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?? and which of our complexes is evicting you?? And even after I repeat, several times, that we only take complaints IN WRITING, they continue to give me every nasty detail of the transgressions against them! (totally unjust, you understand!)

Then there are those callers who begin their conversation with..."Um, yeah, uh.....I was callin' about the ad in the paper??"  OK, WHICH AD?  WHICH PAPER??  WHAT DOES THE AD SAY?  We advertise in several newspapers across three states!!  I am NOT clairvoyant!

Many of these callers are calling from their cell phones, while driving.  They call to inquire about rental properties we may have available.......yet, when I tell them I need to direct them to another number for further details, they tell me, "oh, I'm driving and can't write that down".  They tell me they'll just "remember" the number......then without fail, nearly every single one of them calls me back within just a couple of minutes to say..."what was that number again??"  And not only that, but if you're looking for a place to live...don't you want to write down pertinent information, like How much per month is the rent?....is there a security deposit?....are pets accepted, ect.??  They call to ask if we "have anything for rent"....but  are in no way prepared to deal with whatever information I give them!  Big wasted effort on MY part, as they will NOT be able to remember all the details, and can't write it down while driving.  So, if you have to use your cell phone and make these important calls while driving........PULL OVER!!!!!!!!!!  Spare the other drivers on the road your erratic driving!

And don't you just LOVE those automated calls that, once you've answered & identified your company and yourself.....you hear "Please hold for an important message" ....WTF??  I have more pressing business to attend to and have no intention of 'holding' for your crap!!  If it were REALLY IMPORTANT....you would have put a HUMAN on the phone to make that call to begin with!!!

Oh, and you gotta love those callers who, upon my answering their call, they immediately shout, "George in?"  Part of my job is to field calls....eliminating solicitors, cranks, and what not.  George may actually BE IN THE OFFICE.....but you won't know that until I can tell George WHO YOU ARE and WHAT YOU WANT.  George doesn't like "blind transferred" calls.  I don't blame him.  If you're just trying to sell us toner for our copier......WE DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU! 

I especially like the calls that I KNOW are solicitors, simply because they ask for my boss, by name, but refer to her as "MR."  She has one of those trans-gender names that works well for EITHER sex....but if you don't KNOW her, you don't know she's a female.  When I tell them that MR. xxxxx is not in, and ask if I can take a msg., they refuse, insisting that they will just call back another time.  GUESS WHAT??   You aren't going to reach her THEN, either!  You STILL have to go thru me, and I'm onto you! 

(OMG!!  I HAVE BECOME ONE OF THE PEOPLE OF POWER!!!!)
You'll have to read my previous post "People Of Power" to appreciate this fact!

A Roo With A 'Tude!!

OK....it's a holiday...I don't have to get up at 5am.....I like to sleep in on weekends....I don't really consider 7:00am LATE, when we're talking "sleeping in", but apparently KELLOGG (photo at right) was PO'd!  He didn't get out of the coop at the expected early hour that he has become accustomed to!  OMG....it was all of 8:15 am when I went to the barn to open the coop for the day.  AND DID I SEE ANY GRATITUDE????   NO-O-O-O-O!!!!!  The little bastard attacked me! And NOT just once! I noticed him get that "look" in his eye....like Buddy used to.....and KNEW he was psyching himself up to get me.  I had stopped bringing my walkin' stick with me after Buddy left, thinking I would no longer need it!  Boy, was I wrong!  Just like Buddy, Kellogg tried to use the "sneak up from behind" method....but I'm wise to that trick.  I saw him coming & turned just in time to land a good solid kick to his chest.  Didn't phase him.....rubber boots don't pack much of a whollop, ya know?  I knew there was a heavy hoe handle up at the barn entrance (that was a good 200 ft away!) so as I headed back to get it, Kellogg stalked me the entire trip....displaying threatening postures & mumbling chicken curse words under his breath.  Once I reached the hoe handle & started back, the fight was on!!  He came at me with a vengeance...feathers all puffed out & spurs a shinin'.  I used the hoe handle to ward him off.  Poked him in the chest with it, each time he came at me.  I think he must've called some sort of truce, as he finally wandered off.  I was relieved that I didn't really have to HURT him....and that he hadn't actually hurt ME. 

I then went outside into the yard to see if all the babies had made it out....DANGED IF HE DIDN'T COME AT ME AGAIN!   This time, I truly think he was out for blood.  We went three rounds.  I walked away the champion....this time!   I think he now knows that I mean business & will NOT tolerate this sort of treatment from him....or any OTHER rooster!  I also think he is the vindictive type.  He was rather humiliated to lose three rounds in front of all the girls....and oh, they were all watching intently!  Especially when I turned that hoe handle into a baseball bat and dared him to try one more time!

I'm really shocked and surprised that Kellogg would treat me this way.  I have been nothing but NICE to him.....giving him preferential treatment and choosing HIM to be the "keeper" when I found new homes for the other 4 roosters.  I have to go back to the barn this evening to close the coop.  This time, I'll be ready for him if he tries it again.  I want to give him the benefit of the doubt.  The whole time he was in "attack mode" this morning, he was putting himself between me and the hens.  Maybe he's become just a little TOO overprotective where they are concerned.  Or, maybe my bright hot pink shirt, denim capris, sunshades & 'updo' disturbed him.  Maybe he didn't recognize me.....or maybe he doesn't like hot pink!  Either way.....I may just change clothes before my evening trip to the barn.  If he attacks again, I'll know it had nothing to do with my outfit....and everything to to with his ATTITUDE!   Guess I'll have to clue him in that I don't HAVE to have a rooster in order to enjoy my chickens.....and still have eggs!  He may have convinced himself that he is indispensable.  He's in for a very rude awakening, if that's the case!

"Coppertone" Chicks

OMG!  Just when you think you've solved all the immediate problems for the Coop Community residents!  Well.......NOW I know why so many of "the girls" are lounging INSIDE the barn, even on a beautifully glorious sun-shiny day!!  SUNBURN!!!!!!  Yep, you heard right!  Who'da'thunk it??

If you've been following the chickens saga......you'll know that many of my girls were missing feathers, due to the brutal treatments by the excess of roosters.  Their feathers are FINALLY beginning to grow in again, but many of them still have very large bare spots.  (see photo at right)  This is Ophelia.  She is one of several with embarrassing baldness.  You'll see, she has quite a large unfeathered area!  Now imagine it beet red and sunburned!! 

What am I to do??  If I opt for sunscreen, which brand??  If I use a tropical smelling coconut-ty one, will she smell like FOOD and get eaten by the others??  Will this sweet smelling sunscreen attract gnats, flies, and such, which would be a HUGE annoyance to her??  Not to mention that the other hens would inadvertantly peck HER, while trying to get the flies & gnats!  WTD? WTD?  Should I get oil or lotion??  Maybe I could use the spray on type.  That might be easier than wrestling her into a squat position, long enough to get the oil or lotion actually rubbed on.  Yeah, I think spray will be the better option.     OR......

Maybe I could make little chicken cabanas and cute little brightly colored, individual roosts  to sit under little umbrellas!!  Instead of a Dos Equis logo, we could use a Chicken Feed logo.  We could feature a mariachi band on weekends.  Heck, I could probably set up these little umbrella covered roosts over by the horse puddle (yeah, the horses dug it themselves so they could wallow in it on hot days!) Kinda make it a little chicken Oasis!  It would give the girls the shade they need, while still allowing them to be outdoors without the fear of sunburn.  And I think perhaps some live entertainment might be just the thing to take their minds off their burned butts!!  

Coop Community Residents

People of Power

Bet you thought this post was gonna be about politicians, law enforcement officers, the very rich and such, didn't ya?  Well,  you're about to learn that these are not the ONLY entities who hold positions of power.  I'm here to give you MY views about People of Power.


1)  Consider....you're at a public event, such as a concert or festival.  The only bathroom facilities are those wretched port-a-potties!!  There are about 10 people in line ahead of YOU, but the line is just as long at all the other port-a-potties, so you may as well just cross your legs & HOPE you don't pee yourself before it's your turn.  The person CURRENTLY occupying the out house is IN CONTROL!   That person has the ability to make your wait longer & more uncomfortable than it should be.  You're helpless to "hurry" this person along.  THEY ARE IN CONTROL.  They are... one of the People of Power !

2)  It's lunch time.  You only get an hour to wolf down a greasy burger and  fries before you have to fight traffic to get back to your six foot by six foot cubicle you call your "office".   The burger joint is only a couple of blocks from the office so you feel you have plenty of time, even considering traffic.  What you did NOT plan on, were things getting "hosed up" in the drive thru lane!!   After moving at speeds not exceeding  .0004 mph, it's FINALLY your turn at the speaker. 

NO!! I DO NOT WANT ONE OF YOUR DELICIOUS, DOUBLE- ICED,TRIPLE- CHOCOLATE, LUCIOUS- LATTE, FREAKIN'- FRAPPE WHATEVERS!!!! I just want to place my damned order!!!!!!  
(The marketing guy who invented "suggestive selling" needs to be taken out and shot, if he is still alive!!!!)  Your menu is not that extensive!  My selection of food items was made, long before I even GOT to your place of business!!!

You place your order and have to repeat it three times before the bimbo finally gets it right.  You are advised of your total and told to advance to the "first window, please". Here, (PLEASE HAVE YOUR MONEY READY) they collect your money for your order.  THIS is where they get you by the short hairs, folks!!   NOW...you're stuck.  Trapped.  They've got your money, and they've still got your food until you can advance to the next window.   You've now been sitting in line... between the first & second windows... for approximately 20 of your 60 minutes alloted for lunch.  You decide..."SCREW IT!  I'll forfeit my $5.51 and just go somewhere else for lunch!!"  WRONG!!  See previous comments!  You're stuck!!  The cars in front of & behind you are so close that there is no way you can maneuver your vehicle out of the line and leave.  The bimbo at the second window is steadily passing bags, napkins, straws,  & styrofoam cups thru the little window to those in line ahead of you.  The line is inching forward.  You MIGHT have a chance at finally getting your food with a 15 min. timespan left to EAT IT before returning to work!

Your turn has finally arrived at the second window.  Bimbo passes you the drink you didn't order, but you don't have time to argue with her.  She passes you all the condiments you really don't need OR want, (completely ignoring their own sign of CONDIMENTS PROVIDED UPON REQUEST)....and THEN....she asks if you'll please pull over to the BLUE parking slot & wait for the remainder of your order to be brought out to you.  Seems your burger is still on the grill & just not quite ready to be wrapped, bagged, and passed thru the little window.   Your blood pressure is rising, along with your temper; both to dangerous highs.  Defeated, you pull over to the area designated, and are resigned to WAIT.  They still have your money, and half of your order, and it's too late to go anywhere else for lunch!  You may think she looks like a teenage bimbo.....but in fact, she is... one of the People of Power!

3)  It's late at night, and raining hard.  You've had a sh*t day...you're tired...and all you want to do is GET HOME.  You're in the middle of BFE on a winding two lane road which is 45 miles of DO NOT PASS! zones.    The speed limit signs say 55 mph.  Understandably, most motorists slow down some when driving under adverse conditions.  You can deal with....and even appreciate....this.  You're whizzing along at 50 mph when a car on a side road, a half mile up the highway, decides to pull out in front of you.  FORGET that there is nothing behind you for a ka-zillion miles!!!  This inconsiderate *sshole pulls out in front of you without regard to your vehicle's size, mass, or HIS angle of trajectory, should you actually HIT HIM at this speed. 

You instantly hit your brakes, all the while cursing him for his stupidity!!  Maybe, if you weren't so tired, it wouldn't piss you off so bad, but hey!  You can't be sweetness & light ALL THE TIME!!!  
You have suddenly dropped from 50 mph to 20.  Ok.  Let's give the guy the benefit of the doubt.  Let's reason that, he just pulled out into traffic.....it's raining.....it's gonna take him a mile or so to get up to speed.  Five miles later, we're still fluctuating between 25 and 40 mph.  Gramps can't seem to get his vehicle on a constant speed and KEEP IT THERE.  There is NO place to pass him.  You've even considered passing him on the RIGHT, hoping  you wouldn't  get caught.....but just can't make yourself take that sort of risk.  Gramps is oblivious to you flashing your lights behind him & honking your horn repeatedly.  He doesn't need the glasses or the hearing aids you're screaming about, to know you're back there.  He KNOWS you're back there....and he also knows there ain't a dang thing you can do about it......he is one of the People of Power! 

4)  You're at the gas pump with intentions of filling your vehicle's gas tank on your way to work.  It's a busy day at the pumps & people are jockying for a spot for their chance to take advantage of the $2.35 gal. price.  The guy at the pump just ahead of you has just completed pumping....replaced the nozzle on the pump....and now has to go to the cashier to pay for his gas.  DOES HE MOVE HIS VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE PUMP SO YOU CAN GET GAS?????? NO-O-O-O-O-O!!!!!!!  He is.....one of the People of Power!  

But...
SOMEDAY....YOU will be the one occupying the port-a-potty!! 
SOMEDAY....YOU WILL REFUSE to pull over to the Blue parking slot & wait like a speechless, spineless drone! 
SOMEDAY.....you'll still be next in line at the pump, but you will have a brand new, shiny Zippo lighter, and an M-80 to slip into his tank's fill spout while he shuffles off to pay for his gasoline!
SOMEDAY......YOU will finally become.....

....one of the People of Power!!