Potter Park Zoo

So I took my wife and child to the zoo today.  It was an impromptu decision that actually turned out nice.  When I say impromptu I mean it.  I had no wallet, phone, or anything of any use in the world. It started out as a trip to a yard sale that actually wasn't going on so my wife asks, "well now what?"  I said "Let's stop at home for 2 minutes, I'll load the stroller you grab her bag, and we'll head to the zoo."

Once we get there I ask there was a sign that says residents $3 dollars, and non residents $5 dollars.  I tell the guy at the window that I have 2 residents and a baby and he is quick to inform me that this is for parking only. 

What kind of lame ass public zoo charges for parking?  That is ridiculous!!!  So I pay the guy without to much of an issue and then continue on into the parking lot.  My wife then tells me that they charge for the "nice" parks in Lansing.  It costs $2 dollars to get into them.  This is when I go on one of my rants at her and she reminds me that I have started a blog so that she does not have to listen to me.

So once we get to the actual entrance of the zoo and not the parking lot.  They charge $4 dollars each for Lynn and I.  So now the total bill is $11 dollars for the day.  Here's the kicker.  They pay a guy to attend the booth in the parking lot meanwhile we have to wait in line in our cars.  Once we park we then have to go to booth to get admission into the zoo.  There is another guy they are paying, and yet we are waiting in line again.  I would have gladly paid the $11 dollars at one spot! $5 dollars for me $5 dollars for the wife and $1 dollar for the kid.  Bam, done, easy perfect. 
 

I pay taxes.  I enjoy paying taxes.  It is a necessary evil.  It provides things such as zoos, parks, roads, all the things that I along with almost everybody else takes for granted.  But what I don't appreciate is the fact that my taxes go up every year and all the things that I would like to take advantage of such as zoo's, museums, and the like keep raising their prices and adding new fees.

I understand we are in a financial pinch in this country. (We have way to many freeloaders.)  In fact we should change the line in the national anthem to the "land of the freeloaders, and home of the brave."  It is horrific that I have to pay for someone's ninth child to be taken into the system but I have to check to make sure I have enough funds in the checking account to pay for a day at the zoo because they have raised their fees again this year due to lack of funding.

Trader Joe can do whatever he wants.

I stumbled acrossed an article today about how wrong it is for Trader Joe's to throw away their not quite expired food.  Here is a link to the article trader joe story.  First of all I have an issue with the guy who is researching this.  He does not own any part of Trader Joe's, in stock or other monetary credentials.  So why in the hell does he care what they do with the food they purchase. 

With all of the sue happy citizens of this glorious country maybe the executives feel that throwing away thousands of dollars of food will save them millions in potential lawsuits.  In my opinion an establishment has every right to run business anyway it sees fit.  This is a free country right?  How can Trader Joe's get poor publicity for what they can reasonably call protecting their customers.  I can't stand the fact that articles are written to tarnish images of people and businesses without telling both sides of the story.

On a personal note, my wife and I absolutely love Trader Joe's and used to frequent their location in Newport News.  They offer great alternatives to usual preparation of meals.  I do find it a little sad that they do indeed throw out products that are not expired, but I have no right or reason to criticize a profitable company for practices that they deem necessary.  If you don't like it you have the choice to not shop there.

What this is about.

Hello,  I am starting this as a journal of sorts.  I do not care if you read it or like it.  I do not want followers or critics.  I just want to put my thoughts down on paper so that at the end of the day I do not drag these thoughts with me to the most comfortable bed in the world which I share with the most beautiful, patient woman in the world.  Going to bed with a whirlwind of thoughts is bad mojo for anybody so this is my plan to avoid the situation.

This is simply my first post.  I will be commenting on news stories, politics, sports, and anything else that stirs me to want to rant.  As previously mentioned above I love my wife more than anything and do not want to risk losing her respect by flying off the handle and carrying on about things she really doesn't care about.

I am annoyed past the point of reason with issues in society today.  I have always been known as the guy who will tell you exactly what is on my mind at any given time.  I do not believe in dancing around issues I want all things to be direct and honest.  In short this is my perspective on the issues of the world.  It is my reason why things are going to hell in a hand basket before our eyes.  I will publish my first official post shortly.