I made this friends-only for a while, because Rose is getting picked on by the annonymouse Renton masses. (I think they might be taking it all too seriously.)

What do you livejournal friends think I should do?

Here is her article:

I’m not one for resolutions, but invariably at this time of year my thoughts turn to how things could be improved. Not just in my personal life, but on a grander scale: how can we work together to make our living situation better? Here are a few subjects of personal ire that will never be resolved lest we all contribute:

(1) The left lane is for passing. The left lane is for passing. The left lane is for passing. If you’re still not getting it: KEEP RIGHT UNLESS YOU ARE PASSING. Traffic flows much more smoothly when drivers make proper use of the road- and keep in mind that you’re there to get from point A to point B, not to teach others a lesson. You know those times when someone creeps up on you from behind, highbeams a-blazin’, and you mutter: “I’m already doing 60. They don’t need to get past?” Just let them pass anyway. Let them do 70 if they want, and maybe you’ll get the giddy justification of seeing them pulled over further down the freeway. If not, no skin off your nose, right?

(2) While we’re on the subject of not teaching lessons on the roadway, don’t do that thing where you see someone trying to merge coming up from behind you, and you see they’re going to pass you, so you move over to block them- especially not if the actual merge point is 200 yards ahead. If they have enough lane left to get past you, let them get past. You’re just making the backup worse by stopping them before it’s necessary.

(3) As my dad has pointed out many a time, you ever notice that people walk like they drive? Rule number one above applies to walking as well, and this is a critical one in malls. Further, do not stop in the middle of the aisle when you are shopping. This transgression was one I saw countless times over the holidays. I will run into you, if only to prove a point. I know I said no teaching lessons, but it’s less dangerous on foot than by vehicle. If you stop short of me in the middle of Southcenter, expect that I’ll keep going and demonstrate exactly how I’ve been inconvenienced, because it’s infinitely more fulfilling to prove a point about common sense than it is to swerve around you and let you think it’s an acceptable practice.

(4) I’m not sure how this one is fixable, really, but have you ever been in a checkout line for more time than when you shop at Fred Meyer? I could be buying a single box of cereal and going through the U-Scan checkout, and STILL it takes ten minutes, whether I’m on Benson, downtown, or in Crossroads. I guess there’s not a workable solution here; I just needed to get that out there.

(5) Get your coffee anywhere but Starbucks. I know, it’s hard- I have trouble keeping myself away from their ubiquitous stores as well; I can hardly call myself a Starbucks teetotaler. Sometimes it’s just too convenient. And I do recognize that they came from the area so technically buying there is supporting local business, but COME ON. It’s completely, utterly soulless, and there’s better coffee to be had elsewhere. My favorite is Sips on Sunset Blvd, which not only has excellent white chocolate mochas, but also hot baristas. We are the coffee-buying market here, people- the rest of the world doesn’t have a Starbucks on every corner like we do here. Clearly we consume a helluva lot of caffeine, and if that caffeine (and those Joni Mitchell CD’s!) was bought elsewhere, we could take a substantial bite out of the market. Next time you’re complaining about the calories in your Frappucino or burnt taste of your Christmas blend, consider the other local coffee shops and stands that make the area in part what it is, and how their razor-thin profit margin could really use your help.

(6) I guess what I’m getting at here, what the overarching theme is, is: have a little courtesy, huh? You can live a full and fast-paced life without being a total schmuck about it. Pay attention to the people around you. If you accidentally back into them with your pool cue, apologize. If you pull halfway out onto Grady from 167 right in front of someone, wave a sorry and back the hell up. And also, look out for your neighbors. One of the greatest things about my house is the older couple who live across the street and keep an eye on things, while one of the worst things about my boyfriend’s place is that it was broken into twice with no leads. This place is what it is because of the people who are here- take care of each other or I’ll hurt you.

Happy New Year, and may you take an active part in the perpetual betterment of your community.

Rose McMayhem