Mountain biking this morning I came across two headphoned accidents-waiting-to-happen.  The first was a runner trudging along in the middle of the singletrack.  The second was a fellow mountain biker.  Each time, I came up behind them and said "hello, passing".  No response.  So I waited for a few seconds and then noticed the talisman of modern day obliviousness - white headphone cables running up the side of their heads - but fortunately, I managed to get around the idiots at wide spots in the trail.

Wearing headphones when you're out cycling or running is dangerous and just plain stupid.  If you have any interest in staying safe and being courteous to your fellow riders and joggers, leave the iPod at home.  I don't care how much you like listening to California Gurls while you workout.  The sounds of nature are far better than Katy Perry's computer-tuned voice.  If you don't think so, then there is no point in your being outside.  Stay inside where you can safely workout and listen to music at the same time.

If you get to the front of the store and see an older person paying for their groceries by writing a check, pick any other lane.  The Theory of Indeterminate Remedial Quantities states that in this situation any other lane will be faster.  And it's true.  Even if those other lanes are lined two and three deep with soccer moms and people with carts piled high.

No, not really.  I’m not sure why companies solicit donations in this manner.  Is it so they can pad their bottom line with some charitable donations, which their accountants will then use to reduce their corporate taxes?  Or is it so they can say, "hey look at us here at Company XYZ, we’re doing some good in the world and we actually do care"?  (I’m asking because I really don’t know)

But whatever.  I can’t exclude the possibility that companies do indeed produce some good in the world.  Many corporations actually have a special budget for charitable donations and send millions of dollars into worthy causes.  But the bottom line is that these entities are in business to make money and create wealth for their stockholders.  Not to help people.  So I would much rather donate money to an organization that has charity as its central mission, like the Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders. 

Also, drive thru fast food restaurants are the very epitome of American gluttony and excess.  Right up there with Baconnaise and huge diesel trucks.  Asking for donations at your drive thru really seems ridiculous and a bit hypocritical.  Most people probably would not want to be reminded of starving orphans in Haiti when they are about to scarf down a butter-burger at Culver’s.