Guys, I just witnessed a heated couples exchange inside one of our local Walgreens.
A man was outright denying his wife of her Friday snacks because apparently she “already had her daily allotment of cheese puffs.”
She then retorted or snorted, “Oh no, I’m a get my cheese puffs” with the bitterness you’d expect of dreams shattered in full view of the other drugstore patrons.
I got it at the second Nightmare on Chicago Street I ever went to up in Elgin. It was laying on the ground in its own crumpled heap of plastic greenery as I was making yet another of my least hasty exits. When I got back to my truck I stuck it into my cigarette lighter outlet thing and it’s lived there ever since… 🌿
WAIT. That’s a lie. It’s not in the cigarette lighter outlet. It’s in the keyhole next to it that controls the airbags!
I didn’t want to run the risk that this garden-variety plastic ivy one would find at your neighborhood Joann’s art and craft store would catch fire.
In related news… One time I put my truck key in the keyhole, hoping it would open the door way to Narnia. But alas there was no such transportation reward. Only shed tears in the salty realization that I would indeed have to go to work. 😢
Thank you for your honesty. My first thought was maybe it was eucalyptus and you had a koala bear. That would be pretty rad. Please know, I do not judge a man’s greenery he keeps in his car.
Look…if you’re gonna feed us interesting tidbits on conversations overheard. You’re gonna hafta stick around for the ending. You’re public depends on you!
Literally clicked the comment section just to ask this question. Past few posts I read are the most simplest interactions that can and likely happen daily and you make it interesting to read.
I don’t know. I go into the St. Charles’ Walgreens on the corner of Main Street and Sweet Tomatoes a couple times a week and there’s one cashier that’s borderline anti-happy.
Seriously, she asks for my Walgreens Rewards card each and every visit regardless of how many times I’ve said, “Listen shopping gestapo, you’re not tracking how many sodas I buy in the name of steep discounts and customer perks!”
Well, my wit’s not that quick in public or under Freddie’s pressure so that’s what I like to think I’ll say the next time I’m standing in her aisle as she’s questioning the cards in my wallet and reviewing a 3” ecig box with a scrupulous monocle, flipping the box over and over again looking for the 2” barcode.
It’s on the fracking back where 90% of the barcodes in the world are!!!
Ok. First, Henry is my homie. He is so nice.
Next, ecigs are bad news. When you know better, you do better. You have one set of lungs, take care of them.
Finally, I use my bucks on Cheetos 😂
Perhaps Walgreens is not your scene. For all of the times I have entered my rewards number, I have yet to be rewarded. CVS is where it’s at. Once you get over the fact that your receipt is as long as 3 football fields, you realize you win the lotto during every shopping experience. I earn all of these bucks for whatever reason and I just roll with it. Some people are addicted to crack and/or bath salts but CVS is my weakness.
There’s this dude named Henry that works at the CVS close to my house. He’s worked there ever since I moved to my neighborhood back in the 00s. He, too, asks for my CVS card every time I see him. Even if we’re not in CVS. One time I was out feeding homeless children on the upper west side on a sunny Saturday, not unlike today. Henry pulled up, in what I assume to be his blue BMW and Keanu shades, and said, “CVS card…” in his oh so cool Nigerian accent.
I might spring for a CVS card if they sold ecig paraphernalia by the pound but they seem to be anti-nicotine these days. And then they got those midget shopping carts that people still insist on filling up like their at Costco on Randall.
Regardless, the real question is what do you do with all your earned bucks? Do they automagically discount your next receipt when you go in?
You could probably buy one at Walgreens. If not, Riley Drug (also on State Street and whatever) carries them. I’ve tried their canes out. Clean finish, solid construction, helpful staff.
A compact countertop microwave that connects to your Echo device to make cooking easier.
Now it’s easier to defrost peas, make popcorn, cook potatoes, and reheat rice. Quick-cook voice presets and a simplified keypad let you just ask Alexa to start microwaving.
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Compact size saves counter space, plus 10 power levels, a kitchen timer, a child lock, and a turntable.
Alexa is always getting smarter and adding new presets, features, and skills.
Looking for reasons why things would fail used to be a big part of my day.
I devoted hours to it. Always poking around under the hood for clues to prove that whoever I’d gotten close to was up to no good. That I was going to get hurt. That people were evil.
This rings very true for me, as it most likely does for many. Especially those of us who come from a world of using and abusing, there is often more hurt, abuse, betrayal than not. But growing older and learning to trust your partner… that’s actually a way of trusting yourself. And that has been the hardest part for me. Thank you for sharing this. It gives me some things to reflect upon and appreciate today.
> there is often more hurt, abuse, betrayal than not
For sure. There’s a reason why we are the way we are. I also believe that you can trust yoruself. There’s nothing but good inside you. 😊
Intetesting. Now I know. OK Origin mid 19th century: probably an abbreviation of orl korrect, humorous form of all correct, popularized as a slogan during President Van Buren’s re-election campaign of 1840; his nickname Old Kinderhook (derived from his birthplace) provided the initials.
In its lawsuit, Patriot Heating and Cooling argues Kevin Ketchum gives preferential treatment to advertisers on the “What’s Happening” pages — for which Ketchum serves as administrator. The site has more than 100,000 members in Aurora, Batavia, Campton Hills, Elgin, Geneva, Naperville, Elgin and St. Charles.
The suit argues that Ketchum has intentionally deleted posts from community members that are favorable to the competitors of Ketchum’s advertisers, let a disparaging post about Patriot stay up on the Facebook page, thereby hurting the company’s reputation and future business, and has engaged in a deceptive practice by taking ads without disclosing this information.
This is from 2017 but still good. I’ve had my own run-ins with Ketchum and his “What’s Happening” Facebook groups.
Actively deleting recommendations if they’re not on his advertiser list is pretty shady when most group members think it’s community page.
There’s been an infuse of stink bugs (BMSB). I see them at home. I see them in my truck. I see them at work. The dudes are everywhere. My cats won’t even eat them.
Seriously, this past summer I’ve become convinced they’re trying to take over the world.
I’ve never had one actually let loose with the stink though. They seem to be docile little critters, just meandering about town in their brown armor. However, the US Department of Agriculture wants them out of the country for being an agriculture pest. I guess that’s what happens when you’re an invasive species.
So last night I had this dream where I’m watching TV. Don’t ask me what or which station because it’s irrelevant.
Then out of nowhere my program was interrupted with a special broadcast. A dreamy doomsday broadcast. Panic in the streets, cars turned over, red tickers scrolling berserk at the bottom of the screen as pedestrians ran for their very lives.
Beloved readers, the first responders quickly determined the blame (lied, lie, laid) with the darn stink bugs! They’d collapsed a large portion of an apartment building in West Chicago after their hive nest ruptured the very foundation.
The helicopter news footage of said apartments showed a scary scene similar to the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building aftermath in 1995. Luckily no West Chicago residents were injured.
But get this: the real mastermind behind both the American Stink Bug Invasion (ASBI) and the consequential residential cave-in was the dude with the mannequins at the Wheaton All Night Flea Market! Zurko was breeding the bugs in the basement like Jame Gumb was with his moths in Silence of the Lambs. Do you see the parallels? I thought so.
Please note: I have nothing against Zurko or his mannequins. THIS WAS JUST A DREAM.
So then the news reporters were trying to get an interview with Zurko. Figure out what his motives were, etc., etc. But he refused to talk since he was dressed up in his mannequin gear. He couldn’t break character!
My daughter and I name them. We have conversations with them. Track their whereabouts in the room. Wonder about their activities throughout the day. They become like family. We introduce them the visitors. Oh, that’s Fred and Barney… JoeBob is over there. It’s really quite entertaining. I mean it’s not like they have any intention of leaving. I can pick them up and put them outside but I’m pretty sure they just come right back in. I actually considered marking them at one point to prove it’s the just agreed again, but I was afraid nail polish would kill them. And that’s how we manage our stick bug situation over here.
OMG that’s hilarious. However, based on the sheer volume of Freds wandering around, I say go for it and him with polish. If he dies, Fred2 will be along shortly.
My favorite Freakonomomics[1] podcast is from a few years back. It’s beautifying titled, The Upside of Quitting.
It’s also the only podcast I’ve listened to more than twice. The episode is one of those things that changed everything. It’s become part of my spiritual condition. The notion that I can quit has become part of who I am.
We’re all familiar with the dogmatic mantra:
Winners never quit.
That’s all fine and good if we play football but not if we’re dying inside because our life is horrible.
Boy what we do to quit, some of the hardest decisions I have ever made was just that!!! After all the agony the relief is so worth those good choices! Thanks for the reminder 😊
Find the NPR This American Life episode about the New York super in the 70s. It’s the wildest thing I’ve ever heard, listened to it a bunch of times over the years
Quitting college=best choice of my life. Quiting certain energy draining jobs…also very good choice. 🤷♀️ now I carhop during lunch hours, am available for my family and don’t feel like I’m dying on the inside.
ahrens · Sep 21, 2018 at 6:04 pm
What’s up with the branch with leaves on it in your car? 😉
tcr! · Sep 21, 2018 at 6:12 pm
I got it at the second Nightmare on Chicago Street I ever went to up in Elgin. It was laying on the ground in its own crumpled heap of plastic greenery as I was making yet another of my least hasty exits. When I got back to my truck I stuck it into my cigarette lighter outlet thing and it’s lived there ever since… 🌿
tcr! · Sep 21, 2018 at 6:41 pm
WAIT. That’s a lie. It’s not in the cigarette lighter outlet. It’s in the keyhole next to it that controls the airbags!
I didn’t want to run the risk that this garden-variety plastic ivy one would find at your neighborhood Joann’s art and craft store would catch fire.
In related news… One time I put my truck key in the keyhole, hoping it would open the door way to Narnia. But alas there was no such transportation reward. Only shed tears in the salty realization that I would indeed have to go to work. 😢
ahrens · Sep 21, 2018 at 7:14 pm
Thank you for your honesty. My first thought was maybe it was eucalyptus and you had a koala bear. That would be pretty rad. Please know, I do not judge a man’s greenery he keeps in his car.
McIntyre 13 · Sep 21, 2018 at 10:37 pm
This thread makes me smile. 😁 Or maybe it’s just my muscle relaxant kicking in. Either way thanks for the laugh guys
tcr! · Sep 22, 2018 at 8:29 am
My two cents but the koala ain’t a stranger to muscle relaxants.
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Shari H · Sep 21, 2018 at 6:16 pm
Look…if you’re gonna feed us interesting tidbits on conversations overheard. You’re gonna hafta stick around for the ending. You’re public depends on you!
Reply
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Roda · Sep 21, 2018 at 6:18 pm
MFer, don’t mess with my comfort food after a hard day on a Friday.
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Redmondton · Sep 21, 2018 at 6:41 pm
Pint can legit, strong work
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Murisa DM · Sep 21, 2018 at 7:43 pm
Are you an author? You should write a book… your stores are so funny and so well written.
tcr! · Sep 21, 2018 at 9:04 pm
I regularly submit my stuff to publishers, etc. but so far nobody’s been interested. 🙄
Finkler · Sep 21, 2018 at 10:24 pm
I loved this!!
We do love our cheese puffs tho..
Pad Nevin · Sep 21, 2018 at 11:02 pm
Literally clicked the comment section just to ask this question. Past few posts I read are the most simplest interactions that can and likely happen daily and you make it interesting to read.
tcr! · Sep 22, 2018 at 8:11 am
Thank you!
tcr! · Sep 22, 2018 at 8:34 am
I write more serious stuff, too.
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ahrens · Sep 21, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Walgreens is always located at the corner of HAPPY and HEALTHY, not State and “whatever”
tcr! · Sep 22, 2018 at 8:27 am
I don’t know. I go into the St. Charles’ Walgreens on the corner of Main Street and Sweet Tomatoes a couple times a week and there’s one cashier that’s borderline anti-happy.
Seriously, she asks for my Walgreens Rewards card each and every visit regardless of how many times I’ve said, “Listen shopping gestapo, you’re not tracking how many sodas I buy in the name of steep discounts and customer perks!”
Well, my wit’s not that quick in public or under Freddie’s pressure so that’s what I like to think I’ll say the next time I’m standing in her aisle as she’s questioning the cards in my wallet and reviewing a 3” ecig box with a scrupulous monocle, flipping the box over and over again looking for the 2” barcode.
It’s on the fracking back where 90% of the barcodes in the world are!!!
ahrens · Sep 22, 2018 at 8:14 am
Ok. First, Henry is my homie. He is so nice.
Next, ecigs are bad news. When you know better, you do better. You have one set of lungs, take care of them.
Finally, I use my bucks on Cheetos 😂
Mustari Jones · Sep 22, 2018 at 8:27 am
ahrens, you are friggin killing me. 😂🤣
Mustari Jones · Sep 22, 2018 at 8:29 am
This is LITERALLY the best thing on the internet this weekend.
ahrens · Sep 22, 2018 at 8:34 am
This is such a deep conversation, right? Love it.
ahrens · Sep 22, 2018 at 8:44 am
Perhaps Walgreens is not your scene. For all of the times I have entered my rewards number, I have yet to be rewarded. CVS is where it’s at. Once you get over the fact that your receipt is as long as 3 football fields, you realize you win the lotto during every shopping experience. I earn all of these bucks for whatever reason and I just roll with it. Some people are addicted to crack and/or bath salts but CVS is my weakness.
tcr! · Sep 22, 2018 at 3:38 pm
There’s this dude named Henry that works at the CVS close to my house. He’s worked there ever since I moved to my neighborhood back in the 00s. He, too, asks for my CVS card every time I see him. Even if we’re not in CVS. One time I was out feeding homeless children on the upper west side on a sunny Saturday, not unlike today. Henry pulled up, in what I assume to be his blue BMW and Keanu shades, and said, “CVS card…” in his oh so cool Nigerian accent.
I might spring for a CVS card if they sold ecig paraphernalia by the pound but they seem to be anti-nicotine these days. And then they got those midget shopping carts that people still insist on filling up like their at Costco on Randall.
Regardless, the real question is what do you do with all your earned bucks? Do they automagically discount your next receipt when you go in?
Reply
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ns kraut · Sep 21, 2018 at 9:52 pm
That will be me and my husband in 30 years. He already tells me i can’t get more cheese its. I need a cane…
tcr! · Sep 22, 2018 at 8:14 am
You could probably buy one at Walgreens. If not, Riley Drug (also on State Street and whatever) carries them. I’ve tried their canes out. Clean finish, solid construction, helpful staff.
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Steer Steerup · Sep 23, 2018 at 9:15 am
She’s diabetic and shouldn’t have carbs. He cares about her.
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