Halloween

When I was a kid Halloween was so much fun.  Dad would decorate the porch, mom would make a costume and with pillow case in hand out we went. ( Pillow case due to the fact that we lived in a big neighborhood and the little pumpkin would not cut it.)  We would meet up with the neighbor kids and rake in the loot.  What fun.

What happened?????

Now you have to go to the mall to trick-or-treat to be safe, for those of you that do take life in hand, they announce the times on the news for your neighborhoods trick or treat schedule.  The Mormons won't let girls dress like boys or boys dress like girls ( by the way Mormons it won't make you gay).

I know a person that takes candy to her neighbors so her kid can trick or treat at safe houses only.  I know another person that takes non candy treats to her neighbors so her kid doesn't get any candy at all.

I live in a condo complex that is mostly seniors, and in years past there have been no little creatures ringing my doorbell.  This past year a few families have moved in with children so there is that small chance that there might be some treat seekers about.  But I live in Indianapolis where the pizza delivery drivers carry guns and there is a home invasion almost every day.  So its car in the garage, porch light off, blinds closed and hide til November 1st.

A day of fun

For those of you who I have not told yet.  Yesterday I went to Brown County Indiana with Russ and our dear friend Cindy.  For my Georgia friends, Brown County is kinda like Helen Ga. only worth seeing. ha ha.

It was a beautiful day.  When you spend all your time in Indianapolis, it is easy to forget that all of Indiana is not flat.  Once you get about and half an hour south of Indianapolis it become hilly and mountainous.  The fall colors could still be enjoyed and many of the views were breathtaking.

We walked through the town of Nashville In.  Did the normal tourist thing of peeking in all the little shops.  I got some great Christmas decorating ideas and really enjoyed the people watching.

Then we went to the little town of Story In.  And when I say little I am not kidding.  I think there was a total of 4 buildings in the entire town.  We had lunch at the Story Inn.  I don't recommend this.  It was to say the least "scary".  But we did not let it ruin our day.

Next stop was the Brown County State Park.  What a beautiful place.  I was reminded of trips to North Carolina.   We took a 3 mile horseback ride through the woods and all I can say is "WOW"  I highly recommend this trip.

People tend to suck

I think I am well on my way to becoming that grumpy old man that used to live behind my Grandparents in North Carolina.  I don't even remember his name.  He would yell at me and my brother if we even came close to his yard.  It just seems that so much that happens in everyday life just pisses me off. The youth ( and now 20 somethings) have no care or concern with anything but "Their here and now"

Example: Yesterday I was at the grocery store and it was very busy and very limited parking.  I circled the lot 3 times to find a parking spot.  And then alas I saw an open spot.  A young woman was unloading her stuff into her car and her cart was in the empty space.  So I waited with my turn signal on to let any other space hunters know it was mine.  The young woman finished and got in her car and closed the door, leaving the cart in the empty space.  Not a care or concern that I was trying to park in the empty space.  So being the over reactive person that I am, I put the car in park, got out, and pulled the cart out of the space and carefully placed it in front of her car so she could not pull out.  This forced her to get out and move it.  Then she had the nerve to tell me she had left it in the empty space because she was in a "Big Hurry".  The cart return was on the other side of her car.  I told her to have a nice day.

Seniors in Indiana.

As a child I spent alot of time with my fathers parents.  Grandmother and Granddaddy were great.  They lived in Franklin North Carolina just down the mountain from Highlands.  I would spend a couple of weeks there every summer and when I was old enough to drive I would go there as often as I could.  Needless to say most of their friends were seniors.  I treasure that time.  The seniors they hung out with were sweet and friendly, always chipper and pretty much seemed to love life.

For a few years I traveled the country with my job and met many seniors along the way.  And they always seemed sweet and nice.

Then I moved to Indiana.  It must be something in the water here.  I go to the grocery store and have to dodge angry seniors in the parking lot.  Get run over by them while shopping.  I actually had a lady (using the title loosely ) yell at me while I was shopping "MOVE" I was trying to get a gallon of water, guess I wasn't moving fast enough for her and her scooter.

Is it that the "Me" generation is now getting older?  Were they raised to believe that once they hit 70 they had to get bitchy?  Are their depends binding?  OK the last one was mean but come on.  I am always polite and respectful and expect the same in return.  That's probably the problem.  I expect too much.

Rip off follow up

So I went into my bank (Regions) on Friday to close my account because of the new fees.  The branch manager asked me why.  I told her that I was not going to pay for checking.  She proceeded to tell me that "All" banks are going to start charging for checking and debit card use.  I told her that I had a new account at the credit union.  She said they don't have many locations around.  I told her there was one right up the street and closer to my home than Regions.  She said they charged for each debit card purchase.  I told her it was free if I ran my card as credit.  She gave up.

I was nice and told her it was nothing personal but most banks are adding 4 and 5 dollar fees to use the debit card.  Regions was charging 4 for the card and $10 per month for the account. She said if I did direct deposit that the $10 dollars would be waived.  I responded with " that is not fair to all your customers"  Not all places of employment offer direct deposit, and if someone is on unemployment they could not do direct deposit. 

She did in the end admit that they were loosing "many" customer due to the new fees.  She even went so far as to say that I was the 21st that day to close my account just at that branch.  They open at 9a.m. and I was there at 11:30 a.m. 

I hope when all is said and done these "Giant Monster Mega Banks" (Clark Howard's words)  realize that if people aren't putting their money in they will go out of business.  Greed plain and simple.

On a good note I think I am going to be happy with my new Free account at the Indiana Members Credit Union.  Thank you Donna for all your help.