Invention Convention Update

Well, as luck would have it - the kid WON her division of the Invention Convention (first grade)! Which means we get to go to STATE! (in a town full of shopping outlets and the best pancakes around - not so terrible). She is excited, although she is not quite sure why.

Honestly, her invention is pretty cool but I think what really swayed the judges was that she did the assembly of the model herself (she's the princess of the glue stick) and wrote the description and drew the model and explained it herself. As opposed to a lot of kids who had their parents help them, especially with the writing of the description - that's pretty lame.

So we're off. And next time you're at the baggage claim in the airport, you might see our invention come to life!

Drive Thru Obligation

As I was driving to work today, paused at a red light behind 5 other cars, some jerk tried to ease his car in front of me as he was pulling out of Dunkin' Donuts. No "May I" eyebrow, no "can I please" wave, no "do you mind if I" head bob. Nothing.

What is my obligation to let someone out into traffic? It really bugs me when people assume they have the right to cut into the line, just because I am stopped there. I feel that I have no moral, social or traffic-like responsibility to let them in with their takeout coffee and breakfast croissant. Especially if they are yapping on the phone at the time.

If another driver respectfully asks non-verbal permission, most often I will allow them in. However, those who do not ask nicely, do not receive.