Pet Peeves

For a while now I have been intending on picking up some items for work at my usual supply store. I drove down a month or more ago to Manassas only to find that the store had gone out of business. This was particularly troubling to me for several reasons: 1) I had driven to "beautiful" Manassas for, as it turned out, nothing; 2) the supply shop was one of three reasons to drive to Manassas but now that triumvirate will be broken and I can't convince myself to return anytime soon; and C) the supply shop was located directly across from the MVC (which, for those not in the know, is short for Manassas Video Club, an "adult" purveyor of motion pictures and novelties). Now with my legitimate supply shop being closed I have to face the shame of entering the store for more than "curiosity" and to "just browse" because I was "in the area." I hated feigning surprise each time I walked in and having to say "this isn't the Blockbuster!" out loud. That method didn't work well anyway because the owner was always there and would always recognize me. He makes an effort to remember his big-time clients who buy in bulk.

So back to my original reason for writing. I drove all the way out to "beautiful" Winchester, Virginia to pick up my work supplies from the now-nearest place I could find. After sixty minutes and an eighth of a tank of gas I finally made it. After I was finished selecting my various items and was being rung up by the less-than-attentive clerk, he asked if he could see my "creds." I looked at the items I was purchasing and asked him why he needed to see them because the items were very innocuous and benign. He told me it was only so I could get the discount. I opened my wallet, showed him what he wanted, and after rendering payment I headed out the door. I was relieved to be leaving because, just as with other supply stores or gun shops, they are filled with squirrelly people who work there solely for the perceived penis extension. They just creep me out.

I was getting hungry but didn't want to stop at a Winchester fast food establishment so I waited until I got back to good ol' Ashburn. I try my best to avoid fast food in the traditional sense but find it hard to do. I've eaten McDonalds a few times in the past several months and I've enjoyed some Chick-fil-a twice in the same time frame. Those are typically only when I'm working and I have no other options. One place I do frequent without much guilt despite each visit earning me 1,200 calories is Chipotle. I might eventually post an entry devoted entirely to Chipotle and how great it is, especially in comparison to Moe's Southwest Grill, but that'll have to wait.

Getting back on track here to my "pet peeves." I stopped by Chipotle on the way home and while standing in line I saw a typical older Ashburn couple dressed in business casual attire ahead of me ordering their food. Nothing was odd or noticeable about them compared to anything else until I overheard them discussing if they wanted to get some "guac" or not. Now, I love guacamole as much as the next person, but what I do not love are little nicknames or pet names for everyday items. I try not to be lazy with words. I certainly don't mind taking the time to invest in pronouncing the entire word as laid out by any given dictionary but I've noticed a lot of people do. When I get a burrito from Chipotle, I ask to have "guacamole" on it. What is so hard about saying the entire word? And to be hit twice in the same day with the earlier "creds." I also dislike "tennies" for tennis shoes and "sosh" for social security number. I just like saying things the right way.

The only exception I might have would be "douche" for referring to people as "douchebags" when they use abbreviated words or work at a gun shop, or both.