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The South Marysburgh Mirror THINGS THAT BUG ME For my own peace of mind, I thought it time to get off my chest some of the little things that have been irritating me lately. Taxicabs in the Greater Picton Area have, for some reason, had their turn signal lights disabled. Perhaps they figure that if they cause others to have accidents, they will be unable to drive and have to take taxicabs. Whatever the reason, it isn't just an occasional lapse, but it occurs all the time. Those driving non-commercial vehicles sometimes signal, but when they do, they make sure that the signal light does not reveal their intention until milliseconds before they make the turn. This technique is marginally better because it silently says, "Well, I would have signalled if I had thought of it in time, but I was pondering whether to go to IGA, A & P, or No Frills." For taxicabs, the rule apparently is, "I'm busy. I have no time to let you know what I plan to do. Just keep clear and you'll be all right." I have other transportation items that cause me to grit my teeth. Cyclists wobbling two abreast down the highway is one of them. Yes, I know they have a right to the road, but for their own good ought to recognize that they proceed at a much slower pace than the automobile so should account for it. Sometimes though, it doesn't bother me, because I'm content to follow them in order to admire the complete opulence of the clown outfits they wear. How about joggers with earphones? I live on a dirt road that requires one to pull to the side when encountering another car. There is room for two cars, but only just enough. When a jogger is on the road, earphones playing the latest jogger favourites, they are blissfully unaware that an automobile is following them. The motorist is compelled to move ever closer until the jogger sees something in his peripheral vision. Then he is greatly startled, as if amazed a car would use a road he thought was exclusively for joggers, then reluctantly jogs to the edge of the road. Jogging seems silly to me. I have yet to see a jogger who seems to be having fun. Gasping and sweating, they toil down the road in apparent agony. Walking makes more sense to me... except for women. Women joggers are fun to watch. Finally, in the area of transportation, there are many sailboats on our waters. People pay big money for sailboats. Why don't they sail them? I see many of them putt-putting down Picton Bay, puttering past Waupoos Island, even under the Bay Bridge. If they wanted a motorboat, why didn't they buy one? Do the sails wear out from overuse? It's a mystery to me. How about people who put up "Yard Sale" signs in brilliant exciting colours to attract attention, then when the yard sale is over, leave them up, waiting for an Act of God to remove them. One day, after viewing a sign for a couple of weeks, I'm going to knock on the door asking where the yard sale is. In the same vein. many small home businesses have "Open" signs to tell potential customers they are ready to receive them. The "open" sign never comes down. I'm going to knock on a door at 3:00 AM, asking for a dozen eggs or night crawlers. I will keep pounding until someone blearily responds in their jammies, then say, "Give me a dozen of your best! Oh!. Sorry, your sign says open. I thought you were open." Steven Wright tells the story of approaching a store with a sign stating, "Open 24 hours". The store was closed. On another day, when the store was open, he asked the owner why the sign stated "Open 24 hours" when the store clearly was closed. The owner replied in a surprised voice, "Well, we're not open 24 hours in a row!" Continued on page 9 Tree Trimmin & Removal Brush chipping Lot clearing Firewood, Hardwood & Softwood lumber Black River Tree Service Glenn Guernsey 476-3757