Good Morning

I went to Wal-Mart yesterday, and while I'm mostly pleased with the store, one thing remains painful each time I go: checking out.

I was in the line for the self-checkout lane (which are highly efficient and speedy at any other shopping establishment on the planet) and was moving at as snail's pace. Why stay in that line? you may wonder. Because the other lines were moving at snail-with-a-broken-leg pace. I'm satisfied to stand in line and wait my turn. I had my MP3 player and I was listening to a book on CD.

Then I started paying attention to the contents of the lady's basket in front of me. From my vantage point I could see 20 items. Why were you counting? I heard you thinking. Because the line was for 20 items or less. I figured that she was going to pull that thing where you slip into the line for a certain number of items, but you have one or two things extra. I think we've all done it - consciously or not.

So I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt.

She loses the benefit of the doubt when she hits 20 things scanned and there are still items in her basket.

She leisurely picks up an item, holds it in front of the scanner and wiggles it a few times, wiggles it some more, then looks at the bar code as if the bars are playing hide-and-seek with the scanner before finally wiggling it in front of the scanner successfully, then she puts the thing in a bag. All this takes about 30 seconds. Which is not that long, but she ended up with 30 items. I was ticked off.

So this is my idea: I think anyone going through an express lane should be subject to a penalty if they have more than the specified number of items. Either a flat fee (like $5.00) or a per-item fee. My idea for the lady was that since she had 50% more items than the lane allowed, she should pay 50% more on those extra items. So you hit your 20 items, #21 costs more. And the lady overseeing the lanes came over a couple of times and helped the shopper bag, but never said anything like, "Oh, this looks like more than 20 items. You need to use another lane next time."

I had 9 items. The guy behind me had 2. But what are you going to do? Say mean things to the lady? Give her the evil eye? All I did was pray that she would have a good day. I'll let God deal with her extra 10 items.

On to other things.

I lost my official writing pen. My beautiful Birdseye maple pen with my name on it from Aaron and Laura. I had it yesterday. I wanted to work on some research for Battlefield Beasts because I got a library book from Alamogordo through inter library loan. I got my yellow pad and looked for my pen. It was nowhere to be found. I felt ill. My beautiful pen that is quickly becoming my writing mascot.

Good news, though. I retraced my steps (after putting on a sweater - it's chilly here) out to the truck and found it on the floor. When I last used the truck yesterday, I had a very uncooperative 4-year-old with me, so I'm not surprised that the pen's absence didn't register as I was unloading and going in.

So now I can work for real. Whew.

Off to work.