Mr. Unknown Since 2005

"If you can't answer a man's arguments, all is not lost. You can still call him vile names."

-Elbert Hubbard

Meet Mr. Unknown. A couple years ago, in early December, I came home to find this strange little man sitting on the brick fence that lines the long driveway by my house. I have no idea where he came from, or just what exactly he is. There are no children where I live, so it is unlikely it was left there by a child on their way to an adventure elsewhere, and there is no identifying inscription anywhere on the figurine. So, who could this mysterious man be? Is he a Christmas Krampas of some type? Is he an angel, sent to watch over me? Is he a spirit friend? Who knows? :) It's a mystery to be sure.

So, since I think he should have a name, why don't we have some fun? The focus of the latest Ellipsis Poll is to choose a suitable name for the little traveler, because everyone should have a name. Right? Just see my sidebar to vote for your favorite name. I have added a lot of new features to the sidebar, so just scroll down until you see the poll. It's there I promise. :) If you don't see your favorite name among the choices, then feel free to come back here and leave your vote in the comment thread for this entry, and I will count it among the name choices. I will announce the little fella's poll chosen name on New Year's Eve.

I like this little guy, and would enjoy knowing what his story is. If you know who he is, and what he's about, please leave me a comment. He might be a Value Meal toy, or maybe he has a deep, dark past. Either way, can you help us solve the mystery? I found him in December of 2005... does that help? :)

You can find the results of our last poll here. :)

-OndineMonet
"Mr. Unknown"
Berkeley, California
December, 2005
Late Afternoon

Driving Peeves

"You know, somebody actually complimented me on my driving today. They left a little note on the windscreen, it said, " 'Parking Fine.' "

-Tommy Cooper

This just makes me crazy. I cannot understand why folks are so damn inconsiderate of others! Last May, I wrote a post about this very situation. I had attended a Chili cook off in Castro Valley, and while I was trying to find a place to park, I came across numerous examples of folks taking up two parking places, to park their over sized vehicles in. This was in a parking lot that doesn't have a lot of spaces to begin with, so when you come across a situation like that, it can be damn infuriating. Some of you agreed with me, others didn't, which I understand, because we all have different things that push our buttons. This just happens to be mine.

I have a difficult time walking at times, especially if my legs are hurting or are swollen, due to my Fibromyalgia. I am not at the point of being disabled, but I am in pain at times, and I find it inconsiderate if someone takes up two places, because either they are too lazy to park their cars correctly, or they are so concerned that their car will be scratched, that they deliberately park in two places so they won't be dinged. I cannot understand for the life of me why one wouldn't check to see if they are in the space correctly, unless they simple don't care who they put out. My friend Wil, made a good point, that some vehicles are too large for some parking lots, which are striped for compact, or economy cars. He is right, in those instances I understand the need for a little more room, but as you can see, this space had ample room, but the driver simply paid no attention to how he/she had parked.

I will admit it, I have a thing about SUVs. Those who drive them, drive aggressively, and more than once, I have been nearly run off the road by one. It is the most difficult thing about driving for me, the aggressiveness of others. Sigh. Anyway, as I said, those who don't know how to park their vehicles is my personal peeve, and while I know I am not alone in that, I have to imagine what might be just as nerve racking to someone else. So, that is the subject of the new poll on the sidebar, " What Is Your Main Complaint About Other Drivers?" I only have eight choices on the list, so if I didn't include your personal pet peeve about driving, feel free to share what it is in the comment thread. With the exception of drivers talking on their cell phones while driving, I think that one is a given. The results of last months poll can be found on the poll results blog. Just click the link below.

Ok, chime in. Share what about other drivers, makes driving more difficult for you. We are all in this driving thing together, although sometimes it kinda feels like we are all alone... doesn't it?

"Which Fast Food Restaurant Serves The Best Burgers?"

-OndineMonet
Home Depot
San Ramon, California
July 24th, 2007
Afternoon