Day 147: I have strong feelings about the self-check out aisles at any store. Kroger, CVS, Giant, you name it—they don’t work. Unfortunately, no matter how I feel about their failure in actually making life any easier, I have yet to learn my lesson. To grab your attention, the lines are never long. This is the first trick: You think there isn’t a line because everyone whips right through, but really it is because everyone else in the store has realized that they don't work. So as I zip through the store hoping to make it home quicker, I fall for that trap.
The process starts off fairly easy, swipe your card and start scanning items. The first problem normally occurs upon your decision not to place the item in the bag (for example: large items that would be easier to place back in cart). As the computer starts to calmly repeat OVER AND OVER “Please place the item in the bag. Please place the item in the bag.” It maddens you to the point that you either place the 24 can box of pop in the inadequately sized bag or simply place your purse in there to trick it. At some stores there may be a belt, but no, don’t get excited, if you don’t have someone there to pack the bags, the calm voice will again start to tell you to “Remove the items from the line, Remove the items from the line”.
If you finally make it through all 5 of your items, up comes the problem of paying. Coupons? Forget it. They either won’t scan or won’t go into the computer. Questions on the price of an item? Good luck trying to go back and rescan. In CVS this will automatically call the employee and last time I tried this bells and whistles went off throughout the entire store with that same irritatingly calm voice trying to tell them “Customer needs assistance. Customer needs assistance. Customer needs assistance.” For me, this lasted for a good minute before I picked up my items and went to the real check-out. I was through the entire process before an employee finally noticed the flashing light and loud speaker throughout the store.
Next, it’s time to pay. Choose “Debit” and you need a password. Choose “Credit” and you still need a password. Either way, no number will work, but if you just hit cancel, you’ll surpass that portion of this ridiculous attempt of making life easier.
The final step of your struggle will be to sign the screen. This only happens IF you can find the pen that rarely works anyway. Since it won’t be legible, I now just scibble. Don’t forget to take your receipt; the maddening voice will call after you all the way out the store.
Bottom Line: This attempt to get you through the line quicker is only a ploy to lessen the work of the store employees and will leave you cranky, running late, and will take away your opportunity to cheer up the dull day of the cashier.
Day 146: So, Strasburg had his big debut tonight. He’s 23 years old and he threw 14 strike-outs, broke records and had absolutely no problem doing it. He was so down to earth wh.JPG)
en they interviewed him. He said all he really remembered was the first pitch which was a ball, low and inside (I was listening in the car and instantly concerned that the poor guy was not going to reach the potential the hype had created). He then likened the game to his wedding! How many 23 year olds can compare their major league debut to their WEDDING!? He said, “it’s kinda like your wedding, 
you want it to be all perfect, but then you can hardly remember it!” Haha, anyway, these are the goosebumps I literally had when I heard them talking about him and his game on the radio. Good for him, I hope he goes far and stays humble..Keep it classy, Strasburg!
Day 145: Didn’t go in this store, but I thought the name of it was cute. “Why Not?” Aside from the Hilary Duff music now floating through my mind it sounds like a mix between
a horoscope, Dove chocolate wrapper, or maybe a candy heart..Regardless, I thought it was somehow pleasant thought provoking.
Day 144: Control room at Nats stadium.
The process starts off fairly easy, swipe your card and start scanning items. The first problem normally occurs upon your decision not to place the item in the bag (for example: large items that would be easier to place back in cart). As the computer starts to calmly repeat OVER AND OVER “Please place the item in the bag. Please place the item in the bag.” It maddens you to the point that you either place the 24 can box of pop in the inadequately sized bag or simply place your purse in there to trick it. At some stores there may be a belt, but no, don’t get excited, if you don’t have someone there to pack the bags, the calm voice will again start to tell you to “Remove the items from the line, Remove the items from the line”.
If you finally make it through all 5 of your items, up comes the problem of paying. Coupons? Forget it. They either won’t scan or won’t go into the computer. Questions on the price of an item? Good luck trying to go back and rescan. In CVS this will automatically call the employee and last time I tried this bells and whistles went off throughout the entire store with that same irritatingly calm voice trying to tell them “Customer needs assistance. Customer needs assistance. Customer needs assistance.” For me, this lasted for a good minute before I picked up my items and went to the real check-out. I was through the entire process before an employee finally noticed the flashing light and loud speaker throughout the store.
Next, it’s time to pay. Choose “Debit” and you need a password. Choose “Credit” and you still need a password. Either way, no number will work, but if you just hit cancel, you’ll surpass that portion of this ridiculous attempt of making life easier.
The final step of your struggle will be to sign the screen. This only happens IF you can find the pen that rarely works anyway. Since it won’t be legible, I now just scibble. Don’t forget to take your receipt; the maddening voice will call after you all the way out the store.
Bottom Line: This attempt to get you through the line quicker is only a ploy to lessen the work of the store employees and will leave you cranky, running late, and will take away your opportunity to cheer up the dull day of the cashier.
Day 146: So, Strasburg had his big debut tonight. He’s 23 years old and he threw 14 strike-outs, broke records and had absolutely no problem doing it. He was so down to earth wh
.JPG)
en they interviewed him. He said all he really remembered was the first pitch which was a ball, low and inside (I was listening in the car and instantly concerned that the poor guy was not going to reach the potential the hype had created). He then likened the game to his wedding! How many 23 year olds can compare their major league debut to their WEDDING!? He said, “it’s kinda like your wedding, 
you want it to be all perfect, but then you can hardly remember it!” Haha, anyway, these are the goosebumps I literally had when I heard them talking about him and his game on the radio. Good for him, I hope he goes far and stays humble..Keep it classy, Strasburg!Day 145: Didn’t go in this store, but I thought the name of it was cute. “Why Not?” Aside from the Hilary Duff music now floating through my mind it sounds like a mix between
a horoscope, Dove chocolate wrapper, or maybe a candy heart..Regardless, I thought it was somehow pleasant thought provoking.Day 144: Control room at Nats stadium.
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