“Don’t worry, be happy” only works If you can get past the ax murderers in the world

By BEN OLSON/for The Herald  —  When I first began writing this column a year and a half ago, I announced that I had finally reached the age and attitude where I could be considered a curmudgeon. In my first two columns, I lamented about things that stuck in my craw. As I recall, my targets really had it coming and I dispatched them with a mix of sarcasm and humor.

I knew after just two columns of carping, though, that there was no future in it. I began writing positive articles about the world around me. It has kept me thinking and creating, and, I believe, it has helped me to become a writer that may actually have an audience that looks forward to reading my musings each week.

But today was a bad day to be positive

Today several things happened to me that set me off and left me wondering if this is what the future looks like. A couple months ago, I applied for a credit card at a big box store, in order to get discounts, free delivery and other special treatment that only cardholders receive. The associate at the store took down all my information and, in no time, I was approved for the card through the national bank this company works with. The card would be arriving soon in the mail.

After nearly a month, the card had not arrived. The balance from my initial purchase, made on the card that I would be getting soon, was going to be due. It was impossible to get past the pleasant-voiced computer lady to get a live person to help get things straightened out. I needed to provide my card number, which hadn’t been sent to me. I paid my balance at the store, to avoid a potential late fee.

One small slip can ruin your day… or month

Another month has gone by and still no credit card. The store has acknowledged that they inadvertently put in an old address that they had on file from when I first moved here. They can’t fix anything now- I’ll have to work it out with the credit card company. Today, after much time on the phone, I got to talk with a live representative at the bank that issued the credit card. I cancelled the card so that I’ll never have to waste another minute of my time trying to talk with someone at that company again.

Win by exhausting the other guy

A few days ago, President Volodymyr Zelensky of the Ukraine warned in a speech that Russia’s plan was to “exhaust” the Ukrainian people until they submit. It sure looks to the world that the Russians aren’t making much effort to fight Ukrainian troops, instead targeting civilians and infrastructure. In this country, big corporations have been working out of that playbook for 20 years- “exhaust” the customer. Make it so difficult to resolve a problem with a live person on the phone that people just give up. The bottom line is showing the shareholders a profit, not providing customer service.

Are they “stop signs” or just a suggestion?

At the end of my entertainment column last week I made a tongue-in-cheek request for one of the people who run the stop sign on High Prairie Road to leave their contact information so that we could do a point/counterpoint column, with me taking the “yes, people should stop at stop signs” side.

Today on my way into town, I was almost broadsided by a non-stopper. When I arrived at the Post Office, I noticed that he pulled in across the street. Here is our brief conversation: Me “Did you know that you have a stop sign where High Prairie Road meets Westoak?” Him “I’ve been living here for 30 years. I know where all the stop signs are.” Me “Then why don’t you stop?”  I can’t put his reply in the paper. The incident left me a little shook up, and that certainly isn’t going to be the last time he goes through that intersection without touching the brakes.

Would I be foolish to think that some people disregard traffic laws because those laws are part of a sinister socialistic, one-world government plot to take all our freedom away so that we all will have to use bicycles, or, God forbid, electric cars? On the other side of the coin, I have known some hippie-types that believed that enforcement of traffic laws were a way for the “man” to oppress the “people”. All I know is that if drivers observed the speed limit and stopped when they were supposed to, there would be a lot more Oregonians alive today to enjoy life with friends and family.

A vow to be more positive

I’m done venting. As I have in the past, I will make every effort to avoid dealing with companies that treat their customers like witless sheep, and only a source of more profit. Next week I’ll tell you about a great hike that my dog and I took the other day.  From now on, I’m going to try to keep things on the positive side. All of you should get out and get a little fresh air, whether the rain stops, or not.