Thursday, June 30, 2005

Here's a sampling of the notes I wish I would have had handy for distribution on my recent visit to New York City:

Dear Mr. Taxi Driver,
That I got into your taxi as it was facing west instead of east and then asked you to drive me to an eastbound address, I realize, was totally inconsiderate of me. What I should have done was walked all the way around to the other side of Penn Station and gotten into a taxi that was more conveniently positioned to drive eastward. I'm sorry I had to pay you to drive me around. I guess I was mistaken in thinking that was your fucking job. Sincerely, Amanda

Dear Ms. Food Service Worker,
I knew you were facing a serious hardship when I ordered the #4 combo with the chicken strips and you sighed heavily and then screamed that I would have to wait AT LEAST 3 minutes. I could see the strain of your shoulders as you were forced to open the tiny bag of frozen chicken strips and pour all 3 of them into the fryer. I could feel your pain as you realized a drink came with my meal and you were going to have to not only ask my beverage of choice, but also fill a cup with it. I suppose I was also asking a bit much when I inquired about the location of the napkins. But really, shouldn't you be asking a higher price for 3 fatty chicken strips, a pile of grossly undercooked fries and a small cup of watery lemonade? Only ten dollars? Cheers, Amanda

Dear Fellow Train Passengers,
I realize it's imperative that all three hundred of us try to get to the train at the exact same time, immediately following the announcement that we can begin boarding. I suppose if this frenzied struggle ever results in a fellow passenger being trampled to death underfoot, falling down an escalator to his/her mangled doom or being knocked onto the tracks just prior to the arrival of a speeding locomotive--well, that wouldn't be our fault, would it? As long as each one of us gets priority, right? Oh, and by the way! Congratulations to many of you for having a cell phone! Really, I'm sure nobody was trying to sleep, read or enjoy a peaceful viewing of the world outside as you were loudly blabbing to your friends and family for hours. I'm sure it crossed absolutely nobody's mind that you were being rude and thoughtless and basically an annoying asshole. And even if it had, would it have mattered? Of course not. Because the laws of common courtesy don't apply to you, actually. YOU are the ONLY person in the universe, aren't you? You seem to think so. Pleasant Journeys, Amanda

Monday, June 27, 2005

I find it encouraging that Love Like That currently holds the Amazon.com rank of 270,606. Really. I think it could be closing in on bestseller status. Possibly a movie deal in the works. Because if you think about it logically, holding at 270,606 means that only 270,605 other items are ahead of it. Only 270,605! I should be getting a call from "The View" any day now...

In other book-related news, one reader recently came to the conclusion that Love Like That was not written "to" her.

I have to wonder why she thought it would have been.