Pet Peeves

Pet Peeves: we've all got 'em. Sure, I've got the typical ones like people talking on their cell phones during a movie, bad drivers on the freeway, etc. But some things just seem to get at me more than others. And what better way to deal with them than creating my very own TOP SEVEN list!

In no particular order, here are the top things I find most unbearable:

Anonymous Hanger Uppers - I don't mind (too much) if you call and wake me up in the morning, but if the answering machine picks up before I can get to the phone, and you don't leave a message... now I'm awake and angry. Beware...

Early Arrivers - You know, those people that show up more than five minutes early to a gathering at my home. Don't you know that that last half hour is reserved for me to eat, shower, and vacuum, preferably without you present?

Shrieking Kids - Please, please, please, teach your adorable children to save their blood-curdling screams for playtime at home. If I wanted to be surrounded by packs of screaming banshees, well, I'd have some of my own, thanks.

Baptist Jokes - The first time in my Christian life I've been a part of a denominational church, and in the past year all I've learned about baptist-ness is that we supposedly eat constantly, and never dance. (Hmmm... I'm starting to wonder if the baptist denomination was invented by some white man who didn't want to embarrass himself at a wedding?)

Buffet Tradition - Ok, whose idea was it to put the silverware in the FRONT of the buffet line? How do I know if I'm going to need a fork, knife, AND a spoon, until I know what I'm going to be eating? Furthermore, it's so tricky to serve yourself while unnecessarily balancing a plate, napkin, fork, knife, and spoon in one hand. Put the silverware at the end, people!

Bridal / Baby Shower Games - Seriously, if I have to stick my hand in a bowl of rice and safetypins one more time... I might puke. Well, I might make an exception for word games, because I have a pretty good shot at winning those, and therefore taking home some fabulous girly prizes... heh heh...

Poor Writing - Especially college grads who don't take the time to check their work for spelling / grammar mistakes. If you've got the smarts, please use them. (You can start now by chastising me for starting a sentence with the word 'especially')

Well, that's it for now. Do you have anything incomprehensibly annoying you'd like to add to the list? (Like perfectionistic childless thirty-somethings who take themselves way too seriously?) Feel free to express yourself in the comments section below!