Small town meets big box
This is an imported post from my old blog, originally written Feb11
Everyone who knows me knows that I’m not a big fan of Wal-Mart. Spending money with them strengthens China’s economy more than ours, they would rather eek out a few more cents profit than add quality control standards which who really go along way toward keeping lead out of the product our families get from there. Despite all the things I really, really, really hate about that company, I have few other choices around where we live to buy the things we need. On top of that, the small town “folksy” mentality of the people around here is sometimes charming enough to help ease my loathing of Wal-Mart.
Today was a prime example. After spending over a week stuck in the house because of an ice storm, then a snow storm, an unpaved driveway that doesn’t get any attention and living at the bottom of a hill, we finally made it out into the world again today. It was an effort and the traction control on the PT Cruiser got a real workout. One of my favorite naughty foods is General Tsao’s chicken; that stuff just plain rocks. Today, the Wal-Mart deli made some just for us, even though it was scheduled for later in their timetable of making. Super pleasant was the staff, not a given with these folks, and the chicken was very, very yummy.
Living in a small town does have plenty of disadvantages from the view-point of a techie who has been spoiled by 10 years of instant gratification and having almost around-the-clock access to anything and everything he wanted. However, the fact that when I walk into the post office, and right to the counter because there isn’t a line, and ask for the package they were holding for me…its a pleasant shock when they know there is another package that just came in that day and hands it over as well. Then to have a quick 30 second chat about finally being able to leave the house and have them know the driveway you’re talking about is pretty awesome and goes along way towards making up for the lack of anything to do after 7p in this place.
Now were no longer trying to be happy by acquiring more things that we think will make us happy, we’re more happy because we appreciate the stuff that matters so much more and realize how blessed we are to have the chance to step back from all the craziness and rekindle that link which I feel so many people have lost.
