Bring it Back

Five Things Tara and I Would Like to See Back:

1. Six-pack: I loved the six-pack of soda. Who carries it anymore? Now all they have is the 12-case, the 24-case or the refrigerator-friendly case thingy. Even better was the 8-pack 12-oz glass bottles. Soda (and beer) always taste better in a glass bottle. Back in the day, you could bring those back to Krakow IGA and get a refund. Sweet.

2. The Busy Signal: Call Waiting, schmaiting! I don't like call waiting. I don't really like putting people on call waiting, and I don't like being put on call waiting. And when is the proper time to hang up when the person doesn't come back? 30 seconds? 1 minute? 2 minutes? When I still had my land line, I didn't have any features on it, including call waiting. I had the good ole'fashioned busy signal! The crazy thing is, I don't even mind it when I hear a busy signal. You know what I do when I hear a busy signal? I hang up, wait 15 minutes, and call back. And if I hear it again? I wait again and call back. I love that annoying little beep that doesn't stop. I don't think we always need to be available 24-7. The busy signal is a polite way of signifying, "You know what, I'm BUSY talking to someone else. Call me again when I'm not."

3. Traditional bar: We love traditional bar. Tara and I can go to a bar and sit in the same two spots for hours. We watch people come and go. In this day and age of booths, tables, posh couches, being wallflowers, etc., nothing beats sitting right at the bar. Not only do you usually get the better service, but it's where all the action is. It's also a great way to meet men. Men like drinks, and the one thing between them and their drinks is....YOU. Hmmmm...

4. Layaway: This is more of a Tara thing. I've never actually done layaway, but apparently it was very well-received in her family. She said Shopko doesn't even do it anymore. According to her, layaway worked like this: If you're at Shopko and want to put a bike on layaway, you put down a deposit, and they keep it for you until you pay it off. I said to her, "what about credit cards, or payment plans? With those things at least you get what you want right away." She said, "I don't want it right away, and I don't want the big interest rates. I just want it held for me behind the counter until I can pay for it." Ok...Apparently this is a dying trend now with credit card use, payment options and gift cards.

5. Gas Station Attendants: When it's this bitter cold outside, I'd pay $5 extra just for someone to fill the gas tank. I'd pay $8 if they wash my windshield, too. Heck, $10 to run inside and bring me some hot coffee.