Green Thumbs

While the Eastside of the state is "butt cold" today, the Westside is warm and sunny. This means it is time for planting.

My mom has a "green thumb" and decided to run down to the store and pick up some flowers for planting. Here are some things I noticed at the store:

10. There were a surprising amount of men buying potted flowers.

9. Roses smell pretty. (I'm turning in my man card)

8. There are some SWEET custom Seattle Seahawks rugs and carpet that you can buy at Home Depot. I think I'll carpet my new apartment in it.

7. The workers yell at you if you start spraying the hoses. Apparently those are there for watering the flowers. NOT for spraying customers.

6. I saw a guy with actual green thumbs. I avoided him.

5. Sometimes birds make nests in the potted plants. "I'll take one hanging plant and a birds nest."

4. Home Depot has a lot of NASCAR stuff around the store.

3. When I grocery shop I buy from the dented can section. The "dented can section" at the flower place consisted of 4 dead daisies, 2 rotten tomato plants and brown something plant.

2. Fertilizer stinks. Oh, and don't throw it around. The workers also frown on this action.

1. There are about 1 million different types of flowers. Way to confusing for me. Some need some sun, some need lots of sun, some need no sun.

The hunt for KC gear

Several readers and friends have told me, "Casey, that was a funny article you wrote about becoming a Kansas City Royals fan. But you're just joking right?"

The answer: No.

I've never been much of a baseball fan. I mean, I've paid attention too it cause it's a sport and I like sports, but I've never felt a strong connection to it. Not like I LOVE football of all levels from high school to pro. Baseball just didn't grab me.

For that reason I never really "claimed" a team as Brandon did with the Red Sox. Instead, I rooted for the Mariners because they were the local team. And I still hope they win, because I really enjoy it when Seattle is represented on the national stage.

Side note: How about those Hawks getting Aaron Curry? Sweet. Oh, and how about the team removing the franchise tag from Hill? Sending a message to him. I think so.

Ok, back to baseball. So yes, I am now a Kansas City fan. So much so that yesterday when I was at the mall I decided to buy a hat. I'm more of a fan of the soft hats. Twill I think they're called. As opposed to the flatbill heavier hats.

I walk into the Just Sports and start looking at the hats. The worker asks me, "Can I help you find something?"

"Yes. I'm looking for a Kansas City hat. Do you have one?"

"Yeah man. We have lots of Chiefs hats. You a fan?"

"No, I meant the Royals."

--silence as he stares at me with his mouth open--

"The Royals?" he asks.

"Yes. Do you have any hats?"

"Why the Royals?"

"I'm a fan. Do you have any hats?"

"No." he replys while rolling on the floor in laughter.

Sadly, the same events transpired at every store I went into. At Lids they didn't even know Kansas City still had an MLB team.

Oh well. When they do win the World Series oneday, I can say I was a fan when they stunk. I just hope I'm not watching that game with my great grandchildren.

Looks like I'm heading online for a hat.

Holiday Shopping

Taking a trip to Cosco today, I immediately noticed that there was tension in the air. The game of shopping had almost changed overnight as people were out for blood when it came to that prized Christmas gift.

First, the parking lot was a sea of vehicles, with cars trying to dart in and out of open parking spots like they were the last open spot on the lifeboats of the Titanic.

Then once I took a step into the store I noticed that everyone else had the "zoned-in" look on their face. The shopping list that looked like the Constitution of the United States was also a dead giveaway... people had a lot of crap to buy.

Now usually shopping is a pretty laid back, low-stress affair, but trolling the aisles in Cosco reminded me of navigating traffic in Baltimore. Basically everyone cuts you off with their shopping carts, a few lost people aimlessly wander around in the middle of all this causing major traffic problems and mothers are, by far, the meanest individuals on the face of the planet when they're trying to get that Guitar Hero video game for little Johnny.

The checkout line was a free for all as people charged towards the checkout point with the smallest line like they were qualifying for a NASCAR race. People in wheelchairs were getting pushed aside for these valued exit positions.

And the people working there... well they look like they've just returned back from a jungle patrol in Vietnam. I feel really, really, bad for these people, they must be saints to have to deal with the individual who buys roughly $900 worth of stuff and then breaks roughly $850 worth of coupons.

Happy Holidays!