u/EveningFault8

Every 3 weeks I go out and buy a bag of coffee beans at the local coffee shop. I walk in, grab a bag of beans from the back wall and walk up to the counter; no employee contact at this point, I walk in thru the back door so no one even sees me until I walk up to the counter.

Drop the bag on the counter, cashier says “will that be all”? That’s it, just a bag of beans. She types in the amount and swings the screen over. Doesn’t say the dreaded “it’s going to ask you a question” but it still irritates the crap out of me. $22.50 and the lowest suggested tip is 15%…$3.37 to ring up a purchase? The signature isn’t even required, I paid with my phone. Grrr.

The employee was pleasant and didn’t give me a look, but that damn screen is so annoying. I have no issues with the no tip option, but having to play this game every time is unnecessary.

Rant over.

I’ve now been to several towns much smaller than Sacramento that have a thriving area where there is either no traffic or ample free parking with a bunch of cool shops that are not total tourist traps and several bars and restaurants.

Every time, the vibe is chill and plenty of people gather.

Sac seems to be missing that critical element. R Street has potential and K Street should be like that but somehow it is missing in town.

If there is such an area, please let me know because I haven’t found it yet.

Before I retired I made a list of hobbies and activities I would like to start and/or continue doing. Like many people, I was a bit concerned with being bored with an extra 40 hours a week on my hands. Well, it worked too well, I currently have a list of 10 activities that I would like to do on a daily basis or at least several times a week, 3 of which are skills that I am trying to improve, so they require at least 30 minutes a day, preferably more. In addition, to chores, socializing, gaming, etc., there just aren’t enough hours in the day to do it all. I end up only doing half the things I want to be doing.

Two and a half years into retirement, I keep wondering how I had time to do anything when I was working. I know a few people who returned to work because they were bored, I think they simply didn’t make an effort to look for hobbies. Most of my hobbies are free or at least very inexpensive and aren’t physically demanding.

I’m wondering about other people’s feelings about free time or lack thereof.