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My Saturday at the Club

November 3, 2008 By Jeff 76 Comments

We went to Sam’s Club on Saturday, to buy a new set of tires for my car, and I wanted to tell them (as Phil Hendrie might put it) to jam it up sideways, then left.

I don’t know if the guy at the counter was an asshole, semi-retarded, or both.  But we weren’t communicating as humans normally do.  Here’s part of our conversation:

Me:  Do you have the Michelin LTX to fit a Camry?
Him:  No.
Me:  No?
Him:  No.
Me:  There’s a stack of them over there.
Him:  Not to fit a Camry.
Me:  Do you have any Michelins to fit a Camry?
Him:  We have Goodrich.
Me:  I said Michelin.
Him:  We don’t have any.
Me:  You don’t have any Michelins, in the whole store?
Him:  Not to fit a Camry.
Me:  But there are Michelin signs all over this place.
Him:  We have Goodrich, and Dunlop.
Me:  How about Goodyear?
Him:  Yes.
Me:  How much are those?
Him:  Different prices.

It was maddening.  His entire side of the conversation was monotone, and carried out with an I-don’t-give-a-shit-about-you attitude.  I finally told him to forget it, and walked away.

And Toney got mad at me.

The two of us started arguing, and she accused me of having a run-in everywhere we go.  She didn’t say it out loud, but there was an unspoken insinuation that I was acting like Sunshine.  And, man, that’s a low-blow.

I don’t see how any of it was my fault.  The whole conversation was a series of cul-de-sacs.  He never volunteered a suggestion, or alternative to anything I asked him; I had to do all the lifting.  And his attitude was infuriating.

I suggested we go to Wal-Mart or Sears, and as I was saying the words I could envision the monumental hassle it would be.  So, I sighed theatrically, and went crawling back to “No Outlet” Jones.

Since I have a long commute, and live in a snowy part of the country, I didn’t want to cut corners on the tires.  You know, the way I’ve done for the past thirty or so years. So, I swallowed my pride and bought the most expensive Goodyears they had.

And as I was preparing to pay, what must’ve been the regular cashier returned from his lunch break…

“Thank God, you’re back,” the first guy said, while looking straight at me.  Then he went out into the garage, to spread his special brand of joy to a different group of people.

The new cashier, very personable and full of energy, said, “Did he tell you how long it will be, sir?”

“Are you kidding?” I said.  “How well do you know that guy?”

But I got my tires, dammit, and that’s the important thing.  And, in my own defense, I didn’t go completely Sunshine on that dude.  As evidenced by my still-valid membership card… Sunny would’ve been banned for life, and possibly arrested.

And it’s interesting to note how the Jeff Kay of 2008 shops for tires vs. the Jeff Kay of, say, 1995.

Back then I would’ve asked for the absolute cheapest option, and ended up buying something manufactured by a company you don’t usually associate with tires. Like Westinghouse, or Jordache, or Arm & Hammer.

But now that I’m hurtling toward old-manhood, I instinctively gravitate toward the opposite end of the spectrum.

I swore all this stuff wouldn’t happen, yet it’s happening…

While waiting, I purchased two shirts, and this book.  I went for the book because it was only $7.52, for some reason.  I’d read a glowing review of it somewhere (Entertainment Weekly?), and decided to give it a shot.  What of it?

And since we’re on the subject, I was in Target recently and noticed this thing on the shelves.  It’s a large coffee table book, with a hard cover.  Baffled, I flipped through it, and was even more confused after the fact.

On the first random page, there was a photograph of the Kool-Aid Man.  Then: a black & white picture of some unknown guy smoking a cigarette.  Then: Mary-Kate Olsen in a lace bra and panties.

What the hell?  I didn’t spend too much time with this new literary classic, for fear of a co-worker coming around the corner and catching me looking at outsize photos of freaky insect-like chicks, wearing underwear and standing in 1977 Elvis Costello poses.

Weird shit…

Toney’s birfday is coming up, and she mentioned a certain perfume she’d like to have.  And while at Sam’s I noticed a pallet-display of various “fragrances,” all being sold at the same price.  I don’t know nothing ’bout no fragrances, and wondered if I might get lucky.

So, I started flipping through that crap, and realized every single item was tied to a celebrity.  They had Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Tim McGraw(??), P. Diddy(?!), Gwen Stefani, and plenty of others.

How strange.  I had a vague knowledge of celebrities releasing their own lines of perfumes and colognes, but didn’t know it was so widespread.

What celebrity fragrance would you be least likely to buy?  Nancy Kulp?  Rhea Perlman?  Margaret Thatcher?  Jack Black?  Jack Webb?  Morley Safer?  Los Lobos?

Use the comments link below.

Also at Sam’s, they have an inordinate amount of “self-improvement” books.  Have you ever read a self-help book that actually improved your life in some discernible way?  I don’t think I’ve ever read one.  I wanted to pick up Chicken Soup for the Black, Black Soul, but couldn’t find it anywhere.

Oh, I’ve read several books about writing, but those are instructional.  I’m talking about the ones that supposedly teach you how to be more positive, and tell you to go to the Porsche dealer and sit in their cars, and that sort of thing.

Have you ever had any luck with such a book? Tell us about it, won’t you?

And I’m gonna have to stop right here. I need to iron a shirt and go to work. I know I should iron four shirts at once, so I don’t have to do it every day, but the thought of ironing four shirts is too sad to even contemplate.

See you guys tomorrow.

Now playing in the bunker.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jorge says

    November 3, 2008 at 8:52 pm

    I got nuthin’ but Tiff- Well done!

    Reply
  2. clintcurtis says

    November 3, 2008 at 9:06 pm

    Before a hot date, I like to put a few drops of Billy Barty Cologne down in my private region. You know, just to get the mood going.

    Reply
  3. ET says

    November 3, 2008 at 9:17 pm

    I always feel especially confident when I’m wearing my Kervorkian Cologne.

    Reply
  4. Jason says

    November 3, 2008 at 9:43 pm

    clintcurtis – I spashed some Old English on my dick one time. It hurt so bad that I considered cutting it off to stop the pain. Now I just smear hazel nut syrup all over it. Or I drop a couple of moth balls in my underwear, if I’m in a bind.

    Reply
  5. Jason says

    November 3, 2008 at 9:46 pm

    God Almighty. Is it 8:00 or midnight? I can’t tell the difference.

    Reply
  6. Juancho says

    November 3, 2008 at 11:30 pm

    Flava Fav probably developed a nice scent.

    Reply
  7. aminnev says

    November 3, 2008 at 11:42 pm

    How about “Eau de Deadheads”? That has got to be some seriously nasty stench. Would Suze Orman perfume smell like money??

    I’m in the minority here but I like to iron. Very relaxing and I like the smell of starch. <—hey, new perfume!

    Reply
  8. Bobzim says

    November 4, 2008 at 6:39 am

    How about “Eau de Deadheads”? That has got to be some seriously nasty stench.

    They already have that. It’s called Patchoulli.

    Reply
  9. jim britton says

    November 4, 2008 at 7:43 am

    Today’s Further Evidence link & WVSR bunker camera are great.

    It’s Election day.

    Go vote.

    Reply
  10. DCinCinci says

    November 4, 2008 at 8:05 am

    Red Button’s after shave… nasty.

    And don’t get me started about Paul Harvey’s “Good Day” cologne.

    Reply
  11. Tim says

    November 4, 2008 at 8:54 am

    I am waiting on the Clay Aiken body splash.

    Reply
  12. Buck says

    November 4, 2008 at 8:58 am

    The only cologne I would EVER wear from a celeb would have to be the John Wayne signature. John Wayne…the last true American man.

    Buck Out

    Reply
  13. SkullyWV says

    November 4, 2008 at 10:56 am

    Ditto on the John Wayne there Buck.

    Reply
  14. Shiny Rod says

    November 4, 2008 at 1:05 pm

    Buck, somehow I invision John Wayne’s cologne smelling like a cattle drive with light hints of Guadal Canal, Marlboro cigarette, a Marine foot locker and cheap wiskey. Damn, thats pretty close to Brittney Spears cologne if add the smell of teenage sex.

    Reply
  15. Shiny Rod says

    November 4, 2008 at 1:08 pm

    Juancho, it’s OK if you can get past the ticking sound. Yeah boyzzz!!!

    Reply
  16. Shiny Rod says

    November 4, 2008 at 1:15 pm

    Dammit, what are doing here reading blogs, get out there and VOTE!!!!

    Reply
  17. Poo says

    November 4, 2008 at 1:26 pm

    My 1st thought was Courtney Love also. It would smell like a back alley were bums have been pissing for years…..she’s nasty!

    Reply
  18. OnaWho says

    November 4, 2008 at 2:27 pm

    Jeff, why are you ironing your shirts? Just hang the shirt you are going to wear in the bathroom with you, have a nice hot shower and the steam will de-wrinkle your shirt. And start buying wrinkle free shirts too.

    Reply
  19. Alex says

    November 4, 2008 at 5:45 pm

    How in blazes did you go from wanting nothing but Michelin LTX’s to some pissy Goodyear tire?

    Reply
  20. Jersey Scott says

    November 4, 2008 at 11:18 pm

    a cologne to avoid : “Hedaya” from TV’s Dan Hedaya

    a perfume to miss: “Headliner” from funnylady Lisa Lampingnelli

    Reply
  21. Daniel likes to Dance says

    November 5, 2008 at 2:28 am

    Oh Happy Day!

    Reply
  22. clintcurtis says

    November 5, 2008 at 12:04 pm

    BUCK!!!!!! Where the heck have you been? Hopefully you’ll write an update soon.

    …And to the person who wrote in with the Palin mouth/vagina joke (sorry, I just got off a midnight shift and don’t have it in me to go back and look up who it was), Man, that was a GREAT piece of humor. I told it at a party last night. It went over like the proverbial “turd in the punchbowl” to most people. But to the two people in the room who just about peed their pants over the punchline, it was priceless! Thanks!

    Reply
  23. Raleigh Polly says

    November 6, 2008 at 8:34 am

    I am getting in a few days late….. I’d steer clear of anything promoted by Andy Dick or Amy Fisher

    Reply
  24. Rusty says

    November 14, 2008 at 11:34 am

    My mother-in-law once wrote a self-help book. It was titled “I’m OK–You’re not.”

    Also, if you buy the right shirts you only have to wash them, put them in the dryer and hang them up when the dryer goes off and you should never have to iron a shirt again.

    Reply
  25. Rusty says

    November 14, 2008 at 11:36 am

    Also, I would never wear a fragrance maketed under the name John Wayne Gacey.

    Reply
  26. dan d says

    November 17, 2008 at 10:47 pm

    NEVER go cheap on tires put nearly 200,000 miles on a car withonly 2 set of tires not bad they were expensive but worth it . Brakes are just as important in life its better to stop and be hit than to be the person hitting something else ive locked them puppys up many times like driving a spike into the road and stoping now…….miss the 1997 oldsmoble it died last month going for a quart of milk. previous week just returned from central pa on a good turnpike trip too

    Reply
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