Why are things so confusing?

I know that’s a very simple, yet complex, statement, but darn it, why/who makes things so darn confusing?

All I wanted to do was talk to someone about my Internet service and it became this ridiculous dance with the company’s website. I’m not entirely uneducated when it comes to technology but why do people get paid big bucks to complicate issues? I just wanted one very simple question answered — actually, I just wanted to talk to a person!

I went online and tried the company’s many options about service. I couldn’t find the answer to my question — no drop box or link helped me. I tried live chat and that bombed. Eventually, I got so frustrated that I simply logged off the website. And, guess what happened?

Within a few minutes, I got an email asking for my input on their service and, with a telephone number I could use to contact them with any further questions.

You see, folks, that’s what I was seeking online, too. Give me a telephone number so I can talk to a live person! That’s all I want — let me talk to someone! Frustrating.

How about this issue? I wanted to upgrade my driver’s license to a Real ID status and researched what documents were needed to do that process. I’d heard about the herds of folks being turned away at the DMV desk because they lacked the proper credentials. By George, not me! I’d have the right verification documents and, soon, there I was at the DMV desk ready to get it done.

I produced the necessary documents and they questioned if my Social Security card (my original card, no less!) was satisfactory. My blood pressure was rising and I heartily questioned why such an original document wouldn’t be satisfactory. I was confused. They relented and then I noticed the sign.

The sign said: “Only cash or check accepted.” Aren’t we in the 21st century and aren’t credit/debit cards accepted everywhere? After a few deep breaths, I went to an ATM and got cash. They were happy, I was OK, but still wondering why things must be confusing.

Oh, and by the way, as I stood at the DMV desk, another customer was turned away due to the lack of proper documents for getting his Real ID card. He was confused.

I know I’m beefing a bit here but why do things have to be confusing?

Fortunately, this last weekend one of our sons came home for a visit and I suggested we compare a couple of gins. He was on board and I produced two bottles of gin — Prairie Organic Gin (Princeton, MN) and Greenall’s Gin (Great Britain).

In case you don’t know it, I love comparative tastings and this tasting didn’t disappoint me.

We both liked the smoothness and botanical sweetness of the Prairie Gin. It lingered softly and had a pleasing juniper aroma. The English gin had a surprising brown sugar taste buried within it and a bit harder finish. The Prairie Gin won the competition and I quickly made a Leap Year Martini with it.

It had to be a Leap Year Martini because it was the 29th of February!

After shaking the gin, with some Grand Marnier, sweet vermouth and lemon juice in an ice filled container, we were soon enjoying a very tasty Martini. I’ll have to honor Leap Year every year with this cocktail.

Later that evening and over a wonderful wild rice casserole, we had a splash of beer to complement the wild rice. We settled on a hazy IPA.

Sierra Nevada makes a very tasty IPA called Hazy Little Things and it poured … hazy! I loved the hoppy/citrusy aroma and, although the hops were very much present, they didn’t dominate but let the sweet malt talk to me, too. It wasn’t confusing but, rather, straightforward with lots of straight talk and when it comes to a nice hazy ale, that’s how I like it.

My son isn’t a wine lover but he did join me the next day for a small glass of wine. I opened a bottle of Ava Grace Merlot and we clinked our glasses to a nice mini family reunion. It was nice to see him enjoy the gentle vanilla taste of the wine.

Our time together wasn’t confusing — we talked to each other!

If only so many confusing matters in life could be solved so easily. There are days when I miss the good old days when you had to talk to everyone.

As always, eat and drink in moderation but laugh with reckless abandon!

Cheers!