The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

So, I had a run-in with law enforcement yesterday. My lease on my old car ran out in March of this year, when I put a lease on a new vehicle. Little did I realize the stickers on my plates expired in June. Stopped at a light, I witnessed a cop's flashing lights behind me not long after we got going again. I wasn't speeding or driving erratically in any sense, so I was quite puzzled, even thinking he was going to pull over someone in front of me. After checking my insurance and license (clean record), he kindly let me off with a warning and provided me with information on where to go outside of the BMV, as it's rather notorious for long lines/waits. The discussion was short-lived. The officer was helpful and understanding. As I was on my way to meet my parents for lunch, the situation could have been a lot worse. I actually wondered to myself, "Would this have gone any differently had I been black or Hispanic?" I honestly have no idea, but I couldn't help but...

Ever know a couple and after hanging out with them for five minutes, you look up to the stars, Gods, or whatever you believe in, and say thank you? I've done that a few times, especially recently. I know a couple who's been dating for quite a while and I can't say where they're truly at in their relationship, but they make me grateful to still be single. All they do anymore is fight and argue over the smallest of things, things that most other people wouldn't notice. But the fact that they've been together for an extended period of time and have gotten to know one another better than most, helps them see things that most others cannot. A certain noise one might make when they drink a beer or when they eat a toaster strudel. The look someone will get when they play a video game. A certain word that a person says. All these things and more were on display for me to witness the other day and boy, was that a lot of fun! It was like watching an unhappy old married ...