Dear Readers,
It has come to our attention that the residents of our fair city have had a persistent case of the Mondays ever since Christmas.
We first noticed this when the number of grammatical complaints shot up, with letter writers adding lines like “No excuse for bad grammar in a newspaper” and, our personal favorite, “AAARRGHH!” You might think that as professional journalists we are immune to these types of insults, but that's not the case. Journalists cry, too, you know. We have feelings, just like everyone else.
As if that weren't enough, we started noticing an increase in rude drivers. Recently, when we were returning from a trip to McDonald's, we were flipped off by a driver who evidently felt we cut him off (seriously, though, he didn't even have to slow down – we had plenty of time to make the left turn in question). And last weekend, one Insider witnessed a barrage of honking and foul language simply because the car she was in was slowing down to make a right turn (yes, the blinker was used).
On the streets, we've noticed that people aren't smiling as much and generally seem to be avoiding eye contact.
And so, we ask: What's the deal?
Okay, we have arctic temperature and several feet of snow with more on the way, and your back is sore from constantly shoveling your ice-encrusted driveway. And maybe you're done risking your life checking for oncoming traffic, which lately has required pulling out halfway into the intersection. And as if that weren't enough, the local Quiznos closed right after the company offered a buy-one-get-one free coupon on subs.
We get it. There are plenty of reasons to be grumpy. But does being grumpy really solve anything? Will that make the cold weather go away or bring Quiznos back before the coupon expires? And does angrily honking at the person in front of you solve the immediate problem of a car being in front of you? No. It doesn't. To use a phrase made popular the '90s, take a chill pill, okay?
To assist in the ungrumping of Concord, we've got a slew of photos just radiating with joy and delight.
We recommend looking at this article anytime negative feelings arise.
We hope this helps, readers. It's our job to make you happy, after all. (Grammarians excluded.)
Love,
The Insiders
