America is a wonderful place. Let me explain to you.
The teacher for my technical writing class is something of a hardass. I don’t mind, it’s good for me. He’s one of those guys who’s worked umpteen million years in an industry, risen to the top, gotten bored, gone on to another industry, risen to the top there, gotten bored, retired, and gone on to teach college. He requires very specific things from us in regards to the papers we turn in. Previously for this class we had been writing smallish papers (Kinko’s website, I determined that the closest location to me was in fact open 24 hours. I was back in my room a mere twenty minutes later, five dollars poorer but fifty pages of binding richer. I turned in the report on time this morning, spotless and bound perfectly. Congratulations, me.
Something about the 24 hour concept is completely exhilarating (dangerous, rip-roaring, rousing, titillating, zestful) to me. I know, it seems banal – standard marketing crap that we’re all used to and jaded by, stuff we don’t hear anymore because I’m asleep then moron who cares if you’re open all the time. But what if I finish my report at two in the morning and need to get it bound before ten? What if I need to fire off some prints and distribute them? What if I need to purchase some milk, or some sugar? I have gone grocery shopping more times than I can count after one a.m. So much of my life is lived after nine o’clock when normal stores close, having shops be open at all hours of the morning is ridiculously handy. The thought of being able to take care of all errands when it is convenient for me (midnight+)… now that’s exciting. I mean, I’m sure everyone’s been to McDonald’s around three (Taco Bell, why must you jerks close at two?). It’s an amazing thing. And people always go to Village Inn and hang out, getting things like pots of coffee at hours that they should be in bed.
Oh, I’m sure they have places that are open 24 hours in other countries, too. But I’ve never been to them.
March 24th, 2005 at 11:56 am
No doubt on the 24 hour thing. It’s so convienent for me to live across the street from a 24 hour Hy-Vee. I shop more past midnight, than during the actual day. I just kind of feel sorry for those working those insanely late hours and such.
Dan J.
March 24th, 2005 at 11:12 pm
You’re lucky you like big cities. There’s so many places out here in Honolulu that are open 24 hours, some of them it’s just for granted that they’re open all the time and they don’t even advertise it.
Hell, the Starbucks across the street from my hotel does not close. Nor does the Jack in the Box, or the Denny’s, obviously 7-11 doesn’t. And that’s just in one little block in Waikiki. It’s going to be weird to have to go back to COS where things aren’t open.
March 25th, 2005 at 11:50 pm
Yeah, I am lucky I like big cities. If I had my way I’d have a loft in like downtown NYC (mebbe, too cold) or p’rhaps like LA. That way I’d be covered with anything, all the time. It’s nice when things are open late — you can hang out for a long time. For example, this coffee shop I’m at now (called Caffeine Dreams. Not bad, eh?) doesn’t close until one. It’s nice, but not really late enough, and not often enough. I mean, it’s Friday, of course it’s open later. Other nights it’s only open until like eleven… What kind of a cool hang out place can I go to after that? Nowhere. Thanks, Omaha.
April 7th, 2005 at 10:13 am
Eric, you are gay. From Adam and Mitch