• Enough already! I am ticked off that some local TV news reporters continue to use the phrase “went down.” Example: “… and that’s where the robbery went down.” First, proper English grammar (widely ignored nowadays) dictates that sentences should never end in a preposition. “Went down” sounds like something from a cheap detective novel. How about “happened” or “took place” instead?
• The county is spending $9.5 million to replace the bridge where Buck Road crosses the Little Econ. Work commenced 458 days ago (as of June 3) and the project still isn’t complete. It only took 410 days to build the Empire State Building. Why is this little bridge taking so long?
• Memo to product-safety geniuses everywhere: The harder you make it for the end user to use a tool or open a container, the more dangerous it is, not safer!
The flip side
• I am a senior and while shopping at Publix in Altamonte Springs, I ran into a friend. As we paused and talked, a young man approached and overheard us talking about the skyrocketing grocery prices. I was complaining about the price of a baguette, which was $4.99, and how I would not be buying half of what was on my list. The young man smiled and handed us each a $50 bill. He said he tries to do as much as he can. We hugged and thanked the young man but in our surprised state did not get his name. So, thank you again, sweet and generous young man. You made a difference in our lives.
NEED TO VENT?: I’m Ticked Off! Are you? Write to tickedoff@orlandosentinel.com or flipside@orlandosentinel.com.