ethics in the real world

Last night Walter dropped me off at the local grocery store (small store, high prices, limited variety, but close to home... you know the one.) and went to fill up the car with gas.  I bounded in to get eggs for breakfast.  As I abruptly turned the corner into the dairy aisle I saw something I'd never personally seen before (at least not so clearly).  A large(-ish) woman picked something up from the cart she was pushing and shoved it hastily into her bra.  Her chest looked lumpy and disproportionate.  I doubt it was the first thing she'd placed in there that trip.  I quickly looked away, pretending I hadn't seen.  

I think two things played into that.  1) I didn't know what to do.  2)I was a little intimidated.  Aside from the lady being large, the man with her was a bit intimidating.  So i quickly examined an egg carton and headed toward the check-out.  As I turned my back to the shop-lifting family I saw something fall from their cart to the floor.  Walking away I heard an argument ensue: "No, you pick it up.  You know I can't bend over!"  Yeah,I thought, I know WHY you can't bend over.  (and I hate that you can't hear the accent behind this... imagine Tyler Perry's Madea saying this, with lots of attitude)

Now, I feel pretty good about not confronting the shoplifters themselves.  No ethical dilemma there.  The real question is, should I have told the manager?  I know there'd be nothing wrong in telling him.  But did I do wrong NOT telling him?  I feel like maybe it would have been a good thing to do.  But I don't know.  I'm not sure I'd feel great about it either way.  

What do you think?

& sundry

So I'm pretty sure that I've done none of my resolutions thus far... but I have been SICK for almost the last month now (& I'm finally starting to feel better, yay!)

My house is still cluttered (but the bathrooms are clean).

I have emails waiting and waiting to be written (so sorry, Emily.  honestly, your emails have meant the world to me.  they encouraged me a lot.  I'll write you back this weekend).

I purged my computer desk yesterday.  No trash on it now.  Maybe I can claim just one of my resolutions upheld. :)

Here's what I have been doing instead.  School, homework, sleep.  Seriously being sick is like a full time job!  At least it's almost gone (I think).

Yesterday I got to class a few minutes before the room was unlocked.  There were maybe 6 or so of us waiting.  I glanced across the hall at the guy standing there and to my shock saw that he was wearing monogrammed jeans. No biggie right?  The monogram was on his crotch!  Right there, in a dull brown-orange, was the letter 'P'.  Now I can only imagine what the P stood for.  But really...  not only was it a little crass it looked a little silly.  It made me laugh (tho' not out loud and definitely not right then).  I wish I could have taken a picture of it but I didn't think I could really ask for a picture of his crotch.  It didn't seem quite right.

Also, I've come to the conclusion that there are three final bastions of smoking left in these great United States: Community Colleges, Pool Halls, & Hospitals (not inside them, oh no! outside, in the 'smokers shack').

Off to study for the 4 tests I have coming up before I head out to class...