My job requires me to focus my attention on specific items of business all day long. Either I am chatting with someone for a story, covering a meeting or event, or writing a story - all of which demand my full attention on the task at hand.

Therefore, my brain apparently stores up random thoughts, questions, and ideas throughout the day and then chooses to release them all between the hours of midnight and 3 a.m. I’m pretty sure that has to be when most of the problems of the world get solved, right?

Here’s a question that popped into my head in the wee hours of this morning…why do people in different regions have different accents? I understand there are various languages; that was even the case during Biblical times. But why do we sound different? Especially in the same country? Where did that come from?

And just as I was writing that, I had a pet peeve of mine come to mind. I secretly cringe when someone mispronounces a word. I try not to be THAT person and bring it to their attention, but… One of the most common mispronunciations that drives me crazy is the word ‘especially’. Spoiler alert: there is no ‘x’ in that word! It amazes me how many well-educated people say ‘expecially’. Stop it!

Here’s another pet peeve, since I’m on that subject now. Text messages and Facebook posts loaded with exclamation points! We get it. You’re easily excitable!!!

Pivot to new subject - weddings. In particular, bachelor and bachelorette parties. What in the actual heck? Back when I got married, I felt bad asking my friends to spend $50 on a bridesmaid dress to stand up with me. Now bridesmaids and groomsmen are being asked to take a week’s vacation and spend hundreds, if not a couple thousand dollars, to go on a destination trip (aka Party) with the soon-to-be bride or groom, while leaving their own spouse and children behind. I don’t get it.

Speaking of fads, I nearly got knocked down by one a couple of days ago. There is a young man in town who likes to ride - or should I say zip - his electric scooter down the sidewalk past my office. Stepping out the door at the wrong time could potentially land one of us in the emergency room!

I see little kids, big kids, most without helmets or any type of protective gear, whizzing through intersections and down the street as though it is the world’s responsibility to watch out for them. It’s downright scary.

So there you have it. While you are drifting off to sleep tonight, I’ll just be over here thinking about what kind of tool would work best to clean the air vents in my car. Sweet dreams!