Petty Annoyances

My new Camry's tire pressure warning came on.  With the ambient temperature entering a cold snap and no visual change in the appearance of the tires, I felt comfortable with a short hightly desired trip, assuming that we have the limitations of modern measuring technology to the immutability of the ideal gas laws.  But tires have some elasticity so are not entirely of fixed volume where pressure would decline linearly with temperature.  So I am obligated to check it out, though not urgently.

Somewhere I have a tire gauge.  Not sure where, or even if I've already put one in a compartment of the new car, but I own at least one electronic device and probably more than one pencil shaped gauge.  Or for a few dollars I can buy another one, probably electronic, if I cannot find one that I already have over the next day.  As it warms up, testing will get more comfortable so I'll wait until peak daily temperature.  And there may really be something subtle wrong with one of the tires that needs professional attention.  Unlikely though.  Suspect the latest irritation of our electronic age.

Staying Cheerful

My New Year's initiative began in good faith but collapsed about a third of the way through the calendar year's first Shabbat shacharit when, for failure to acquire a minyan, various fillers were imposed.  The rabbi being away, he gave the President a Dvar Torah from somebody else to read to us.  Probably a Never Event in its own right.  And one of dubious quality that got plenty of mental comments.  Then a rather academic drush from the Cantor to fill space.  From a chapter written by a friend.  Great source for a seminar in an aspect of prayer, wretched having it read to us for as long as it took.  I wanted to leave.  I did leave, to stroll to my car and get an update on my son who just tested positive for Covid with annoying but not life-threatening symptoms.  Then back for the rest.  Little banter.  Maybe Judaism is a series of time boxes that need to be filled, whether worthwhile or not.  

How I respond to something put my way remains my ultimate autonomy.  I could have remained cheerful as intended.  I didn't.  Sometimes you need to take broken things to the local landfill.  My shabbos morning experience has been broken.  Too big an impediment to my personal cheerful mission.