Things You Notice When You're Bored

Firstly I have to say that I am rarely bored...if I'm not doing something my mind still is, it is for this reason I'll often watch a movie, simply to go on vacation from myself. With that said, yesterday was one of the infrequent times I can honestly say I became bored, but I believe you will understand...I was trapped at an airport terminal. It wasn't terribly long, just a bit over four hours...but it was my own fault (stupidly, when purchasing a ticket online I purchased it for p.m. thinking it was a.m., luckily I was able to get on another, but for hours later). Anyhow, it gave me time to think, read, nap, and listen to music (and drink too much coffee), but inevitably I became bored. I even read the label on my water bottle.

I've long given up purchasing bottled water after learning that it is largely unregulated, but at an airport--where one is no longer allowed more than 3 ounces of liquid through checkpoint--you are quite literally at their mercy (not only with choices but also the exorbitant prices). With that said, when I reached for the water in the refrigerated case I chose the cheapest there was, and it was still nearly $3.00US.

But before I go on with my observation I ask you, the reader, to observe for yourself...what do you see on either label that is either alarming or even sad (and yes, in the event you are wondering...I did get a few odd looks as I sat at a table taking picture of my bottle of water).

Let's start with the top photo, the front label. "Purified Water Enhanced with Minerals for Taste." Mmm...mmm, getting thirsty yet? Now lets look at the lower photo, the back label (I consciously added quotation marks and italics because I feel that's how it should be more properly written on the label)..."Deep Protected Well" (huh?) And/Or "Public Water Supply."

Well (and yes I see the irony of using that word) I think we know which And/Or it is, and we also know what "Public Water Supply" means...tap water. According to this site, nearly 50% of bottled water available in the US is nothing more than tap water.

Later, as I was exiting a restroom (washroom for my friends north of the border, and WC for my friends "across the pond"), I see an elderly gentleman refilling his water bottle at a drinking fountain before he got on his flight. Well isn't that interesting, is what I must have muttered aloud. Because he turned to me and smiled before asking what I meant. I showed him the label on my half-consumed bottle. Yes, he told me, still smiling as he capped his bottle...it's a scam. Yes it is, I said. We both wished each other a safe and comfortable flight, and then I uncapped my bottle to refill it straight from the tap...it was a much better deal.

Urban Simplicity.