Two times in the past few weeks I’ve run into head-scratching, at best, customer service decisions.

The first was at a major bank. I needed to break up some $20 bills that I had just gotten out of the bank’s ATM. Entering the bank, two friendly employees greeted me with a “How can we help you?”

I explained what I need and one of the employees said: “Our teller is out to lunch. Can you wait 20 minutes?”

What?

Apparently neither of them could help. I mean, really?

Next up was a call to a restaurant to make a Father’s Day lunch reservation. Someone answered and when I asked if I could make a reservation the man said, “Can you call back tomorrow?”

WHAT?

Me: “Can you just take the reservation?”

He: “We’re closed today.”

Then why answer the phone? I didn’t say this but thought it with gusto.

Nothing is easy anymore, even the easy stuff.

Twenty years ago, I was on the hunt for watch. Not just any watch, but a real watch, a fancy watch, and my eye was on a Tag Heuer.

One weekend afternoon my wife and I walked into a chain jewelry store at the local mall so I could try on a few and do some pricing. Within a few minutes, I had narrowed down my favorites and eventually landed on the one I wanted.

It was $1,500. Essentially a mortgage payment and a half.

So, we decided to think about it, and as I recall, we didn’t think much about it again.

Over time, I’d get the bug to get a nice watch, one that I could pass down to my son and that would be worth something, but I never pulled the trigger.

To this day I haven’t owned a watch that cost more than $125. That is, until the Apple Watch came along. It is the only item I own that I adore and loathe.

I love it because I get so much out of it, workout tracking, messages, podcasts and music, weather and, you know, the time.

I hate it because it has prevented me from seriously considering a legit watch — and believe me, I still shop for them online. All the time.

The thing is, owning a fine timepiece like this one would probably be a waste of money and entirely impractical. I mean, I work from home and rarely wear anything nicer than shorts and a polo shirt. Why get a fancy watch?

Because I really want one … until I put on my Apple Watch. And then later when I visit watch sites, etc. and so on.

This is my watch problem. I own it.

I will take it over driving in ice and snow, any day.

I love living in the desert for countless reasons, including all the bizarre wildlife. Bizarre, that is, for someone who grew up in the Midwest.

Here’s an example, the Chuckwalla.

I’ve seen these before on area hikes and they are something else. (The best part of this sign is the size comparison.)

I’ll snap a photo the next time I run across one.