It occurred to me the other day: While I was waiting for a Super America clerk who I’m amazed knows how to feed himself to ring up the girl in front of me four, count ‘em, FOUR times I realized that I hate these places. I have always rated different SA’s in my head based on a ten point scale: One means«I wish I had a meat thermometer I could shove in my ear right now,» but even Ten means«That’s twenty minutes of my life I’ll never get back.» I really hate to tar the entire corporation with such a rating, but I just can’t think of a single time I’ve ever been impressed with this place. And what’s more — they all seem to suck in their own individual snowflake-like way. For instance… LaSalle and Grant Aves — Panhandlers and Poorly Stocked Inventory. Lyndale and 22nd — Always Understaffed. Lake and Aldrich — Never Less Than Thirty Minutes. And this past weekend the coup de grace: Highways 5 and 36 outside of Stillwater MN — Only One Clerk at 5 P.M. and He’s Dumber than a Bag of Hammers. I have always patronized SA and never questioned it. As of now, I realize the only reason I’ve ever come here is because they are everywhere — not because they are anything remotely approaching convenient — or even tolerable. Sorry, guys, but I dream of a more convenient convenience store. Does anyone know where I can find a Seven Eleven in this town?