A few observations about a variety of work and general subjects follow below.  To avoid the trap of negativity, we've attempted to balance each rant with a rave.
Rants
Irate mail that starts, "I'm an experienced baker ..."  As a rule, this beginning establishes that fundamentals such as ingredients, oven temperatures, measurements, etc. are beyond the complainant's ken.	Feedback from appreciative readers who've successfully used our recipes and lived to tell about it.  Also welcome (and nearly as nice): constructive criticism and suggestions we're able to use.
Same irate mail as above, only far worse:  the complainer is an experienced baker and has identified an embarrassing, fatal error in a recipe we've written or approved for publication.	Complimentary book reviews from readers posted to Amazon.com and BN.com. We're also big on favorable reviews from professional critics.  Next best substitute for real income (which we'd prefer).
Our dumb obsession with book rankings at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, despite evidence that online sales represent only 5% of all sales.	The solution for this problem is simple: don't dial up the site (similar to "stop breathing").
Service at Starbucks.  Its absence mildly annoys us, but is no problem for our husband.  He won't enter any Starbucks because of  its fussy, self-important menu written in what he claims is pidgin Italian.	Hassle-free trips by air.  We've actually had a few. (To be sure, one's default expectation - endless trouble - which includes the statistically unlikely but actual possibility of accidental death, can reduce   enjoyment a bit.)
So-called customer service voice mail and web pages that mean:  "no human being will ever answer your question."  The day we figure out this puzzle is the day we can retire on a six-figure income.	Cool, soft grass:  being able to walk on it, without restriction, in bare feet, whilst seeing baby bunny rabbits nibbling on it off in the distance. Cool sand  on the beach is close, but not quite as good.
Apostrophes everywhere:  it was raining cats' and dogs', or I like to go to the movies', or let's go Tigers'.  Where do they all come from?  Why are they there?	Tight, disciplined writing with minimal punctuation.  Witty websites that amuse and inform.
People who assume that between cushy press trips, we stay home every day baking and eating cookies. In our remaining free time, we write cookbooks and edit cute little magazines. Grrrr.	Once in a while,  slacking off at home all day - baking and eating cookies. An M&M or two when no one's looking.
Commercials and "personal profiles" awash in soft-focus photography accompanied by tinkling pianos, strings (violin, viola, harp, cello, guitar), reeds (oboe, clarinet), and flutes.  If a profile involves military activities or sports, expect to see a lot of flag-waving,  hugging, and tears.	#1 The con who says, "I was greedy - I knew the law and I broke it. I enjoyed doing the crime. There will be no appeal. I'm a menace to society. Let me rot in jail and throw the key away. "  #2 Actually exist: well-written, funny TV commercials with a recognizable message that tells the viewer, "buy brand X."
Relentless, futile efforts to squeeze money out of us via mail (e.g., remember Ed McMahon's immortal classic "you've won $11,000,000?"), telethons, radiothons, telemarketing, spam, panhandling, school chums who never were, hard-sell TV and radio ads, etc.  All intrude and annoy at some level.  All fail.*	Successful defenses against telemarketing solicitations. Since there's always a delay between the time you pick up and the time the sales pitch begins, hang up before the pitch even starts.  Second best defense:  "Mr./Ms. Jones isn't in - may I take a message?" (There's never a message).
Ex-rant: our "landlord style" kitchen, equipped with bottom-of-the-line appliances that you couldn't find in any secondhand store or landfill.	In love with our recently renovated kitchen with all new appliances. Best feature: new Viking range.
Cheaters, slime balls, liars, double-crossers, loud mouths, phonies, and assorted bottom-feeders. Once exposed, we offer few, if any, second chances.	People, who without fanfare, expose cheaters, slime balls, liars, double-crossers, loud mouths, phonies, and assorted bottom-feeders.
Bad NYC subway environment. Beware of the 4,5, and 6 trains, jammed 24/7 with about 1/2 the population of the world's most over-crowded countries. When the mob thins,  aggressive, noisy panhandlers surface, claiming they're collecting for the homeless.	Good NYC subway experiences. Sometimes, even in a jammed cattle car, a seat opens up directly in front of us.  The best lines?  The nearly empty, excellent M and J trains, looping from nowhere in Brooklyn, with a couple of Manhattan stops, thence to nowhere in Queens.
Anything that disturbs our sleep or repose ... here the possibilities are virtually endless, particularly in the city. E.g., eardrum shattering sirens from fire trucks; or semi-coherent rap music booming from the interiors of monster SUVs; or computer-driven telemarketing calls.	Cell phones, poised to annoy everyone within earshot, that refuse to operate. Will not receive, will not transmit.  Yes, it does happen! "Can you hear me? ... I can't hear you ... Oh, I give up!" (sigh).