Rave While shopping at Ikea to set up a new home office, my eyes were bigger than my car and my new desk wouldn't fit into my Jetta. As I pondered my options, the car next to me blocked by my purchases, its owner came over and offered to help. I was resigned to return the desk, as his wife and 6-year-old joined him. Instead, they insisted on tying the desk to the top of their car and following me home to West Seattle, though they live in Tacoma, and they refused any compensation. I have never been so in awe of the amazing kindness of strangers.

Rant To companies who take two or more weeks to choose an employee from those interviewed and then don't have the courtesy to notify those not selected. Have these so-called professionals never waited for a phone call that never came, a call that could affect the rest of their lives? Shame on them for their lack of empathy.

Rave To the Discovery Corps program that trains high-school students to work at Pacific Science Center. They helped my son acquire job skills and work experience that many kids don't obtain until they leave college. Thanks for this fantastic opportunity.

Rant To the woman driving on I-5 doing 70+ mph in the pouring rain without your lights on AND talking on a cellphone. A trifecta!

Rave To stores that play classical music rather than vocalists as background music.

Rant To the couple smelling of alcohol who sat next to me at the opera — did your parents never teach you to keep silent during musical performances? What part of "Shhh" did you not understand? You ruined my enjoyment of the opera with your lack of respect for the performers and the audience around you.

Rave For the ICU staff at Harborview Medical Center for helping my grieving family honor my mother's wish to die with dignity and on her terms, from the ER docs all the way down to the parking attendant who was sorry for our loss. I rave as much as I can muster through my grief because my mother loved to rant.

The Seattle Times publishes reader rants and raves on a space-available basis. We reserve the right to edit for length or content. Send yours to rantandrave@seattletimes.com