Gabby keeps giving me ideas of what I should write on my blog, and I keep forgetting. Today, I remembered one of them. It was going to be a gripe-session on cell phone usage in movie theaters, but I am going to make it about all the things people do in movie theaters that bother me.
First and most annoying, cell phone usage. People: it’s great you have a cell phone, we are all very happy for you; but please take notice that everyone else around you also has a cell phone. You are not cool, better than anyone else or subject to special cell phone usage privileges. And there is no excuse for texting, talking on your phone, pulling your phone out, your phone ringing (not silenced), or any other activity that involves your cell phone during a movie. If you are that important that you can’t not look at or touch your cell phone for two hours, then perhaps you should not be at the movie theater. If you are a doctor and your phone goes off, please step out of the theater to answer your phone. The rest of you: put your phones away and don’t pull them out. If you have a babysitter at home with your kids and you are worried about them, maybe you should be at home with your kids. If you want to come to the movies, fine, but I don’t want to see you answering your phone. You run out to the hall and answer it out there.
I have yelled at people in movie theaters for using their cell phones. It’s usually when it is extremely annoying. I yelled at two girls who sat on the same row as Gabby and I in a nearly empty movie theater because one of them answered her phone. I believe there were annoyed looks and groans before I finally said, “Get off your cell phone.” Her friend then turned her back to us as if to shield her from us. I can still hear you talking and see the light from your phone. Put it away! A movie theater is a very dark place and you shielding your phone with your hand or hiding it under your jacket does not help. I can still see the light and it is distracting. PUT IT AWAY!
The three seat rule. If you and I are at a movie and we have never met before, and said movie is not sold out, then you better be at least three seats away from me. There is absolutely no reason for you to sit right next to me. I do not like it when people are close to me. Get away from me.
Talking. I talk during movies. I admit it. But unless the movie is the worst movie I have ever seen (I’m talking about you Cold Creek Manor) my talking is limited, and it is a whisper. You shouldn’t be able to hear me unless you have violated the three seat rule. The entire theater does not need to hear your lame comments about the movie. We don’t care what you think. If we did, you would be a movie critic. You are obviously not, so shut up. I have also yelled at people for this in movie theaters.
Loud noises other than talking. I personally am not a great popcorn lover. I’m sure you think your popcorn is the best stuff in the world, but I don’t need to hear sounds from you that notify me of this fact. Keep your bag quiet. Keep your candy wrappers quiet. If you can’t eat without making munching noises, it’s time for you to see a specialist. Shhh.
Crying babies. Why is your baby at the movie? Take them home or outside the theater. The movie we are watching is confusing enough without your distraction.
Asking people to accommodate you. Our movie starts at 7:00. It is 7:05 now. The theater is not full; in fact, that row up front is pretty much empty. I will not slide down. If you wanted a good seat, then you should have shown that by showing up prior to the time the movie started. If I am in a giving mood and do decide to slide down, don’t you dare say something to me like, “You are awesome. Thanks so much.” You do not know me. I am not awesome. I am angry. Your false compliments are making me more so.
I guess the real problem here is I pay a lot to see movies and I see quite a few movies. I feel that my movie experience should be satisfactory, and I cannot remember the last time I went to the movies and wasn’t disturbed by someone’s phone or candy or baby crying. You all need to shut up or stay home and watch movies on DVD. It’s called social decorum people, learn it, and teach it to your children, or I’m a yell at you. I’m getting to where I am not above being a “tattle-tale”. I will go get someone to talk to you. Movie theaters should be more proactive at this stuff, anyway. They should check that people are quiet and not using their cell phones. No wonder ticket sales are going down. If you wait about four months you can watch a movie in your home for $1 and not have to deal with all the annoyances.
On a lighter note, 33 days until soccer season starts. We bought our season tickets today!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn
I am becoming a hotel snob, I think. I have a specific criteria and I am willing to pay a little extra in order for my hotel to measure up to my expectations.
My hotel snobbiness started in 2001 when I stayed in a hotel at Disney World called The Swan. As a Disney Hotel the service and facilities were excellent. Before this time, I had always stayed with my family in places that would more appropriately be called motels.
Since then, I have stayed in the lower-class hotels, but every time I do, I feel dirty. This past year, we have stayed in a couple Red Lions, a Renaissance, a Radisson, a Days Inn, a little Podunk hotel in Bryce without a national Chain, The Mirage, The Anaheim Plaza, and I think The Lodge in Park City.
I have to say that of these chains, I think my favorites were the Radisson and the Renaissance. It might be because we were staying there when soccer players were also there, and we were able to talk to them or see them, but I don’t think that’s it. The Radisson has the Sleep Number bed, which is about the most fun in the world. They are super comfy and you get to inflate/deflate them to your firmness preference. I would love to have one of my own. It also had an exceptional fitness facility and a rather nice pool.
The Renaissance was an exceptional facility (we were in Denver). The beds have down-alternative comforters and more pillows than I needed, but they are great when you are sitting in bed watching TV. I slept extremely well in Denver.
So, when I am booking a hotel, I look for three basic features: Internet Access (prefer wireless complimentary), Fitness Room and Pool. Both the Radisson and the Renaissance had all three features.
The Mirage in Las Vegas has all three features, but they charge for Internet Access ($9.99 per day) which they warn you about. They do not; however, warn you that they will charge you to use their fitness facility, nor do they warn you that it’s $25 per person per day. We did not use either of these features at The Mirage. We actually tried to connect to the internet, but were unable to do so. I don’t know why, but pretty much every hotel in Las Vegas charges for internet access. Maybe it’s because they want you to spend your hard-earned money in the casino, not surfing the web.
I think that the Mirage could have been a little nicer. We were paying more than we paid at either the Radisson or the Renaissance, and yet, our room was not quite as nice. I think we’ll stick to other vacation spots and hotels we know.
My hotel snobbiness started in 2001 when I stayed in a hotel at Disney World called The Swan. As a Disney Hotel the service and facilities were excellent. Before this time, I had always stayed with my family in places that would more appropriately be called motels.
Since then, I have stayed in the lower-class hotels, but every time I do, I feel dirty. This past year, we have stayed in a couple Red Lions, a Renaissance, a Radisson, a Days Inn, a little Podunk hotel in Bryce without a national Chain, The Mirage, The Anaheim Plaza, and I think The Lodge in Park City.
I have to say that of these chains, I think my favorites were the Radisson and the Renaissance. It might be because we were staying there when soccer players were also there, and we were able to talk to them or see them, but I don’t think that’s it. The Radisson has the Sleep Number bed, which is about the most fun in the world. They are super comfy and you get to inflate/deflate them to your firmness preference. I would love to have one of my own. It also had an exceptional fitness facility and a rather nice pool.
The Renaissance was an exceptional facility (we were in Denver). The beds have down-alternative comforters and more pillows than I needed, but they are great when you are sitting in bed watching TV. I slept extremely well in Denver.
So, when I am booking a hotel, I look for three basic features: Internet Access (prefer wireless complimentary), Fitness Room and Pool. Both the Radisson and the Renaissance had all three features.
The Mirage in Las Vegas has all three features, but they charge for Internet Access ($9.99 per day) which they warn you about. They do not; however, warn you that they will charge you to use their fitness facility, nor do they warn you that it’s $25 per person per day. We did not use either of these features at The Mirage. We actually tried to connect to the internet, but were unable to do so. I don’t know why, but pretty much every hotel in Las Vegas charges for internet access. Maybe it’s because they want you to spend your hard-earned money in the casino, not surfing the web.
I think that the Mirage could have been a little nicer. We were paying more than we paid at either the Radisson or the Renaissance, and yet, our room was not quite as nice. I think we’ll stick to other vacation spots and hotels we know.
Friday, February 15, 2008
I wish you would step back from that ledge, my friend...
So, because it was Valentine’s Day yesterday, Gabby and I went out on our annual “date”. It is now our tradition, begun in the year of 2006 by a trip to the Pizza Factory (mmmm…).
Last year we kept the tradition alive by going to La Dolce Vita in Provo. While we were there, some kid proposed to his girlfriend. Ew. If I was proposed to on Valentine’s Day, I would say no; especially if it was at a restaurant. There is nothing more cliché and I hate clichés.
Anyway, last night we decided to switch it up and we had dinner and a movie. Whoah! The planned movie was Step Up 2 The Streets (word!), but I’m an idiot and didn’t buy tickets in advance. It was sold at, as was my second choice Definitely, Maybe, so, we ended up at Jumper.
I was pleased with about three things in the movie: the running time (90 minutes), the special effects (they were pretty cool), and the fact that the guy next to me offered us some Skittles. I don’t particularly like Skittles (we played the Skittles game way too much in High School and I can’t really eat them now), but the thought was great.
Anyway, I do not recommend it. The acting is not good. There were a lot of problems that could have been solved had he just told a few people some key points from the beginning. But then I guess there wouldn’t be much in the way of conflict, ergo any need for the movie. Not to mention, I realize it’s a sci-fi-ish movie, but I still need some things in the movie to be believable. They weren’t.
So, to sum up, Valentine’s Day: good, Jumper: bad.
Last year we kept the tradition alive by going to La Dolce Vita in Provo. While we were there, some kid proposed to his girlfriend. Ew. If I was proposed to on Valentine’s Day, I would say no; especially if it was at a restaurant. There is nothing more cliché and I hate clichés.
Anyway, last night we decided to switch it up and we had dinner and a movie. Whoah! The planned movie was Step Up 2 The Streets (word!), but I’m an idiot and didn’t buy tickets in advance. It was sold at, as was my second choice Definitely, Maybe, so, we ended up at Jumper.
I was pleased with about three things in the movie: the running time (90 minutes), the special effects (they were pretty cool), and the fact that the guy next to me offered us some Skittles. I don’t particularly like Skittles (we played the Skittles game way too much in High School and I can’t really eat them now), but the thought was great.
Anyway, I do not recommend it. The acting is not good. There were a lot of problems that could have been solved had he just told a few people some key points from the beginning. But then I guess there wouldn’t be much in the way of conflict, ergo any need for the movie. Not to mention, I realize it’s a sci-fi-ish movie, but I still need some things in the movie to be believable. They weren’t.
So, to sum up, Valentine’s Day: good, Jumper: bad.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Viva, Las Vegas!
Vacation alert!!
Gabby and I are heading out to Las Vegas this weekend. After this last storm, I am especially excited. It took me two hours and twenty minutes to get home on Wednesday night. I was really grumpy.
Anyway, Gabby’s company gives her President’s Day off. I think it is the only holiday she gets that I don’t. We took advantage last year with a trip to Sandy Eggo. It was a great trip, despite the fact it was rainy most of the weekend.
This year we chose Las Vegas. The main reason for this trip is so we can pay a visit to the Hard Rock Café. While in Sandy Eggo, we were looking for the Planet Hollywood Restaurant. I think it was closed. Anyway, after searching in vain, we found the Hard Rock and chose that instead. While there we each bought a T-shirt.
Later in the year, we paid a visit to the Salt Lake City Hard Rock. It was a long trip! We decided while there that buying a T-shirt could be fun and that collecting them could be really fun.
In October we visited Denver, to watch Real Salt Lake beat the Crapids (ha!) and while planning for that trip, found out there is a Hard Rock in Denver. We now have three Hard Rock shirts, each.
So, one year later and we are on our fourth Hard Rock Location. I plan on filling my closet out with Hard Rock shirts one day. For now, I have enough to last me a weekend trip…perhaps to Las Vegas.
Gabby and I are heading out to Las Vegas this weekend. After this last storm, I am especially excited. It took me two hours and twenty minutes to get home on Wednesday night. I was really grumpy.
Anyway, Gabby’s company gives her President’s Day off. I think it is the only holiday she gets that I don’t. We took advantage last year with a trip to Sandy Eggo. It was a great trip, despite the fact it was rainy most of the weekend.
This year we chose Las Vegas. The main reason for this trip is so we can pay a visit to the Hard Rock Café. While in Sandy Eggo, we were looking for the Planet Hollywood Restaurant. I think it was closed. Anyway, after searching in vain, we found the Hard Rock and chose that instead. While there we each bought a T-shirt.
Later in the year, we paid a visit to the Salt Lake City Hard Rock. It was a long trip! We decided while there that buying a T-shirt could be fun and that collecting them could be really fun.
In October we visited Denver, to watch Real Salt Lake beat the Crapids (ha!) and while planning for that trip, found out there is a Hard Rock in Denver. We now have three Hard Rock shirts, each.
So, one year later and we are on our fourth Hard Rock Location. I plan on filling my closet out with Hard Rock shirts one day. For now, I have enough to last me a weekend trip…perhaps to Las Vegas.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Alright the rest of you, get out there and play some real football like a bunch of girls!
The MLS has posted their complete regular season schedule. I can now begin making plans for the summer. Until now it was, “I don’t know. There might be a Real game that weekend.” Now, it’s “Let me check my schedule.” Because I have indeed put all the games into it.
For now, these are the top five games I am looking forward to:
March 29th vs. Chicago Fire
Opening game. I have been counting down since it was announced back in December (well, really since the season ended last October). It’s going to be good. I hope we do better than last time we played Chicago. They kind of cleaned the floor with us.
May 31st vs. San Jose Earthquakes
RSL plays the new Earthquakes squad three times. This is the first of those. I am very excited to see the new lineup.
August 29th vs. Colorado Rapids
The only chance to see the rival Crapids in Salt Lake City this season. The best moment of last season was winning at Colorado the last game of the season. We were there to celebrate and I hope it happens again this year. If not, then at least we have a chance of beating them at home.
September 20th vs. Chivas USA
I miss Esky.
October 9th vs. New York Red Bulls
I am not so much looking forward to this game as I am looking forward to where this game may be played. ESPN2 will be visiting Utah for this game because it’s rumored the stadium should be completed by this date. I can’t wait to watch some soccer in a stadium designed for soccer (and on a field not covered with football lines).
For now, these are the top five games I am looking forward to:
March 29th vs. Chicago Fire
Opening game. I have been counting down since it was announced back in December (well, really since the season ended last October). It’s going to be good. I hope we do better than last time we played Chicago. They kind of cleaned the floor with us.
May 31st vs. San Jose Earthquakes
RSL plays the new Earthquakes squad three times. This is the first of those. I am very excited to see the new lineup.
August 29th vs. Colorado Rapids
The only chance to see the rival Crapids in Salt Lake City this season. The best moment of last season was winning at Colorado the last game of the season. We were there to celebrate and I hope it happens again this year. If not, then at least we have a chance of beating them at home.
September 20th vs. Chivas USA
I miss Esky.
October 9th vs. New York Red Bulls
I am not so much looking forward to this game as I am looking forward to where this game may be played. ESPN2 will be visiting Utah for this game because it’s rumored the stadium should be completed by this date. I can’t wait to watch some soccer in a stadium designed for soccer (and on a field not covered with football lines).
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
It's the year of the rat.
I work mostly with Asian markets. As a result, over the past two years I have learned a little about Asian countries. I can write one, two and three in Chinese. I know the proper title of addressing someone in Indonesia (Ibu- or Pak-), Malaysia (Puan- or Tuan-), Thailand (Khun-), and Japan (-san). I always know what time it is in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan and Thailand. I always know when Chinese New Year is coming and which year we are currently in.
I also know that every one of my markets has more holidays than we do. We get regularly only a few holidays a year: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Now I know that we also get 2+ weeks of paid vacation, but I’m telling you, I know that everyone else is racking up more than we are.
Most of these countries celebrate Chinese New Year. This year it happened to fall on Thursday. I have consultants with between 2 and six days off. No one gets less than two. If holidays happen to fall on Saturday, they celebrate them on Monday and people take of Friday just for good measure.
This goes for a lot of Latin American Markets as well. I don’t work with the Latin Markets, but my comrade is always mentioning how all her consultants cannot be reached because of a holiday or another that has been declared a week long celebration.
And just try to get something done in the fall in Europe. You can’t. They have a more relaxed attitude than we do anyway, plus you have an entire month when they are on vacation. I have heard that the cities in Spain are just deserted in August because everyone is on holiday.
Anyway, the point of this whole thing is to gripe about America. Why don’t we have more holidays? We should be more like our foreign brethren/sisteren and have more public holidays. Everyone should get all the bank holidays off. We should have Columbus Day off. We can celebrate the completion of taxes by having Tax Day off. We should get at least a week off for Christmas.
We can also adopt some holidays from other countries. Let’s all have a day off for Australia Day. We can all celebrate Greenery Day with the Japanese. Harvest Moon Festival sounds fun, let’s have three days off for that.
By the time I’m done weeding down our work days, we’ll have about a three day work week (on average) and have about 210 paid vacation days. I think it’s brilliant!
Who’s with me?
I also know that every one of my markets has more holidays than we do. We get regularly only a few holidays a year: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Now I know that we also get 2+ weeks of paid vacation, but I’m telling you, I know that everyone else is racking up more than we are.
Most of these countries celebrate Chinese New Year. This year it happened to fall on Thursday. I have consultants with between 2 and six days off. No one gets less than two. If holidays happen to fall on Saturday, they celebrate them on Monday and people take of Friday just for good measure.
This goes for a lot of Latin American Markets as well. I don’t work with the Latin Markets, but my comrade is always mentioning how all her consultants cannot be reached because of a holiday or another that has been declared a week long celebration.
And just try to get something done in the fall in Europe. You can’t. They have a more relaxed attitude than we do anyway, plus you have an entire month when they are on vacation. I have heard that the cities in Spain are just deserted in August because everyone is on holiday.
Anyway, the point of this whole thing is to gripe about America. Why don’t we have more holidays? We should be more like our foreign brethren/sisteren and have more public holidays. Everyone should get all the bank holidays off. We should have Columbus Day off. We can celebrate the completion of taxes by having Tax Day off. We should get at least a week off for Christmas.
We can also adopt some holidays from other countries. Let’s all have a day off for Australia Day. We can all celebrate Greenery Day with the Japanese. Harvest Moon Festival sounds fun, let’s have three days off for that.
By the time I’m done weeding down our work days, we’ll have about a three day work week (on average) and have about 210 paid vacation days. I think it’s brilliant!
Who’s with me?
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
You know running makes me hungry!
Gabby motivated me to be a runner. She is always calling me fat with no provocation other than me calling her fat. As a result, over one year ago I started running about 5 times a week (some weeks are better than others). I started off around 5 minutes a night. I’d run as much as I could and then walk the remainder of 45 minutes. I have been working my way up since then.
In December, my company announced that they would sponsor us to run in the Salt Lake City Marathon, taking place on April 19th. I knew there was no way I would be able to do that. Fortunately, the SLC Marathon has multiple events: the Marathon, Half Marathon, Bike Race and 5k. After looking into all events, I decided the 5k was the one for me.
For those of you who don’t know, 5 kilometers is 3.11 miles. Once I found this out, I got on the treadmill and made sure I could run this distance. Ever since then, I have been “in training”. It’s fun to say that I’m going to run in the 5k portion of the SLC Marathon.
Anyway, the reason my company is sponsoring us is so we can raise funds for our non-profit organization, Foundation4Life.
I would appreciate if anyone reading this out in the wide, wide world of web would please learn more about Foundation4Life (http://www.4life.com/community/c_found4life.aspx) and if you feel inclined to, visit my fundraising page: http://www.active.com/donate/healthy4life/Janille.
Any contributions are appreciated and 100% of the donations will go to the Casa Rosada.
See you at the finish line!
In December, my company announced that they would sponsor us to run in the Salt Lake City Marathon, taking place on April 19th. I knew there was no way I would be able to do that. Fortunately, the SLC Marathon has multiple events: the Marathon, Half Marathon, Bike Race and 5k. After looking into all events, I decided the 5k was the one for me.
For those of you who don’t know, 5 kilometers is 3.11 miles. Once I found this out, I got on the treadmill and made sure I could run this distance. Ever since then, I have been “in training”. It’s fun to say that I’m going to run in the 5k portion of the SLC Marathon.
Anyway, the reason my company is sponsoring us is so we can raise funds for our non-profit organization, Foundation4Life.
I would appreciate if anyone reading this out in the wide, wide world of web would please learn more about Foundation4Life (http://www.4life.com/community/c_found4life.aspx) and if you feel inclined to, visit my fundraising page: http://www.active.com/donate/healthy4life/Janille.
Any contributions are appreciated and 100% of the donations will go to the Casa Rosada.
See you at the finish line!
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