I noted my displeasure in the last post of being challenged for chewing gum in the college's theater. My primary problem was what I felt was being singled out while others continued to chew. Secondly, indeed, I thought it a bit childish.
Well, I have been in contact with a college official, who has sought out answers for me and reported back. Turns out, according to the official, gum is a big problem for the college. Cleaning crews have to spend a day trying to remove gum from seats and the floor. And, says the official, there is signage at both entrances speaking of no food, drinks or gum inside the theater. Furthermore, the report is that numerous people were challenged and not just me and the wife.
And, says the official, re-instruction is going to be done on how best to handle a patron's gum.
All that sounds good to me. I guess. But it still does not answer how I was made to feel. Not satisfactorily, anyway.
If gum is that big a problem (and I am not doubting that it is), I suggest that an announcement should be made at the beginning to the effect that gum is not allowed in the theater, nor food and drinks. The announcer would tell those assembled to please omit chewing gum, that the reason for that is that cleanup is a terrible cost to the college. Or something like that.
I think if the above announcement was made, patrons would take the good choice and place their gum in a wrapper, and go on and enjoy the show. There is something bad about being challenged as an individual for a violation, when it could be done better.
Even though I missed the signage, and have for years, I do not feel bad for voicing a concern, a situation that made me feel terribly bad at a moment I should have felt really good.
Anyway, that is the rest of the story. Now I know the rest of the story, and if you are reading, you do, too.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
You can't chew gum here!
Just went through one of my most humiliating experiences a few days ago. Let me tell you about it.
The wife and I went to the community college arts theater on Friday night to catch a gratis performance of the college show band. We take in as many of those as we can. It is good music, and we get to see a lot of old friends. But last Friday was not so good.
We got there just before show time. Had to park a long way away. Walked into the entrance to the theater and this hostess stops the wife. "You can't chew gum in here. Take it to the trash can outside," she said.
Never had that happen. Both of us chew gum, discretely. I was chewing also, but the attention was directed at the wife.
So the wife takes her gum and puts it in a paper. We go on to find seats. I notice not a few chewing gum around us.
After the first music number, this host comes to our place of seating, and challenges the wife again. "You can't chew gum in here," he says. The wife had put another piece of gum in her mouth. I was still chewing. The "guard" sought her out.
I pointed out a number of people who were chewing, but he was not interested in them. He was interesting in ensuring my wife did not chew gum. Hummm.
After questioning him about where the rule was, he said, "It is a house rule."
Our time at the performance was short. I fumed! The wife knew I was fuming. We left, probably never to return again.
In all the years I have attended and supported such events, I have never had anybody tell me I could not chew gum. There is no sign to that effect. The only sign is "Food and Drink not permitted." Gum is not food, as I understand it.
The harder part for me was how many people were obviously chewing gum and received no reprimand for it.
"You can't chew gum here" has now made me an enemy of what otherwise is a very nice attraction in my town. How rude!
The wife and I went to the community college arts theater on Friday night to catch a gratis performance of the college show band. We take in as many of those as we can. It is good music, and we get to see a lot of old friends. But last Friday was not so good.
We got there just before show time. Had to park a long way away. Walked into the entrance to the theater and this hostess stops the wife. "You can't chew gum in here. Take it to the trash can outside," she said.
Never had that happen. Both of us chew gum, discretely. I was chewing also, but the attention was directed at the wife.
So the wife takes her gum and puts it in a paper. We go on to find seats. I notice not a few chewing gum around us.
After the first music number, this host comes to our place of seating, and challenges the wife again. "You can't chew gum in here," he says. The wife had put another piece of gum in her mouth. I was still chewing. The "guard" sought her out.
I pointed out a number of people who were chewing, but he was not interested in them. He was interesting in ensuring my wife did not chew gum. Hummm.
After questioning him about where the rule was, he said, "It is a house rule."
Our time at the performance was short. I fumed! The wife knew I was fuming. We left, probably never to return again.
In all the years I have attended and supported such events, I have never had anybody tell me I could not chew gum. There is no sign to that effect. The only sign is "Food and Drink not permitted." Gum is not food, as I understand it.
The harder part for me was how many people were obviously chewing gum and received no reprimand for it.
"You can't chew gum here" has now made me an enemy of what otherwise is a very nice attraction in my town. How rude!
Monday, April 20, 2009
"Please see attendant"
I like gas filling stations where I can pay at the pump and go. I do not like to go see the attendant.
This morning I went to fill at my favorite truck watering hole. It is my favorite because it is close to home and the price is generally competitive. Mostly, I like it for convenience. I can pay at the pump and go.
Sometimes when I ask for a receipt, at the end of the pumping, the pump will say, "See the attendant for a receipt." I never do that. I figure they want me in the store so I will buy something. If I wanted to see the attendant, I would have pulled up in front of the store and not at the gas pump.
But... this morning, I swiped my card to get started pumping and the message was "Please see attendant." As I have said, I don't like, don't want to see the attendant. I like to pay at the pump and go. As far as a receipt goes, I don't need one. But, needing gas, I figured I might as well.
Who knows why the message comes on. Maybe my credit is overdrafted, which I know it wasn't. Maybe my card is expired, which I know it wasn't. Maybe the AMEX company went bankrupt, which I did not think happened. So, I needed gas. Might as well see the attendant.
I go see the attendant. I told him I was asked to see him. After identifying which pump I was coming from, he tells me my card was declined. No way, I said. He asked for my card, he swipes it, asks how much I want, I say $30, he gets approval and gives me a receipt to sign. Hummm. Why couldn't I do that at the pump? I says.
Turned out the attendant wasn't real good with my language, so he calls the manager. He probably sees the fire coming out my eyes. Well, the manager comes.
The manager tells me there is a problem with the reader at that pump. I say, Well, maybe I should find a station where the pumps work. He says, Please don't.
Anyway, story ended fine. I went back and pumped. I had asked in the store, Now what happens if I don't use all the $30? The manager assured me he would give me a refund. He follows me to the pump.
In the process, I apologized for the fire in my eyes, but I explained, which he had probably heard before, how accusing "Please see attendant" was. He seemed to understand. All went fine thereafter.
I was pleased with the attention the store manager gave to me, seeking to recover a customer. I liked that. Good manager. I still don't like the message "Please see attendant."
Maybe they could simply say on the machine, "We have a problem with our reader. Please see attendant or go to another pump."
Well, that is how life is, sometimes. Gotta learn better how to roll with the flow, as the saying goes.
This morning I went to fill at my favorite truck watering hole. It is my favorite because it is close to home and the price is generally competitive. Mostly, I like it for convenience. I can pay at the pump and go.
Sometimes when I ask for a receipt, at the end of the pumping, the pump will say, "See the attendant for a receipt." I never do that. I figure they want me in the store so I will buy something. If I wanted to see the attendant, I would have pulled up in front of the store and not at the gas pump.
But... this morning, I swiped my card to get started pumping and the message was "Please see attendant." As I have said, I don't like, don't want to see the attendant. I like to pay at the pump and go. As far as a receipt goes, I don't need one. But, needing gas, I figured I might as well.
Who knows why the message comes on. Maybe my credit is overdrafted, which I know it wasn't. Maybe my card is expired, which I know it wasn't. Maybe the AMEX company went bankrupt, which I did not think happened. So, I needed gas. Might as well see the attendant.
I go see the attendant. I told him I was asked to see him. After identifying which pump I was coming from, he tells me my card was declined. No way, I said. He asked for my card, he swipes it, asks how much I want, I say $30, he gets approval and gives me a receipt to sign. Hummm. Why couldn't I do that at the pump? I says.
Turned out the attendant wasn't real good with my language, so he calls the manager. He probably sees the fire coming out my eyes. Well, the manager comes.
The manager tells me there is a problem with the reader at that pump. I say, Well, maybe I should find a station where the pumps work. He says, Please don't.
Anyway, story ended fine. I went back and pumped. I had asked in the store, Now what happens if I don't use all the $30? The manager assured me he would give me a refund. He follows me to the pump.
In the process, I apologized for the fire in my eyes, but I explained, which he had probably heard before, how accusing "Please see attendant" was. He seemed to understand. All went fine thereafter.
I was pleased with the attention the store manager gave to me, seeking to recover a customer. I liked that. Good manager. I still don't like the message "Please see attendant."
Maybe they could simply say on the machine, "We have a problem with our reader. Please see attendant or go to another pump."
Well, that is how life is, sometimes. Gotta learn better how to roll with the flow, as the saying goes.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Importance of relationships
Oh, this is not that! I am talking about having an outlet with other humans just to talk and compare notes.
I have a habit of going out to breakfast most every morning. I generally go to the same place. When I go I usually see the same people. There will be a variety of communication relationships. Some of it will be a nod, and a receipt of a nod. Some will included a hello, how are you, both ways. A certain set is more close. I will join a table of four, and we will talk about whatever is on our minds that morning. That is what is important.
It is important for folks like me who are retired. Before retirement I got all the nods, how are you's, and more serious discussion done with fellow workmates. It might have been at the start of the work day or it might have been splashed throughout the day. But, after retirement those old ways, those old relationships are no more.
So, in retirement I have found another avenue of relationships. It is generally at the breakfast table of a local restaurant. This does not take the place of the wife, I might add. She went to work for the day an hour or so before I got hungry for food and relationships.
I talked to a fellow pastor this morning at breakfast and we sorta talked about this. I told him that when retired, in about four years, said he, that he would need to find something else to do. I am sure he is learning from me, because he sees me at this watering hole on the mornings he finds time to come.
I told my pastor friend how I remembered a time back in the navy when retirees would keep coming to the office to have coffee and to chat. I reasoned that they had to have something, that they would have been better off finding a new place to have coffee and develop other relationships.
We agreed on the importance of relationships, that there is always a need.
I think I have done a pretty good job on changing over. Course, I have had nearly five years to develop that. I have learned by experience, now.
I have a habit of going out to breakfast most every morning. I generally go to the same place. When I go I usually see the same people. There will be a variety of communication relationships. Some of it will be a nod, and a receipt of a nod. Some will included a hello, how are you, both ways. A certain set is more close. I will join a table of four, and we will talk about whatever is on our minds that morning. That is what is important.
It is important for folks like me who are retired. Before retirement I got all the nods, how are you's, and more serious discussion done with fellow workmates. It might have been at the start of the work day or it might have been splashed throughout the day. But, after retirement those old ways, those old relationships are no more.
So, in retirement I have found another avenue of relationships. It is generally at the breakfast table of a local restaurant. This does not take the place of the wife, I might add. She went to work for the day an hour or so before I got hungry for food and relationships.
I talked to a fellow pastor this morning at breakfast and we sorta talked about this. I told him that when retired, in about four years, said he, that he would need to find something else to do. I am sure he is learning from me, because he sees me at this watering hole on the mornings he finds time to come.
I told my pastor friend how I remembered a time back in the navy when retirees would keep coming to the office to have coffee and to chat. I reasoned that they had to have something, that they would have been better off finding a new place to have coffee and develop other relationships.
We agreed on the importance of relationships, that there is always a need.
I think I have done a pretty good job on changing over. Course, I have had nearly five years to develop that. I have learned by experience, now.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Time to re-boot
"Re-boot" is a term used in computers. There comes a time when it is necessary to re-boot the computer. I learned that one about the first of my computer operating days.
Somehow, and don't ask me to explain it, things inside the computer get sorta out of order. By shutting down the puter and waiting a minute or two (I am not sure how long.) before restarting, it gives the puter a chance to put everything back in the order that it should be. And it generally works. The puter is designed to heal itself.
Just the other day on my laptop I was have a problem bringing up my email program. For me, if the email does not work, the puter does not work! That is where I spend the most of my puter time. So, I thought, time to re-boot.
I shut down the puter, waited a minute or two, and brought it back up. Wham O! The email program worked. I was back in business. The puter had restored everything just right, or set in order - or done whatever it is designed to do in that respect. I was a happy camper. My re-boot worked just like it has always worked on so many occasions before.
Wouldn't it be something if we could re-boot everything. I am thinking about our financial and economy things now. But more than that (or less, depending or how you are thinking), wouldn't it be something if we could re-boot our minds! Our minds do get out of order, too, much like my puter and its email program.
I guess a good night's rest is sorta like re-booting the mind, especially when we wake to a new, fresh, bright new day. After a good rest our minds come awake refreshed, re-booted.
Sometimes we can re-boot by just changing our thought process, too. Many of us do that. Many of us need to do that. I know I do from time to time. I can get to thinking about something that needs fixing, and it begins to worry me, and worry me, and worry me. I can fix it by just shutting it off, which I will call re-booting.
Shutting it out of our minds is sometimes hard. But it can be done. It might not be as easy as pushing the terminate (shut down) button, but it can be done.
We do need to think in terms of re-booting our minds. Lots of us do.
It it time to re-boot. Bye.
Somehow, and don't ask me to explain it, things inside the computer get sorta out of order. By shutting down the puter and waiting a minute or two (I am not sure how long.) before restarting, it gives the puter a chance to put everything back in the order that it should be. And it generally works. The puter is designed to heal itself.
Just the other day on my laptop I was have a problem bringing up my email program. For me, if the email does not work, the puter does not work! That is where I spend the most of my puter time. So, I thought, time to re-boot.
I shut down the puter, waited a minute or two, and brought it back up. Wham O! The email program worked. I was back in business. The puter had restored everything just right, or set in order - or done whatever it is designed to do in that respect. I was a happy camper. My re-boot worked just like it has always worked on so many occasions before.
Wouldn't it be something if we could re-boot everything. I am thinking about our financial and economy things now. But more than that (or less, depending or how you are thinking), wouldn't it be something if we could re-boot our minds! Our minds do get out of order, too, much like my puter and its email program.
I guess a good night's rest is sorta like re-booting the mind, especially when we wake to a new, fresh, bright new day. After a good rest our minds come awake refreshed, re-booted.
Sometimes we can re-boot by just changing our thought process, too. Many of us do that. Many of us need to do that. I know I do from time to time. I can get to thinking about something that needs fixing, and it begins to worry me, and worry me, and worry me. I can fix it by just shutting it off, which I will call re-booting.
Shutting it out of our minds is sometimes hard. But it can be done. It might not be as easy as pushing the terminate (shut down) button, but it can be done.
We do need to think in terms of re-booting our minds. Lots of us do.
It it time to re-boot. Bye.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Obamas' visit to the Queen refreshing
You gotta hand it to this new president and his lady. They really seem to be making pluses for themselves and us as they move around the world. I like that.
Imagine the President of the United States of America giving the Queen of England an I-Pod, so I hear! That has got to be cool, and an indicator of a new generation coming into being. How does that compare with a framed portrait of the Queen and her hubby? Well, it shows the new generation coming in and the old one hanging on, I think.
There's more: who touches the Queen, the Brits say? No one? Well, stood by and watch. There was an embrace both ways, of the Queen to the First Lady and of the First Lady to the Queen. That, too, is refreshing. We need a little love indicated around, don't we? All this before time standoffness hasn't produced much. Time for folks to appreciate each other, doing so with a little embrace.
Not sure the world has fully understood the importance of what has happened. The sages are still trying to describe it. The opine writers are, too.
And, we even hear Obama came away with a relationship with the French at the G-20. How about that. Coming up with a better relationship has to be better than trying to redefine french fries, or so I think.
So where will it end. You gotta just watch, because no telling where this goes. It is a new way to go, though. Besides, it can't get worse, now can it?
Just wanted to say something that will be a part of history, or so I think. Not what I said, but what they did in a new era of relations, a new generation coming on with a better approach to deplomacy.
But, but, but..... just when we thing worldwide deplomacy might be improving, North Korea goes ballistic!
Imagine the President of the United States of America giving the Queen of England an I-Pod, so I hear! That has got to be cool, and an indicator of a new generation coming into being. How does that compare with a framed portrait of the Queen and her hubby? Well, it shows the new generation coming in and the old one hanging on, I think.
There's more: who touches the Queen, the Brits say? No one? Well, stood by and watch. There was an embrace both ways, of the Queen to the First Lady and of the First Lady to the Queen. That, too, is refreshing. We need a little love indicated around, don't we? All this before time standoffness hasn't produced much. Time for folks to appreciate each other, doing so with a little embrace.
Not sure the world has fully understood the importance of what has happened. The sages are still trying to describe it. The opine writers are, too.
And, we even hear Obama came away with a relationship with the French at the G-20. How about that. Coming up with a better relationship has to be better than trying to redefine french fries, or so I think.
So where will it end. You gotta just watch, because no telling where this goes. It is a new way to go, though. Besides, it can't get worse, now can it?
Just wanted to say something that will be a part of history, or so I think. Not what I said, but what they did in a new era of relations, a new generation coming on with a better approach to deplomacy.
But, but, but..... just when we thing worldwide deplomacy might be improving, North Korea goes ballistic!
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