Is It Just in America??? Texting, Cell Phones, and Other Annoying Public Behaviors

Thanks to Julie, April and I went to the Woodland Park Zoo last week to see Mavis Staples in concert. It was seating on the "greens," as they say. Before the first performer came out there was an announcement over the PA, it went something like this: In order for all to have a pleasant listening experience this evening we ask that you ....

1) Please be courteous of the performers and other concert patrons, and refrain from talking while they are on stage.

(Duh...oh for fucks sake...we're at a concert people....who do you think I want to hear?!?!)

2) Please turn off your cell phones and PDA's during the performance.

(For obvious reasons, right?!?!)

3) And some additional blather about how to be a courteous concert attendee.

As if everyone here who is smart enough to get on-line, or call, and use a credit card to

purchase tickets is not intelligent enough to know how to behave in public? Obviously, not!

Okay, now can you guess what I'm going to RANT about??? First of all, a majority of the noisy people who were sitting around us did not arrive there until after this announcement. I don't mind children, (even the ones with snotty noses). I don't mind low keyed conversations. I don't mind singing along, swaying, clapping, getting in the groove, and having a damn good time but ...

Come on people...your cell phone conversation from your daughter could have waited. I did not need to know Grandma really missed her and looked forward to seeing her. Really! Do you know how close I came to turning around and grabbing your phone and inserting into a tall glass of water??? And what would you have done? You were too big to get your ass off the grass and chase me down, and I honestly think your husband would have thanked me.

Okay, and for all you mom and dad's with small kids. Do you have to "ask" the three year old 15 times if they want to trade seats with you. Obviously the first time she ignored you, you could have stopped asking. Really. You were trying to make nice, but enough all ready. Turn your fucking chair around and look at and listen to the man on stage.

Lastly, political conversations during the concert, really? Is it me or we (the American public) in a state of crisis? Really, want to support the arts? Get some fucking manners while you are attending an event. It just irritates me to no end to think I spent money on tickets for something and now I am sitting next to you. I did not pay to hear your narration of a movie, a play, a concert, or reading. I don't care if you have small children at home and they are your justification for leaving your cell phone or PDA on high alert. Don't leave them with someone who cannot handle whatever might occur.

April and I went to see Spring Awakening (a play) last summer. The girl next to me sat and texted through 3/4's of the performance on her Blackberry (read: bright light radiating from her lap). Obviously, she knew actors in the play. Obviously, she had auditioned for the play or was in it at some point...but for fucks sake. Once again, the announcement had been made about turning off everything...but we individualized Americans think we are the exception to these requests. Why?

I once sat in front of someone who popped their gum through an entire evening of Lily Tomlin. It's a good thing I am anti gun, trust me.

It's getting to the point where I am often embarrassed to be one of us. I wonder if people in other countries experience this arrogance.

I find it amazing that we even have to ask people to display common courtesy...am I the only one? What do you think? I know this has happened to you...and more importantly is there a cure?

I see a day coming when every establishment has a cell/PDA blocker in their building so we can enjoy the moment. What a concept!

My Ears....RIP

Now if only his annoying commercials would leave the face of this earth with him. I am NOT sentimental about the death of Billy Mays. Not in the slightest. Honestly, to rip off a good friend (thanks Ju Ju)...he's was like a modern day carnie selling potion that will heal you. I'm sorry but BFD.

The strangest thing is just in within the last month I have been very vocal about how much this guy's approach annoys me. To the degree of which I choose not to purchase his products, even if they do work. I just don't want to support the insanity of our culture anymore than necessary. I'm sorry, if you have to be yelled at to be encouraged to try a new product it's not for me.

I will admit that his promos for his realty show made him look like an even bigger ass. I see no need to belittle people to motivate or encourage them. In fact in my world that makes me feel anything but encouraged (more like severe anger).

I know some will think it wrong of me to disrespect the dead. Thank god I live in a country where I can express my opinions freely. Just like he could take 60 seconds in between non-cable programs to yell and annoy the daylights out of me.

Don't Judge a Book...or Officially one of the "Others"

In honor of Seattle gay pride weekend...this is an actual conversation I had with patrons who sat at one of my tables for dinner last evening.

They were an older couple, I'm guessing in their early 70's, pleasant, friendly, and we had fun finding her a beer to drink that she would actually enjoy. We had a few laughs and talked about the fate of our restaurant-she is an acquaintance of the owner so very comfortable giving out advice about the place. Towards the end of their visit, the girls I work with were talking about their Sunday plans.

"Why don't you want to go with us? We'll have so much fun!" asked one.

The other one replied, "Because 30 or 40,000 people is just too many people for me."

"Well, if you change your mind, call me and come with us!" she offered.

A few minutes later, I brought the couple their bill.

"Where are they talking about going that Rachel doesn't want to go?" she asked me.

"Gay Pride, in Seattle," I replied.

I wish you could have seen the look on her face. Or for that matter heard the sounds they each made, something like a guffaw, snort, and huff all combined together.

"Oooohhhhhhhh," she said.

"Well first of all, that's way too many people! And, it's those "other" people. You know, lots and lots of those "other" people," her eyes continued to roll as she finished talking.

What could I do and still remain employed? I just smiled, and just chuckled aloud. They thought I was laughing with them...ah, no.

Of course images of what I wanted to do flashed through my head quickly...use my index fingers to make devil horns and with an evil laugh say, "WE'RE EVERYWHERE!" Just use your imagination for all of the things I could have said or done, all of which would be totally inappropriate, and for a blip of a moment I considered doing it, I'm sure!

After they walked out, I told Jenna what was said...Jenna is a cute, fun-loving, intelligent college grad. She is the one who was asking about going to Gay Pride. She is straight. Definitely not narrow.

She said, "That's why I talk openly about going, so it just makes it more, ya know, normal or whatever. Helps dispel more of the ignorance."

I could have walked away upset by this couples reaction, I could've had my feelings hurt, but their opinion is not personal in any way. I mean it's not like I'm an obvious lesbian, I'm aware of that. While the people I work with know my story, it's not like I wear a pink triangle or anything. I don't feel the need to educate people who frequent our establishment, besides I just don't think it's appropriate.

I had to wonder if they would be embarrassed to know that the ring I wear on my left hand is an identical match to April's.

Vacation and Work Schedule

Okay, so my co-workers and I know it gets pretty busy at our micro-brewery in the summer. Of course, we all still like to leave and go on vacation. This leads to weeks like the last two, where I am scheduled for 6 days in a row or like this week, doubles. Yes, the cash is nice but it does leave one with little time to reflect, contemplate, or even have the energy to care about the usual things.

Hence, my absence. But, not to fret ideas are brewing. The world leaves me much to blog about like the passing of one of my first crushes (remember I'm over 40 and back then he was young and cute and sang about A B C) and how he totally upstaged Farrah by doing so. More about that soon.

In the meantime, I'll be working and plan on doing absolutely NOTHING on Sunday. Thank goodness, April has already forgiven me for not celebrating PRIDE in Seattle with her, lucky me.

Amen

That In the Middle Feeling

Sometimes I get this feeling, for lack of a better term I'll just call it that - In The Middle Feeling. It's not good, but it's not bad. It's not boredom nor massive random thoughts that are bouncing around like pop corn in my head.

It's almost restlessness, but not quite. Almost malaise, but not that either. Do you see where I'm headed...somewhere towards the middle.

Why do I mention this, write about it, because I find it rather stymies me. It stymies me in many ways. For instance, not ready to sleep but not feeling wide awake either. I want to write, but the words are just floating around my head - not demanding to be put onto page. (Although, going to try to put that to good use anyways!) House needs attention, could be cleaned, but just don't feel enough motivation to get up and take care of it!

It's just that limbo land...how I often feel after a very busy day at work. Ha-rumph!

Do you ever feel this way, and if so what do you call it? How do you move out of it!??

More Words to Live By