It was considerably chillier than it was supposed to be today, so I had to bundle up a bit more than I wanted to while running errands with Mom.
As I was getting out of the van at WalMart, I heard a voice say "Jacob?" It turned out to be my old friend, Jackie, who I haven't seen in probably about 7 years. We caught up with each other a little in the parking lot. She seems to be doing quite well for herself, working a good job downtown and recently engaged. It was a nice surprise bumping into her.
I'm wondering if a bus full of people I haven't seen in ages recently pulled into town and unloaded, as that's the second random bump-into this week.
After there, Mom and I had a quick bite at Schlotzsky's and headed to the movie theater to behold the anticipated return of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or, as they're now more hiply called, TMNT.
When I first heard the movie was going to be completely CGI, I was honestly a bit miffed.
When I saw the first trailer, I was a bit more optimistic.
When more clips were revealed over the last few weeks, I got excited.
When I saw the movie tonight, I felt a childhood enthusiasm return.
It was just excellent. Though the villain plot was lacking a bit, the theme of family was outstanding, the action scenes were truly impressive, and the CGI was done nicely and surprisingly beautiful at times. The best (spoiler free) scene in the movie is when tensions reach a boiling point and two brothers battle it out, it was executed perfectly.
I really loved the movie and look forward to seeing it again.
Almost as fun as watching the movie, was watching the audience arrive. It seemed funny seeing so many people over twenty showing up for a PG animated film, but it was the original Turtles Generation reuniting after all these years. Even cooler was seeing members of that generation bringing their kids with them.
After the movie, I kicked back and visited with Corey, who's back in town for the weekend. We just chit chatted a bit and talked about his new dog, Wizard. It was nice.
Tomorrow night? Game night.
Showing posts with label WalMart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WalMart. Show all posts
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Welcome to Wally World
I went to WalMart today with Mom and I noticed that with each trip there, it gets increasingly weirder.
On the way across the parking lot, somebody's car alarm went off for absolutely no reason, nobody was even near it. The horn started up a constant rhythm.
Honk. Honk. Honk.
As we neared the building, I noticed something that made the situation even more bizarre. A flock of geese in a nearby field had joined in and were now alternating honks with the car.
Honk. Honk! Honk. Honk! Honk. Honk!
As we got inside we were greeted by the elderly singing greeter I always see up there. He's usually singing a Frank Sinatra tune, frequently just the same line over and over again. Tonight he was singing "Georgie Girl" and as I passed, he approached and started saying something about George shoes, maybe Georgio? Anyway, he pointed out that his shoes weren't those, he bought them at Sears. Mom jokingly shooshed him, saying the WalMart big wigs would overhear that he'd been shopping elsewhere. He replied by telling us how we should all shop at as many different stores as we can and that it's good for the city. He then ripped a few WalMart smiley face stickers from his roll and gave them to me.
Geese with rhythm, being greeted with a song, a discussion about shoes and the economy, and a pocket full of stickers. What more could a guy ask for in a night?
On the way across the parking lot, somebody's car alarm went off for absolutely no reason, nobody was even near it. The horn started up a constant rhythm.
Honk. Honk. Honk.
As we neared the building, I noticed something that made the situation even more bizarre. A flock of geese in a nearby field had joined in and were now alternating honks with the car.
Honk. Honk! Honk. Honk! Honk. Honk!
As we got inside we were greeted by the elderly singing greeter I always see up there. He's usually singing a Frank Sinatra tune, frequently just the same line over and over again. Tonight he was singing "Georgie Girl" and as I passed, he approached and started saying something about George shoes, maybe Georgio? Anyway, he pointed out that his shoes weren't those, he bought them at Sears. Mom jokingly shooshed him, saying the WalMart big wigs would overhear that he'd been shopping elsewhere. He replied by telling us how we should all shop at as many different stores as we can and that it's good for the city. He then ripped a few WalMart smiley face stickers from his roll and gave them to me.
Geese with rhythm, being greeted with a song, a discussion about shoes and the economy, and a pocket full of stickers. What more could a guy ask for in a night?
Monday, December 20, 2004
Fa La La La La and So On and So Forth
Happy Holidays!
It's been longer than I hoped it'd be between posts here, ah well. Sorry about that.
Anyway, I've been a pretty busy guy!
For starters, a couple weeks ago I made a spur of the moment decision and got my hair cut. I checked and it was ten inches long, so I decided it was time to donate it to Locks of Love. I had no hesitation, but when I heard the first snip of the scissors there was a moment of uncertainty that it was a wise move, by that time it was too late so it was really pointless to worry. My worries were eased when something unexpected and pleasant caught my attention. Over the speaker system at the hair place I suddenly heard a familiar melody being played on a violin. Could it be? I was hearing The Corrs in public? It was true! A rare occurance indeed, but what made it even more rare was that it wasn't "Breathless," it was "Runaway"! I just grinned and considered it to be a sign that I was doing the right thing.
Aside from that, I've been trying to get myself into the holiday spirit. I hate to admit it, but I seem to have a slight lack of seasonal cheer this year, which is really strange considering it's my favorite time of year. We've got the snow, we've got the tree, I'm mostly done shopping, but I'm just not feeling it like I normally do.
The other night, Mom and I went shopping so I could pick up a gift I hadn't gotten yet, I was hoping it might help get me into the spirit a bit more...boy was I wrong. I always hear people telling these holiday shopping horror stories, but somehow whenever I've gone in my 22 years, it's always been enjoyable, that's now changed.
First off, as we got up to WalMart and got out of the van, Mom realized she had left her purse at home. After a minute or so of debating while out in the chilly winter weather, we decided to forget the purse and just make it a quick trip. As I was passing through the automatic doors, a woman pulled her cart to the side and waited for me to pass. I was half way through the door when I heard her scream "Well, COME ON!" I gave Mom a look of confusion as if to say "Did she just scream at me?" I then realized she was screaming to her kid who was playing by the candy machines. Jolly.
Inside the store everyone just seemed tense and some seemed angry. I passed a baby in a shopping cart who leaned out toward me and said something along the lines of "Goondanununumungadikdik." I'm assuming it was either some kind of voodoo curse on me or a holiday greeting in Ewokese.
I got what I came for and tried to browse a few more areas, but the people crowding in the aisles and the noise of the place had me at my limit, so we agreed to get out of there. As we got back out to the parking lot there was a lady who parked totally wrong in a parking space, Mom told her the spaces go the other way, she said it in a very friendly and helpful way. The lady replied in a snotty and agressive manner "Y'know what? I don't care." and then stormed off with her kid. Ho ho ho.
I was tired, grouchy, and hungry, so we went to Anthony's, a nice little family restaurant near my house. Still frustrated from WalMart, we went in Anthony's and it felt like stepping into a holiday movie. They saw us coming and had a table ready for us right by their big Christmas tree before we even made it through the door. Over the speakers they had holiday music playing softly, the lights were dim, it was very nice and calming. As I ate my chicken paprikash, the hostess and another employee started to sing along when "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" came on and I couldn't help but smile. The atmosphere was perfect and the adorable hostess was constantly making me smile. It was exactly what I needed, a dose of holiday joy. I'm definitely feeling a bit more since going there, I think I might head back in a couple days for another dose and a few more smiles.
I wish more people could see that's what it's all about. It's about music and singing, laughing and smiling with friends and family, creating some cheer and sharing it with everyone you can. It's not about finding whatever the hot gift is that particular year. Sure, gifts are nice, but have you ever noticed that the best gifts are the small personal ones from someone you care about? When you break it down, it's all about love. It's not hard to see, but a lot of folks seem to forget it. Try not to forget, spread some love.
Have a safe and happy holiday season, everyone.
-Jacob
It's been longer than I hoped it'd be between posts here, ah well. Sorry about that.
Anyway, I've been a pretty busy guy!
For starters, a couple weeks ago I made a spur of the moment decision and got my hair cut. I checked and it was ten inches long, so I decided it was time to donate it to Locks of Love. I had no hesitation, but when I heard the first snip of the scissors there was a moment of uncertainty that it was a wise move, by that time it was too late so it was really pointless to worry. My worries were eased when something unexpected and pleasant caught my attention. Over the speaker system at the hair place I suddenly heard a familiar melody being played on a violin. Could it be? I was hearing The Corrs in public? It was true! A rare occurance indeed, but what made it even more rare was that it wasn't "Breathless," it was "Runaway"! I just grinned and considered it to be a sign that I was doing the right thing.
Aside from that, I've been trying to get myself into the holiday spirit. I hate to admit it, but I seem to have a slight lack of seasonal cheer this year, which is really strange considering it's my favorite time of year. We've got the snow, we've got the tree, I'm mostly done shopping, but I'm just not feeling it like I normally do.
The other night, Mom and I went shopping so I could pick up a gift I hadn't gotten yet, I was hoping it might help get me into the spirit a bit more...boy was I wrong. I always hear people telling these holiday shopping horror stories, but somehow whenever I've gone in my 22 years, it's always been enjoyable, that's now changed.
First off, as we got up to WalMart and got out of the van, Mom realized she had left her purse at home. After a minute or so of debating while out in the chilly winter weather, we decided to forget the purse and just make it a quick trip. As I was passing through the automatic doors, a woman pulled her cart to the side and waited for me to pass. I was half way through the door when I heard her scream "Well, COME ON!" I gave Mom a look of confusion as if to say "Did she just scream at me?" I then realized she was screaming to her kid who was playing by the candy machines. Jolly.
Inside the store everyone just seemed tense and some seemed angry. I passed a baby in a shopping cart who leaned out toward me and said something along the lines of "Goondanununumungadikdik." I'm assuming it was either some kind of voodoo curse on me or a holiday greeting in Ewokese.
I got what I came for and tried to browse a few more areas, but the people crowding in the aisles and the noise of the place had me at my limit, so we agreed to get out of there. As we got back out to the parking lot there was a lady who parked totally wrong in a parking space, Mom told her the spaces go the other way, she said it in a very friendly and helpful way. The lady replied in a snotty and agressive manner "Y'know what? I don't care." and then stormed off with her kid. Ho ho ho.
I was tired, grouchy, and hungry, so we went to Anthony's, a nice little family restaurant near my house. Still frustrated from WalMart, we went in Anthony's and it felt like stepping into a holiday movie. They saw us coming and had a table ready for us right by their big Christmas tree before we even made it through the door. Over the speakers they had holiday music playing softly, the lights were dim, it was very nice and calming. As I ate my chicken paprikash, the hostess and another employee started to sing along when "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" came on and I couldn't help but smile. The atmosphere was perfect and the adorable hostess was constantly making me smile. It was exactly what I needed, a dose of holiday joy. I'm definitely feeling a bit more since going there, I think I might head back in a couple days for another dose and a few more smiles.
I wish more people could see that's what it's all about. It's about music and singing, laughing and smiling with friends and family, creating some cheer and sharing it with everyone you can. It's not about finding whatever the hot gift is that particular year. Sure, gifts are nice, but have you ever noticed that the best gifts are the small personal ones from someone you care about? When you break it down, it's all about love. It's not hard to see, but a lot of folks seem to forget it. Try not to forget, spread some love.
Have a safe and happy holiday season, everyone.
-Jacob
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