Smooth Travels?

When someone asks me if our travels were "smooth", I often wonder what that word really means? I mean, is travel with an infant and a toddler ever "smooth"? Then I started to think what is smooth travel, really? For me, last week, I travelled with a toddler and an infant and my mom who was a huge help and I gotta say, I was vomit free, I did not have a drink spilled on me, and no potty accidents to speak of, so, all in all I think it was a "smooth" trip.

Southwest worked like clock work and we could check whatever we wanted- I love that! The flights were on time and the flight attendants were very helpful and even brought my toddler a book and a crayon pencil which kept her occupied for 10 mins or so. :-) All in all, smooth travels and if you take the direct flight, so you do not have to change flights, it really makes for an easy time with the kiddos.

New Orleans Saints Win Superbowl XLIV

Well, it is done - after 43 long years, the fans of the city of New Orleans finally got their wish and then some... it is like a 1st down and then some more... Most are waking up the next day wondering if it was a dream because it was so unreal - surreal really.

The Saints finally won a trophy and what a way to do it! Sean Payton coached that team like a TRUE Superbowl team- going for it instead of playing it safe and rocking the 2nd half after the off-sides kick - what an amazing game! It was one of the highest watched show ever and why not? It was one of the most exciting Superbowls in history. Time to buy my T-shirts and souvenirs because who knows when we will do this again but I feel quite confident that America will take this team seriously and who knows? With Sean Payton's coaching and Brees' at the helm, the Saints may come back in another Superbowl in this decade, or at the least, will be strong contenders. I am willing to bet on that!

Avatar in 3D

Apparently, movies in 3D are making a come back. I finally got to see the movie, Avatar. I was waiting a long time. This is a movie you must see in the theater to really appreciate it. In retrospect, even IMAX would have been better than 3D but a bit more pricey I think.

Anyway, I saw Avatar yesterday and it was a good movie. It is a little "touchy, feely" and the message is hokie but I gotta say, it was good. It was about how corporations and the Government, primarily military, are really not respectful of land, water, and/or natural resources. It is a good concept but what I really enjoyed was all the special effects and watching it in 3D was neat.

For the previews, and there were tons, there are three movies coming up in 3D - Shrek (the final one we think), Alice in Wonderland, and another Disney movie too. It is hard to believe that 3D is making such a big comeback and at $13.00 a ticket for an evening show, what is quite the entertainment. We paid $9.00 per ticket for a 5pm matinee show with a military discount. In any case, I definitely recommend seeing Avatar on the big screen, and don't forget your 3D glasses from the movie counter!

AMC Theaters do not honor military

Last week, my husband and I got a much needed date evening/afternoon. It came as sort of a celebration too of news he received at work so it was doubly fun. But, it was a rude awakening for me on the real cost of going out these days. Since my husband and see movies separately or see shorter-length films together at the Elvis Cinemas in Colorado. We usually use a buy one get one free coupon there, and for $2.50 + Snacks, we both get to see a nice movie. We saw Julie & Julia as a matinee there for $8.00 total and that included popcorn and a drink! What a great movie and what a great date afternoon we had and certainly, at those prices, you cannot beat it.

Well, last week, we decided to opt to see a shorter movie than Avatar because our child was in day care and I was not feeling well. We saw Up in the Air right near my daughter's preschool but I discovered what a nightmare AMC theaters was and is. This reminded me again of why I do not go to AMC and rather, opt for Regal, United Artist, Cinemark, or Kerasotes because they all offer a military discount and matinee prices. For example, at Old Town Wadsworth theater (Kerasotes), there is always one rush hour show which is $5.50 without any discounts. What a deal! Then, there is always a military discount at Kerasotes, Cinemark, and Regal otherwise which saves a person upwards of $1.50 each ticket. We ended up spending $8.00 per ticket to see a movie at 150pm. What is that about? AMC does not offer military discounts but does offer senior and student discounts.

The same show at Kerasotes would have been $6.50 per ticket. The $1.50 difference would not have been a big deal but then I got inside and the raping had just begun. The concessions were extremely expensive starting at $3.75 for a small drink and $4.25 for a small popcorn. Are you F'ing kidding me!!? $10.00 for a drink and popcorn!? I felt like I should have just bent over before I went into the theater and in any case, I know and remembered why I do not go to AMC theaters and why they are going under. It is not due to lack of concessions sale, it is because of their piss poor policies and overcharging the public. If it was not close to my daughter's school, we would not have gone this time either but I certainly plan on not going back there again unless AMC starts honoring military along with students and lowers its concession prices and ... don't even think of searching my bag!

Airline Baggage Fees are robbing the taxpayer & middle income famililes

So I started thinking about baggage fees on airlines the other night because I started thinking about who it really affected. Well, for one, it does not affect Corporate America because most Corporations pay a lot to have their employees fly business class or elite class and there are usually no fees for their bags. Government employees cannot upgrade or if they do, it would only be using their own miles so they have to pay for the baggage fees so who pays for the $60 round trip for the bags of government employees- you guessed it- TAX PAYERS- usual middle to upper income families in America who bear the brunt of the increased taxes.

Then, the biggest population who gets hit with the baggage fees and who actually suffer- you guessed it - the Average American traveller- the middle income family who is going to see grandma or grandpa or that Great American family who worked hard for 3 to 4 years, saving every penny to go to Disneyworld- a once in a lifetime trip. Added cost of bags: $120 Roundtrip for a family of 4, additional car seats: $100 roundtrip. Are you fucking kidding me, airlines (EXCEPT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES WHO ROCKS)? I think it is time Congress got involved in this highway robbery. The Government just told the Credit Card Companies what they cannot do regarding unfair billing and interest practices. I think it is time Congress step up and enact a law that no airline can charge more than $10 per bag (below weight limits of course) and of course, airlines are free to charge less than that but they cannot exceed it in violation of federal law. I mean, really- is this what was intended when the Government deregulated the airlines in the 1980s? No- I do not think they ever saw this coming or they never would have deregulated. Now, I agree in a free market society but I also agree the Government occassionally has to intervene when the free market has exceeded its authority and worse, ABUSED its power in this manner.

I fly Southwest Airlines because I think I have the freedom to choose and I choose not to fork over $120 roundtrip for bags but I think it is time for Congress to step in to protect the taxpayer and the average citizen who bears the brunt of this utter abuse by the Airlines.

Single Cup Coffee Makers

Today I embark on my first journey as a single cup coffee maker user, owner and operator. I have done a lot of research on these prior to purchase but I could not resist the price tag at Bed, Bath and Beyond yesterday when there was one over 50% off and with the additional 20% coupon, the Keurig Mini cost me $36 plus the K-cups I purchased for $8. Yes, I could not resist and had to try it out so today I brewed my first cup of French Vanilla K-cup at the office. I added my own cream and splenda and voila- had a nice cup. It was a little strong for me but I cut it with water which helped.

I wanted to play more with it so I made hot water in it for cup o soup - yum! Later in the day, I also had hot cocoa using the machine. All in all, it was a fun experimental day and I hope to continue the journey on Friday when I return to the office.

The toss-up was between the Tassimo, Flavia and Keurig. Tassimo and Flavia are cool because you can make milky beverages- yum! But the drawbacks are that Flavia packages are only available through their website. With the Tassimo you cannot make hot water... and with the Flavia and the Keurig, you can make hot water. Another neat thing about the Keurig is that you can buy a permanent coffee filter for your mini or model and then make your own coffee--- grind it very well and put it in the filter and voila- a cup of coffee of your own liking. I look forward to experimenting and I have a 1-year warranty with Keurig so I do plan on keeping this model for now. Although it was a return, there was nothing wrong with it except missing an instruction manual which I found on line anyway.

I am happy to report I am an owner of a Keurig Mini and look forward to reporting back on this blog my trials and tribulations.