it makes me wonder what’s going on in those peoples worlds that makes them so unhappy and unskilled.

I don't have to wonder. I've lived in that world. For so many the oppressiveness is so demeaning and depressing that it finds any outlet it can to escape or vent. One of the worst parts is you don't even know it is happening. (the oppression or the venting)

I confess it would never have occurred to me to ask cinema employees to look after my food - but I don't tend to buy popcorn very often, and one way or another I can't think of a time when taking food into the loo/leaving it someplace thing has happened. Bottles of water - I generally have one of those with me, but that doesn't strike me a squicksome. Hmm.

I'm still squirming about Kristin's asshat lady at the airport. WeeSisterJay had a slightly similar experience in getting from Spain - the flights into Heathrow were all getting cancelled, and she ended up getting put up in a hotel overnight and then flying into Liverpool instead the next day. But in the airport there were many many people losing their cool and yelling at the airport staff, to the point that the girl behind the counter had to go away and cry. Twice. Which - really, not okay. It's fog, people. Yell at God, not at the airline staff who are being responsible and deciding not to send planes where they can't see to land.

Gadget Girl, I don't think we've met? Merry Christmas, though!

When I was flying back from London (many years ago) and had a high fever my flight on British Airways got canceled. I was at the end of a long line of Ugly Entitled Americans abusing the clerk, and when I got to the front, I just asked politely and she quickly secured a seat for me on Virgin.

So I say: Be polite, travelers!

Though on the flipside, I have to note, that I despise the airline policy of abandoning the front desk when flights are delayed and having nobody around to answer questions. Airline policies can be very abusive.

Merry Christmas, Fay! I don't think we've gotten to meet yet, either. After lurking for a while I finally decided to join a couple weeks ago. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

I think my iPod just died.

OMG Ms Bhutto was assassinated! What's strange is while at bosses place last night, we heard about 6 fighter jets scramble from the navel air base. (an unusual event). But that was 12 hours before the incident.

I wish the Buffista~ma was strong enough to will World Peace.

In completely shallow news:

I should not be as amused by Ask Mr. Breakfast as I am [link]

I would not and still will not ask strangers to watch my food. I also avoid bringing open food into public restrooms.

The two policies have been okay in conjunction with each other so far.

I was just telling my sister about being dicked over by NWA (the airline, not the rap group) when the desk lady told me "At least you'll walk again! My aunt is dead!" The nurse trying to insert an IV in me as I was recounting the story about brayed with laughter. Flying sure makes for some stress, and not just on one side of the equation.

Does an appointment at the Genius Bar cost money?

I would not and still will not ask strangers to watch my food.

I'm just surprised to hear Laga's POV, that the customers must not trust the theatre employees to watch their food. The question of trust wouldn't even enter into it for me; I just thought it was rude, in an imperious sort of way, to be all, "Oh, even though you're busy waiting on other customers, I need you to watch *my* food for me while I pee."

I totally would have expected Laga to say something like "I can't believe that customers expect the employees to watch their food, when the employees have *other* customers to wait on!"

Just goes to show, I'm damned if I do, and need to remember to not take my food in the bathroom with me at the theatre.