Let's Keep the Clapping to a Minimum

Allan and I always see previews for movies and say we really want to see them but when it comes right down to it, there are so many more things we'd rather be doing, which in reality means that I constantly have our schedule filled to the brim so we never have time to go see a movie.  Let's face it, you can't talk in movies and that's a real downfall.

Anyway, last Saturday night we finally made it to the theater to see Argo.  It was a great movie, I'd highly suggest you all go see it.  However, as soon as the credits started to roll and the lights were eased back on, people in the audience began clapping.  At the end of a really good movie I always brace myself for this, preparing for the awkwardness that is the movie theater clap.  I'd really like to stand up and say, "Excuse me, you know that was a movie we saw and not a play, correct?  There's no one on the other side of that screen that is going to hear you clapping, so who exactly are you doing this for?" 

It's so odd that people feel the need to applaud actors, producers, directors, etc. who are not in the theater, I just don't get it.  The only person who can hear your applause who has been doing anything productive during the movie is the person in the film room who probably pressed a button to start it.  Not to mention, for $10 a ticket, I think that's applause enough.

Awkward at the Grocery Store

In high school, I was the person who loved running into people out and about.  I'd see someone from class across the Target parking lot and would walk over to say hello and chat.  After the 11 o'clock church service, I would stay afterwards to talk to people who went to different schools that I didn't get to see during the week.  At Blockbuster Pavilion (as it was called then) I'd scan the lawn for people to go say hello to.  I'm not necessarily talking about my best friends here, I'm talking about acquaintances too, people you make small talk with.  Because of this, I find it a little odd how awkward I've become when I run into someone I know, but am not close to, at the grocery store.

I will avoid these people at all costs.  If I turn down the cereal aisle and I see them, even if cereal is the last thing I need before I can check-out, I will turn my cart around and pretend to be interested in the BOGO dog food.  Or worse, if I don't catch it in time and end up having to talk to the person and feign interest, as soon as I walk away I then have to concoct a plan so that we don't run into each other again on the next aisle and the next. 

I'm of the opinion that if you run into someone you haven't spoken to in 10 years, never really liked, or had a random heart-to-heart in the bar three years ago and haven't talked to since, all parties should do the polite thing and pretend not to know each other.  This would save a lot of time that is otherwise wasted trying to figure out the best grocery store route of avoidance.

**Is it a coincidence that the awkwardness started around the time I started drinking?  Interesting...

Names Names Names

After eight months of legally having four names, I have discovered the annoyances that come with them.  On my credit card it reads Caroline Schmitt, on my driver's license it reads Caroline S.B. Schmitt and on my insurance card it says Caroline Simpson Schmitt.  When I go to pick up a prescription I never know what name to give because I can't remember how they have it filed and when I hesitate they probably think I'm trying to steal someone else's meds. 

Because of all of this and more, I have started thinking about going back and dropping Caroline, which if you remember from my previous post, involves all sorts of hoops to jump through and after 4 - 6 months of undergoing FBI background checks and getting notarized affidavits of character, then I am able to go to the Social Security office and the DMV to finalize everything.

During lunch today I decided to head to the courthouse and at least pick up the name change packet so that I really understand what I'm getting myself into.  If you will also remember, last time I tried to do this was a disaster as I'd already been turned down at the Social Security office on Albemarle Road (read: was already red in the face), only to be told that I couldn't come into the building because I had a digital camera in my purse.  So here I go again.  This time I made it through security (wahoo!), however when I approached the appropriate desk, I was told that there's a different room where you pick up the name change packet, and that room is only opened from 8:30a.m. - 12p.m. Monday - Friday.  Y'all, it was all I could do not to say, "Well, so glad to have yet another glowing example of my tax dollars hard at work," and then ask for 75 cents to cover the parking meter fee that was just wasted.

So, when you're feeling down about your job and the benefits that come with it, just think, there's a government worker in the county courthouse who only works 17.5 hours a week and whose health insurance you are paying for.