Put Your Phone Down
If I kept a list of pet peeves – and I do – people using phones in movie theaters would be in the top ten.
That’s why I have always liked Alamo Drafthouse. I’ve never been to one of the theaters, where you can order and eat meals (and drinks) while you watch films, but I liked that they had a strict “no phones” policy. You weren’t allowed to talk on your phone or even text during a movie, so the sounds and/or lights didn’t bother the people who were, you know, trying to watch the movie.
But that has changed, and you can now order your food and drinks via an app on the phone, which replaces the old system of writing down what you want on a piece of paper and giving it to the server. This is during the movie, mind you. It goes against what Alamo has always stood for. Movie fans are not happy about the change.
Thoreau-ly Modern Living
Of course, Henry David Thoreau never had a problem with smartphones (he always kept his smartphone in his cabin when he went on long walks in the woods).
I try to live simply when I can. I’m into analog tools like notebooks and analog watches and landline phones. But there are some people who are going the extra mile and actually building full-scale replica cabins like the one Thoreau lived in, and I don’t know if I’d ever go that far. Though they do seem like very nice, cozy (if small) places.
Mine would have to have electricity and Wi-Fi though.
Man Builds Model of NYC
Do you have a hobby? Not one like this guy has.
Uploaded to YouTube by CBS Evening News
Quote of the Week
“That meat falls apart like it’s late for church.”
– Tennis player Marin Čilić, trying BBQ in Dallas, Texas
RIP James Van Der Beek, Bud Cort, LaMonte McLemore, Brad Arnold, Mickey Lolich, and Virginia Oliver
James Van Der Beek was the star of the popular teen drama Dawson’s Creek. He died Wednesday at the age of 48.
Bud Cort was a prolific character actor who appeared in such movies as Harold & Maude, M*A*S*H, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, and the Invaders from Mars remake, as well as TV shows like Arrested Development, The Twilight Zone, and Faerie Tale Theatre. He died Wednesday at the age of 77.
LaMonte McLemore was cofounder of and sang bass with The 5th Dimension, known for such songs as “Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In,” and “Up, Up and Away.” He died last week at the age of 90.
Brad Arnold was the lead singer of Three Doors Down, known for such songs as “Kryptonite” and “Here Without You.” He died Saturday at the age of 47.
Mickey Lolich was a star pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. He died last week at the age of 85.
Virginia Oliver was known as Maine’s “Lobster Lady.” She started lobstering in the 1930s and kept working until just a few years ago. She died last week at the age of 105.
This Week in History
The “Last” Issue of The Saturday Evening Post (February 8, 1969)
It had one of their more interesting covers. (But don’t worry, the magazine came back!)
Guadalcanal Captured (February 9, 1943)
The battle started in August of 1942 and changed the direction of World War II.
This Week in Saturday Evening Post History: Schrafft’s Chocolates (February 11, 1956)
That two-pound box of chocolates was $5.00, which is equal to around $59.00 today.
Monday Is National Almond Day
Taste of Home has a recipe for Spring Asparagus (yes, it has been a brutal winter but spring is coming, I swear) that includes almonds and tomatoes. The site also has this Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf.
Delish has a recipe for Panera Thai Chicken Salad, Southern Living has this Two-Layer Pimiento-and-Cheese Dip with Smoked Almonds, and Cook for Your Life has a Broccoli and Almond Soup. For something sweeter, Allrecipes has a recipe for Candied Almonds, and Food52 has an Almond Coffee Cake.
I don’t know if these can be considered “Valentine’s Day” recipes, but if you squint an almond sort of looks like a heart.
Next Week’s Holidays and Events
Valentine’s Day (February 14)
You can forget Halloween, Arbor Day, maybe even Thanksgiving. But your significant other would like it if you remembered Valentine’s Day.
Presidents Day (February 16)
This is the day we celebrate George Washington’s birthday, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, and/or all of the U.S. Presidents. It’s up to you. (Also a good day to buy a mattress.)
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Comments
Regarding the use of phones in movie theaters, it’d be great if the theaters had jamming equipment that would “disable” cell phone reception in auditoriums, so phones would work only in the lobby. Or have a zero-tolerance, one warning then ejection policy. I still can’t understand why some folks would travel to a theater, spend $15 on a ticket, sit in an uncomfortable seat for 2 hours, and then spend the majority of that time checking emails & texting. Stay home and do that! Can’t you go 2 hours in public without having your phone in your hand? As for ordering refreshments from your phone while seated in the auditorium, that should be permitted only during previews before the movie begins. After that, you need to get up & go to the lobby to get food. Or else do like most people, arrive early enough to buy your food before the movie starts, or smuggle in your own snacks in your pockets or purses. Or instead of paying the high concession prices, use that money to go out to dinner before the show.
I agree with you on the phones in theaters, but mainly only the ones showing live performances. Movie theaters showing loud, interchangeable/indistinguishable pyro-tech standard crutch garbage, does it even matter? These theaters are on their way out as we speak. I’m sure the developers will ether repurpose them, or tear them down.
The idea of a Thoreau cabin is kind of neat, for the right people, of course. Steve Hartman’s report with Joe and his accurate, mind blowing detailed re-creation of New York is astonishing. I’d love to see it all laid out. Hours would go by like minutes.
Perhaps Charles Moore should have consulted with Joe ahead of creating the (Chicago) February 8. 1969 Post cover, that still leaves me bewildered 57 years later. I have it, and it’s a very good issue. And, just 6 months earlier, his ‘Big Costume Put On’ cover helped make the covers of ’68 so great.