Friday, January 24, 2014

Wanna See

I really would love to see this. Previews begin March 19, so tickets would make a really good birthday present!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

My New @aa.com Email Address

I’m excited about the US/AA merger, really I am. I mean, to be employed at the world’s largest airline. That’s quite something.

But I have to tell you, I felt a little weird upon reading the below email.

Admittedly my email address will now be easier to type. Previously, whenever I had to type it in I always misspelled airways. I’d usually transpose the “r” and the “i”. It will be hard to misspell aa, you know? It doesn’t matter if I transpose letters. Lol.

Still, I’ve worked for US Airways for a combined total of 20 years. Losing the name is not easy. With just my email address folks knew what company I worked for. Now, it looks like I work for Alcoholics Anonymous!

But really, I am excited about the merger. It might just take me a moment to embrace the new email address.



To: Cheryl Ann
Subject: Your New @aa.com Email Address

Congratulations!Your email has been transitioned to @aa.com!

As part of our efforts to combine systems, your @usairways.com email has transitioned to your new @aa.com email address.

Although your email has changed, you will still be able to receive email at your previous @usairways.com address.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Breakfast at Tiffany's, A Man's Perspective

From: Chris
To: Cheryl Ann
Sent: Sun, Jan 19, 2014 1:39 pm
Subject: Breakfast at Tiffany's

This was a weird movie, and I felt lost during it on several occasions. Realizing it was based on a Truman Capote novel makes that somewhat less surprising. 

I liked the idea of spending a day doing things they'd never done before. 

The characters reminded me of Sally and Cliff in Cabaret, at times.

Mickey Rooney's character is an absurd, racist caricature, and completely unnecessary to the film. 

Initially, I was wondering, Why did she let this guy in her house, why did he stay and why was he so curious?

So much smoke at the party at her house. How did none of them start coughing? And how did she always have a cigarette, even when arrested?

That poor wet cat. :-(
----
There is a wildness, spontaneity and craziness about Holly that made me both annoyed by and attracted to her at the same time. And that realization bothers me somewhat. Maybe I'm like her husband, wanting to nurture the wounded, wild animals that I'll never be able to tame or keep once they're well. Which is just as well, since the taming would likely remove the wonderful aspects that made them special in the first place.

I understand the point the movie was trying to make and the closing scene with Fred/Paul drove that home, though his character was somewhat flat. I didn't see enough of a reason why Holly would be in love with him. Though, the why is probably less important than Holly allowing herself to need anyone or anything.

Most memorable quotes:
"You like me baby, you know you do"

"It's useful being top banana in the shock department."

"I don't want to put you in a cage, I want to love you."

"You call yourself a free spirit, a wild thing, and you're terrified somebody's gonna stick you in a cage. Baby, you're already in that cage. You built it yourself."

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Irate Customer

A customer was denied a change fee waiver for a date change requested on a booking he made on the web. His response to our rep was…

“Well I am just going to fly American from now on!”

Um, okay.

Friday, January 03, 2014

A Book Report, "Game"

This book is the first book in the Game Trilogy by Swedish author Anders De La Motte. I got this one and the second book, Buzz for free from Netgalley. I've read this one. I'm not sure if I want to read the second one.

The premise is interesting. HP picks up a cell phone he thinks someone left on the train. It's sleek, shiny and state-of-the-art so he fiddles with it before deciding to look for its owner. The phone comes to life and asks HP if he wants to play a game. For stealing a fellow passenger's umbrella, HP will be awarded points. This seemingly harmless prank soon escalates into more egregious stunts, placing HP and others in danger.

I found it very difficult to relate to, or even like, HP. He's an immature stoner without any likable qualities. Continuing to play the Game for the money is certainly understandable, given HP's existence. But the author makes it clear that it's less about the money and more the adrenaline rush he receives from knowing his escapades are being watched and rated. He's an absolutely despicable character.

Ultimately I got sucked into the book. Who is behind the mastering of these Games? Why are these Games important? I'm sure the sequel will move the story toward that unveiling. I just don't know if I care enough about learning the answers.

Wednesday, January 01, 2014

Goals for 2014

So I know I didn't do too well on my 2013 goals. Some of them were pretty lofty goals. This year I'm going to work toward more realistic goals.
See a minimum of 5 Broadway shows
I'm modifying this 2013 goal by removing the NYC restriction. This means shows I see at DPAC, or Charlotte's Broadway Lights Series or in NYC will count!
My 2014 Reading Challenge is to read 60 books
With having read 57 books for both 2012 and 2013, I feel 60 books is a nice stretch. You can follow my progress on Goodreads.
Read 3 books off the BBC Reading List  
I still want to work on theBBC Reading List. Last year was pitiful, but I think it was more my unrealistic goal. This year's goal should be doable. It's one more than I read last year and only one a quarter.
Attend 3 Festivals
Wine, Renaissance, Apple, Honey Bee, etc. The idea is to celebrate with a community of people!
Travel somewhere I've never been
While I'd love to add some more stamps in my passport, it doesn't have to be outside the United States or even outside of North Carolina.

I may add some more if/when the mood strikes, but these are the main ones.

Goals for 2013 - Overall Results

Before I start thinking about my goals for 2014, let's take a look at my results from 2013:

See a minimum of 5 Broadway/Off-Broadway shows in NYC
This one really did seem like a no-brainer. There were so many shows I wanted to see! Unfortunately, there were too few opportunities to fly to NYC. On the dates I thought about going, the flights became too full for my comfort.
Goal Achieved: No

My 2013 Reading Challenge is to read 65 books
I came in at 57 books read. This is the same number of books I read in 2012.
Goal Achieved: No

Read a minimum of 9 books off the BBC Reading List
I read 2.
Goal Achieved: No

Places To Visit:
The Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA
Goal Achieved: Yes

The Moulin Rouge in Paris, France
Goal Achieved: Yes

Walt Disney World or Disneyland
Goal Achieved: Yes

Boston, MA
Goal Achieved: No

Pittsburgh, PA
Goal Achieved: No

So out of 8 goals, I achieved 3 of them. Granted, they were 3 of the biggest goals! Still, I have to admit that I sucked at meeting my 2013 goals. Oh, the agony of defeat!

2013 Goals - Monthly Update

Here's how I did with my goals during December.

See a minimum of 5 Broadway and Off-Broadway shows in NYC
- Nope.

Read 65 books for my Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
- I read 5 books toward my goal: Sempre, Me Since You, Running, Match, The Treatment, Shining City, After Ashley, Becky Shaw.
- Total books toward my goal of 65 - 57 books. 

Read a minimum of 9 books off the BBC Reading List
- Nope. 

Visit: 
1.The Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA 
"I'll Never Be Hungry Again" (Completed April 7)

2.The Moulin Rouge in Paris, France 
Feerie (Completed September 10)

3.Walt Disney World or Disneyland 
- Disneyland Paris counts! (Completed September 12) 

4.Boston, MA
- Nope. 

5.Pittsburgh, PA
- Nope.