Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Best Day Ever

My friend recently wrote on his facebook page that he was having the "best day ever." I think he was a new dad or maybe grandfather. I can't remember for sure. The statement made me think of what my best day ever would have been. In truth, I was unable to come up with an answer.

I must be the luckiest person in the whole world because I've had many best days ever.

Everyone should believe the best day ever is the day they were born. Without that day there would be no days, let alone no best day(s) ever. Many people balk at the idea of celebrating becoming another year older. I find that response ridiculous because the alternative would mean you are dead or never existed in the first place.

For me I have five more best days ever! Starting with may 30th, then June 7th, then May 25th, then December 10th and finally February 8th which were the days my children were born. That would be five days that qualify for the best day ever! They were the best days for more reasons that you might think. I got to meet my new baby. I got to quit having the bad side effects of being pregnant which for me 4 out of 5 times were pretty intense. I got to end the anxiety of the wait that happens at the end of pregnancy and the questions every mom probably has. Like is he/she going to have 10 fingers & 10 toes, two arms, legs, eyes etc. or worse will they have a mental or emotional disability? And in the case of Cody I was so excited he was here because we were finally going to be able to go to Disneyland. It was a present I got for a birthday in April which I waited for because they don't let you ride many rides while you are pregnant.

I include the day my biological father walked out as one of the best days ever, which might seem odd to some. For us it marked the end of all of his daily abuse and the beginning of a household filled with less fear and hope for a future.

I include the day Dad died as one of the best days ever. He had been sick for a long time and wanted the release of death. It was a very good day. Who says the best day ever can't be tinged with a little sadness.

I include the day my grandchildren were born and even the days I found out they were coming as one of the best days ever. Grandkids are much better than kids. None of the pregnancy downside and all of the baby excitement and spoiling!

I include the day each of my kids graduated from high school as one of the best days ever. It was a goal the day they were born to see them through and not to let them give up. It was a tough road for at least two but so completely worth it.

I include the days my children were married as one of the best days ever. They love their spouses and I do too! There are marriages to come I imagine.

I include the day I survived as one of the best days ever. There were a lot of those days including a few accidents, an electrocution and a burst appendix along with a few less dramatic survivals as one of the best days ever.

See for me the best day ever are the days through the years that shape and define who I am. Those days were profoundly happy and some sad but they had lasting impact. The definition can be redefined and redefined for what makes particular day the best day ever. What may make today the best day ever may not be what makes tomorrow the every best day ever. It is those moments of celebration and sadness that make up who I am. The days that stand out are the best days ever!

8 Movie Rules

There are rules when going to the movies.

Rule one be polite. The theater is not your private space and we all paid to get in and enjoy the show. Keep your comments to yourself, don't narrate what you see, no slurping or chomping your gum/food, keep your clothes on, make out in your own place on your own time, laugh at appropriate times at an appropriate noise level and keep your phone in your pocket/purse on vibrate.

Rule two buy at least one thing from the theater. Concessions at the movies are way over priced and the majority of people sneak in snacks and/or drinks. The reason those concessions are expensive have more to do with making the budget balance that sticking it to the consumer. Up until I discovered this fact it just irked me that the prices were so high. Now that I know I still think it is a better idea to sneak in healthier snacks. Okay my local theater is now offering better snacks but not what I want. Purchasing a drink or something means you both win.

Rule three bring it in take it out. Don't leave your crap behind. I realize they send employees in to clean up but they have limited time and I don't want to sit on your leftovers. Would you like people to come visit your house then leave a mess behind? Worse is to sneak in outside food then leave your wrappers behind. It kind of takes the sneak out of sneaking.

Rule four when sneaking in stuff to eat be mindful of the wrapper sounds and obnoxious food smells. Loud smells are just as bad as loud wrappers.

Rule five don't encroach on the space of others. Keep your arms and feet to yourself. The best choice is to try to keep space between you and me so if I have a seat open next to me keep moving unless absolutely necessary. Although you want to put your arms on the armrests so does the person next to you. You may also want to put your feet up on the seat in front of you but your feet do not belong in someone's ear or face or pulling their hair.

Rule six talking is okay only until the previews start. Some of us like to watch the previews and so just quit talking and giggling once they start.

Rule seven pay for your ticket. Buying one ticket does not entitle you to sneak into a second or third movie. You are not being as clever as you think. You are taking seats meant for paying customers. Kids see what you are doing. Sneaking in is stealing and the under paid employees don't need to clean up after you twice.

Rule eight check out the ratings before you go to the movie. There is nothing worse that the horrified gasp when someone finds out there is crude behavior, cussing, nudity or violence on screen in the movie with an R or PG rating. As a side note your minor children do not belong in all R rated movies and few to no PG rated movies. Yes it is nobody's business what you watch with your kids at home but let them be kids for as long as they can. Also at the theater they are often bored and unruly. Crying babies are not fun for you in the theater why would you do that to us too?

Eight is probably enough rules for now. There are others but these are the important and you need to get these down first. Yes, I am feeling pretty bossy right now.