Thursday, May 16, 2013

Cheers, I'll drink (and eat) to that!

made for each other via
I went to Dodgers Stadium once. Can't remember much of the game - got there late, looked for parking for 20 minutes, found the seats. Everyone around was drinking delicious looking crisp and cold beer and eating cheesy nachos. I couldn't resist. We went to get some. I drank and ate, and the game was over. I wouldn't even tell you who was playing or who won.

Where am I going with this? It's actually quite obvious - pretty much any activity in the states involves eating and drinking. Whether you go to Broadway, Staples center, Hollywood Bowl, a shopping mall or a movie theater - the next thing you see after you walk in is the food and beverage stands. Overpriced, of a lower quality and limited selection - usually cheap american beer, wine and hot dogs become the hottest items on the menu and make people stand patiently in lines sometimes for 20 minutes or more.

And no, noone is really THAT hungry or thirsty, it's just part of the experience of going to these kinds of events. I mean, who's going to argue that singing and dancing and cheering on a favorite team becomes times more fun with belly full of fast food and head feeling lighter after a glass of Coors Light?

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Love You, Bye

via
Alright, I know, all we need is love, but talking about it and putting LOVE in every conversation is a definite overkill for me. I just find it a bit unfair that once can describe a fondness of spinach, shoes and feelings for a significant other with the same word "LOVE".

I see that the use of this sacred word has become so natural and trivial, that saying it out loud doesn't trigger sweaty palms and stammering anymore. Thinking of me growing up I do not remember my parents telling me "Love you" every day. And I am pretty sure it's not because they didn't, it's because words of love are not spoken that often. Good or bad, I am not here to argue either case, just sharing the experience.

I will admit that after my move to the states I began using the L word more frequently. I tell this to my family, my friends and to my bird. My sister only speaks it to me and our mom on holidays, on cards, in writing. I wonder if it's because of the way we were brought up or it's just my sister being weird like that.

But sometimes I think I'd rather get her "Love you sister" on holidays and know it's coming from her heart than see it in every text message from her and not paying much attention to it, as something I hear every day and get immune to... Go figure.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

You've got mail!

via
Many years ago, when I was 12 and barely tall enough to reach the mailbox, checking it on the way home from school was my sweet daily habit. Mail would usually come no more than 5 times a month - some bills, a newspaper and perhaps a card or a letter from whoever was still into that way of keeping in touch. Finding a piece of paper in that blue box was always exciting and something I used to look forward to.

Long gone are those days and how I do miss them! Mailboxes in the states are being spammed, junked, abused and disgraced in so many ways on a daily basis, excluding Sunday. Where do all those people, businesses and credit card agencies find my address and how do they know all the stuff about me? Making one purchase online and applying for a car loan was enough to find piles of letters in my mailbox just 3 weeks after I changed the address.

It can be nice sometimes, to come home and find an envelope with my name and address on it, to feel that I am not forgotten and no matter what there will always be some bank, store or just a local business thinking about me and sending me all the nice words and offers. This factor I can certainly appreciate!

The rest of the unwanted mail can still be pretty annoying and feel like a waste. I personally rarely even open those letter, let alone read them. Am I the only one?