Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Am I A Bad Influence...?

I have come to the conclusion that I may be a bad influence. My mother used to say, "We are all born with a little larceny in us..." but I think I have more than a little. The other day I took the Munchkins to see "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian". I had taken the Munchkins for Japanese sushi first, at their favorite sushi restaurant, and I desperately wanted a latte. However, if I had stopped for one, we would have been late for the movie, so I decided to buy one to take to the movie with me. The young man taking the tickets at the movie theatre was not much older than Phinnaeus, and he informed me, in no uncertain terms, that "No outside food or drink was allowed in the theatre." I looked around and people were hauling in mega-sized buckets of popcorn, soft drinks, chocolate bars, ice cream, and there was I -- with my teeny tiny little latte. Anyway, the young man chased me out to the lobby to finish drinking my latte, just as the movie was about to start. Phinnaeus, Marigold and I sat in the lobby, and then I had a brain wave. I looked at my drink, I looked at my tote bag, et voila! problem solved. My latte fit very nicely into my tote bag, the three of us strolled into the already darkened theatre, we sat down, and I enjoyed my latte in leisure. Phinnaeus and Marigold didn't say a word, although they did look at me with a twinkle in their eyes. I hope I was not a bad influence on them.

The Munchkins enjoyed "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian". I thought it was even better than the first one; the special effects were wonderful. The famous statue "The Ballerina" by Degas came to life and danced through the museum. Jeff Koons' balloon puppy bounced and pranced through the halls; the people in Edward Hopper's painting, "Nighthawks" came to life. I loved it. Hank Azaria was wonderful as Egyptian pharaoh Kahmunrah -- complete with a lisp. But if you're looking for high drama, this isn't it. It's a kids' show, and kids love it. The Munchkins were even asking me about some of the art work, which clearly was in the movie to educate children. It was an interesting concept.

I enjoyed the movie -- and my latte -- very much. Have I led the Munchkins down the path to ruin by smuggling a latte into the movie? Oh, gosh, I hope not. When I was a little girl, my parents and I used to go to Beacon Hill Park in Victoria. It was against the law to pick any of the flowers there. My mother used to get my father and me to cause a distraction, while she took out a small pair of scissors and took a cutting of some unusual plant she saw. When we got home, she would write to the gardeners at the park and ask what it was, and how should she grow it. She always received a wonderful letter back from them. She had a little larceny in her, and I suppose that is how I became such a hardened criminal.

24 comments:

Essie said...

"Bad" influence? No I think not. We smuggle items into movie theaters all the time. My position is this: The consumer should have the right as a movie-goer to bring what they like to the theater. The theater should not have the right to dictate what we consume at the theater. The theater makes enough money on our tickets and I think would be a more attractive place to go if they allowed people to bring in things. The worst they can do is ask you to leave. I think you taught them to be assertive to greedy companies. What you were doing was by no means illegal. This movie sounds great! I'm always looking for a movie the big boys and little boys will enjoy.

Stephen Leach said...

Oh good lord Jo.... don't post it on the Internet, it can be used as evidence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OMIDAYS!
Meh, its funny, youre teaching them to be sneaky......................... :)

The Bug said...

My mom always stocked up on candy at the gas station & then smuggled it in. But she ALWAYS bought the popcorn - I think that was the only reason she went to the movies... She just couldn't see spending that much money on candy...

Charles Gramlich said...

I believe your act was justified!

Ady Grafovna said...

Kids love it when adults break the rules!

My kids did not like the first Night at the Museum movie, so I have not taken them to see this one. But I did take them to see Up. HIGHLY recommend this movie. I enjoyed it as a movie, not even just a kid movie. :) PLUS, the kids loved it.

Rose said...

About a year ago, a friend and I stepped out in our youthful finery aka gigantic hand bags, with only the tiniest items in them. We then decided to go for a movie. We dutifully stopped, stocked up on our fav chips, drinks, hot dogs and even chocolate, all in those previously mentioned king-size bags. :) I don't even remember the movie, but the memory remains! I think you may have given the munchkins a similar fond memory - good for you!! I'm waiting to watch the movie as well - many thanks for the review Jo!

Leilani Tresise said...

lol Jo, I think the outing itself made up for ur moment of being a rascal ! If thats the worst they see you do, they are extemely lucky!! MY poor gradkids need a safety monitor to go out with me =0)

Deb said...

Oh heavens, NO. No...and I will say it again...NO! I always bring in my own water. We do purchase popcorn at a ridiculous price so I feel I am contributing in my own way.

crone51 said...

I was not born to pay $ 3.75 for a small diet coke. Although I did the other day but only due to poor planning . I have my special "going to movies" bag and have had one for years. It is vast.

~Brittainy said...

It cost so much to go to a movie anymore, I think we all wind up doing it.

Dr.John said...

You have begun to teach survival techniques in a greedy world.

Pear tree cottage! said...

Jo, Now lets get real here (smiles), a Latté was needed so I think it was a life and death situation. I mean to say you may have disrupted the whole audience if a calming Latté was not taken before the movie! Right!!

Have a darling day!
Lee-ann

Alissa Grosso said...

As Dr. John pointed out this is not larceny but a survival technique. One of my local movie theaters is next to a grocery store. The grocery store has a fairly prominent display of "movie" candy - at grocery store prices, of course. I am sure there are many movie-goers who stop in at the grocery store first.

B said...

As an avid and professional food smuggler with a large tote bag, I see nothing wrong with this ;)

Also, Night at the Museum was a wonderful movie, I look forward to seeing the sequel!

TheChicGeek said...

Everyone needs a little rebel in their lives...LOL
I can't think of a better gangster than you, JO!
The movie sounds great and the shinnagins (sp) made it even more fun!
You go, Girl! LOL

Roll said...

haha classic, I think you actually taught them a valuable lesson. We all need to learn how to make reasonable judgements about things in life, even when it comes to the trivial things.

The way I see it, you emphasised that the ticket lad was being unreasonable and foolishly inflexible, and that the establishment was overly stingy. So.. well.. your work-around was quite creative!

I would have done the same thing, haha!

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

Bad Influence? I think not. You are striking a blow against ultra-right super-capitalistic, profiteering, exclusive, monopolizing, money worshipping, self-serving, diabolical, brain washing corporate media. What's wrong with that?

By the way, I understand that there is a squirrel in the story. Is it true?

John said...

Such an enjoyable read, thanks! Desperate times call for desperate measures! The munchkins will probably forget about it anyway, but if they don't they will look back at it and smile.

So now you know what to do next time! Until they start searching your bags, I say load up with home cooked popcorn or whatever in ziplock bags! I saw a lady eating a chicken leg in during a movie once!

I really believe those high prices for popcorn, drinks, and candy are one reason that more people don't go to the theater.

A great movie choice too! A fun and educational movie all in one.

lovelyprism said...

Oh my gosh! I had the same exact thing happen to me! But rather than sneak my coffee in in my bag I *gasp* LIED! I looked that boy right in the eye and said "Oh it's empty I just need to find a trash can". Then I enjoyed my coffee and my movie :-)

BioniKat said...

Movie theatres are pricing themselves out of the market. My kids and I quite often enjoy a dvd night at home where we can bring all the snacks we like, relax under blankets and not freeze our buns off in over-airconditioned cinemas.

robert said...

Thank you for influencing me.

Pan's Island said...

The movie theatres are robber barons when it comes to drinks and snacks. My mother always bought snacks and drinks ahead of time and I do the same. You taught them the value of a dollar - you had your latte and watched the movie too!

Paula Slade said...

Hee-hee! ;-D

Tryingmybest said...

You're not a bad influence - you're teaching them to think for themselves and solve problems. Where in the world would we be if we all just did as we were told by someone else?