Lost in Translation

Whenever someone tells me that our public schools aren't receiving enough funding, I just laugh. This happens at least twice a shift for me: A young boy or girl comes up to me and in broken English, amidst numerous pauses, asks me to point their parents in the direction of a product. Where are the parents? Waiting for their child to come back and translate it in to Spanish for them. I love the fact that America is so diverse, a real "melting pot," but I can't stand the language barriers and the lack of effort from people who are not in this country legally. Now that I've pissed you off, I will explain: I fully understand that not every non-English speaking person in this country is an illegal alien, but if I'm going to make an attempt to help you find what you need, I would like to feel a little reciprocation for my efforts. Yes, I am paid to help these people and they are not paid to speak English, but given how hard it must be to provide for your family and communicate with the general public, wouldn't you attempt to make it easier for you and your family? For the first time in my blogs I am honestly asking for a response from my readers, as I would like to discuss this and gain perspective, even from another point of view. Hit me up.

Who Me?

Have you ever had someone just start talking to you like you're already in the middle of a conversation? For example: Someone you may know (or not know) is standing near by, happens to overhear your conversation, and decides to chime in with vital information as if they have been involved in your conversation circle from "hello." It happens to me everyday. I've got my back to someone while being busy with another customer, or frantically trying to finish a task handed to me by my boss when I hear, "Can I see this one?" The customer has just committed a small break in etiquette by skipping over the "Excuse me, Sir?" and going straight to the ensuing question. I'm gonna be honest with you readers, half the time I pretend I didn't hear because I know I can get away with it. Who knows who he was talking to? I don't. I can't seem him behind me. For all I know he was talking to his wife about her getting something out of her purse. I will literally continue with what I am doing until I get an "Excuse me, Sir?" I'll even take a "Hey man, you might showing me some binoculars?" I guarantee you will get the most attitude from me if you act like we are ol' buddies and skip the pleasantries. If you have ever had me help you in my store and have started our conversation with, "I wanna see some knives" while my back was turned, you've probably gotten this response, "Well the glass is see-through, so have at it!" Sigh, I am reminded of one of my earlier posts about hailing me for service.

A lot of times those customers make me think this is their senior photo in the yearbook:

Live from Twilight Lounge!

Disclaimer: If you have been torturing yourself by reading each one of my blogs before this one, you're in luck! This is simply a "live blog" post about my recent experience at Twilight Lounge. I will attempt to use my superb vocabulary to set the mood and put your mind in my seat. I will avoid comedy (well, I'll try) so that you can see my expert journalistic style. And away we go!

First of all, forget everything I just said. There were simply just way too many idiots floating around to let that slide. Hmm, where to start. Oh I know! How about the group of three or four guys that rolled up in matching bikes (yet four different colors) complete with glow lights that match the paint job and four semi-attractive biker girls on the back (the girls shoulda kept the helmets on). They walk in as if everyone is looking at them with admiration, meanwhile nobody strained their necks to see. They marched straight to the middle of the dance floor (Oh how the aroma of Axe body spray sauntered about the room). Oh what luck! Their favorite song was playing in which they knew every word (Yeah, trust me, they have that kinda time on their hands) and immediately they all became little wannabe Eminems. Complete with wife beaters and matching fitted hats with the stickers still on the bill, they began to attempt a dance while lip-syncing the words. The smiles and giggles of all the girls in the place only fueled the "hey look at me" fire.
For those of you not familiar with Twilight Lounge, it is a great place for loud music, free wi-fi, and Hookah. "The dance crew" felt the empty space in the middle was a dance floor, so they got busy. I was trying not to laugh (because I was choking on the Hookah, not because I would care if they saw me laughing, I fit right in with everyone else in the room) but I gotta give them props, that took brass balls, but trust me, that's about the only thing they are using their balls for. When the song was finally over, they returned to their seats and everyone who was either crying from laughter or passing out from lack of oxygen (since you don't take in any air when you're laughing so hard your cheeks hurt) and life went on as usual.
Despite the display of idiocy, Twilight Hookah Lounge is a great place to kick back with friends if you like smoking Hookah. The DJ is awesome, the big screens are great, and they have tons of Hookah flavors to choose from while you are chilling on the couches. It is located on Chapman just passed State College, within walking distance of the campus of CSUF. I highly recommend it! Seriously, come out with me some time, I can always use another finger pointing at the idiots while we share a laugh. ;)