Saturday, October 16, 2004
UGC Cinema
Here's my comments to UGC after trying to book tickets, I think it shoudl be sel;f explanatory...
have been trying to book tickets and have experienced two problems. I cannot find any information about 'family tickets' so don't know what is required to qualify eg ratio of adults to children, how old the children need to be, whether indeed it is children or can be adult family, if children are going do they get childrens tickets and the rest of the family get family tickets. I am an intelligent person and this is not intuitive for me and has prevented me from booking tickets as I may get the wrong ones and either not be able to get in or pay too much. There is no contact number available for the local cinema to confirm, or indeed any number that can contact a human being outside normal working hours, just the telephone equivalent of the online bookings ervice (assuming that the voice recognition system understands you - about 50% of the time in my case) which ultimately gets to the same ticket choice dilemna. Neither can I find any information about family tickets on your website.
The other gripe is that before noticing the family tickets option I had entered to buy for 2 kids and 2 adults. Whe I got to checkout the adult quantity had changed to 7!!!! This isn't even a typo, there's no way I could hit the 7 instead of the 2, this is a bit scary especially for people, who having negotiated the booking system - and paid extra for it - assume that it has retained the correct information they put in.
In summary, please put ticket info on the website, especially when at the weekend it is impossible to get a real person on the phone (perhaps for the whole group it would be possible for someone to be available?)
And it got worse before it got better (come to think of it, it didn't get better). After trying the website then the phone, I decided to investigate the luddite route, got in the car and drove to the damn place. Now I probably would have been able to get a response but would have had to have queued up for probably 20 minutes to get to a real person.
As I'd had to leave the car outside in a paying car park, but deciding not to pay for what should only have taken 2 minutes,I thought it best not to join the queue. I did however find the anser to the family ticket question which was that it covers four people, one of which has to be a child. Fair enough. But before I carry on, this cinema used to reimburse your parking fees that you had to spend to watch a film, and apparently now they don't. Just as well in one way because that would have created even more problems, how do you claim your parking fees back if you book on the internet or phone (get in the 20 minute queue is the obvious answer I suppose).
Anyway, with this new information I drive back to the computer and go through the whole booking process only to get left at the end with a "we are now connecting to your cinema, we appreciate your patience" type message, which would have been fine if it hadn't come back with a "the connection has timed out" message - their fucking connection not mine I hasten to add!! This was follows by a message along the lines of "try again in a few minutes". That's OK for you to say, that means I have to enter all the same information all over again. AAARRRGGGHHH!!!
Anyway, once I calmed down I went through the whole laborious process again, this time to be met with a " we were unable to process your transaction message". You must be fucking joking surely!
Well, I'd promised the kids so it was back to the phone. Fortunately, the film I wanted was the one they were "currently taking reservations for" so goodness knows what would have happened if I'd wanted a different film.
So, in the end I finally got it done, but it probably took over an hour of my time and a trip to the cinema itself to get it sorted. Is it me or did things used to be easier before we got the technology (the technology has probably booked me the crappiest seats in the house too)?
Thank God for home cinema!!!!
have been trying to book tickets and have experienced two problems. I cannot find any information about 'family tickets' so don't know what is required to qualify eg ratio of adults to children, how old the children need to be, whether indeed it is children or can be adult family, if children are going do they get childrens tickets and the rest of the family get family tickets. I am an intelligent person and this is not intuitive for me and has prevented me from booking tickets as I may get the wrong ones and either not be able to get in or pay too much. There is no contact number available for the local cinema to confirm, or indeed any number that can contact a human being outside normal working hours, just the telephone equivalent of the online bookings ervice (assuming that the voice recognition system understands you - about 50% of the time in my case) which ultimately gets to the same ticket choice dilemna. Neither can I find any information about family tickets on your website.
The other gripe is that before noticing the family tickets option I had entered to buy for 2 kids and 2 adults. Whe I got to checkout the adult quantity had changed to 7!!!! This isn't even a typo, there's no way I could hit the 7 instead of the 2, this is a bit scary especially for people, who having negotiated the booking system - and paid extra for it - assume that it has retained the correct information they put in.
In summary, please put ticket info on the website, especially when at the weekend it is impossible to get a real person on the phone (perhaps for the whole group it would be possible for someone to be available?)
And it got worse before it got better (come to think of it, it didn't get better). After trying the website then the phone, I decided to investigate the luddite route, got in the car and drove to the damn place. Now I probably would have been able to get a response but would have had to have queued up for probably 20 minutes to get to a real person.
As I'd had to leave the car outside in a paying car park, but deciding not to pay for what should only have taken 2 minutes,I thought it best not to join the queue. I did however find the anser to the family ticket question which was that it covers four people, one of which has to be a child. Fair enough. But before I carry on, this cinema used to reimburse your parking fees that you had to spend to watch a film, and apparently now they don't. Just as well in one way because that would have created even more problems, how do you claim your parking fees back if you book on the internet or phone (get in the 20 minute queue is the obvious answer I suppose).
Anyway, with this new information I drive back to the computer and go through the whole booking process only to get left at the end with a "we are now connecting to your cinema, we appreciate your patience" type message, which would have been fine if it hadn't come back with a "the connection has timed out" message - their fucking connection not mine I hasten to add!! This was follows by a message along the lines of "try again in a few minutes". That's OK for you to say, that means I have to enter all the same information all over again. AAARRRGGGHHH!!!
Anyway, once I calmed down I went through the whole laborious process again, this time to be met with a " we were unable to process your transaction message". You must be fucking joking surely!
Well, I'd promised the kids so it was back to the phone. Fortunately, the film I wanted was the one they were "currently taking reservations for" so goodness knows what would have happened if I'd wanted a different film.
So, in the end I finally got it done, but it probably took over an hour of my time and a trip to the cinema itself to get it sorted. Is it me or did things used to be easier before we got the technology (the technology has probably booked me the crappiest seats in the house too)?
Thank God for home cinema!!!!
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Traffic Jams
Now I know these are annoying for everyone, and actually this is not so much a rant as a "did things change and I didn't notice?"
TBC
TBC
Standing Room Only
Why do people stand still, side by side on elevators, making it difficult for others, who may be in more of a hurry, to get through.
They never stand sideways on, on different steps, which would still allow them to converse quite happily, or hold hands or whatever, without getting in anyone's way.
Neither do they look around to see if they're causing any kind of traffic jam.
Yes you can ask them politely to let you through, but you shouldn't have to.
And talking of traffic jams...stay tuned....
They never stand sideways on, on different steps, which would still allow them to converse quite happily, or hold hands or whatever, without getting in anyone's way.
Neither do they look around to see if they're causing any kind of traffic jam.
Yes you can ask them politely to let you through, but you shouldn't have to.
And talking of traffic jams...stay tuned....
Monday, October 11, 2004
Butter
Butter and margarine.
Whilst they can be used for the same job they are, as far as I'm concerned, two entirely different things.
For no reason other than an appreciation of the better, but simple, things in life, I made it my New Year's Resolution a few years back to only eat butter, not one of the plastic, flavour-free alternative spreadables.
So why is it when you go to a sandwich shop and ask for a scone/sandwich/baked potato with BUTTER, the first thing that happens is it gets smeared with marge or something even further down the (literal) food chain.
So now I have to ask specifically whether they have B-U-T-T-E-R and spell it out so there's no way they can assume that I want whatever carcinogenous crap they have in that horrific catering size tub.
If they're going to assume that they can substitute something I ask for with something I really want to avoid, why don't they automatically spread lard or dripping (I'm no chemist, but my guess is that these are probably closer to butter than margarine or some of the other filthy spreads they default to) or marmite or marmalade or anything but bloody marge.
"It's a low fat option" they may argue, I would argue it's not even a low taste option, my flavour-free description above is, in hindsight, incorrect, it's filth and it tastes like it!! And it's not what I asked for.
If I asked for a scone with marmite do they think I'd be happy if they made me one with jam - although come to think of it the goldfish-like attention span of the staff probably means it's unlikely that they even hear anything after the word scone (especially if you pronounced it the posh way) and so it automtically comes with jam anyway.
That attention span reference may sound harsh but in my local sandwich place it is unusual to order a sandwich type food product without being asked to repeat the order (in part or full) at least twice and commonly three times (and for the sake of brevity I'm even going to miss out the butter thing) eg me "cheese salad baguette with salad cream please" and the order is repeated back to me, the baguette getting sliced is followed by "sorry what was that?" (they are polite - these are not bad people just not used to thinking) I repeat the order, baguette gets filled with salad "was that cheese" "yes please....and salad cream please" "salad cream you should have said I like to put that on first, customer service you see" and on it goes.
Not that I have a problem with the people. There are times (seldom, but times nonetheless) when I would happily be part of that 'salt of the earth', 'happy-go-lucky', 'work-to-live-not-live-to-work', 'down the boozer or working mens club on a Saturday night' demographic. Not that they realise, but it's an easy life - oh they work hard, but when work finishes that's it, the only work they ever take home (in bag or mind) is a few close-to-stale rolls that'll be out of date by Monday. God love 'em, perhaps they've actually got it right.
But some of us simply can't do that, we have to be accountable, we must push the envelope, we have to try and create something for our own, and/or the greater good.
I remember an RE teacher at school asking the question "who is happiest, the person with low intelligence and a low paid job or the really clever person with lots of money and a very important job?". His answer was they both have the same ooprtunity for happiness - despite the kids obviously going for the guy with money over the 'thicko'. As an adult I think he was probably right, whilst some of us dream of soaring on the wings of an eagle (or some such crap) others are genuinely happy with their lot.
Anyway, we've come a long way fom the butter gripe.
I had an email some time ago. I can't remember where from (I'll try and find it and add it to this) which claimed that margarine was a virtually inert product ie. leave some butter in a dish in the garage next to a dish of butter and see how the marge just doesn't change as the butter slowly deteriorates. The reason why this was so unhealthy for people escapes me now but will all come flooding back if I can find that email, watch out for future posts, something to do with even flied not being prepared to eat it I think.
***************************
Anyway, months later I've found the info, so here it is....
Butter
DO YOU KNOW...
The difference between margarine and butter?Both have the same amount of calories. Butter is slightly higher insaturated fats at 8 grams compared to 5 grams.Eating margarine can increase heart disease in women by 53% over eatingthe same amount of butter, according to a recent Harvard Medical Study.Eating butter increases the absorption of many other nutrientsin other foods.Butter has many nutritional benefits where margarine has a few only because they are added!Butter tastes much better than margarine and it can enhancethe flavors of other foods.Butter has been around for centuries where margarine has been around for less than 100 years.
And now, for Margarine...
Very high in trans fatty acids...Triple risk of coronary heart disease..Increases total cholesterol and LDL (this is the bad cholesterol)Lowers HDL cholesterol, (the good cholesterol) ....Increases the risk of cancers by up to five fold...Lowers quality of breast milk ...Decreases immune response...Decreases insulin response.And here is the most disturbing fact....HERE IS THE PART THAT IS VERY INTERESTING!Margarine is but ONE MOLECULE away from being PLASTIC...This fact alonewas enough to have me avoiding margarine for life and anything else that ishydrogenated (this means hydrogen is added, changing the molecular structureof the substance).YOU can try this yourself: Purchase a tub of margarine and leaveit in your garage or shaded area. Within a couple of days you willnote a couple of things: no flies, not even those pesky fruit flies willgo near it (that should tell you something) . it does not rot or smelldifferently..because it has no nutritional value, nothing will grow onit...even those teeny weeny microorganisms will not a find a home to grow.Why? Because it is nearly plastic.Would you melt your Tupperware and spread that on your toast?
Whilst they can be used for the same job they are, as far as I'm concerned, two entirely different things.
For no reason other than an appreciation of the better, but simple, things in life, I made it my New Year's Resolution a few years back to only eat butter, not one of the plastic, flavour-free alternative spreadables.
So why is it when you go to a sandwich shop and ask for a scone/sandwich/baked potato with BUTTER, the first thing that happens is it gets smeared with marge or something even further down the (literal) food chain.
So now I have to ask specifically whether they have B-U-T-T-E-R and spell it out so there's no way they can assume that I want whatever carcinogenous crap they have in that horrific catering size tub.
If they're going to assume that they can substitute something I ask for with something I really want to avoid, why don't they automatically spread lard or dripping (I'm no chemist, but my guess is that these are probably closer to butter than margarine or some of the other filthy spreads they default to) or marmite or marmalade or anything but bloody marge.
"It's a low fat option" they may argue, I would argue it's not even a low taste option, my flavour-free description above is, in hindsight, incorrect, it's filth and it tastes like it!! And it's not what I asked for.
If I asked for a scone with marmite do they think I'd be happy if they made me one with jam - although come to think of it the goldfish-like attention span of the staff probably means it's unlikely that they even hear anything after the word scone (especially if you pronounced it the posh way) and so it automtically comes with jam anyway.
That attention span reference may sound harsh but in my local sandwich place it is unusual to order a sandwich type food product without being asked to repeat the order (in part or full) at least twice and commonly three times (and for the sake of brevity I'm even going to miss out the butter thing) eg me "cheese salad baguette with salad cream please" and the order is repeated back to me, the baguette getting sliced is followed by "sorry what was that?" (they are polite - these are not bad people just not used to thinking) I repeat the order, baguette gets filled with salad "was that cheese" "yes please....and salad cream please" "salad cream you should have said I like to put that on first, customer service you see" and on it goes.
Not that I have a problem with the people. There are times (seldom, but times nonetheless) when I would happily be part of that 'salt of the earth', 'happy-go-lucky', 'work-to-live-not-live-to-work', 'down the boozer or working mens club on a Saturday night' demographic. Not that they realise, but it's an easy life - oh they work hard, but when work finishes that's it, the only work they ever take home (in bag or mind) is a few close-to-stale rolls that'll be out of date by Monday. God love 'em, perhaps they've actually got it right.
But some of us simply can't do that, we have to be accountable, we must push the envelope, we have to try and create something for our own, and/or the greater good.
I remember an RE teacher at school asking the question "who is happiest, the person with low intelligence and a low paid job or the really clever person with lots of money and a very important job?". His answer was they both have the same ooprtunity for happiness - despite the kids obviously going for the guy with money over the 'thicko'. As an adult I think he was probably right, whilst some of us dream of soaring on the wings of an eagle (or some such crap) others are genuinely happy with their lot.
Anyway, we've come a long way fom the butter gripe.
I had an email some time ago. I can't remember where from (I'll try and find it and add it to this) which claimed that margarine was a virtually inert product ie. leave some butter in a dish in the garage next to a dish of butter and see how the marge just doesn't change as the butter slowly deteriorates. The reason why this was so unhealthy for people escapes me now but will all come flooding back if I can find that email, watch out for future posts, something to do with even flied not being prepared to eat it I think.
***************************
Anyway, months later I've found the info, so here it is....
Butter
DO YOU KNOW...
The difference between margarine and butter?Both have the same amount of calories. Butter is slightly higher insaturated fats at 8 grams compared to 5 grams.Eating margarine can increase heart disease in women by 53% over eatingthe same amount of butter, according to a recent Harvard Medical Study.Eating butter increases the absorption of many other nutrientsin other foods.Butter has many nutritional benefits where margarine has a few only because they are added!Butter tastes much better than margarine and it can enhancethe flavors of other foods.Butter has been around for centuries where margarine has been around for less than 100 years.
And now, for Margarine...
Very high in trans fatty acids...Triple risk of coronary heart disease..Increases total cholesterol and LDL (this is the bad cholesterol)Lowers HDL cholesterol, (the good cholesterol) ....Increases the risk of cancers by up to five fold...Lowers quality of breast milk ...Decreases immune response...Decreases insulin response.And here is the most disturbing fact....HERE IS THE PART THAT IS VERY INTERESTING!Margarine is but ONE MOLECULE away from being PLASTIC...This fact alonewas enough to have me avoiding margarine for life and anything else that ishydrogenated (this means hydrogen is added, changing the molecular structureof the substance).YOU can try this yourself: Purchase a tub of margarine and leaveit in your garage or shaded area. Within a couple of days you willnote a couple of things: no flies, not even those pesky fruit flies willgo near it (that should tell you something) . it does not rot or smelldifferently..because it has no nutritional value, nothing will grow onit...even those teeny weeny microorganisms will not a find a home to grow.Why? Because it is nearly plastic.Would you melt your Tupperware and spread that on your toast?
