“No Kids! No Kids!” — How NOT to Greet Your Guests
By ochua1 | October 1, 2008
That’s how we were rudely welcomed to Valley View Casino in Valley Center (North County San Diego) as we stepped out of our vehicle carrying our two-year-old godson last Saturday at around 4 PM. It was our first visit. And maybe our last.
We had no idea of their 21+ policy. Apparently, many families don’t either, as we saw other families with children standing outside the “sacred” entrances to the casino. We were lucky, we chose the free valet. Those mothers standing there were probably waiting for daddy to bring the car up front so that they don’t have to make the long walk back to the parking garage with their empty stomachs. For they were probably there for the same reason we were: “San Diego’s Favorite Buffet.” But we wouldn’t know. We never made it inside. It’s definitely not the favorite buffet of anyone under 21; that’s for sure!
I’m not sure why they have a “hostile” attitude towards children. (The person who “greeted” us seemed hostile, anyway.) It’s not like our two-year-old will start walking over to the casino to play the slot machines. We just wanted to eat!
Maybe that’s where the answer lies. They don’t want people going there just to eat. They want people to gamble. The buffet is a loss leader, after all.
The doorman, bellhop, valet attendant—whoever that person was—told us to go to Harrah’s Rincon, which is about four and a half miles further down the main road. At least they’re kid-friendly. But we’ve already eaten at their buffet. We were there to try Valley View Casino’s buffet.
Well, we wasted a 43-mile roundtrip. I wonder how many people made the 100-mile roundtrip from South County only to be disappointed?
Valley View Casino, how about making your policy a prominent part of your advertising? Is it even mentioned?
Looking at the website—after the fact—there is a “disclaimer” in small print at the bottom of their web pages. Their buffet page also has a “21+ to enter” seal that looks more like a seal of approval if you don’t actually read it.
How about adding “MUST BE 21+ TO ENTER” to the many signs leading one to to the casino? (Include a phone number for anyone who wants clarification.) I think most people would rather turn around while still far away than be embarrassed at the front door by having to walk back to their cars and leave with nothing.
In any case, now we know. And looking at KUMEYAAY.INFO I found out that Casino Pauma and Sycuan Casino are the other San Diego County Indian casinos who have no tolerance for children. Of course, they have a right to exclude anyone they want to exclude. I just might exclude them back.
Topics: Commentary |
What’s Wrong with Apple Installs
By ochua1 | April 17, 2008
I really hate updating my Apple software. (iTunes, QuickTime, Safari, um…Apple Software Update)
- Why, oh why, do you have to change your shortcuts every time you update? It messes with my custom Start menu!
- Why, oh why, do you have to add shortcuts to my Quick Launch every time you update? (I have the same problem every time Windows Update installs an Outlook patch!)
- Why the hell do I have to reboot? Are you messing with my Windows!
Topics: Commentary |
My Fling with Blockbuster Total Access
By ochua1 | March 18, 2008
I’m currently separated from Netflix. We’ve had an on-again, off-again relationship since 2001.
It’s nice that you can put your account on hold now. It makes the breakup less harsh, but a 90-day limit on the hold isn’t always long enough. (Sometimes, DVD burnout takes longer to recover from.)
I still remember the first time I tried to cancel service, too. You had to call in. There was no option to cancel on the website. And you know what happens when the only option is to call…They make it hard for you to cancel. I’m glad things have changed.
Anyway, I was reading Hacking Netflix and found an old post with the bbstore code. I’ve been flirting with the idea of trying Blockbuster Total Access for some time. I’ve always been reluctant. It felt like I would be cheating on Netflix.
Topics: Post |
Joe Republican
By ochua1 | February 6, 2008
Got this off ThomHartmann.com. It’s an update to something that’s been passed around for decades.
A Day in the Life of Joe Middle-Class Republican
Adapted from version by John Gray
Cincinnati, Ohio
July 2004
Joe gets up at 6:00 am to prepare his morning coffee. He fills his pot full of good clean drinking water because some liberal fought for minimum water quality standards. He takes his daily medication with his first swallow of coffee. His medication is safe to take because some liberal fought to ensure their safety and that they work as advertised.
All but $10.00 of his medication is paid for by his employer’s medical plan because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance. Now Joe gets paid medical insurance, too. He prepares his morning breakfast. Bacon and eggs this day. Joe’s bacon is safe to eat because some liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.
Topics: Commentary |
Are you better off now than…?
By ochua1 | February 5, 2008
Are you better off now than 7 years ago? Since then…
Gas increased 221%. Health care premiums increased 194%. Consumer credit debt increased 167%. The cost of college increased 164%.
Median household income decreased 2.3%.
The Democratic Caucus has put it in a nice little chart:
Topics: Commentary |
Introducing Snap Shots from Snap.com
By ochua1 | December 11, 2007
I just installed a little tool on my blog called Snap Shots that enhances links with visual previews of the destination site; interactive excerpts of Wikipedia articles, MySpace profiles, IMDb profiles and Amazon products; and inline videos, RSS, MP3s, photos, stock charts and more.
Sometimes Snap Shots bring you the information you need without your having to leave the site, while other times it lets you “look ahead” before deciding if you want to follow a link or not.
If you don’t like it, just click the Options icon in the upper-right corner of the Snap Shot and turn it off.
Topics: Post |
The Psychology of the $14,000 Handbag
By ochua1 | December 10, 2007
Some people cut and run when confronted with prices that seem crazy. But many of us experience a sudden emotional-mathematical transformation. We set a new ceiling for a “reasonable” price. Disinclined to go all the way to buy the trophy, we instead settle for a consolation prize. Mr. Schwarz, a jeans-wearing type, walked out of Boyds with a suit that cost merely $800 — the most he’d ever spent on an item of clothing.”If you’re in that world long enough, $800 stops even feeling like a lot of money,” Mr. Schwarz says.
How true it is.
Topics: Commentary |
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