Random Thoughts Thread

[Lou]

I just remembered that we have the option to ignore threads.

[gotbeer]

6 hours ago, Lou said:

I just remembered that we have the option to ignore threads.

Like the Cricket one.  

[T.G.]

We went to an El Torito last night... I hadn't been to one in years (because I don't care for them), but I had a gift card...

When we walked in there was a sign at the host's podium... that said something along the lines of "We charge a 3.9% surcharge due to the cost of labor..."

WTF?

Just raise the price of the items on the menu.  Good grief.

Maybe they were making a point?  I don't know - but stuff like that just makes me not want to patronize those kinds of places of business.

To add to all of that...

When it was time to pay the bill, the server brought a device over and I had 3 choices for tip... 18%, 20%, 22%... actually 4 choices... "other."  She had highlighted the 20%.  Again, WTF?  We're good tippers and usually tip more than 20%, but that on - top of the 3.9% surcharge, just rubbed me the wrong way.

I understand the restaurant industry took a big time hit during Covid.  I know a lot of family owned places went under as did some corporate places.  But damn... it is really getting expensive to eat out.  When I do... I don't want them to nickle and dime me.  If I'm eating out, I'm prepared to pay more these days... just don't play games with me.

Edited November 8, 2022 by T.G.

[arch stanton]

Maybe the surcharge is just their way of saying they’re too cheap to print new menus 

Edited November 8, 2022 by arch stanton

[gotbeer]

Alright, which one of you from Alta Dena can now afford the Angels?

[Blarg]

5 hours ago, T.G. said:

We went to an El Torito last night... I hadn't been to one in years (because I don't care for them), but I had a gift card...

When we walked in there was a sign at the host's podium... that said something along the lines of "We charge a 3.9% surcharge due to the cost of labor..."

WTF?

Just raise the price of the items on the menu.  Good grief.

Maybe they were making a point?  I don't know - but stuff like that just makes me not want to patronize those kinds of places of business.

To add to all of that...

When it was time to pay the bill, the server brought a device over and I had 3 choices for tip... 18%, 20%, 22%... actually 4 choices... "other."  She had highlighted the 20%.  Again, WTF?  We're good tippers and usually tip more than 20%, but that on - top of the 3.9% surcharge, just rubbed me the wrong way.

I understand the restaurant industry took a big time hit during Covid.  I know a lot of family owned places went under as did some corporate places.  But damn... it is really getting expensive to eat out.  When I do... I don't want them to nickle and dime me.  If I'm eating out, I'm prepared to pay more these days... just don't play games with me.

The surcharge is supposed to be to pay for employee healthcare. I got chastised by board libs when I figured that the tip can be reduced since a larger portion of their living expenses were already paid for through the surcharge. That was one of the reasons they started inflating tips because they claimed they couldn't afford healthcare on wait staff salaries and tips.

And let's be honest, what you get for service is rarely good, it is minimal at best. When you go to a fine restaurant you aren't trying to flag down your waitress for a glass of water or to clear a clutter of plates. Your table is constantly attended to. That is top tip service, not your local BJ's that the waitress and the server are two different people so you have to direct traffic for where each plate goes. 

[gotbeer]

That chase on TV was pretty Gnar.  Guy was able to carjack 2 cars after the original, was able to play bumper cars a number of times, and the police looked like they were playing keystone cops.  

[Blarg]

They had him cornered in a cul de sac and let him drive right through them. It would have been the perfect standoff with the block wall as the backdrop in case it turned into a shooting.

Instead they decided to have their shootout at a gas station that a stray bullet could have ignited the entire station. 

[Blarg]

Hard to believe but the dumb SOB survived 3 blasts from shotguns along with about 12 bullet holes in the truck side. Eventually they smashed the windows of the truck and dragged him out alive.

[T.G.]

Are you guys talking about cals trip to NZ?

[Tank]

How that guy was able to stand on his own once they pulled him from the car is either a testament to his stamina or an indictment of the officers shooting acumen. 

[Tank]

Still waiting to hear why this clown took off running in the first place. 

[Blarg]

8 hours ago, Tank said:

How that guy was able to stand on his own once they pulled him from the car is either a testament to his stamina or an indictment of the officers shooting acumen. 

In all of these shootings you have to wonder if any of them spent time on the range after being assigned a uniform. 

[gotbeer]

49 minutes ago, Blarg said:

In all of these shootings you have to wonder if any of them spent time on the range after being assigned a uniform. 

I'm not worried about the range.  Because it looks like all the shots hit the car, and not the gas station or innocent bystanders.  

I'm more worried about if any of them have drivers licenses.  Because until that one guy got aggressive in the end.  None of them seemed to want to do anything but cruise and watch.  I know that Hacienda Heights area well.  How a guy with no front tire can just drive like that on a two lane "mountain" road (in the hills, but it's still a narrow windy road) with only one exit on each side (unless you know the roads) and evade the cops is just mind boggling.

[Blarg]

He didn't evade the cops. They didn't attempt to force the issue and stop him, even when they had him cornered in a cul de sac. It looked as though some risk assessor said, don't wreck one of our cars stopping him. 

[Angelsjunky]

Mary Stuart Masterson with bangs is sexy-cute, even though she's kind of retarded in Benny & Joon.

[Tank]

we had our staff thanksgiving dinner tonight, a new tradition that i hope our new principal will hopefully make an annual thing.

our cafeteria chef offered two entrees - a vegetarian chicken dish, and brisket sliders. 

yessir, yes i did. @Adam i had me a slider and it was acceptable. the brisket was sliced thin and was topped with mustard and pepper jack cheese. wasn't fond of the cheese but the brisket was cooked well and was tender. i'd eat it again.

i'd like to try some with some really good bbq sauce. 

[Blarg]

Does your wife know your cheating on her with a saucy piece of meat? 

[Tank]

6 hours ago, Blarg said:

Does your wife know your cheating on her with a saucy piece of meat? 

1. yes, she knows. even gave me her blessing.

B. i feel like there's a secondary reference here that i should understand

[m0nkey]

@Taylor did you get a presale code for the era's tour for today? It's been a mess

[Taylor]

11 minutes ago, m0nkey said:

@Taylor did you get a presale code for the era's tour for today? It's been a mess

I'm in the queue right now for the 8/3 show. 2,000+ ahead of me, but the progress bar is continually moving. You?

[m0nkey]

Just now, Taylor said:

I'm in the queue right now for the 8/3 show. 2,000+ ahead of me, but the progress bar is continually moving. You?

8/5, 2000+ ahead, but haven't moved.  Maybe it was smart of you to pick a weekday, or maybe you got lucky.

[Taylor]

1 minute ago, m0nkey said:

8/5, 2000+ ahead, but haven't moved.  Maybe it was smart of you to pick a weekday, or maybe you got lucky.

Yeah I picked Thursday thinking it would be less crazy.

[Taylor]

@m0nkey I got through the queue in like 40 minutes, but by the time I got there, there were barely any tickets left. I kept refreshing but ended up not being able to get any tickets. Lame. 

[m0nkey]

6 minutes ago, Taylor said:

@m0nkey I got through the queue in like 40 minutes, but by the time I got there, there were barely any tickets left. I kept refreshing but ended up not being able to get any tickets. Lame. 

Shit.  I'm still in line, but I've been reading the subreddit and seems like 8/5 started later.  Limited selection in general or just the cheap seats that are beneath you?