Misadventures of a Middle Aged Dad

A Minor Majority

2009-10-01T23:51:00.001-06:00

Being a Mormon is a strange and peculiar thing, even in Utah…sometimes, especially in Utah. I live at the U of U in family housing, and it’s an interesting climate. A friend of mine once commented on his experience as a U student. He said: “There are 3 kinds of students at the U: Mormons, Non-Mormons, and Ex-Mormons, and the Ex-Mormons are by far the most vocal.” I have found this to be true. Even though Mormons are a clear majority in Salt Lake County, and any political pollster will tell you that Utah is clearly a Republican state, I often feel like a minority. I have taken a few classes at the U, and often felt that to speak my mind would invite attack. There was no open dialogue, no free exchange of ideas. If you weren’t liberal, your opinions were not tolerated. My wife has told me of professors who openly Bush Bash, and act as if anyone who disagrees with Obama is mentally flawed. I wouldn’t even think about voicing an opinion against gay marriage.

The U has an office of Diversity Affairs…I recently considered emailing them to say that, in my opinion, they had failed in their mission, as there is no acceptance for Conservatives and Republicans. For evidence of this, one need look no farther than the Student Union in the month prior to an Election. The flyers you see are overwhelmingly Democrat; the guest lecturers are overwhelmingly liberal in their viewpoints and politics. The Student Union Calendar lists holidays from 5 religions between November and January, but no mention of Christmas. How is Christmas not on the calendar??

For some liberals, diversity and acceptance are only practiced if it fits THEIR viewpoint. I once had a boss say “oh, John, we need to talk” when she heard of some of my “whitebread” music tastes. I actually said “so much for diversity,” but she missed the point. She said that the group in question could never be called diverse. (I didn’t point out that one band can’t be called diverse, and that’s improper grammar…diversity applies to the make up of a larger demographic.) Again, they embrace diversity, but only when it fits their narrow definition.

Even though Mormons are the Majority here, it is acceptable to attack them in ways that would never be tolerated if the targets were Black or Jewish. Think I am exaggerating? Go to sltrib.com and pick any 5 news stories at random (news, not just sports or entertainment) and read the comments. I would bet that at least 3 of the 5 have Mormon Bashing comments. For example, a recent story about Hogle Zoo funding had a comment about “public funding for the monument to the cult across the street.” This is the Place Monument is across the street from the zoo. It is supported by church funds and admission money…no public tax funds pay for anything there.

So, even though I am in the majority, it often does not feel like it. To quote Binkley from Bloom County, I’m a “middle class white Christian male, and there are darn few of us left!”

poems of frustration

2009-07-21T18:28:00.004-06:00

I wrote these a few months ago when things weren't going well, and I was rather depressed...as you can tell.

Troubles come in waves,

washing over me

receding for a time

only to threaten

to overwhelm me again

I sit in the breakers

Unable to remove myself

From their grip

Unable to grasp

The hope that I

Will ever reach high ground

The future is a tease

A taunt

A promise of what is to come

Only to tell you that

You can’t have it yet

Just wait, it says

Wait until tomorrow

Only tomorrow

Never comes

Hi. My name is John, and I'm a word snob.

2009-07-19T14:29:00.006-06:00

My wife has a number of "food issues." Foods that she will not eat, or won't eat except in certain ways or under certain conditions. She has said that there can't be any gristle or fat on her meat...nothing to remind her that it came from an animal. She used to say "yucky broccoli" is if it were one word. I tease her about being a food snob.

That being said, I have to own up to being a word snob. I am. Grammar mistakes rub me the wrong way. People with Master's degrees who say fustrated or flustrated for example. Or writing sillyness instead of silliness or other word where they y should be changed to an ie. Using there instead of their or them instead of those are less frustrating, in that they are actual words. (Still, I can appreciate good Tigger words, such as ridictical and unbusticated as they are meant to be tongue in cheek.)

My biggest pet peeve is the gratuitous use of the apostrophe. (Gasp!) I know, the very phrase is snobbish. Still, it bothers me (note that I didn't write it bother's me). It's like getting carried away with the decorations until a room just looks gaudy. The simplest way to explain the rule is that you use an apostrophe to show possession or to replace something missing (like the o from is not becoming isn't).

Why do these things bother me? I'm not sure. Between being an avid reader (bordering on voracious) and grammar classes I took in college, I know a great deal about how words should be put together. I also think you sell yourself short when you speak poorly (think about every sterotype of a redneck or trailer trash...speaking poorly is always a part of selling that image).

So, yes, I am a snob. I never said I was perfect.

Thanks to ijnek/syel, Eva the Weaver and kokogiak for allowing use of their pictures.

The Lady or the Tiger

2009-07-13T00:25:00.007-06:00

When faced with the choice of the Lady or the Tiger, the main character of the story clearly knew what he wanted, just didn’t know which door held a warm embrace and which held claws and jaws.

But what if each door is clearly labeled and you still don’t know which one is best?

That’s the choice I face…between 2 very good and positive choices, and I can’t do both.

I have a family reunion coming up next month, and it’s out of state. Going to the family reunion is a good ambition…renewing old acquaintances and forging new bonds, kids getting to know their cousins, aunts and uncles, spending time with the wife and kids when it’s not all about bills, chores, and errands,etc. Besides, we REALLY need a getaway.

Here’s the obstacle…to go, we need $$. We need to do $600-800 in car repairs, and the trip will cost $900 (and that may be a conservative estimate).

Now, by show of hands, how many of you have that kind of money just sitting around earning interest?? Come on, raise them high…Anyone? Anyone? (Bueller? Bueller?)

I didn’t think so.

If we go, we would have to go deeper into debt to make the trip, and I need a second job anyway, as we are not really making ends meet. I am looking for one, but having a hard time finding something that I can do, given my time constraints and other limitations.

If we don’t, not only will we miss out on the stress relief and the bonding time, but there will be a certain amount of depression about having missed out on vacation and reunion yet again.

So I am forced to choose between 2 equally good options…bond with family, or improve our financial situation. No matter which one I choose, I have to turn my back on the other. And they both have claws…much like the Lady and the Tiger.

Thanks to Matt Ephraim and Phoney Nickle for allowing use of the pics.

Facebook (vs blogging)

2009-07-05T13:35:00.003-06:00

I haven't posted on here in a while, as I tend to get my online fix from Facebook. I had looked to the blogosphere for some interaction, and that need/want is filled much better on Facebook. I still miss the writing part of blogging, and would like to do more of that. I have no idea if I will blog regularly, but I may blog just to write from time to time.

On my mind now is the Facebook phenomenon. I am loving it, as I have found so many friends that I had no way to contact. Some of them, I had thought if finding, but had no idea where to start. Some of them, I had actually tried to find, to no avail. Now, they're coming out of the woodwork! I have even "met" some new cousins and other relatives, as they marry into the family. I'm looking forward to meeting them in person at the family reunion coming up later this summer.

My last blog entry was on the death of an acquaintance from Flagstaff AZ where I used to live. I was rather surprised and saddened to hear of his passing, and needed to get my feelings sorted out. I took the post down (see previous post) with the intent of posting it again later, as a sort of tribute to this good man. I looked at it just now, and have decided it's too personal to post. Still, it helped me put my thoughts in order and sort out my feelings. You can't get that on Facebook. Not really.

I still like to write, though, so I will keep my toe in this pool too. For those of you who have read my blog (all 4 of you), feel free to add me on Facebook (just let me know your real name, so I don't delete the invite!).

Thanks to Facebook and Churl for the use of the pics.

sad news

2009-05-24T15:20:00.003-06:00

I just learned today that a friend of mine died this morning. I learned about it in Facebook...his brother put it in his status msg. I wrote a blog about it, but his widow asked that the Facebook note be taken down, as she was getting phone calls and wasn't ready for that yet. So...I have deleted my post as well, just to make sure it doesn't become a negative for her. I may repost it later.

2009-03-09T19:24:00.010-06:00

Let me tell you about my relationship with Sleep.
We had a deep friendship, but we have drifted.
You could say we have a nodding acquaintance,
And when we get together, it is often brief and restless.

I frequently wish for more,
But with how busy and hectic life can be…
Sometimes there’s just no time.
Oh well, one can dream.

Stress? What stress?

2009-03-08T18:32:00.003-06:00

Several weeks ago, a coworker asked me in an IM what had been stressful in my life…is that a loaded question or what?!? Here’s the gist of my response:

My Durango died an unspectactular but fairly final death on Christmas eve day so we got rid of it, we had to buy another used car (with money we didn’t have) which had to go in the shop after only a day and a half (which cost $600 we didn’t have), we got hit with unexpected bills in Jan and Feb totaling another $1400 (which we didn’t have), my daughter is talking (again) about going to Australia for college, then decided she isn’t going (for now at least), my son is being difficult with everyone, my sister in law asked my brother for a divorce out of the blue, and in the last 2 weeks, I have had hives that lasted for days and bronchitis.

How are you?

In the end, we decided that as long as we can laugh about it, there’s hope.

Allow me to wax political for a moment

2009-02-22T14:41:00.005-07:00

I know I haven't posted on here in a while...I have become addicted to Facebook and all the people I am reconnecting with. I love it, even though my wife teases me about my addiction.

I have also fallen behind on checking my email...I haven't had enough time for it in a long time, but it's gotten worse lately - I had 535 unread emails this morning...after deleting the junk. These are funnies or commentary type emails, as well as more traditional communication.

One that I read today had this video included:

Here are the thoughts I sent to my friend...I don't usually get so soapbox-ish with friends, but wanted to put my feelings out there in a tactful way, seeing as we differ on this topic. Let me also say that I don't usually get so political on my blog, but I wanted to share this one.

Here is what I said:

I have mixed feelings about this video...we criticized him for not having experience, and now that he is surrounding himself with experienced advisers,he 's getting slammed for that too. I support the idea of surrounding himself with experienced people, but am not happy that many of them came from the Clinton admin.

As for the stimulus package, I have mixed feelings about that too. I am worried about the national debt, but am looking forward to what it can do for me. Since we have cut our income (of necessity), we can't handle the debt we have, and have gotten in deeper for the long term (or middle term) in trying to manage the short term. We are trying to learn better habits, but could use the stimulus help while we "learn to fish."

I didn't want the man in the office, but I like quite a few of the things he is doing...some changes (like limiting lobbyist influence for example) are ones that have been talked about, but no one has ever tried to do them. I like some of what is being done with the stimulus package, but there is the usual political wrangling and everyone is trying to get their pet projects on it as a rider.

Do I like all of his actions and stances? No. But overall, I think he's better than I thought he would be. Sadly, many in my own Republican party are looking bad when they dig in their heels and hold on to the party politics rather than assessing his ideas on their own merits...just like each party has done with the other party for years and years.

George Washington warned us about using a 2 party system. I wish we had listened.

I NEVER liked Clinton or anything he did in office...yes, I was one of THOSE. I'm sure you can think of some in your life who are that way with our current or most recent president. Now, I have come to be one of those who believes that we should support whoever is in office...not blindly, (being a blind follower is almost as bad as being a blind opposer) but by being engaged intellectually in what is going on in our country, state or city. I believe that we should give their ideas an honest chance, considering them on their own merits instead of just dismissing them because of who made the suggestion, or because their party.

Can you tell that I hate politics? You have no idea how much I wish we had listened to George Washington.

Places I've visited

2009-01-19T10:57:00.001-07:00

Create your own travel map or travel blog

Travel Info at TripAdvisor

Can't live with em...

2009-01-14T08:23:00.004-07:00

A used car means repairs. I thought I would have more of a reprieve than this.

That's right...our new (to us) car stranded us 36 hours after buying it. I got the kids all loaded up to drop them at the sitter on the way to work, and the dang thing wouldn't start. Wouldn't fire at all.

Stupid car.

Here's what I would like to do right about now:

(photo by Elsie)

Too bad that would be illegal. Oh well.

There are deals, and there are wheels

2009-01-12T22:54:00.004-07:00

We are now the semi-proud owners of a fairly used minivan.

Actually, it's a pretty good deal...a 1995 Mercury Villager with 98,000 miles (everything else in our price range had 115-125k, or even more). It has a few problems, for which we talked him down on the price, but it fits our family well. It was a serious scrape to get it, but we were able to do it (with a little bit of divine intervention). It's even my wife's favorite color.

It does have some problems, but nothing major. It needs a tune up, and may need a new water pump. Tires could stand replacing, but will have to do for now.

Here's a pic:

Notice the broken wheel cover? Body is in pretty good shape, though, as is the interior.

So, what do you think...deal, or just wheels?

What the... (kids say the darndest things)

2009-01-11T22:28:00.004-07:00

The other day, my Boo was in the play room doing her thing, when out of the blue, I hear her exclaim "crab nuts!" Certain that I couldn't have heard right, I asked "What did you just say?" Alas, my ears did not deceive.

Why, you may ask, is my 6 year old spouting off about a crustacean's privates? Well, I asked that very question (enquiring minds and all that). Still, I remained unenlightened. The closest thing I have to an answer is that she always says "Aw, nuts!" when disappointed, and for some inexplicable reason, she added the word crab to her usual protestation of dismay.

In other words, she said "crab nuts" because she just felt like it.

Go figure.

GTH pills

2009-01-09T20:36:00.004-07:00

Do you ever get tired of all the crap life throws at you? Do you ever just want to curl up and ignore life for a time (and tell the world to go to hell)??

Yeah, that's how I feel tonight.

I don't feel that way often, which, as a social work person, gives me comfort, but I feel that way tonight.

I remember as a young adult, my mom (who was dealing with the early stages of my dad's Alzheimer's disease) said that she wanted to go to the doctor and get some "go to hell" pills. I remember being rather surprised that she would use the "H" word, cause mom never even used the mild swear words. I was more curious about "go to hell" pills, though.

"What are 'go to hell' pills" I asked.
To which she responded "you take one and tell the world to 'go to hell!!'"

Where do I place my order??

Dickens of a year

2009-01-04T15:02:00.004-07:00

As I sat in church (testimony meeting) hearing people comment on the New Year, I started to reflect on my own 2008.

Dickens really had it right...it was the best and worst of times. I had been out of work for 6 months in 2006, and still haven't recovered, and with my wife in school, it was a hard year financially. We had car troubles that only added to our money problems, not to mention the crashing economy. My wife and I both had health problems this year that slowed us down, when we had a 2 year old who needed more energy from us, not less.

On the other hand, we had a lot of good things, too.

I survived layoffs at work, my son is working to make some very positive changes in his life, and I am making progress on debts, and can see the light at the end of the tunnel (next couple of months will be hard, but more bearable knowing that it's going to get better afterward). I posted a lot of my postives in a previous post:

I also know that I have many blessings to be grateful for: I have a good family, I
have an affordable place to live, I have a good job (and survived the recent
layoffs), I have a great ward at church with a fantastic bishop, I am
reconnecting with many old friends and acquaintances on facebook, etc, etc. In
spite of the things that could be improved in my life, I have a good life.

While I feel mixed about the good and bad this past year, I am pretty satisfied with where my life is at this point, and where I can see it going.

They Grow Up So Fast...

2009-01-03T19:26:00.000-07:00

My 20 year old got high heeled boots that go over her thigh. Boo (my 6 year old) put them on and had big sis help her zip them up. It was pretty funny. She wobbled like a weeble.

Good thing it's the last day of the year!

2008-12-31T17:18:00.007-07:00

I wrote the first part of this in an email to my wife this morning...

I am so frustrated. The train was 11 minutes late this morning, and since I only had a 6 minute wait for my connecting bus, I had to walk 20 minutes to work instead of 5. As I stood at the train station and wallowed in my frustration, it set off a kind of “year in review” thought process. (It wasn’t very pretty, at least not in the mood I was in.) I got on the train, and my Zune locked up on boot up, and now I can’t get it to reboot (a problem I later learned is being called the Zune 30 Midnight Meltdown). Not helping.

Here’s the short version of my review:

Since being out of work last year, my budget and credit rating are in the toilet, and going down fast. Debts up to my eyeballs, and just when I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel, I get a notice of garnishment from a debt I couldn’t manage while out of work. Not helping.

My car is headed for the junkyard, (not currently drivable) and I still owe a TON on it, adding weights to my sinking credit rating and budget. Not helping.

I have had health scares this year requiring hospitalization and a slew of new meds. I lost 20 lbs this year, but I am still in the super-obese category (I never thought of myself that way, but that’s the correct medical term). I get winded just walking and I’m SICK OF IT!! But then that gets me down, and what do I want to do?? Eat. Yeah, not helping.

Yes, we had a great Christmas vacation, but upon return to real life, the same problems were still there waiting for us.

Now that I have had some time the let it all digest (and deal with the ensuing acid stomach), here is what I would add as an addendum:

I also know that I have many blessings to be grateful. I have a good family, I have an affordable place to live, I have a good job (and survived the recent layoffs), I have a great ward at church with a fantastic bishop, I am reconnecting with many old friends and acquaintances on facebook, etc, etc. In spite of the things that could be improved in my life, I have a good life.

While I know that 2009 will start rough for me, I am looking forward to it improving, and expecting it to do so!

I know...it's a bit cliche' and even cheesy.

It is what it is.

MESSY FACE!!

2008-12-27T23:06:00.003-07:00

I play with my kids...a lot. I'm a big kid at heart, and love to play with my kids. At dinner, when one of them has something on her face, I'll point and in a sing-song voice say "MESSY FACE!!" They laugh, but the point is made. My 2 year old has started saying it, whether it applies or not (she still doesn't get it, but then my 6 year old is only now just beginning to get what knock-knock jokes are really about).

Yesterday after dinner, my 6 year old told me that I had messy face. I knew I didn't, so I placed the burden of proof on her. (Sounds much more mature than it was.) I asked "Where?" She pointed across her upper lip and said "all across here." I reminded her that this was just my mustache, to which she smugly replied "That makes you a messy face for life!!"

Darn kid is WAY too smart for her own good (or my comfort)!!

Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful (aka An Interesting Christmas)

2008-12-26T20:50:00.029-07:00

Long before the economy (and our budget) tanked, we purchased a trial membership in a timeshare. We had planned several trips that were spectacular...too much so, since we couldn't afford them. We were to a point of use it or lose it, so we made reservations for one of the nearby resorts for Christmas. We picked Wolf Creek, which is near the Wolf Creek ski resort.

We went up on Sunday, and stayed until today (Dec 26th). We spent a lot of time running errands, and spent too little time just sitting (as I had planned). Not being my home, I did get a bit restless just sitting, but enjoyed having a place to stay that was nicer and roomier than my dinky student apartment.

We ended up running back and forth for many reasons...my wife had a Sterling Singers concert Sunday night, we spent the day Monday doing business and finishing our Christmas Shopping, and met a relative in Logan Utah to trade presents before she traveled to Idaho. Some of the running was in a lot of snow. There were several snowstorms that probably approached blizzard conditions. Fortunately, we had just put new tires on the Durango (tires that we still have to pay for, since we had to borrow the money). We got a LOT of snow...36 inches in about 3 days. Note that this equals about a foot a day average...I think that's about right.

The big downside to our vacation was that we started having engine trouble and were told we need a new engine. This on top of other repairs it needs...now totalling around $5500. Needless to say, we can't do them, and have parked the car. Thank heaven for public transit!!

In spite of this (and a puking child), we enjoyed our vacation immensely. We really needed the down time, and it was great being able to relax and hang out with the family, without always having to be somewhere.

Too bad we had to come back to reality (...sigh!)

Here are some pics from our vacation...

This is a part of the view from our balcony

...and Boo sledding.

Our mantel, and what it looked like after Santa visited (below).

Little Cat got a "Little Einstimes" rocket and characters...she was so enraptured by this toy that we couldn't even get her to look up for a picture! 20 minutes later, we asked if she wanted to open another present, and got a terse "no." Again, she didn't even look up from playing.

Below, Punkin with her favorite toy...a Mystery Machine and the whole Scobby Doo gang!

Punkin sitting with Bubby... Heather chillin... and Little Cat playing shy (emphasis on playing...she's definitely NOT shy!).

Rudolph Rant

2008-12-18T22:07:00.008-07:00

OK, I tease my wife about her Rudolph Rants, but here I go with one of my own...

There is a humor columnist I like to follow in the Salt Lake Tribune. His name is Robert Kerby. I recently read an article of his about saying Merry Christmas, and how the PC police make it out to be Federal crime to be what they consider Politically Incorrect.

Check out the comments on that article (linked above)…this one was my fav:

Soon after moving to Utah from Japan , I was about to enter a downtown office building and, much like Kirby, held the door open for someone approaching the door at the same time. She stopped, gave me a glare and said, "You don't have to open the door for me just because I'm a woman!" Nonplussed, I responded: "I didn't open the door for you because you are a lady; I opened it because I am a gentleman."

I agree with the article. I also think that some people are just looking to be offended. When did it become my job to keep their nose in joint?!? Why can't people take a greeting in the spirit it's intended?? Maybe I'm offended by their offense!

I used to have a boss who was a Muslim from Iran. He didn't practice Christmas, (or Hanukkah, Yule, Kwanzaa, or Groundhog Day for that matter). He used to wish me Merry Christmas, knowing what that would mean for me. When in Rome, you know? I liked that, and respected him for that consideration, among other reasons. If he had wished me Happy Ramadan, I would have said "thank you, you too." If I had a friend who celebrated Alien Visitation day instead of Christmas, I would like to think that I would heartily wish him "Klaatu barada nikto!" or whatever they wish each other.

These PC people think they are being so enlightened for embracing Political Correctness. Yet in insisting people don't say Merry Christmas, I think they are merely being intolerant. How un-PC of them! How contradictory! Shame on them! They should be reported!!!

Ode to Winter - A Rhyme

2008-12-17T22:29:00.003-07:00

It’s cold this morning,
I don’t want to wake up.
Toddler climbs in my bed,
Now I’m all shook up.

With aches and pains,
I walk to the bath.
The shower’s too cold,
I’ll show maintenance my wrath.

I towel off and dress
Just as quick as I can.
Turn up the heat,
And on comes the fan.

It snowed all night,
Now my car I must brush
I load the kids up,
And I leave in a rush.

The roads were all slick
My tires were bald.
With gut clenched in fear,
“Look out, jerk!” I called.

Dropped the kids at the sitter
As I left, they did wail,
Then I crept down the road
At the pace of a snail.

I look back on my trip
As I sit here at work,
Suddenly being inside
Is now such a perk.

As I sit at my desk,
I think “what the hay,
Maybe next year I’ll buy me
A horse and a sleigh!”

getting out of debt

2008-12-14T10:15:00.006-07:00

Found this on a friend's blog and had to add it.

I wish it were this simple (I mean, it is, but it isn't...see what I mean!)

Not so kid-friendly part 2

2008-12-11T21:45:00.004-07:00

Here is the response I got from The Mayan Adventure:

John,

I was horrified to hear about your experience at the Mayan Restaurant and wanted to quickly respond to your e-mail with my apologies. The fact that you were forced to wait for so long for your food, couldn’t get refills in a timely manner and still did not receive the service that the Mayan Restaurant is famous for is very distressing to me and I wanted to immediately apologize for the incident.

We have been tirelessly laboring to ensure the best in customer service. The 18% gratuity is a standard practice among restaurants for parties of 8 or more, but because of the horrible service received, I would like to refund the gratuity back to your credit card with your permission. Simply let me know the last 4 digits of the credit card used and the date that you visited us and I’d be happy to take care of that.

Again, I apologize for your experience. Please let me know, at your convenience, the last 4 digits of the credit card used so that I can refund your gratuity. I also wanted to let you know that partially because of your correspondence, the Mayan Restaurant will no longer charge for additional salsa. Thank you for your letter and I hope to have you back at The Mayan.

Sincerely,

Asst. General Manager
The Mayan Adventure

Here is what I sent them:

We visited The Mayan on (date and credit card info included here). The manager who did almost nothing was a woman of medium hight, thin with light brown hair.

I would like to ask about the kid size spoons...is that something that will be stocked now? Also, I would like to suggest that in the future, a scoop of ice cream with some sprinkles or whipped cream would go a long way when someone has a birthday. It would cost very little, and would create a lot more goodwill than that $25 package. Then, if they want to upgrade to the $25 package, they don't feel forced into it, or that they don't have options.

Thank you for your response. I appreciate the changes you have indicated you will make, as well as your offer to be your guest. It would be difficult to return in December...would January work?

How would you have handled this?

I had to open my mouth!

2008-12-08T21:37:00.002-07:00

I commented on another blog that I could wait for snow, as long as it's here in time for Christmas.

We got dumped on today.

Shoulda kept quiet.

Not so kid-friendly after all

2008-12-07T22:56:00.006-07:00

My Boo turned 3 recently, and wanted to go to a local theme restaurant called The Mayan Adventure. It's a pretty cool environment that I would describe as Indiana Jones meets the Swiss Family Robinson. They even have cliff divers and/or fire dancers every 15 minutes. They used to have animatronic birds that would move and talk, which was very attractive to the kids. Now, as I watched the (very cool) fire dancers, I kept thinking "I hope my 3 year old doesn't try this." I simply said "we don't do that, do we?" to which she replied, "no, we don't."

There were many other problems with our experience, but rather than try to re-describe the experience, I am just going to include my complaint to The Mayan's parent Company - Larry H. Miller, Inc. (owner of the Utah Jazz, numerous auto dealerships, a TV station, etc., etc., etc.). By the way, while I usually link to the places I mention in my blog, I am not doing so this time, as I don't want to do anything to increase traffic to their site. I will include a link to the Deseret News story on the cliff divers and some pics they included. Here are some pics on Flikr (and elsewhere) that show what the environment is like. (These are random pics of random people on Flikr...I don't know any of them, but appreciate being able to link to the pics to show The Mayan).

Here it is:

I went to the Mayan recently and have to say I have never been so disappointed in the place. With the exception of our waiter, the whole experience was a poor one. The Mayan used to be very kid friendly, and my daughter chose The Mayan for her 6th birthday. I was disappointed to find that they wouldn't even do a scoop of ice cream for the birthday girl unless I paid $25. (This is for a birthday package, so it's all or nothing.) Maybe $25 doesn't mean much to Mr. Miller, but to me it's a lot (especially on top of what I paid for dinner, not to mention how chincy it is to charge for a second bowl of salsa, after giving only 2 bowls for 3 baskets of chips). The kid seating us left my 77 yr old arthritic mother behind even though I asked him to go slow, I had asked for a table with extra room so we had a place for her walker and we got one that was a squeeze instead (it looked like it was made for 6 instead of the 8 in our party). Our waiter was very attentive, but everything else was very slow. Once we ordered, it took a half hour to get our food, we had to ask 3 times for ranch to go with the fries, and had to ask twice for soda refills for the kids. Then, when we asked for spoons for our preschoolers to eat rice, they brought us table spoons that I wouldn't want to put in MY mouth, much less a 2 or 3 year old's mouth. How do you expect children to eat rice with a fork?? Whoever made that decision obviously has no clue about kids. The clincher on our dissatisfaction was when we were forced to pay an 18% tip for such sub-par service (TIP=To Improve Promptness...why should they be prompt when they don't have to earn the tip?!?!?). The service wasn't worth 18%!!! Then, to add insult to injury, when we spoke with a manager about it, she made some poor excuses and a half hearted apology. It was as if she was bothered at taking the time to hear our complaints.

I don't know that we will be back to The Mayan for a long time, if ever. We may just avoid all LHM companies for a while.

Do you even care?? Your manager didn’t seem to.

Be assured that we do, and will tell people of our experience.

John

Any thoughts on this?? How would you have handled it?