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Avatar came out this weekend along with half the city to watch it. The story follows former Jarhead, Jake Sully, into a scientifically produced manifestation of himself into a native creature of the land Pandora, in order to relocate the natives’ home, allowing the humans to cultivate the land’s resources. The story presents the dichotomy in the interpretation of wealth between internal oneness of nature and material accumulation of goods. The story parallels obvious modern day connections while still being a movie for all ages. I sat in front of a 4 year old who quietly watched for almost 3 hours along with the numerous adults revealing the films mass appeal. Writer, producer, and director James Cameron waited years to pull off this 3D vision with much success. I would undoubtedly recommend taking a trip to the theater for this one!

Aliante: IMAX Theater (Nice Theater! Love that you don’t have to wait in line, but can pay for the tickets on a machine if you choose. FYI if the movie has just come out arrive early. We don’t need to be making negotiations for seats a minute before it starts!)

Blind Side is a film based off a book by Michael Lewis about the football star Michael Oher’s journey from a kinless, poverty-stricken teenager to adopted, wealthy star college football recruit. The positive family-orientated story is appropriate for the all. Though, it gives a little bit of a after school special feel at times and ran a little long in a few spots, the story's validity made it quite appealing. Sandra Bullock does a great job as a no nonsense southern business woman, mother, and wife. And, Quinton Aaron’s character depiction of Oher is remarkably identical to a school mate of mine, whom you couldn’t help to love and simultaneously feel hope and sympathy towards. Nice feel good movie for all!

Santa Fe: No complaints

Oh, flying a once enjoyable experience has become an American cultural standard for horrid customer service. My daughter took her first lone flight Saturday back to Iowa to spend her break with her father, his family, and some of mine. I arrived approximately an hour and a half early because we had to wait for special services in order to properly achieve the underage lone flier status. Some of this time was taken by finding a parking spot, understandable. However, the remainder of the time was spent in a non-moving line. As time crept closer to departure, I went to a random baggage agent, whom I was told couldn’t help me originally, to explain I had been waiting for an hour and needed to get on the flight. She looked doubtful I’d make it and with the words, “May be there is another flight…” I felt my dreaded need to change from happy me and began my ridiculously unneeded fight to get my daughter on the flight, which caused my already nervous daughter to become glossy-eyed.

I have spent a decent amount of time traveling in the last 2 years, in which I would say 2/3 of the time I have experienced no problems. Nonetheless, it is due to the fact I use self-check-in and NEVER check bags. Even if I leave the country, I find away to get it all on without a problem. Nonetheless, any moment I have found myself needing any assistance whatsoever it becomes a battle, unneeded battle. For most of the problems have to do with the airline's, not just Delta, lack of organization.

As my unneeded fight to get my daughter on the flight was underway, low and behold after the agent earlier told me this lady couldn’t help me, and after this lady began her response to my problem with, “my computer cannot do ticketing just bag check-ins,” she was handing me my security pass and my daughter her ticket. I don’t blame her in anyway for lying to me, for it has happened before, which is why I knew the fight was worthwhile. I am just sick of the kindergarten like procedures airlines have making every airport trip I come into to be filled with at least 4 separate irate customers up in arms. Bad business. Period. Nonetheless, my extra 100$ fee for one-way underage assistance got her there safe for that I can be thankful.