Donna in Hollywoodland

Why I Hate the Century City Mall.. and other stories

Today, it was the Double-Feature Saturday that my friend and I get together every-so-often to do.
Except this time, instead of picking the wonderful Arclight cinemas in Hollywood, we chose the new AMC theatres in Century City.

The theatres themselves are nicely re-modeled. And the Food Court and restaurants, though still being remodeled, have plenty of selections.

We decided to see two movies
Friends with Money
and
Benchwarmers

After picking up our tickets, we headed over to Houstons Restaurant.

Now remember, I am getting ready for the dreaded "colonoscopy" that is coming up.
So I am started the restricted part of the diet.
No Seeds, No Nuts, No fibrous vegetables.

Thats okay, I will use this week as an excuse.
I will eat things I have been denying myself since I was diagnosed back in August 05 with breast cancer.
I will relax the dietary rules alittle, just so its not so hard on me.

That means an Avocado Hamburger with French Fries and a Light Beer at Houstons.
What a treat that will be.

The hamburger arrives at my table.
There are friggin' little seeds all over the flippin' hamburger bun !
I forgot about those dang little seeds they sprinkle on top.

My friend tries to be positive "Well its only Saturday, I'm sure they will digest in time."

No, no - I pick the top of the hamburger bun off.
My hamburger is now alittle strange, because there is such a little top. And the avocado seeps through.
But I enjoy the french fries. I haven't enjoyed them in ages because "they" say that toxins are released when potatoes are fried. So this is a real treat.

Since we are in a nice restaurant, my friend and I try not to discuss my upcoming colonoscopy in to much detail.
Out of politeness towards the other diners.

Then its off to the movies.
The first movie is "Friends With Money".
I was looking so forwarded to seeing all this Actresses of a Certain Age together on the big screen.
And they on purpose made them all look like crap.
You could see wrinkles and greasy hair. They looked 10 years older than any of them really are.
I know the characters in this are supposed to be depressed and having problems - but did they have to look so bad?

After alittle walk around the Mall, our next movie was "Benchwarmers".
I love a good comedy. And I love David Spade and Rob Schneider.
And it was a positive, uplifting, fun movie. Yes, there is crude humor.
But the message about children being accepting of other children was just wonderful.
Its great when I movie can have a message like that, and still be alittle raunchy.
I really enjoyed this film.

Okay, my fun day at the movies is now over.
I head down to the parking lot.
I put my little validated parking ticket into the automatic machines.
The machine read "$ 15 - please insert cash or credit card."

I stop. Fifteen Dollars. For Parking at a Mall.
That can't be right. The ticket is validated.
I take the ticket out. Hit the "Cancel" button. And try again.
"$ 15 - please insert cash or credit card."

I look around trying to find an attendant. There is none.
I guess they have the Automatic machines so that when you get your parking bill, you are not able to punch someone in the face.

I read the sign. And basically they are charging you more money every 20 minutes.
So after 2 movies and a lunch, even with validation, yes my parking fee is $ 15.

I pay by Credit Card. My blood pressure through the roof.
I leave my friend a voice mail. I will never, ever go back to the Century City Mall.
Ever.