Rules for Red Box

As most of you know, I've recently become a rabid fan of this new device found at McDonald's and Wal-Marts all across the United States - Red Box. (OK, so I'm not a recent convert or anything - I've been renting from Red Box for almost two years now, but that's beside the point.)

Anyway - I'm only bringing up Red Box for one reason: etiquette when using a Red Box while other people are present.

I'm well aware that if you are at a Red Box and no one else is around - then all rules are off. There's no one to offend or tick off - so you're pretty safe. However, I did want to run over a few things that I've noticed should be "standard procedure" when using a Red Box and others are standing in line waiting to use one as well.

RULE #1:
You have to actually get out of your car to "wait in line" for use of a Red Box machine. I don't care if it's raining, snowing, sleeting, or pouring down fish from the heavens - if I have to stand outside in the inclement weather - so do you. If I walk up and get in line while you're sitting in your car waiting for the person ahead of you to get finished with the machine - don't get all huffy and drive off and give me the finger. It's not my fault that you're too lazy to get our of your car for a few minutes.

RULE #2:
It is never cool to stand in front of the Red Box and read the synopsis of every movie that there is available to rent. I don't care if you're the world's fastest reader - if there's a line behind you - don't stand there and read about the movies. I don't mind people reading about one or two (TOPS!) - but anymore than that and the people behind you are cursing at you under your breath. (Except me - cause I'm a good Christian...) You can go to the Red Box website and read all about the movies there if you want to.

RULE #3:
This kind of pertains to rule #2 - but warrants its own entry as well. It is not cool under any circumstance to call your party asking what they want to rent and then proceed to list off all the movies. (Again, if you are the only one at a machine - feel free!) First of all - we don't want to hear your conversation or your opinion about each movie - nor do we want to hear you read the synopsis to the other person on the phone either.

RULE #4:
If at all possible - reserve your movie online before getting to the machine. That way you're guaranteed to get the movie you want - and you don't have to make the people standing behind you wait for 20 minutes while you decide what movie you want to rent.

RULE #5:
Don't smoke. I know you're outside and all - but other people are standing by you. That's just rude.

RULE #6:
If you're standing at a Red Box machine with your significant other - it is never appropriate to have a make-out session while standing in line. Whispering in one another's ears and making googly eyes at each other is acceptable - but still annoying.

RULE #7:
It's totally acceptable to talk to the other people in line - especially to get their take on certain movies. It's also a good way to find out if the person is renting a movie or just returning.

RULE #8:
After said conversation you find out that the person behind is only returning a rental and you want to rent 4 movies - it's only polite that you let that person behind you to return theirs before you start searching for movies. I wouldn't offer the person after them - because, well - you can only be so nice. Am I right?

RULE #9:
Have your credit card ready to swipe before you get to the machine. We don't want to see you rummage through your purse or have to run back to your car to get your wallet. Let's think ahead people.

RULE #10:
If there is not anyone behind you or the person directly behind you is being a jerk and a half - all rules are off. Take your time!

I hope this list was beneficial to those who read it. Feel free to pass it on - but please give credit where credit is due!

Chris

Between Jesus & John Wayne…

Daniel Britt has posted a very interesting blog entry over at David Bruce Murray's Musicscribe.com regarding the Gaither Vocal Band's latest single "Jesus & John Wayne." (With that and Kyle Boreing's cool little note about studio hiccups, DBM's blog is becoming one of my favorite places to visit lately...)

I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of the song. That's not because of the lyrical content of the song. I actually think it's a pretty clever lyric describing man's inner struggle of flesh vs. faith - and it's a great song that seems to fit Guy Penrod's image both on stage and off. My main gripes about the song are purely musical. I feel like the melody could have been a bit stronger, and the arrangement is just kind of there for me.

However, the main gripes of the Joy-FM listeners about the song were purely lyrical. This is a classic case of listeners only hearing the hook of the song and not listening to the whole thing. Why do people do this? I mean really, how do you get the entire grasp of a song without listening to the whole story?

Anyway - I didn't bring this up to make a huge argument for or against the song. There have been lots and lots of songs written regarding this topic (someone's already mentioned Mike Bowling's "Solid Rock & Shifting Sand" - one of my personal favorites!), so what makes this song so different? Any thoughts?

What Do You Want to Read?

So, I'm kind of at a loss of things to talk about right now, but I'm being pestered by folks to update more often.

Since I'm not exactly sure what to talk about - why don't you tell me what you'd like to hear my thoughts on...

It doesn't have to be Southern Gospel related. I'm open to discussing what you'd like to hear about...

Page 1 of 1 pages