Archives for April 2016

Ratchet & Clank - A Great Film For Kids #ratchetandclankmovie #sk #ad

April 25, 2016 By Sarah Fader

I had the pleasure of attending a screening of the upcoming animated film Rachet & Clank, based on the popular video game series that you may recall from your own childhood. It was a blast, I must say. My two children (Ari, 7, and Samara, 5) adored the film. I also got to take my dear friend Courtney, who is more like adult child. We have that kind of soul connection. The first thing that happened when we entered the screening, was a family photo on the red carpet.

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Despite my seven-year-old’s less than amused face, he was actually having a great time. He and his sister decided to pose in front of the movie poster like the hams that they are.

After my children stopped mugging in front of my iPhone camera, we entered the event where we had a variety of delicious snacks and found an area for the kids to color in. The chicken was friend to us all.

Ari particularly enjoyed the coloring area. There were mazes and word searches from the film. He and another boy at the event collaborated on finding all the words on the list. When in doubt, ask a member of the studio audience, right? I recognized some of my favorite blogger friends and while the kids were distracted with coloring books, I took the opportunity to chat with Mitch (Gay NYC Dad) one of my favorite parenting bloggers who was at the event. In fact, Mitch was cool enough to take this stylin’ picture of me in my 3D glasses just before we went into the theater to start the show.

The movie was a great family outing, because it easily grabbed the kids’ attention. Every child in the theater was transfixed by the screen. The impressive aspect of this film is that it managed to successfully capture the feel of a video game, while still being entertaining and telling a story for viewers of all ages. The film follows Ratchet, who is an ambiguous animal that most closely resembles a cat. In fact, one of the characters pokes fun at Ratchet because he is unable to distinguish what sort of animal he is. Ratchet is determined to become a Galaxy Ranger, which is like a policeman of the universe. He faces a variety of obstacles including species discrimination, and ultimately triumphs when he meets his partner in crime, a robot named Clank. My kids were so preoccupied with the film’s story that they didn’t say a word to me the entire length of the screen time. We all enjoyed the film and there were several laugh-out-loud moments. After the show ended, the kids received an awesome goody bag with a variety of old school candies including Fun Dip, Air Heads, and Milk Duds. What’s not to love? When this film hits the theaters, y’all should check it out. Here’s the official site for Ratchet & Clank, plus you can visit them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Ratchet and Clank will be IN THEATERS FRIDAY! Watch the official trailer here:

Some photos courtesy of Carmen Staicer.

Opening The Secret Part of Me

April 24, 2016 By Sarah Fader

Today I had a conversation with the remarkable Jordan Gray. I spoke candidly about my relationship history as well as processing the trauma I have been through. There are too many unhealthy relationship patterns to name, but let’s just say that I have the tendency to self-sabotage romantic relationships. In reality, I don’t want to do that. I would like to find my soulmate. I want to be with a partner who knows me inside and out. Just as importantly, I want to know my partner. I realized that part of me is terrified to have a man know me intimately. The reason is that there is the potential that he could hurt me. It’s scary to open yourself up to someone.

When I heard the words come out of my mouth I realized just how scared I was to be close to a man.

“When the right person comes along, I will reach inside of myself and give him that secret part of me. I don’t want to open that part up until he is available to me.”

“Why wait?” Jordan asked. “Why not open that part of yourself up now?”

Here’s the lesson: by opening that piece of myself up, it sends out a flare signal to my twin flame that I am out there.

I asked him: “How do I open that part of myself up?”

His answer was simple: doing the things that I love. All I have to do is be myself and continue living my life. The more I engage in activities that make me intrinsically happy, the more likely I will be to find the man of my dreams. I’m down with this plan, because I like engaging in activities that make me happy.

We also talked about owls, but that’s totally unrelated to this story.

@DunkinDonuts - All I Wanted Was An Apology

April 11, 2016 By Sarah Fader

Since my blog post about my mistreatment by the manager at Dunkin Donuts on Court Street in Brooklyn, I was contacted by the district manager for the company. He was extremely kind. He apologized that the manager had treated me poorly and was horrified by her behavior. He admitted that this franchise was having some problems. I get it, I truly understand. However, I still explained to him that all I wanted was for this woman to apologize to me for the way that she treated me. He agreed that indeed an apology was in order.

Let me make something clear: this is not all about me.

I’m concerned that this manager is treating other customers poorly and possibly shaming them if their debit cards get declined. Poor people shaming is not cool. The district manager agreed to meet me at the Dunkin Donuts this morning. He said that the meal was on them and that the manager would apologize to me. I was game. After I dropped my kids off at school I headed to Dunkin Donuts to receive my verbal apology from the manager.

When I arrived, I asked for the district manager. To my surprise, he was not there.

I called him on his cell phone.

“Oh no! I am so sorry, I forgot I was meeting you this morning. We had an emergency at our Manhattan location.”

I told him I understood. He said he would call the Court Street location and let the manager know that she should come out and apologize to me. I waited and finally the manager came out. He had told her I was wearing a black Brooklyn hoodie so that she could recognize me.

“Hi.” I said politely.

“Yes?” She replied coldly. I stood there waiting for the words “I’m sorry,” to materialize out of her mouth, but they did not come.

“Do you have something to tell me?” I asked her.

“Oh. It’s you.” She said “You’re the one who complained about us. What do you want?” She replied rolling her eyes.

“Are you serious right now?” I asked. “I’m leaving.” I said in front of a line of customers waiting for their coffee.

I stepped outside of the store, furious that this woman could not so much as apologize to me for being rude. Unbelievable. I called the district manager and explained what had happened. He was horrified and said he would have to speak to her yet again. He went ahead and called the Dunkin Donuts on Smith Street and told them that I could have any meal I wanted for free. I went to Smith Street location and they were so lovely and kind. The manager, Ovi, is so awesome.

“What happened at Court Street?” He asked me.

I told him the story.

“Wow.” He said “If she said that to you, who knows how she is treating other customers.”

“Agreed.” I replied “Well, you guys are awesome.” I said.

“Come to us instead!’ Ovi said joyfully.

We laughed.

Anyway, Dunkin Donuts, I don’t understand why this woman cannot apologize to me, but she can’t. And I don’t want her shaming other customers if their card gets declined because that is just mean.

Sincerely,

Sarah Fader

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I Forgot My Password for Life

April 9, 2016 By Sarah Fader

I forgot my password for life. I am quite obviously lost and there’s not “forgot password” option. Consequently, I have to keep going without knowing which direction to turn and who to ask for help. That’s totally unfair and there is no manager to call. I’d write a letter to the life corporate headquarters, except I don’t think there is one. I’m just a person living her life and I’m confused and sad for “no reason.”

If I were to examine my mind further, I’d find that there were reasons to be frustrated, sad, angry, depressed, perplexed, lost, tired, irritable, resentful and the like. However, I don’t have a person to complain to that can actually do anything about these feelings. Feelings are stupid.

Boo feelings.

I love my blog because it always listens.

It doesn’t judge me for being anxious or “annoying” or “needy” like humans.

Where was I? Oh yeah, I’m lost and there’s no Google Maps for Life. Nope.

Hello?

HELLO!

Can I please speak to your supervisor?

What the fuck?

Is there anyone on this phone?

This is totally unreasonable. I don’t want these feelings and I want to know where to go from here. Why can’t you direct me to the correct extension of someone who knows what to do?

What do you mean?

WHAT?

I know what to do?

No I don’t.

Okay, so I’m supposed to keep going even though I don’t have anyone to talk to about this?

Come on.

I guess I’ll figure it out, life. Thanks.

Let’s talk about how NOT to treat your customers @DunkinDonuts

April 5, 2016 By Sarah Fader

Let’s talk about how NOT to treat your customers Dunkin’ Donuts. I went into the Dunkin Donuts on Court Street and 1st Place in Brooklyn. I attempted to reload my DD Perks card. Yeah, that’s right, I am a frequent donut flier. I love DD coffee and my kids love the pastries. My debit card was declined. The manager rolled her eyes at me.

“Now I have to void the order.” She said.
“I’m sorry.” I said.
Keep in mind that I have been to this Dunkin Donuts hundreds of times and spent more money than I can count on their products. I know this because I have accumulated enough points to get free beverages.
Anyway, I say:
“Let me give you another card.”
Grumpy manager says:
“I don’t want to run this card if it isn’t going to work.”
So (in other words) she was shaming me for not having money.
“It will work.” I said.
The card worked.
She proceeded to role her eyes and said “you do this all the time.”
Even though my card had money on it, I chose not to purchase anything at this Dunkin Donuts.
“I’m sorry, what do I do all the time?” I asked
“My card has been declined once or twice in the hundreds of times I’ve been here.”
Manager rolls her eyes again.
“You know what, I am not going to buy anything. I am leaving. I’m going to the Dunkin Donuts on Smith Street where they are actually nice to their customers.” I said.
“Good. We don’t need you. You don’t have to come here.” Said the manager.
Please keep in mind that this took place in front of the five people who were waiting in line behind me.

So, here’s the thing.
Everyone’s debit card gets declined once in a while. Why is this something to shame someone for?

It’s not like I was up at the counter trying 10 or 20 different cards seeing which one was going to work. Additionally, even if I did try 300 debit cards, there is no excuse for rolling your eyes and yelling at a customer. This is a retail establishment and customers should be treated with respect. We are all humans here and we deserve to be treated with kindness.

Customers (like myself) deserve to be treated with respect.

Lastly, you need to make this right.

What are you going to do about it Dunkin Donuts?

Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been

April 4, 2016 By Sarah Fader

“Who I am hates who I’ve been.” - Relient K.

There’s a person out there who hates me. I know, right? Me! I am awesome. Who could possibly despise me? Trust me when I tell you that this person hates my guts. I won’t tell you who it is for the sake of the person. But, I will tell you that it makes me uncomfortable that they hate me. Guess what? I bet there are many other people out there that don’t care for me.

What makes this situation so different? Why am I so uncomfortable? Why can’t I let it go? Because they used to be my friend.

If you think this blog post is about you, then it is…or maybe it isn’t. Or maybe it doesn’t fucking matter.

I have been up since 3am thinking about self-love.

What I’ve come to is this: there will be many people in your life who will not like you. Shit happens. We are people. We are born, we do not have stagnant personalities. We change, we grow, we evolve
and sometimes we outgrow friendships.

I’d like to think that friends are forever and our human connections will stay with us until we are no longer on this planet we call earth but that is not the truth.

I meet you, we fall in love with each other’s similar or starkly different qualities for a finite moment in time and then we have two choose your own adventure options: