My morning with the rats** 



I just returned from a birthday party with the two kids. It was a beautiful, sunny, glorious morning...but where were we? We were inside....at Chuck E. Cheese.

It was son D's first time there ever - and he was terrified. Shaking, sobbing, clinging to me for dear life. I had to take him in the parking lot to calm him down.

When we got home, I told Doug that if I were to design my own personal hell, I'd have to get the blueprints from Chuck. Let's see:
-ugly florescent lighting. check.
-really awful food. check
-noise levels sufficient to harm human ears. check
-rodents in costume. check
-cheap plastic toys. check
-employees who say "funner" instead of "more fun." check.
-no natural light whatsoever. check.
-obnoxious video games. check
-bright flashing neon lights everywhere. check
-really bad music. check
-not a glass of fine red wine to be found. check

The only thing I'd have to add is cigarette smoke. My version of hell will definitely have people smoking in my face.

Yet, the other kids (other than my terrified son) LOVED it. They had a blast and thought it was the best birthday party ever. I adore the family who had the party and it was a great time for all the kids.

So, obviously there is some value there. But next time, Doug gets to take the kids. I'm done.

**I know they are trying to market him as a mouse. But I've lived with rats (one of the joys of city dwelling in Washington DC) and Chuck - he's a rat. No question about it. A giant, stuffed, overdressed rat. 

Posted: Sat - May 28, 2005 at 02:44 PM          

©