The Dark Knight

Saturday night we joined the crowds flooding into movie theaters across the country to see the Sony and Legendary Pictures' release, "The Dark Knight": the second installment of a well-resurrected comic book franchise.

In one word the film was excellent. And box office numbers are backing me up. The long-awaited sequel sold roughly 153 million in tickets this past weekend making it the highest grossing opening weekend ever. However, one news article was keen to point out that when considering ticket price inflation the 2007 release of Spider-Man 3 still beats The Dark Knight by a thin margin of 170,000. "Go spidey, go!" So of course the film took #1 for the weekend in the box office not closely followed by Mamma Mia at 27 million and Hancock at 14 million.

Much of the hype for the movie was due to anticipation of a new Joker, played by the late Heath Ledger who died in January 2008 due to a drug overdose. Simple previews told audiences that the new Joker was going to be done well, but Ledger's performance was outstanding. I have typically seen him playing the pretty boy with an easy smile in chick flicks, but Ledger seemed to lose himself in this role. I found myself no longer watching a talented actor but the Joker himself. The previous Joker, played by Jack Nicholson was as much about the character as the actor. Though Nicholson did great, I'm afraid he must tip his hat and bow out to a better Joker, played by Ledger.

The film did not follow typical super hero format--a clear problem arises that can only be resolved by the hero who struggles yet ultimately succeeds. The Dark Knight went beyond this familiar approach and called the audience to question what is right and wrong in a number of situations. Morality was a major theme, and how far can a super hero go before it becomes too far? Batman himself becomes a bit darker as a character, and he is made to question why he is Batman and when he will no longer need to be.

As expected the action in the movie is exciting and well thought out. The hand-to-hand combat is much more followable (one criticism of Batman Begins). Of course Batman shows out with new toys and gadgets which caused me to feel like Sergent Gordon from the first film when he exclaimed, "I gotta get me one of those."

Lessons from the Grocery

The Saturday after I turned 16 I had a job at my local grocery store, Ingles, in Asheville, NC. For 2.5 years I worked there through high school. Now in grad school while in need of a little extra cash I'm working at a Harris Teeter in Chapel Hill. In my roughly 5.5 years of grocery store experience I've come to learn several lessons while providing (sometimes over-zealous) customer service.

Grocery store work is repetitive and high energy. There is always a customer somewhere needing help or something needing to be done. Employees remain on their feet at all times and are required to maintain a cheerful and welcoming attitude toward everyone. If you're ever tired or just having a rough day, grocery store work can be difficult.

Lesson #1: People carry their anger around with them.

If you've ever been a regular shopper you've probably run into a slight hold-up at the checkout line: a check not reading correctly, a price check, or a cashier needing a manager's help at the register. If you don't know it yet, these hold-ups are simply part of the grocery store business. Yet sometimes people get all bent out of shape about them and too often take their anger out on the cashier. That's because we carry our anger around like handbags. All it takes is one more push, and we explode. It is almost comical just how angry I've seen people become over something so little at the check out.

Don't unload the stresses of your day on the cashier! The cashier is possibly having a stressful day as well, and if not then you're making it one. A grocery store cashier deals with hundreds of customers during any given day. That's a lot of people to keep happy. And some will simply never be satisfied, because they are angry when they walk through the door.

So this lesson is to say: watch your anger and where it comes from. Don't take it out on the wrong person. The cashier is probably not the reason you're angry. Don't give your bad day to someone who doesn't want it.

Lesson #2: You don't have any servants.

Harris Teeter is especially known for its high level of customer service which, I must admit, sometimes resembles butt kissing. Because of this service, some customers have confused with something we're not: servants.

At many grocery stores, especially up north, you are required to bring your own grocery bags, unload your items for the cashier, pack them yourself, and carry them out yourself all while the cashier chews gum and talks to his or her friend behind you. At Harris Teeter the moment you approach the register we do everything for you including engaging you in conversation and taking your groceries to the car (no tips required).

Because of our high level of customer service, some people think we are their servants. When this happens they begin to treat us like lowly, unimportant, uneducated house servants who can be ordered around and never directly addressed or looked at in the face. In another word: disrespect.

Ironically, it takes a big person to serve others, be it for a job or otherwise. Though we serve people that does not make us their servants.

So this lesson is to say: respect all other people. Look your cashier/bagger in the face, smile, and say thank you, because they are trying there best to make YOU happy.