Our Wedding Story or Otherwise "Plan B"

    John and I got married this past weekend (pictures are at the bottom). Yesterday, in fact, as I am writing this. We chose to have a small gathering of close family and friends that live locally versus a "BIG" wedding. Both of us have been married before and have had our big weddings (2002 for him and 2003) for me. 

    We met three years ago, just before Thanksgiving 2020 on match.com. We declined their exit survey asking "Did you meet someone?" "What's their username?" Sorry, match.com. I went on there with the lowest of expectations. I just thought, "I'm looking for some new friends, and maybe, just maybe, next year I will feel ready to start dating."

    John, meanwhile, had met a few older ladies, and had just wrapped up a brief - I don't even know what to call it - too short for a relationship, and a handful of dates that ended up nowhere. In fact, we've passed her house a few times and I've said, "Thanks -(her name) !" And I gave a little wave. Sometimes, it comes down to timing.

    I joined in July. I spoke with two guys briefly and I wasn't feeling it. I gave up for months. Before Thanksgiving, I was feeling a bit lonely, and knowing the holidays were coming, a little down too. So, I logged in on my match account that was to expire in January, and nothing on the first day back that month. The next day, I switched it up and said, "Find awesome guys that are just normal and kind near me." Okay, not really, but I changed my settings to make location a priority in the men 40-55 range. I was 44 then. 

    We met the day before Thanksgiving (2020) at a small, outdoor barbeque-sandwich place that was at the corner of Valley Farm Market in Spring Valley. It's not there anymore as a barbeque place, but given the weather and other circumstances, the sandwiches weren't that great. We got together that Friday and the rest is history. 

    The Headache of Wedding Planning

    When it came to looking for a venue for about 15-20 people (as we had decided to keep it small), it became an overwhelming situation. I found a wonderful place with great food and a central location. Originally, I thought we'd just have the reception there, in a small room with a long table. The pictures from another website were professionally photographed with great lighting. So, when I saw it in person it was about half the size and darker. Also, there was a room rental rate on top of the 27% banquet fee and 7.75% sales tax. I'm sure the tip would be 15-20% as well. So, at $100-150 per person for the food alone, there were too many add-on options worth mentioning. When I had a friend come with me (she would later be our officiant), somehow the wedding grew to an estimated $7,000. It included a ceremony on the lawn (with a rental fee - I think $1000), a cocktail hour, and a larger, brighter room (rental fee around $2000). This quote includes some extra drinks or a bartender, two tray-passed appetizers, a meal, and the fees. 

    Even one of the most popular places at Balboa Park in San Diego was going to be overpriced. Recently they've nearly doubled the previous prices. The Japanese Friendship Garden's 2023 brochure shows that a weekday (M-Th) "Minimony" package price for a 2-hour Ceremony-only is $3,670 (March and Holidays have an additional fee). Source: https://www.niwa.org/. There are other options: By the hour (Weekday) are at least $900. 

    Then, there's the required caterer list. I wanted Italian food. This limited my options even more. I sought out a restaurant. I looked at their menu. I figured for my group that it would be $100 per person for a two-course meal with wine and tip. Great, right?! I was excited because I knew parking wouldn't be an issue. I even looked into having a ceremony nearby, but the property is owned either by the military or the county and the were strict requirements. They have a $2000 minimum. It was close, but it still turned me off somehow. 

    The summer comes and I'm still changing my mind. We picked a restaurant that we had been to so many times over the years. After that decision, we ate there one afternoon. We get our usual and something is off. Not just that the "prime filet meatballs" were barely warm, but it wasn't the same kind of meat. It tasted different and the texture was different. I happened upon Yelp, and saw a review that mentioned this item and they didn't think it was anything close to the prime meat. So, we think they didn't use prime filet, that's for sure. They certainly charged us for that. It's not just insulting. I wish I had said something at the time, but there are times when you just don't feel like complaining. We ate it, hoping our sandwich would be hot or at least much warmer, and it was. We haven't been back there since.

   The Final Choice Is .  . .

     We decided to have it at home. Our dining table can handle ten people. We could add in a six-footer at the end and somehow we'd make it work. Having it at home made it so much more enjoyable and easier. We cleaned the house and I had time to enjoy decorating the table and setting everything up. 

   We ordered Phil's BBQ for delivery and picked up a few things from Costco. We filled the coolers with ice and shoved them near the counter. We told people to dress casually.  We requested no gifts. We told people it would be alcohol-free. A friend provided Lyre's alcohol-free Prosecco. It tasted good! We toasted with recycled plastic stemless champagne flutes. 

   Having it at home made it easier for my friend to decorate the cake in our kitchen and not have to transport it. The other idea I had was to have her slice it, shove it in a cooler in individual boxes, and send people home. It never materialized because having wedding cake shouldn't have to go down like a drug deal! 

    My Thoughts:

    Celebrating a wedding should always be the way the couple wants it. I love celebrating with people. I love watching people opening gifts. I made the mistake of my first wedding of asking everyone to watch us open gifts at the family brunch the next day at my parent's house. Gosh, how lame of me. I'll never forget how my dear Great Aunt Cecilia sat next to me and invited me and my "boyfriend," to visit her. She was a sweet lady with some memory issues. I just thanked her. I thought it had to be a Catholic wedding too. That would later come back to haunt me in the ways of getting a church annulment. It really doesn't matter if you marry someone that isn't interested in getting an annulment. I didn't ask him to. It's a long process, and I opted not to get married in the Catholic Church. I wanted an outdoor wedding and I wanted to keep it small. John wanted to keep it small as well.

    Oddly enough, it was John's family and my friends that came. His friends, the very few that were invited were either out of town or couldn't make it for other reasons. I don't have any family that lives nearby. This was another reason to keep it small. So, we with our ten guests had a wonderful time. A friend of mine took some videos. My camera on a tripod took a five-and-a-half-minute video of our wedding ceremony. We spent the first ninety seconds just trying to figure out where to stand. It's actually quite funny to watch! That was after our first attempt to start the ceremony when Phil's showed up about twenty minutes early just as we were about to start. My camera was overheating, so just as I was about to shut it down after a minute of it filming some post-ceremony hugging, it told me it was about to power down.

    There's an acronym I like: Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS). I wrote this because some people may feel like they were left out of the loop or that they think I met this guy and ten minutes later, we're married. I'm 47. I'm not pregnant and I really don't think that's even possible now. We don't want children. I can't even understand what it will be like for Robert De Niro's baby (born this year) to grow up just watching him on TV (or the internet). Oh, he's still alive (De Niro) but for how long? He's 80 now! But I'm not judgemental. No one is judgemental (insert heavy sarcasm because we all are. We just choose when to wheel that weapon out as it will always bite us in the arse in the end. So, be prepared, right?). 

    So, if you're one of those who think we should have a huge wedding in a big church, have an outrageous reception spending $29,000 (source https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/21/2023-wedding-costs-inflation.html#:~:text=The%20average%20cost%20of%20a,this%20year%20because%20of%20inflation.)on the whole affair which includes a fully catered reception at some other location than the big church, with the cocktail hour, the professional everything (videographer, photographer) real flowers (I only used a single bunch of real roses from Costco on the cake - the rest were artificial roses I used in two bouquets, four flower balls, and two vase arrangements- all of which still look beautiful), then please shout it out to me! There's a comment section below. If you expected to be invited while having to fly out at your expense and get a hotel room and a rental car at your expense, then please leave me in your will! 

 Going with Plan B - On Everything, Including the Dress. 

   All terrible jokes aside, we had thought about a ceremony-honeymoon combination at the Sandals in Ochos Rios. But that's not our honeymoon plan anymore. Having to take a shuttle/golf cart for everything wasn't in my plan. So, as it always is in life, I often have to go with Plan B. Even when it came to my wedding dress. I had put Plan A on with the designated bra and even though I could just barely zip it up. It's a beautiful flower-embroidered creamy-beige-colored dress with spaghetti straps. It's low-cut in the front with some sheer fabric over the cleavage. However, it was long. I'd have to carry a fistful of fabric whenever I walked. It was already 80 outside at 10:30. It was fully lined. It was heavy. I knew I'd be self-conscious about my "wings" (lack of tricep definition) among other things. The bra wasn't doing it for me either. So, I opted for my backup dress with the jeweled belt. I wore the same shoes (it worked for either dress in my opinion). The only problem was that I hadn't chosen the jewelry for that dress ahead of time.

    I opted for "something blue" which was a set of earrings and necklace that my former mother-in-law had sent me this year. It was made out of the inspiration for the painting "The Girl with the Pearl Earring." It had some pearls, some light amber stones, and blue stones. I wore a sapphire and diamond necklace in gold that my parents had given me that I only got to wear one other time (at my wedding rehearsal in 2003). I also wore a bracelet that belonged to my grandmother. 

    I'd like to celebrate with my family when I see them next. Sure, it won't be my friend's wonderful homemade cake. It'll be one from Costco most likely. It might even be chocolate. If it were up to me, it'd probably be pumpkin pie which should be around all the time. Do you hear that, Costco? 

   Plan B has happened so often to us. Easter of 2022. We tried to fly to Oklahoma. We weren't going to make it out there. Everyone was flying that weekend. Our plane was late. We wouldn't make the connection. We decided to stay home and went to the Wild Animal Park (Safari Park). We've canceled our trip to New York City twice. We'll go one day. We've canceled our first honeymoon. We tried to buy a house for seven months. We put in offers and deposits only to have to cancel two of the three accepted offers (and we got the deposits back). Just getting my dog after the first experience with those scammers (never buy a dog online - do you see my face turning red from embarrassment?). I even got a tag and named her Daisy. That's why Poppy is not named Daisy. 

    Life is Plan B. We can try to make plans and once in a while, everything goes perfectly! Our Hawaii trip was an example of that. Our wedding day was an example of that! Of course, we would have loved to see everyone and have everyone be there if all of that didn't come with a ridiculous price tag or some major inconveniences like getting a dog sitter, a babysitter, getting time off from work, or having missed connections on flights. It made sense to me in 2003 because I really did intend for it to be my one and only marriage at the time. It's just one day, and we have the rest of our lives to celebrate together! 

    

Victoria (L) & John (R) 

Our Beautiful (and yummy) Cake (the wedding topper has a Corgi on the right).

    

     

$ Fix Me $

It would cost someone $3,425 for a series Landmark Education courses. I would call it "the full experience."  You think your life is screwed up? Having doubts about reaching your bloody potential? Maybe you could just take a chance and find out for yourself. Talk to a friend and save the money for something that really will benefit you for the rest of your life - like a week in Hawaii with your favorite person. Don't let organizations like Landmark and PSI steal your money because that is what they do. Oh, sure some people claim that they help you. They help you alienate your old life and your real friends and family. This is what you get when you could get the advice you need to hear from a friend or family for free.
Here's the bloody breakdown:
The Landmark Forum: $510. It's a full weekend. All day. Teens and youngin's have their own program too!
The Advanced Course: $850. 4 days
There are two Communication Courses: one is $425, the other is $675. "Access to Power" (3 days, prerequisite is the Landmark Forum) and "Power to Create" (3 days and requires you've completed "Access to Power").
The Direct Access: Creating the Future You Really Want: A 2 day (Sat. & Sun.) seminar that is only in NY or LA. So airfare is extra.
SELP (Self Expression and Leadership Program). $220  I think this is where they teach you how to recruit. They claim is is part of a two year training, but the program itself is over the period of several months. * Prerequisite course of Advanced Seminar.
There are additional seminars, like on on intimacy which is 30 hours.  3 hours every week for 10 weeks. Most are $125. All require The Landmark Forum as a prerequisite. Some have other seminars as prerequisite.  So if you take two you've now spent $3,425 and have a lost a total of at least one consecutive month of your life (adding all the days together is at least 26 assuming you can double up on SELP and a seminar as a fun example).

Feel any better?

That's a lot of money and a lot b.s. to take in.

Also, if you're considering this seriously, talk to a friend who doesn't speak any weird lingo. Like using the words "empowerment," or "realizing your full potential," or "actuality," etc... Talk to a normal person who has never been brainwashed (aka forced or volunteered into a seminar on SELF-HELP).
SELF HELP starts with helping YOURSELF and not letting complete strangers tell you what's wrong with you. You're smart enough to know what's wrong and what to do to fix it or ultimately accept it. There are some things we can't change!

    For Mother's Day, I'm dedicating this to the moms who have educated their children to think for themselves, always question and educate themselves, have an open mind and a strong will. I think my parents have done that because I would never let this happen to me or anyone in the world if I can prevent it.

   I realize this is the most controversial topic I will probably ever address, but I have read a lot on this from people who gone through the PSI Seminars and those whose lives have been destroyed by the people who have been brainwashed by PSI for 39 years and over 500,000 people that have attended their seminars. It bothers me. I don't know anyone who is in my life now that has been through this. There are some who still suffer under the delusion that everything is fine, that their parents are wrong, their old friends (before PSI) don't understand them, that their boyfriends, girlfriends or spouses are not being supportive. You are brainwashed and being selfish and you need help.

   Below is my post on today's message board. It refers to a post from a few days ago by a former PSI member.She initiated the topic on the message board several years ago.

   Hi, Five years ago, I came to this site (link below)  to do personal research on PSI after someone suggested it to me. I don't forward emails to people if they are even slightly suspicious or use scare tactics. So, I'm glad I never did get involved. Having more free time these days, I was curious yesterday and started reading up on PSI and the posts here.

  These are just some thoughts I've had over the last 24 hours or so:

   I'm happy that the young woman whose education opened her eyes in such a brief time. The fact that she is open-minded and came out of PSI open-minded says a lot of her will and I think is a rare instance indeed.

What I'm sad to learn is that they are still around. Also I think it is very disturbing that they are offering 1 day free Basic Intros.

   I went to their website today (PSI Seminars) and saw they have a new store. Yet another racket for these people. If you look at the JCW tab, it is a link to books recommended by the founder I assume. The authors are other racketeers such as Deepak Chopra and Bob Procter; but Shirely McClaine? I couldn't find evidence of her involvement except for her two books being listed.

   Charismatic speakers (one in particular) started the Holocaust. I'm just saying...

   Why are the locations of the Seminars hidden until registration is paid? This is a particularly effective tool cults use to ensure there would be no intervention by the non-believers or the negative people. I wouldn't mind joining a protest in front of the hotel just to get people to stop. There are far too many people ruined by this organization. For the 500,000 people that have attended these seminars, multiply that by 20 for each person whose co-workers, friends, and family have been hurt or ruined. It bothers me that companies pressure their employees into this by paying for it and other methods. Specifically, an open minded person who wants to keep their job would go. Someone more willing to know what they are getting into, not really knowing who their boss is, maybe even the boss doesn't know what he/she is getting into.

   Everyone has a weakness. I think PSI's use of psychological tactics covets this fact and uses it. These methods of breaking you down and bringing you up seem to be a consistency in cults and other Large Group Awareness Training organizations. You're there in the first place to better yourself. So, already you go there with the assumption that there is something wrong with you or that something is missing in your life. Everyone wants it better, they want more cars, more money and better relationships. There's a point where wiser people realize that life is what it is. You can only try to change how you react and look at each moment, each event in your life. You can't imagine yourself (I'm referring to "The Secret" DVD which I've suffered through and is recommend by JCW) with more money, then go out and get a $50,000 car loan, attend seminars that cost over $7-8,000, and expect your family to "go with it." I mean, things coming to you because you visualize it or meditate on it? Really, so the rich men (ALL 3) on the east coast who won the lottery last year visualized it too?

   People need to realize that the sooner that they let go of their desires, they will find that they have what they need. Do I need to buy a t-shirt right now? No, I have twenty. I'd like to, but it won't make me happy. What makes me happy is seeing my friends and family happy. Vacations make me happy because my husband/family and I get to spend so much time together just seeing the world and experiencing life and yummy food. Getting brainwashed won't make anyone happy. Think for yourself people, please.

http://forum.rickross.com/read.php?4,24037

How Should...

How Should... is today's Google search topic.

How should I cut my hair? Take some garden shears and chop it all off or shave your head.

How should my suit fit? Shirt on top, tie around the neck, jacket on top, pants on the bottom.

How should running shoes fit? Loose, loose, loose! You don't need stability or support. It's all lies. Shin splints are a fabrication of the sneaker industry.

How should a condom fit? Well enough so you don't feel anything.

How should a bra fit? Very tight. Bulges everywhere. Permanent indentation marks on your skin will help you guide it into place every morning. You want to look good in a sundress, right?

How should a resume look? Write it on a napkin after your third martini. Include the olive for extra points.

How should I invest in money? You have money? I'll take donations!

How should a newborn sleep? Hold it upside down or strap it to a tree branch by its feet.

How should we then live? Where should you live is a better question. My answer would be not near me.

How should prepared slides be handled? Wear gloves if this isn't the 200^th picture of last 4^th of July when Aunt Jane fell asleep in the chicken salad.

How to...

      I love Google predicative search engine. Just type in “how to” and it will tell you what people are searching for. The top ten are never the topics I am interested in researching at the moment. But if you wanted to know what people are thinking about right now, type it in. I think it's amusing. I was thinking how many of these things do I know or would be able to figure out without researching.

     This is what I found today when I typed in “how to” on Google's website.

     How to tie a tie.

     How to delete Facebook. (How about just cancelling your account?)

     How to make a cakepop (I can figure out how to poke a candy stick into a small cake).

     How to take a screenshot on a Mac (You got me there. I don't even use one).

     How to hard boil eggs (Yes).

     How to make french toast (Oh yes! And with brioche or Pannetone! Ahhh... heaven).

     How to download you tube videos (No comment).

     How to get rid of acne scars (You don't want me to hold lasers to your face. But if you do offer me an insane amount of money, like $1.4 million assuming about $400,000 goes to the government, then I'll do it).

    How to cook asparagus (Yum! Yes I do).

    How to love lyrics (I'm assuming this is a song).

    On a side note, there are so many songs that are popular, I hate their lyrics. They repeat the same chorus – a single word or phrase so many times like that song that was so popular and so whiny by Green Day. I hope you have the time of your life. That phrase is repeated 4 times. It is the end of the chorus which is repeated three times at the end. The chorus comprises of half of the lyrics of the song. It is one of my biggest pet peeves. WE GET IT ! OK?!? If I have walk through Costco with its concrete walls and floors reverberating that mess of a sappy high school graduation party song where everyone is in that sentimental mood, then pass me a 50L bottle of wine so I won't suffer anymore. I'd rather be stuck in a room with Rosie O'Donnell and Richard Simmons for 5 seconds. My hell is eternity with those two and that song playing nonstop.

Fleur de Lys, San Francisco, CA

* * * * * (5 of 5 stars) reviewed today on April 20, 2012

My husband and I dined at Fleur de Lys on March 23, 2012. I loved it. It was the best meal I've had so far on this continent. I went all out with the five course wine pairing menu. You can't go wrong with anything from their menu. I wish I could describe in greater detail the bliss after each bite, but my mind goes blank as it did that night. Our reservation was around 6pm, but soon the restaurant was filled. We had made our reservation about 2 weeks before, and it was either early or 9pm. I wouldn't try going there without a reservation anyday of the week.

The food is incredible, innovative, creative, thoughtful and just so good. The wine was just awesome. I liked how the maî·tre d' was polite to the busboy/server when we overheard him excuse himself by addressing the server with "Sir." I thought that was classy. The whole place is classy. I don't know if I get the inspiration behind the decor, but all I care is that it's clean, comfortable, pleasant etc... and it was beyond that. The whole staff was pleasant and respectful to each other. The noise level was ok because there was a private party, and we were kind of near it, but it was better than your average chain place on a weekend. I didn't have to raise my voice to talk to my husband who was sitting across from me. I don't enjoy those places much.  

Poma's Italian Deli in Ocean Beach, CA (San Diego)

* * * * *  (5 of 5 stars) Reviewed today on Yelp.com 4/19/2012


Best Subs in San Diego! My husband introduced me to many of the cool spots in Ocean Beach as it was his vacation home before he moved here from Germany almost ten years ago. Being a baker (not working professionally as one now) I can tell you the best part of a good sub is the bread and Poma's has it! I have a favorite sub and I always get it unless I need to follow my low-carb diet (then I go for the antipasti which is fine): It is the roast beef with double mayo, provolone and all the veggies. It gets toasted in their pizza oven. I give my husband those peppers that come on the side. They'll make it however you like it. It's not a fancy place, but a local favorite. It is best to just take it and go home so no one will see you make a mess of yourself while eating these big sandwiches. The bread is the best and the rest is just a bonus. It's awesome because you don't ever have to wait for a long time, but there's a steady stream of customers. Two cons: Cash only and parking. Parking is street only, free (no meters). They do pastas and pizzas and one day I'd like to try one of their pizzas because they do look pretty good. I should add that I see them (the pizzas) only when they come out of the oven and into a box as they are made to order, like the sandwiches. 

Mini Of San Diego, San Diego, CA

Update 4/30/2012: Today, I had to change it to 5 stars. They really do go out of their way to make a lot of Mini owners happy.  

 * * * * *  

* * * * (4 of 5 Stars) Reviewed on Yelp.com on 4/18/2012

First of all, my husband and I each have an 07 Mini Cooper.
Secondly, this review is related to service/repairs only.
They are expensive to repair wherever you go unless you "have a guy you trust."  So, do get the extended warranty and the extended maintenance plans. They are worth it. My guy is Aaron and his team. We didn't buy our Minis there (cause we got them in Santa Ana (Crevier) in 07. So, this really is only based on the year and half + of service we've had.
So, the dealership itself is always nice and clean. They offer a shuttle service and they will try to get you a loaner if you need it. They will test drive the cars they repair and they use geniune Mini parts. It is a Penske dealership - the first Mini has allowed and perhaps this is what makes them strive harder to do the best they can.
Aaron puts up well with my insufficient knowledge of cars. We've had so many numerous jobs done their with both of cars - the most recent was last week when I took my husband's Mini in for what I thought would be to replace the rear shocks. The car squeaked and made a lot of noise going over EVERY bump. Aaron told me that all it was that the heat shield was bent and the rear sway bar (which is a thicker, non-Mini stock sway bar installed 4 years ago) needed lubricating. And that fixed it! I couldn't believe it! So, I know I can trust Aaron and really that is what a good dealership needs - honest service advisors that won't get you to replace parts that are working just so they can make more money. Besides, they are so busy that I don't think they'd waste their time.
I want to give five stars - they are so darn close to it, but there was just one incident in October of 2011 when a repairman who had given his quit notice had mentally checked out had not noticed problems with our car (slight accident with a moving small boulder on the road during a  bad rainstorm and rock slide) that the insurance person has noticed. It was such a mess that my husband's Mini was there for about four weeks. We had a loaner, fortunately, and it stayed with us for so long that we gave it two nicknames (Pumpkin and Tangerine, it was an 2011 Countryman - just like the last shuttle I was in). But I want to make this clear, my insurance company was dragging their feet  - so many delays - they messed up the coverage initially as well.
Fortunately, I don't have to check the oil cap to make sure it is on after an oil change. Yes, I've done that once before I got onto the freeway.
I can't imagine having to drive up to Santa Ana (140 miles round trip) again (did  for 3 years) to have our Minis repaired because we both love our Minis. I'm keeping mine forever or until I can't get it insured in California.
I happily can recommend Mini of San Diego. I'm so glad they are here.
Would I buy from them? Honestly, It depends on which of the two dealers offer the better deal. It would be between Crevier (if Dana Eastman is still there) and Mini of SD. Most likely, that won't happen for another 10 years (sorry, hon) and it would be a custom order anyway.

Home Depot, Poway, CA

* * * * (4 of 5 stars) Reviewed on Yelp.com on 4/18/2012

I was really happy with two guys from the Poway Home Depot (Tech Rd by Costco). They went out of their way to get a specific item I had researched. The Poway store was one of 3 stores to have this item. I didn't see on the shelf so not only did one guy help, but two and it wasn't even their department. I gave four stars because a 5 star review just means it blew my mind and usually that happens with restaurants and hotels. They did a great job, no doubt and I'd come back here if I lived near Poway. It wasn't very busy which I thought was strange, even for a rainy day.

Sally Loo's Wholesome Cafe, San Luis Obispo, CA

* * * * * (5 of o5 stars) Reviewed on Yelp.com on 4/14/2012

I love this cafe. My husband and I are were on a vacation for our ninth anniversary. I had the best scone in the world here and  I used to hate scones, so I'm picky. It was a cumequat scone with a maple glaze. I also had a bowl of oatmeal and some darn good coffee. It was just the sort of perfect high-carb comfort food I wanted to have that morning. It's a really cool independent place that I'd go to all the time if I lived in SLO.  I don't get this crap about microfoam on someone's espresso. It must be a local thing. You order at the counter, they bring it to you at your table.  They have the usual thing with the coffee- they give you the cup of coffee and you put in your sugar and cream, at the side bar. We sat on the side where there were these old theater chairs. I don't think they looked very comfortable. Maybe that was the only downside.