[nabs-l] a couple of questions

[Kerri Kosten]

Hi:

I have a couple of questions I am hoping some people on the list can
help me with.

First, my father owned a very very popular bar where I live called
Crocketts. My father passed away a couple of months ago but the bar is
still open. I went tonight for the first time since he passed away.
Tonight was kereoke night and I had more fun than I've ever had just
hanging out, listening to the different people sing or try to sing
kereoke and just being around people.

There is a similar bar called Coaches that has a kereoke thing every
week just like Crocketts does that is very fun. I have never gone to
this by myself but have gone with friends and really enjoyed it also
for the same reasons...music, people, and just fun entertainment away
from my house.

At Crocketts, since my father owned the bar I am safe there. I sit at
the bar (I don't drink) but I sit there anyway. The waitresses and
bartenders all know me and frequently check on me to make sure
everything is all right.

However, at Coaches it is a diffferent story. I am not really known
there, and when I've gone with friends we are usually seated at a
table. The waitress comes around to serve drinks and food, but as soon
as the bill is paid they leave and we are on our own.

Here is where my question comes in. I would like to begin going to
Coaches for their kereoke night. Getting there is no problem, but how
do I manage the getting home part? I carry my Iphone with me, but the
bar is so loud that it is impossible to hear anything to call a cab.
Also, how do I know when the cab gets there? Again I usually have the
driver call me when he arrives but again I wouldn't be able to hear my
phone.

At Crocketts since everyone knows me, I have someone guide me to the
bathroom where it is quiet. I call a cab, and have them call Crocketts
and tell whoever answers the phone that they are outside to pick me
up. Of course this is no problem since everyone knows me at Crocketts.

But, how do I manage this at Coaches? When I am ready to leave do I
somehow flag the waitress down and have her help me to the bathroom,
where I call the cab then wait in the bathroom for them to call me
back?
Waiting outside for the cab after I call would be kind of unsafe.
Unfortunately, the friends that went with me before were from out of
town and I don't have very many friends where i live that I could go
with.

Is it appropriate to ask the driver to come inside to let me know they
are there...this way I don't have to wait outside?
How do you guys handle this?

I know it isn't probably the safest thing to go to bars by yourself
but kereoke is a ton of fun and I know if I could figure out this
getting home part I'd be fine.


Also, I have another question. I would like to go to the mall/movies
Saturday. Again, I'll most likely be by myself. I would like to get
something to eat first in the food court in the mall, then go to the
movie theater. Our mall is pretty big and spacious and spread out. It
is all on one level but i am pretty sure the food court and the
theater are at separate ends. How do I get from one place to the
other?

When I arrive at the mall, I plan to go to the information desk and
get assistance to the food court. When I have finished eating how do I
figure out how to get from the seating area to the movie theaters?

Do I just start wandering around and asking random people for
directions to the movie theater, then obtain assistance again at the
movie theater to purchase a ticket, ETC to see the movie?

Sorry for such a long email and so many dumb questions. Yes, I am the
same girl who posted a few weeks ago about not having been taught in
cane travel and wondering whether I should go to national convention.
However, I am tired of sitting around, and want to go and do
regardless of my skills and I figure the best way is to ask questions
on here as needed and just grab my NFB cane and go!

Kerri