My Complicated Relationship with Redbox

I have a love/hate relationship with Redbox.

I love family entertainment for $1.

I hate remembering to return the DVD before it becomes $2, $3, or $9 entertainment.

I love scrolling through the screens, finding something interesting to watch.

I hate scrolling through the screens, finding nothing but old Nicholas Cage films.

I love it when Redbox thanks me for my patronage with a free rental code.

I hate waiting in line for the Redbox while that guy takes 27 minutes to make a selection.

I hate waiting in line while that lady takes five minutes to get through the first screen. I pull my comfortable shoes out of my purse and make a big, dramatic sigh.

I hate waiting in line to return my DVD while that couple narrows down their selection, cooing and giggling and standing with their hands in each other's back pockets. ("No, you choose." "No, I chose last time. You choose.") Guess what? I'm waiting.

I hate pretending to be on a phone call in the Redbox line in order to avoid small talk. I can only "yeah" and "uh-huh" and "I know" for so long.

I hate having a line form behind me while I'm scrolling through an agonizing list Nicholas Cage titles. I'm hurrying, people!

I hate wondering if Nicholas Cage secretly owns Redbox to promote himself.

I love finding that artsy film in Redbox, the same one I have in my Netflix queue that keeps getting moved down the priority list by Ryan to make room for war movies. (Two can play this game.)

I hate it when I come home with a Redbox movie for the kids only to have them say, "You rented that for us last week."

I hate it when I pull up to my local outdoor Redbox at the same time as another car. I feel so silly when I sprint from the car and clip them from behind to beat them to the kiosk.

I love it when the box swallows up my returning DVD on the first and not the fifth try.

I love how Redbox has the occasional classic movie for rent. Like the original Karate Kid. ("FINISH HIM!")

I hate it how Wal-Mart has their Redboxes painted blue. Seems like kind of a North Korea thing to do.

I hate it when I almost stick a Redbox movie into the big blue mailbox at the post office.

I love it when I finally figure out the right direction to swipe my credit card. I feel like such a winner.

I hate it when I have to choose between two good movies, like The Wizards of Waverly Place and Gnomes and Trolls.

Do you have a complicated relationship with Redbox?