Like most people, I don't have much money.

This translates into doing less - because I can't afford it.

Then, once in a while, you think.... screw it - I'm going to treat myself.

This was my thought on the weekend. My friends and I decided to go out and watch a movie in the movie theater. Luckily, I am a Scotiabank customer and had earned enough points to be able to have a free ticket, technically saving myself $10.99. My boyfriend, however, needed to pay - as did the rest of our troupe.

This particular movie had just been released - so it was quite busy, to say the least. Elbow to elbow we crammed ourselves in the overcrowded theater eager to enjoy our one night out.

My boyfriend and I had arrived only a few minutes before the show was scheduled to start - luckily our devoted friends fended off other movie goers to ensure that we had seats next to them. Clambering through the too-small isles we finally arrived next to our friends about five minutes before the insanity started.

I am talking, of course, about advertising.

When was it implemented to have actual commercials before movies? I don't think that it was too long ago - within the last three or four years, maybe? I don't remember seeing a memo about this, one day - they were just there.

I hate advertisements - funny ones, long ones, soppy ones - it doesn't matter, they're shouting at you convincing you that you need to purchase their product or service. I don't appreciate being told what to buy or what to think, I do happen to have a head on my shoulders that has served me quite well.

The fact is, advertisements will be there whether we like it or not - so we just have to learn to live with it. This is one reason why I don't subscribe to cable television, it seems that commercials dominate the airwaves more than the actual content we're paying to see.

Anyways, back to the movie. So, it was set to start at 8:10pm. Right on cue, the lights go dark and the screen changes sizes (what's with that, anyways?!?!). Right away, we're pelted with a too-loud advertisement about some product.

And then another one comes on.

And another.

They continue to happen for over five minutes. Remember, this is not previews - this is commercials. I just paid $10.99 to sit in an over crowded theater and listen to what turned out to be just under 10 minutes of obnoxious advertising.

What am I paying $10.99 for, exactly??? I mean, if you're going to insist on the insane amount of commercials then at least subsidize the pricing of the movie - who is benefiting from this? I honestly don't understand. And the big companies wonder why so many people download or pirate movies? It used to be an experience - something exciting to look forward to. Now it's just an overcrowded room filled with people playing on their phones, having loud conversations and advertising.

Remind me why we think that this is a great form of entertainment?