This past week is the first time I’ve had off from writing since basically Thanksgiving.
Writing is weird because if you’re doing it full time like I’ve been, you immerse yourself in this imaginary world, one that doesn’t include the practicalities of life as most people know it.
This was my week:
Brows waxed and gym.
Saw the movie Cyrus. I didn’t know anything about this film except that it has a great cast and got an 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It was about 95 degrees out and this was showing at the air-conditioned theater five minutes walk from my apartment, so I ran down alone.
What a great choice. I absolutely loved this story of a middle-aged guy (John C. Reilly) falling for a gorgeous, quirky mom (Marisa Tomei) whose son (Jonah Hill) isn’t going to leave home without a fight.
I did my taxes, finally. Refund!
Inception. Another 90-something-degree day. I’m the last person in the modern world to see this. I loved it. I was impatient at first but settled in and then locked in like a jet fighter pilot. My only concern: What happened?
A friend of mine (love you, man!) is a film critic for The Stranger, arguably the hippest weekly in the country. He told me that he could tell at the end of the film who in the audience got it and who didn’t. As the movie was coming to its final frames I was praying Pleaseletmeunderstandtheending, Pleasedontletmebeoneofthosepeople. Turns out I was one of those people, though. As I walked into rush-hour downtown in its 90-degree yellow heat, I texted my 19-year-old nephew who’s great at film theory and works at a vintage theater.
Me: Just saw Inception. What happened?
Him: I’ve seen it three times and I have no idea. There were a lot of things in that movie that really bothered me.
Fortified, I texted my film critic friend. He told me what he thought happened but it was (much to my relief) just a guess.
I got my Comcast bill lowered. Only slightly, but I’ve been meaning to do this for a year. Not sure what I will talk about to strangers at parties now.
Threw out all receipts I’ve been saving, got an all-clear on a breast-cancer check, and fasted for 24 hours, losing several pounds.
Today I straightened my hair completely. So far a barista and a Blockbuster rental guy have said it suits me.
Content.
