My brain isn’t even on auto-pilot but almost non-functional. I used to feel guilty and decadent when I went to the movies during the day, then it became my job, and I found out that there are few movies I truly love anymore.
I go to the movies to feel decadent; how sad. My life was decadent enough once, now I experience it vicariously. This time of year I go at least once a week. The audience is diverse; I live equidistant from two large multiplexs and usually go to the Loews 68th Street. I get there a half hour before the first show, pick a good seat and read. It feels decadent.
At home I am always on the computer, or entertaining. I read in movie theaters, book stores, and parks. At home I feel as if I always have to write.
The air was exceptionally close for November and my head was throbbing so I went to the Loews which will always be the Sony to me because it was called that for about a second. Unless it’s with Lucia, Rafe and his wife, or a few other friends I prefer going alone as I don’t consider going to the movies to be a social event.
It’s something to do when alone, and it usually never fails to soothe. But today the air was stagnant and the movie horrible. I saw Derailed, and I have never disliked Jennifer Anniston before. She even had my post-divorce sympathy vote. But if it was meant to show off her range or another side of her it failed as she just came off sullen and one dimensional.
The air was still and my head was throbbing even when it ended. I had figured out who did what within the first half hour so it seemed very long and was torture to get through. But I don’t walk out of movies that cost $10.75, without the extra Fandango cost. The trailer for the new Woody Allen film looks like nothing he has ever done before.
Rafe, Lucia and I took Chinese out, recently from a new restaurant I had passed one day. It looked so beautiful I wanted to go in, until I remembered that I had just eatten. Generally I only like pricey Chinese from the Shun Lees, but there was something about this restaurant. The food was exceptional and I had planned to go for an early dinner, but my air pressure headache had begun to feel like a migraine.
I like eatting out alone ocassionally, though I have never figured out how to do Chinese dinners alone properly. Ordering one dish seems so forlon, but ordering two dishes seems beyond decadent. The food in this restaurant and I can’t think of the name is clean and seemed perfect for ordering just one dish.
I have always gone to Wildwood NJ with my don’t-hate-us-because-we’re-beautiful-bright-and-nice soap star friends. They don’t eat breakfast; it’s my only never miss meal. Every morning, no matter where I would go some very cheery waitress with a more Maryland than Jersey accent would say:
“Just one hon?”
For a long time I thought that should be the name of my book; Breakfast was “just one hon?” dinner was “omigawd it’s Chase.” The further away we were from NY the more meals we had comped. Find that fascinating.
I waver between solitude and totally social, and like both equally. Next week is Thanksgiving and after that, well this is the time of the year I’m really really glad I’m Jewish. Before I had so many non-Jewish friends, on Christmas I did the Jewish thing and went to the movies and ate Chinese food as they were the only restaurants open.
I have been almost linear lately and see that this marks a departure from that. I will depart to pamper my aching head and then watch TV.
I love this post. A glimpse into YOU, without the “heavy” stuff (not that I’m all about trivia, but you know what I mean), and for those of us in the sticks, it’s fascinating to see what daily life in NYC can be. We’ve only visited, and never wanted to leave!
Linear- non- linear either way it’s kick ass good.
I’ve never thought Aniston was all that.
Fingers crossed, I’m in this evening and may even catch Boston Legal for the first time since it has been on Tuesday.
I don’t go to the movie houses anymore. There’s something off-putting about people ravenously feeding their faces and crinkling wrappers in a dark room. You’d think they could go two hours without stuffing something down their throats but NOOOOOOOOOO. So nowadays I stay home and watch DVDs so I can crinkle wrappers and stuff my face in the privacy of my own home.
Thank you for the review of Derailed, I might skip that one when it come out on DVD. And somehow I allowed Chinese food to slip out of my everyday experience even though I love it. Thanks for the reminder.
I know how you feel. The weather’s changing down here, and the pressure behind my eyes is something else! I do envy you the opportunity to go see a film whenever you like. Not very easy here for two reasons – there is only one theater and its selection is thready at best; and since my accident I’ve a bit of a hitch in my get-a-long that makes stairs a bitch. So I have discovered the joys of Netflix – not the whole theater experience, but sometimes it’s nice to curl up with my critters and not have to worry about loud whispers and cell phones.
Loved this one, Pia! Felt like just an average day in the life of you.
I have never been to a movie alone. Which may be why I haven’t been much at all lately.
I sure do love good Chinese. Plus, in Orlando, there is an abundance of really good Vietnamese restaurants. Good food and always fresh.
I agree with you on Aniston. I think she’s a fine TV actress. Will she make it on the big screen? I don’t think so. Not enough presence to carry herself. For her sake, I hope I’m wrong. I certainly don’t dislike her or anything.
Remember the Wildwood fire? My clan used to do Sea Isle City every year. I remember (I think it was 1983???) when you could see the glow from the blaze on the Wildwood boardwalk. Then they bussed all those poor souls to towns like SIC. We showed them a great time. I’ll never for that.
Best way to do chinese single is by finding a really good buffet. Then you only get the ‘just one” question when they seat you, and you can have as little or as much of any combination of dishes you like.
Thanks for the affirming my assumptions from the Derailed trailer. Now I’m waiting for Spielberg’s Munich.
Really nice post, Pia. I loved the mention of Wildwood, it always makes me nostalgic. My family had a place there forever and we still rent somewhere new for a week every summer. At this very moment I have a Wildwood snow globe on my desk and a shot of the beach and ocean taken off the balcony of our last rental on the boardwalk as my wallpaper.
I agree with you on the Chinese, it’s best when done by the 2 from column a, two from column b and served family style and that requires a group.
Now I’m hungry for Chinese food. I went to the movies today & saw Dreamer, with my cousin. Anyways, as always reading your blog was entertaining & made me smile.
I agree with Belinda. That was kicky Pia and very nice.
NYC… one of my favorite places… I, like Belinda, never wanted to leave… this is why I continue to try to make it back every 2 years or so…
I saw “Derailed” as well… didn’t care for it… Agree with the whole Jennifer comment…
Glad I came across your sight, via Alice: In Wonderland or Not…
Relaxing post!
Very nice…
I feel indulgent when eating Chinese on my own too. This is my method: Order a bowl of egg-drop soup (low-carb comfort food); two egg rolls (to balance with plenty of carbs) and then eat a few bites of whatever family-size meal so I can munch on it for the entire next day.
Thanks for the review of “Derailed.” I was hoping Aniston would out-sex Angelina Jolie in this one…