7 Random Thoughts on a Thursday
1. I’ll stop just about anything I’m doing whenever the movie The Shawshank Redemption comes on. It’s one of my favorites. The dialogue, the character development, the story. Also, it has one of my favorite last lines in a movie. Every time I hear it, I shiver. The movie has been enjoying a marathon run on AMC for the last couple of weeks, and every time I encounter it — even if I’ve just seen it the night before — I’ll stop and watch.
2. Speaking of movies…fifteen years ago this week, I was vacationing on Cape Cod. One of the things I did was go see Ulee’s Gold, an indie film that received a lot of critical acclaim back in the day. Peter Fonda, who played the main character — a beekeeper named Ulee — was up for Best Actor.
Anyhow, I remember liking the movie when I saw it in ’97. I remembered Peter Fonda played a beekeeper. And I thought I remembered the basic premise of the story until I watched it again the other night. I had no recollection whatsoever. It was as if I were watching it for the first time. I responded to it differently this time around as well. This serves as a good reminder to occasionally revisit books and films I’ve read decades ago. I’m bound to experience and appreciate ’em in a new way.
(Want really random? Peter Fonda has been married four times. Four! After three, wouldn’t you question whether you’re any good at the whole husband/wife thingy?)
3. More movie randomness: I haven’t been to a movie theater since last fall. That’s the longest I’ve gone probably since high school. No reason in particular, and there have been plenty of movies I’ve wanted to see. I’m sure that will all change this summer.
4. I mentioned this on Facebook, but it’s worth repeating here: You know the work is going well for a writer when everything else in her physical world is in shambles. To wit, I can’t remember the last time I vacuumed or cleaned the bathroom. I think both things need to happen soon, regardless of how the story is flowing.
5. One of the problems I have with online dating is that when I read someone’s profile, I create a story in my head, and often outline the whole relationship we’ll have, including its demise, within 24 hours of stumbling on the profile. It makes the thought of actually connecting in person seem incredibly unnecessary.
6. That, and the fact I’m convinced most of the people emailing me through these online dating portals are serial killers. I swear, you can tell by their hairlines.
7. These are some of the lengthiest random thoughts I’ve written since I started this feature.
What random thoughts have you been thinking this week? Share in the comments.
