So, John and I decided to go see "Skyfall' tonight. We were running a few minutes late and expected to miss the previews, but were surprised to come in and the movie was already in full action. Bond was shooting, running, and evading death in (what we thought) was a very exciting opening sequence.
However, about 35 minutes in, suddenly the action stopped and the theme music started to play. I thought to myself...in this exact sequence...
"Geez....that was the longest opening Bond movie sequence ever." Then... when the closing credits started to play, I thought:
"Geez....that was the shortest Bond movie ever." Then...not until my third "Geez"....
"Geez...we came into the wrong theater."
Yes, we had intended to start with the 6:10 but had joined a movie that probably started somewhere around 4:30.
So, of course, we did what any rational thinking couple would do, we got up and headed to the theater next door (which was the original 6:10 showing we intended to see) and caught the full middle section of the movie.
When we got to the part where we had come in to the FIRST theater, we got up and went to the next theater for the 7:45 showing and finally...enjoyed the real opening sequence!
So we watched the end, the middle and then the beginning. As if a Bond movie isn't confusing enough, we had to see it out of sequence. Of course, after realizing our error, we were laughing so hard at our own stupidity that we had no other choice but to carry it through in order to see the full movie.
We needed a laugh...and fate brought it to us.
Sometimes, that's how it works. Moments come to us out of sequence and if we just let it happen, we are able to pause, take a step back, and enjoy the show. Thank you, James Bond, for bringing us some laughs tonight.
PS - The movie is awesome - you'll love the opening sequence...that comes at the end....
A scene from "You've Got Mail"...
KATHLEEN: I have something to tell you. I didn't vote.
FRANK: What?
KATHLEEN: In the last mayoral election, when Rudy Giuliani was running against Ruth Messinger, I went to get a manicure and forgot to vote.
FRANK: Since when do you get manicures?
KATHLEEN: Oh, I suppose you could never be with a woman who gets manicures.
FRANK: Forget it. It's okay. I forgive you.
KATHLEEN: You forgive me.
Do you remember this scene from the movie? I do. I remember the look on Kathleen's (Meg Ryan's) face when Frank told her that he "forgave her" for not voting. Clearly, in his mind, this was an act that required forgiveness. Clearly, in her mind, she couldn't quite equate the importance of voting to what it meant about Frank's perception of her as a person. I love this scene for two reasons: first, I have been Kathleen; and second, because I think it is very telling about where and how a couples's relationship crosses political lines.
Let me be clear. I am not a political person. In fact, for most of my life...46 years..I have prided myself on being completely "a-political". Not aligning with a certain political party...felt safe to me and I've always liked safe. Add to that, the fact that when the kids were young, I felt like I never really had time to be political. There were many years that I felt that would just be a luxury...I was worrying about day-to-day issues...kids homework, dance classes, laundry, dishes, work, family, etc. I didn't have time to worry...or even think...about the bigger picture. Ok - I see now that might have been an excuse but at the time, I was simply too busy. However, voting has always been very important to my husband, John, and through most of our marriage...politics has been somewhat of a taboo subject. Because, for many years, I didn't even care about my right to vote. And for the other years, because I have reserved the right to maintain complete confidentiality about who I vote for.
It seems to me that this is one area above all others in life, where a person can truly maintain complete secrecy...confidentiality. And even though I occasionally share somewhat personal stories through my blog (as I guess, I'm doing right now), you might be surprised to know that I am actually a person who values personal confidentiality to the highest regard. This has occasionally been an issue with people in my life who want to discuss their personal political choices and don't understand my reluctance to share my own. I think they might view my silence as lack of commitment, or lack of personal character to stand behind my own beliefs. But in fact, it is really something else for me. It is just my personal right to keep my choices private.
That stance might be fine among co-workers, friends, or even family...but what happens when your political views (or your willingness to even discuss your political views) differs from your partner?
We're back to the scene between Kathleen and Frank. In the movie "You've Got Mail', this particular scene is a defining moment in Kathleen and Frank's relationship. She seems to realize that they are not on the same page...not necessarily politically...but on another level - understanding and accepting one another for who they are outside of their politics.
My hope is that, unlike Kathleen and Frank, you have a partner who understands that you are two separate people, with two separate minds, and two separate visions for managing your political viewpoints. I hope that you both support each individuals' right to make their own decision, as well as each individual's right to privacy about their choices.
I'm not quite "so busy" these days and I have carefully watched the campaigning and election process. I'm not proud to admit to you that it has taken me this long to become "political", but I will be honest and tell you that is the case. However, I was very proud to be able to vote for my choices today and did so without any hesitation about what I decided.
I maintain my right to right to privacy about my political views - even among those who are closest to me. However, I also support your right to share your views if that is your choice. For me, that is what democracy is all about...the freedom to stand for what you believe.
