Up in the Air

So, Thursday, my first full day off, I decided to just chill. I didn't have any real plans, so I stayed at home and then decided it would be a good idea to go to the movies. I mean, it was a Thursday, I didn't have much to do, and a 2pm movie sounded like a fantastic idea.

So, I picked out the tamest movie I could...I decided to see that new Meryl Streep/Steve Martin/Alec Baldwin romantic comedy because I figured that would be what was best for me.

OK. So, keep in mind, the backstory is that I got laid of on Monday...and I actually was supposed to have plans on Thursday with a guy I had seen a couple of times, but I didn't hear from him.

So, there I am at the ticket counter for the romantic comedy. I ask for my ticket and the woman at the booth says, "I just want you to know, this is a mommy and baby movie."

"Uh, what?"

"Mommys are allowed to bring their babies to this showing of the movie."

"Oh, well that's FAN tastic."

I bought the ticket anyway and while I was inside waiting for my popcorn and Cherry Coke (I don't drink soda), I saw a few women walking in with infants strapped to their chests. My own chest felt like it was going to implode, so I asked the ticket taker what theater "Up in the Air" was playing in. And, that's where I went.

If you haven't seen or don't know the plot of Up in the Air, the short short story is that it's basically about getting fired and being alone.

The opening scene is George Clooney's perspective of about 10 people who have just been fired by him. Their very individual reactions to being fired. His character also does some motivational speaking using an empty backpack to represent how detached from things and people you should be in your life.

So, not surprisingly, I was crying through much of this film while crunching my popcorn and sucking down my Cherry Coke.

There I was, fired and alone in a Park Slope movie theater with women and their infants in the theater next door and and the old couple behind me, talking through the whole movie.

I went home and went to bed early. So ended my first true day of unemployment.