Rock of Ages

I did all my regular stuff today...read, wrote, worked out, looked for jobs...

Later I went to a screening of  ROCK OF AGES (the film version of the Broadway musical) and it was pretty good.  The music was really great.  I didn't realize how many old school 'Rock and Roll' songs I know, and subsequently ike.

I don't have a frame of reference as I've not seen the Broadway play, but I thought the cast was good...except the woman in the lead role.  Ugh...I was utterly annoyed every time she was on screen or opened her mouth to sing.  I don't think she's talented, her voice is nasaly and pitchy and even though she's considered cute, she's kinda run of the mill to me.  Ok...enough of her.  The rest of the movie was funny and had good music...the general plot was a bit predictable and eh, but the music more than made up for it.  So, when it comes out in June...what the heck, go see it.

Now...the other thing (other than the lead female character...oh, right.  I said enough of her) that annoyed me to no end was the guy sitting next to me.  I bring a book to these sorts of things because there's so much waiting around.  So, I was sitting on an aisle seat and there was a free seat to the left of me.  He asked if it was free, and I said yes and went back to reading my book...fine.  Except he kept trying to make small talk...by himself.  I smiled and nodded and tried nicely to give him the hint...'I'm reading, and don't really want to talk now.'

He continued to talk and talk and talk...then he wanted to ask me questions.  What do you do?  Where are you from?  Seriously?  I'M READING...that means, I don't want to be bothered, I don't want to talk and we're not friends...and besides that, I'm reading.  (it's kind of rude, yes...but only in my head, not in my actions) But, being a Southern girl, I was cordial and answered his questions.  I told him I'm a writer/producer and he automatically assumed I was unemployed, which kinda pissed me off.  You don't know me like that...(even though in this case it happens to be somewhat true.)

Then he talks (on and on) about how hard it is to get into the industry, how I need to do internships and network and work for free, how I need to have a business card on me at all times...(all of which I already know, have done and presently do.)  At this, I asked him what he did...and he's a teacher.  Not that I don't love teachers, but Gee, Mr. Teacher...your teaching experience does not an entertainment professional make.

I get enough of how hard it is in this business from people who are actually in the business (and a great deal from people who aren't...but think they know)...and it's annoying.  I mean, I am well aware of how hard it is...I live it every day...the only reason I don't give up is faith and reminders from family and friends about faith.  But to hear it from a stranger who is just talking just to talk is, ugh.  If he was on my right side, he might have got an 'involuntary' back-hand slap from the bionic arm.

Finally he said, 'Ok, I'll let you read your book.'  Really, because you could have let me do that 30 minutes ago when you sat down.  After a trip to the bathroom and what seemed like forever for the movie to start, I thought I was home free...till he turned to me a few minutes after the movie started and talked to me.  No, NO, NO!  Uh-huh.  Nope.  Not cool.  EVER!!!! I gave him a smile then leaned to the outside to give him the hint.  He was also those type of people who laugh and look to you to laugh with them.   Then he talked to me again...but this time he asked a question, and I quickly shook my head and gave him the hand.  He didn't talk to me any more...

...Until the end of the film when I got up to leave...he gave me his business card to call him if I wanted to be a teacher.   Um, who has a paper business card for recruiting teachers?  Then he walked with me as I was leaving the theater, and I was getting a little creeped out...so I ducked into the bathroom (which worked out since I actually had to go.)  When I came back out, he was coming out the bathroom, and looking around...I ducked behind a crowd and quickly got out of there....and made sure he didn't follow me to my car.

Now, he may have been trying to holla, but even if he wasn't old enough to be my father (which he was,) the fact that he talked to me during a movie, makes him COMPLETELY unacceptable.  Three strikes, NO GOLD STARS and no chance in hell for him.  Nope...and now I'm done with that.

I wanted to work the night away, but in light of my evening...I'm just going to go to sleep.

But check out the trailer if you want:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIt7Gm1U5MM