I took an evening to see a movie with a friend. There is nothing more alluring than seeing a film on the big screen. The surround sound is something you cannot get at home. Well, maybe now with the home theatre set-up. But no one can even hear it between family arguments at my house. So going to the theater was somewhat of a stay-cation for me. It had been a while since I had ventured into this particular theater. Between the price of admission and a large popcorn, I realize this is why people really cry at the movies. This was, at one time, a popular film that we were seeing. But it had been in the theater for nearly a month so the venue was nearly empty. We got a perfect pair of seats, smack dab in the middle. Not too close and not too far from the screen. Lo and behold, right before the film began, someone plopped down into the seat directly in front of me. Now, I am all of 5’2″ when standing. And this guy must have played for the Dallas Mavericks or something. I couldn’t see a darned thing. And his head was like a giant pinata. Or, rather, more like the size of a Macy’s parade balloon. I swear there were little people holding ropes on the ground around him to keep his head steady. And, to top it off (no pun) the guy was wearing a hat. In the movie theater! And he was absolutely clueless! You are aware that this is why Abraham Lincoln was shot at the theater. It was that damned top hat. I bet lots of gentlemen in those days never lived to see the end of a production because they simply forgot to remove their top hats. I only know this about Lincoln because I went to Lincoln High. Our school mascot was a guy wearing a top hat who was slumped over in a theater chair. Not a lion or a pirate like other schools… An assassinated president. Where is this going, you ask? This is all about allowing people to block your view. When driving, it’s always a good idea to keep a safe following distance between you and the car in front of you. Rather than tailgating him and really making him mad. If that car in front of you isn’t a car at all, but rather a tall truck or S.U.V., moving over to another lane where you can see ahead of your intended path of travel would be a good option. Keep a clear view ahead so you have better reaction time. Just like at the movies, so you don’t miss anything. And so there is no surprise ending!!
Until next week…space it out…put some safe space between you and the guy in front of you.
Daun Thompson