Falling, Catching

A sea of white people as far as my eye could see. I was getting ready to watch White Christmas, the musical, so this was semi-appropriate. A thousand old white people ready to reminisce and give enthusiastic Tuesday night claps. It was like going to an indie movie theater in San Diego, times ten. I don't know if you know this, but if you go to watch movies midday, it's packed with white seniors. That time slot is my bread and butter.

Last time I was at an independent theater to watch The Skin I Live In, there was this old(er) lady asking the ticket office attendant what the movies were about. "I don't like anything too artsy fartsy, is this artsy fartsy?

Serious lady? Do you know where you are exactly? The AMC is down the street.

In White Christmas, there's a token black background singer/dancer thrown in. I was trying to figure out if that made any sense; if she would be riding the train to Vermont for a Christmas holiday in the Fifties. I mean, I guess if it's a period piece, what's the point of making a concession to diversity by throwing in one black girl? That was the only thing that bothered me about the musical. The rest of it was feel good holiday fare.

I'm not familiar with old time Hollywood classics -- I couldn't identify Bing Crosby if you paid me -- and it always takes me awhile to get into the rhythm of it. It's pretty hard to relate. All the World War II jingoism, all the "hilarous" sexual innuendos. I wondered if in forty years my generation would be filling up some Orange County performing arts center bobbing our heads along to nostalgic hip hop musicals, waiting impatiently until intermission to pee.

This was my favorite song from the night: "Love and the Weather." It's so damn true!

A friend called the other morning, at ten. Shockingly, I was awake. Then we proceeded to have a two and a half hour long conversation. I had to recharge my phone three times because my stupid iPhone is on its last legs. It was the longest phone call I've had in at least a year. I enjoyed it, of course, but I kept waiting to see if she needed to go. I just assume people need to jet after twenty minutes or so. I mean, who talks on the phone anymore?

People do I guess. Have long phone conversations.

I used to hate the sort of play-by-play phone call, where you're just going somewhere and you call someone so they are accompanying you, or you are accompanying them. Both of you are sort of not paying attention but there's an exchange of some sort otherwise. I don't miss this particular type of phone interaction, but sometimes I wish I had it back with certain people because without it, I have no idea what they're doing.

This Atlantic article about what it's like for a Chinese student to come to college in America is good. My friend is predicting a world battle between China and the United States in the next decade or so (not an uncommon position). I don't think it'll happen.  But we should all talk through what to do in such an instance. Just in case.  If people are preparing for imaginary zombie invasions, shouldn't I decide in advance which side I'd support?  Or maybe I should just prepare for an internment camp.  Man, I hope they have Wifi there.