Audrey Reed
A&E Editor
Living in an apartment for the first time has shown me many things about my personality. First, I have developed an unnecessary obsession with vacuuming. Second, and more importantly, I am in love with pudding cups. (Try putting the non-refrigeratable ones in the refrigerator for a change of pace.)
The other day I was shopping and searching for the best bargains at an unnamed, insanely expensive Los Angeles area grocery store. Then I found what I was looking for: 10, 4-pack pudding cups for $10. In true Adam Sandler-“Punch Drunk-Love”-style, I quickly filled my basket, and I didn’t even need a frequent flyer promotion.
That got me thinking about how quirky movie characters may affect my habits and glucose level.
For example, I’ve always been germ conscience. I keep instant hand sanitizer, toilet seat liners and wet wipes with me at all times. This is an improvement from the days when I always knew where the bottle of disinfectant spray was located. However, it was not until viewing “As Good as it Gets” that I began to worry about restaurant silverware.
In the movie, Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson) eats routinely at a diner. Without fail he brings in his own plastic forks, knives and spoons. This may sound obsessive to some, and I admit I’ve never done this, but from the time I saw that movie I always inspect the silverware.
There are many lessons to be learned in the classic “Harold and Kumar go to White Castle.” For example, smoking marijuana doesn’t lead to productivity or riding a cheetah may not be a great form of transportation. However, I’ve learned that if I can’t find In-N-Out after about 10 minutes, settling for Jack in the Box really isn’t that bad.
Scary movies are perhaps the worst habit-formers of them all.
After watching “Psycho,” I refuse to go on road trips with large sums of money in my car, stop at scary hotels or take a shower behind a curtain, instead of a glass door.
Another habit-forming flick is John Cusack’s “Hi-Fidelity.” This film inspired me to become completely obsessive about my music collection. Right now, my CDs are arranged by most listened to, but they have been alphabetical by band, then I switched to alphabetical by album name. I once tried to put them in chronological order by the date that I bought the disc. However, I failed miserably. Trying to remember if I bought Ace of Base’s “The Sign” or Aqua’s “Aquarium” first was quite frustrating. If I ever need to release any stress, I’m thinking about arranging them by most interesting album art. It also makes making a mixed tape (well, now I guess a burned CD) almost impossible. Watch this movie before deciding to make a “Favorite Songs of All-Time” compilation.
Taking lessons from movies really isn’t that bad of a survival strategy. It’s just being smart and learning lessons from people with more experience in a wide field of topics.
I have to go. I have a pudding cup and a plastic spoon waiting for me.
09-23-2004
