I get a reprieve from writing because we went on a date for my birthday and because it the beginning of the Sabbath! Tonight was adventurous. Dates are highlights of my weeks because I get Wayne to myself. It’s hard to compete with two cute little girls who are in love with their Dad and want to be with him when he’s not at work. It also takes a lot of work and planning. Sometimes we exchange with parents, sometimes through other forums, sometimes use babysitters. Either way, it makes me a social secretary figuring out all the schedules. It definitely takes any spontaneity out of the whole affair. God decided to stir things up a little tonight.
We decided on Slumdog Millionaire. It was playing at our local theater. I begged our babysitter to come early enough so we could go out to dinner (not fastfood) before a 6:45pm showing. We decided to go to the Matador. We were greeted with a long line. We quickly moved onto the High Life. It’s an oldy, but goody. It’s such a nice restaurant that always delivers. The High Life had slimmed their menu with the economic times. The friendly section with family style plates are gone. Tapas and small plates rule. There’s a new gimmick, Chow with the Dow linking prices to the stock market price. It still was delicious. Wayne got comfort food of a cheese burger. I got breaded pork in a cream pancetta sauce over a fontina potatoe gratin with Corona bean puree and red cabbage. I surprised myself by liking the corona beans and red cabbage. We ended on time and walked to the theater. Wayne started squinting at a small sign across the street in the ticket booth theater. We knew the truth before we could read the sign, “Sold out.” We had even passed the theater going to dinner and decided not to buy tickets before to save time.
Out came the iPhones. Showtimes. 30 min at Harvard Exit in Capitol Hill. Do they have tickets? I try to call, just info. I try the website, no online ticket sales. I try fandango, no luck. So we drive there blind. I look out at the Seattle night skyline as we join the traffic on the freeway. What’s the worse that can happen? I get to spend more time with Wayne. The tension leaves my body. iPhones give us directions. Handy devices.
There’s a long line outside the theater and no parking in sight. Wayne drops me off. He has the harder job, parking near Broadway on a Saturday night. The theater staff are helpful and available. No, it won’t sell out. I settle into line. Again I use the iPhone for good. I listen to Sway by Julie London, a version I heard in the restaurant and plan to buy later on iTunes. It’s a fun version. Still not as good as Jennifer Connelley. You can tell it’s an indy theater. There are people around to answer questions and they have cold fresh water set apart from the concessions stand.
The movie is amazing as everyone had told us. It was like joining a secret club. Everyone I’ve mentioned this movie to has gotten a slow smile on their face like remembering a lovely summer day as a child. When we told our home group we were considering Push versus Slumdog, we were given looks of pure horror. Push turned out to be rated as little better than a bad episode of Heros. The movie was heaviness with light. It was a nice mix that made you cheer at the end.
I also cheered at the end of my date. What a wonderful beginning to my birthday.
For it is written.