Monday, October 22, 2007

A-ha Omaha

Just like every day, I got ready for the night's show, got all my stuff packed up and left my hotel room for the lobby. I turned in my keycard, and the woman at the front desk said, "I don't think you're checking out today."

Oh.

"And I think a bunch of people in your group just went out to a movie."

Double oh. No show today? Somebody forgot to check his itinerary. Somebody has become hypnotized by the schedule. This is our very first day off. How exciting!

So I moved everything back into my hotel room and decided to explore downtown Omaha. I put on my iPod, and walked the Old Market District to the sounds of Sufjan Stevens (I needed a gentle voice). On the street, I stumbled on the dancers and Charlie (the road manager), and mentioned that I was thinking of checking out a movie. They said they were going to see "30 Days of Night" and said I should join them. They said to meet back up with them in two hours. I said sure, and headed out looking for food.

Now, I knew there was very little chance of us finding each other randomly in downtown Omaha before the movie, but it was fun to pretend. Anyway, I always love a good zombie movie, but I was really feeling the need for intellectual stimulation and, once again, gentleness. So a zombie movie didn't really sound so good anyway.

After eating at a cool spaghetti joint, I called a cab and went to Iowa. Yes. I left the state. But it wasn't that far. I found a multiplex that was entirely empty, apart from the staff, and saw the movie "Michael Clayton," which was fantastic. I needed an art infusion, and this was definitely that. Remarkable performances, a razor-sharp script and tight direction. It's a character movie masquerading as a plot movie. Delicious. I highly recommend it.

Ahhh. It was nice to have a day to myself to relax and remember who I am again.

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3 comments:

  1. how funny...my wife and i saw michael clayton together in a completly empty theater.

    good choice of a film over a zombie film. glad you enjoyed your day off!

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  2. That's not a good sign...but maybe it doesn't indicate anything, as Michael Clayton was #4 last week.

    I just read your post about Tom Wilkinson, and I agree: he can do no wrong. I've been a huge fan of his since In The Bedroom.

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  3. interesting... i'm from omaha and just read this entry, months after you posted it. and reading it, i know exactly where you were from your pictures and words and stuff. for example, the spaghetti joint you went to, i just ate at two days ago with some friends. i went to that same multiplex last weekend to see some horrible movie not really worth mentioning.

    just thought that was cool. old market is my favorite part of omaha. and it sounds like you enjoyed it, too. that makes me happy.

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