I watched Star Wars: Rogue One for free, two days before the official release
Tuesday evening, cold December night, Chicago. I just read an article about time management. Apparently the average person takes a calendar agenda, writes down the TODO list hour by hour and then fills in the gaps (if any) with “recreational activities”. Successful people take the calendar agenda, put down the fun things they want to do in the given week and then fill in the gaps with work to be done. I found that to be very true. I usually end up working on stuff all the time and not really allowing myself time for “planned” entertainment. Let’s try to be successful.
I had to think for a while of an activity which I could do for pure enjoyment, but in the end I found it. I’ll watch a movie, at the cinema. Alone. You see, this was actually a novel experience for me, I never went see a movie alone. I wanted to finally do all the things I love and I usually can’t as a group: arrive early, watch the commercials + trailers before the movie, watch ALL the credits at the end, stay very close to the screen, go really late in the night, do it spontaneously. This is usually forbidden because 90% of the people don’t like some (if not most) of the things I said above. Perfect opportunity. Movie to see? “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” (the J.K. Rowling movie).
How about Star Wars? Well… it gets better. Back to the story, I decide to go see Fantastic Beasts on Wednesday night, 22:00. There, surprise I am alone in the theatre. I have a full 50–100 seats massive-screen theatre all for myself. I enjoy the movie until the last line of credits (obviously) and as I go out. I notice a bunch of people coming in, as if there was a new movie coming up? Weird…
I go towards the exit, but the door is shut. A quick “oh, I have to sleep in the cinema tonight” thought later and I see this gentlemen who tells me the back door is open if I want to go out. I thank him for coming all the way to get me out. We small talk, joke about the weather, comment on the cinema. I have that awesome feeling of talking to a complete stranger. I find out that the folks who entered the theatre as I was leaving were employees who came to see Star Wars in 3D, just to “check” that the movie is okay for its first showing.
I joke that the cinema staff has so nice perks and wish him happy viewing. He escorts me to the exit and then idea, idea! I can maybe ask to see the movie as well? After all, I was not in a rush. But… what if I can’t? That’d be so embarrassing right? Let’s see. “Hey Richard, do you mind if I join you for the movie?” “Well, there’s just a few of us anyway, so I guess that’s fine. Just no spoilers, no social media until the movie is officially released”. That was easy.
Now the rest of the story is not that interesting. However, I want to touch on a few points of this experience. A couple of things which I strongly believe in, and for which I would like to get your opinion in the comment section below / Facebook / Twitter.
Number one: Be nice with people. I call it Karma. This is not being nice and expect something good in return. No. It’s being nice because being a douche helps no one: you piss someone off and you poison your mind with all that negativity. Be polite, make small talk, throw a joke, try to connect with strangers around you, not just with the people on your phone’s notifications.
Number two: Asking for something never hurts. What can possibly happen?
- Not asking for something and not getting it — the default
- Asking for something and getting yes as an answer — scored
- Asking for something and getting no as an answer — just like not asking at all
- Now, there is one additional case, which I believe is what puts people off from asking. That is being judged for “daring” to ask. Now call me picky, but I feel like my time is too precious to be spent with people who judge me on the questions I “dare to” ask.
You want something? Ask for it. I did the same when I negotiated higher salary, closed on a lower rent or got 2 additional meals on an airplane. I would still have taken that job, lived in that apartment and survived the flight, but hey if simply asking gives me a bonus, I’ll take it.
Number three: Taboos are okay. Doing your own haircuts, asking stupid questions or going to the cinema alone are not things the average person does. But this is where opportunity arises. The more you step out of the ordinary, the more you enjoy life.
Number four: When you see opportunity out there, go grab it before it’s gone. Then maybe brag about it, so people can call you a “lucky bastard”.
Love everyone, enjoy every moment. Happy Holidays!
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