I have been to one opening night release in my lifetime and that was quite enough just to say that I've had the experience. It was Harry Potter 5 and the first movie for which I'd read the book first. Expectations were guarded. But it was summer so I figured that if I had to stand outside, waiting in a line longer than Walgreen's during flu shot season, this was the right time to try that hat on.
Had to get tickets early. . .which, if I'm remembering correctly, Adam purchased for my birthday the previous month. I also had to work that evening and my ol' stomping grounds closed at 10pm with at least 45 minutes to an hour of cleanup. If showtime was 12am and the line of nerds with their noses in giant blue books started at 1pm earlier that day. . .I was hoping to be lucky enough to get at least an aisle seat in the front row. On that note. . .why do they even make that front section? Sure, it's a myth that sitting too close to the television can damage your eyes, but it is a medical surety that it does no good for your neck.
Even the advent of a new Harry Potter movie couldn't make me feel comfortable with standing and sitting that close to strangers smelling like fried chicken and sour milk so I absolutely had to go home and take a shower, put on a shirt that wasn't made out of denim and race to the end of the ever-growing line of bright-eyed humanity.
Turns out they were showing the movie on several screens at once and were staggering the start times. Poo. We weren't all going to be in the same theatre. There was a touch-and-go moment when I was given the opportunity to switch tickets/theatres with someone I knew but did not plan to go with so that more of us could be together. But. . .here's the deal. I was in theatre 7. And if you haven't read the books, you just wouldn't understand that kind of magical significance. My geek cells refused to allow a trade with that kind of awesome on the line.
Suffice it to say. . .it was worth the experience only because it was a dry, beautiful warm night. I did NOT have to sit in the front section. And even had a group of girls I did not know wave their hands and their Gryffindor scarves in welcome to the seats next to them to let me know they were available. How sad that this was a nice surprise! People being kind to strangers, all of us reveling in the excitement of this night together. . .as for one evening, we all knew we had at least one thing in common.
Hunger Games comes out tomorrow. . .or rather later tonight, in about 9 hours. I'm sure all the girls in love with the boy with the bread are lined up already, wearing green jackets and combat boots, their hair braided on the side. At the ripe age of 29, I've come to realize it's definitely appropriate to get just as excited as I ever did about silly things like this. I just show my excitement in a different way. That way being waiting at least a week before I venture on to those sticky floors and fight for elbow room with the Big Gulp of the guy next to me who guffaws at all the worst jokes.
I do, however, wish luck to all those who plan on fighting it out this weekend in procuring entertainment over comfort. Let's hope there are no bows or berries involved.
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Completely off-topic - I like how the woman being handed the baton in the above image seems somewhat surprised if but a little perturbed. As if she was just running along on her own when this woman with a baton appeared out of nowhere. That is a hilarious practical joke and I kind of want to do it. Just look for people running and race up alongside them to pass a baton. Looks like there's no need for me to worry about missing out on HG this weekend at all. . .I've got plans.
