1. Listening to the Les Miserables Soundtrack at Work.
This is not a very swell idea for anyone who has issues with The Man or, more precisely, their manager. If you and your coworkers are prone to cracking halfhearted jokes about celebrating Bastille Day in the office, it doesn't matter how much you want to listen to Javert serenade you with "Stars." Resist the temptation, or else you'll find yourself sobbing gently behind your softly-glowing monitor while Fantine takes away all of your hope in humanity.
2. Watching Sad Movies By Myself
I thought that watching the Shawshank Redemption in the kitchen while awaiting out-of-town company was a one-time mistake--and one necessitated by a Crime Films class, no less. So what if I had mascara cascading down my face as I opened the door to greet one of my best pals and my boyfriend-to-be*? It was for a grade! Hoooowever. While perusing the Netflix Instant Watch selection two weeks ago, alone in my bed with naught but my stuffed animal and the prospect of work on the horizon, I decided to watch the first episode of Pillars of the Earth. Because I love medieval things. And I often forget that not every medieval movie is Monty Python. So, what happens in this first episode, praytell? Spoilers: BAD THINGS. It's medieval England, yo. But, seriously, do NOT have a woman give birth in the forest with her husband and children standing by, KILL HER OFF, and then FORCE THE FATHER TO LEAVE THE BABY BEHIND. That's emotional warfare, and I will have none of it.
Perhaps I learned my lesson! Haaaa. Funny funny. Here I am at home, no homework (for the first time in months), no social obligations. Just me, and whatever the heck I want to do. So after I get a little tattoo research and Amazon-purchasing** out of the way, I decide to hop back on the ol' InstaWatch wagon. Prompted by my previous purchases, I decide to investigate some classy Irish films which have been on my list for a while. My search was narrowed for me by online availability, but one of the very first I looked for yielded fruit! The Boxer, starring Daniel Day Lewis! So what if key plot points involve the IRA during part of The Troubles? Reflecting on this now, I have no idea what I was thinking. It's not like I am unaware of this bit of Irish history. In fact, I'd say it's the bit I'm best acquainted with. Note, this knowledge did not help me one little bit when it came to The Saddest Scene in the Movie. Suffice it to say, I cried for, like, ten minutes. I don't think I'm even exaggerating. Seriously. Too bad it's a truly great movie, because I'd feel dirty if I lied and told you it wasn't worth seeing. Don't know about the Troubles? This is a pretty good place to start. Or you could just watch Gangs of New York and still get your Daniel Day Lewis fix and not cry into your pillow like a lonely baby.
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| This movie is not as sad, and DDL is super hot with a moustache. |
3. Staying Up Just a Little Too Late
Getting seven hours of sleep is way worse than four. And, despite being in my room by 9pm, I am going to sleep past 12:30am. Siiiigh.
*he gets so many points for erasing this image from his mind
**I bought The Secret of Roan Inish, Waking Ned Divine, and Charade. One of these things is not like the others.