It is nearing the end of the millennium, and the news media has everyone frazzled because of Y2K. As for me, I am sitting in my apartment watching the chaos unfold on the TV, but not paying any attention to the muddled madness.
Instead, I think about the “Section 8 welcome” sign that hangs on the wall outside my cheap apartment complex, and how I am getting back together with a girl that I have no business getting together with. As these thoughts try to consume me, I hear the following lyrics escape the TV…
“One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do…two can be as bad as one, it’s the loneliest number since the number one…”
There are rare, undefinable moments in my life that are sometimes hard to describe, yet undeniably make a life long impression. This story is about one of those moments, the 1999 movie Magnolia
As I walk out of the theatre, I feel empowered and determined with my new direction in life. I think, foolishly, that two hours of cinema will make me a stronger person. But life does not work that way, at least for me. I need to repetitively make mistakes, before I somewhat figure out what is best for me..
The girl called me later that night, and all my strong will dissappears, replaced by the more powerful sexual drive. My determination to end it with her dissapates. I continue to make mistakes, or as I call them now, “learning experiences”.
Good thing I bought the movie, and the amazing soundtrack, and with repeated watching, I eventually understand the message, at least the message that was there for me.
