My date with myself.

So, this is a little off-topic but I wanted to share.  On Saturday afternoon, my fabulous nanny, Gloria, as a gift to me, asked me if I would like her to take the boys to Chuck E. Cheese so I could relax.  I, of course, jumped at the opportunity and knew the boys would be just as happy.  They've never been to Chuck E. Cheese and for all I know, they'll never go again -- unless Gloria takes them.  Anyway, I decided I'd like to go to the movies and I needed to go to the Apple store so off to the Century City mall I went.

I saw EASY A which was cast my my friend and old boss, Lisa Miller Katz.  REALLY fun to see her name on the big screen (way to go, LMK!) and it was a great cast.  I sat in the director's hall or whatever it is called where you have assigned seats.  I got myself a drink and settled in.  Right as the actual movie was starting, someone came to sit beside me.  I didn't really look over as I wanted to see the credits but was thinking it was kind of weird because I was in about 5 seats and all of the other 5 closer to the aisle were empty, but this man, also alone, came and sat next to me.  I moved my drink to the other armrest, just so I wouldn't have to be so close to the stranger.  It didn't take long for me to notice the smell.  Not necessarily bad (at first) but definitely strong.  It was cologne (which I normally actually like) but this was a bad, musky one that I was definitely NOT liking.  I finally looked over to see this guy -- he was not outwardly weird but definitely artist-type, skinny, maybe 45 years old and also alone.  I'm trying to enjoy the movie but now I've noticed he has put up the armrest between us so we're like together on a couch or something and he's totally encroaching on my space.  His legs are crossed toward me (like all the way into my area) and now he's starting to actually smell bad.  Maybe he was farting or something?  Not even kidding -- he was like lifting his butt to fart all while right next to me.  That's what it seemed like at least and every now and then there was a REALLY bad smell (not the bad cologne) that would waft on by.  I have now totally moved my body to the other side of my seat, my legs up on the chair and I'm breathing into my sweatshirt.  I'm trying to shoot him semi-angry looks (I mean, really?!) but he is looking at the screen all while smelling up my space and crossing his legs over into my little bubble with his body now inching toward my body and my armrest-less, unprotected seat.

I can't enjoy the movie and I'm mad.  All I'm thinking about it, "should I get up and move?  isn't that going to cause a big scene?  should I explain myself before I get up and say I'm allergic to cologne or something?"  Then I realize, this is how really bad things happen to people, especially women.  This is how women get raped.  We're so tied up in not wanting to hurt people's feelings that we don't speak up when things get weird...and this was definitely weird.  I mean, what solo person going to the movies chooses a spot *right* next to someone else?  This was NOT a sold out movie, folks.  There were seats aplenty but this guy singled me out (lucky girl that I am).

I did get up and move.  I slid my purse down and moved over one seat.  The guy just made me feel yucky.  And guess what?  About five minutes later, the guy got up and left the theatre, never to return.  WEIRD, right?!  Finally I could relax and enjoy the movie, but don't think I wasn't looking around slightly nervously as I left the theatre.  I didn't see him, thankfully, and I was able to go to the Apple store in peace.

That night, I finished off my date by getting a massage and coming home and taking a bath.  It was a nice night for me, for the most part but ladies...PLEASE, if something feels off, it probably is...
And that's my public service announcement for the day.