Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Close Encounters of...


...the absent-minded kind.

Sigh.

For the past several months I've been trying to remember the name of a movie.

"The guy takes the mashed potatoes and makes them into a shape? Remember?"  I said to Mr. Jenny.

"I don't remember what movie you're talking about," replied Mr. Jenny.

"You know?  He dumps dirt in his kitchen window and bushes and there's that melody...you know?  That song to the aliens...da da da DUH da!   Remember?"

Mr. Jenny did not recall.

But...

A few days ago not only did Mr. Jenny remember the name of the movie, he recorded it on our DVR.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind.



All day long I waited to watch it.

I made a sumptious repast so we could dine while enjoying this epic movie.   (okay, technically it was brown rice and salad)

We settled in.

The movie started.

"This isn't the movie," I complained.

"Yes, yes it is, just be patient," said Mr. Jenny.

I was patient for at least two minutes.   "No, it's not the movie.   Where are the potatoes?   Where is the da da da duh da music?   I don't remember any of this.  Where is..."

"Ssssshhh," Mr. Jenny interrupted.  "This IS the movie, just be patient."
 
Patient.   Schmacient.

I watched it. 

I pondered.  How can Terri Garr look almost exactly the same now as then?

I giggled over the appliances.

I debated how 35 years could have elapsed since I first saw that movie.

But I didn't remember hardly any of it.

I waited for Richard Dreyfuss to shape mashed potatoes into a mountain!


(blogger won't let me load the u-tube video but it will start if you click on the bowl of potatoes)
 
And he did!

He really did!

I remembered that part perfectly.

Okay, I didn't remember anything else about that movie perfectly...except the potatoes and throwing bushes through the kitchen window.

But still.

But still...I kinda/sorta remembered the movie.

Which goes to prove that I'm not nearly as absent minded as I think I am.

Perhaps I'm not really getting forgetful in my old age.

Perhaps there is hope that I will someday remember to leave the house with my wallet AND my car keys at the same time.

Perhaps someday I, too, will age as gracefully as Terri Garr.

Okay.   That's not gonna happen...but still.

If I can remember some actual scenes from a 35 year old movie...
 
...anything is possible.

post signature

20 comments:

Jeanie said...

As soon as I remember what I had for breakfast I'll try to remember to come back and leave a really smart comment.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Jenny I forgot how much I enjoyed that movie until you mentioned it!
Terri Garr is not human...who looks the same after all these years?

xo Linda

Theresa said...

Now I want mashed potatoes:) I haven't see this movie, at least I don't remember it! Have a blessed day dear friend! HUGS!

noexcuses said...

Join the memory juggling club! Some days we are on, and some days... well, we're not! I love Close Encounters, and I love how Teri Garr hasn't changed. Her characters are always fun!

Jo said...

i can so relate ... except that i totally remembered the name of that movie right away ... but was it really that long ago??? are you sure??? wasn't it like maybe 10 or 12 years ago??? and maybe i am really still 35??? please tell me i am 35! lol!!!

Busy Bee Suz said...

I really loved that movie. I 'made' the girls watch it with me last year....and they were so scared. It wasn't that scary to me...I've been a waiting and a waiting for those little green men to pick me up for years!

Susan Anderson said...

I should watch that one again myself. It's been a while!

=)

Ms Sparrow said...

There are so many old movies that I think I remember and then find out I don't remember much of it at all. It's kinda nice to be able to enjoy it all over again.

Ms. A said...

If you had mentioned the mashed potato part, I could have told you the movie! (even with my awful memory) Funny how certain things stick, yet important things won't.

"Alone again.... naturally!" said...

I usually can't sleep until I remember the name of the movie or the actor in the movie....laying there going through the alphabet until something clicks, lol! I love "old" movies!

Pat Tillett said...

What I remember most about the movie is the line..."Kick That Mule!"
It was a pretty good movie and I was really surprised when Richard Dreyfus left with the aliens. Or wait, did he do that in Jaws? I can't remember. I like oranges!

H said...

Great movie and I love the alien music bit and the light show in the sky and...

OK, Now *I* want to watch this movie again!

Along These Lines ... said...

All the more remarkable since Terri has had some major health issues. She is a great inspiration.

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

That's a great flick. I can't believe it's that old!

Naperville Now said...

I loved that movie! And the mashed potatoes made it hugely memorable. (And I can't believe it came out 35years ago. How did that happen?)

anitamombanita said...

You remembered more than I did about the movie. Now I'm going to have to watch it again, I suppose.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

'Fact is the older we get the more information we store, like a stuffed file cabinet it's just harder to pull out. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it! Heeehehehehe!

Hey sweetie 'just came back from my mailbox and your letter for Angel arrived. I'll see that she get's it.

Arrrrrrr, shiver me timbers and have a Jolly Roger day! :o)

(International Talk Like A Pirate Day...it's a big deal with my family. Heck, I have Grandsons who have worn eyeliner to Church...fell on a Sunday once!)

God bless ya!!! Off to gather me bootie..........

Anonymous said...

I can't BELIEVE I knew exactly what movie you were talking about as soon as you started humming....

It's been 35 years since the movie? How did THAT happen?

Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com said...

Is that movie really 35 years old.

Wow.

I mean, I know how old I am. But still, saying that movie is 35 years old really reinforces the point.

I think when we get to the letter V I will do a post on how I am a vintage item now, haha

Amy said...

I have never seen that movie. Watching that scene, though, made me not really want to watch it. He shaped potatoes and cried? What?! So confused. Sigh.