Day 1078: On expectations
Mar. 3rd, 2023 11:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eve_primeMy ex and I had a fundamental difference that was rather along the lines of the glass half full/empty distinction. It had to do with expectations. If he expected something to be great, then if he didn’t find it great, the problem was probably in himself, whereas if he expected something to be bad, then he’d doomed himself to that outcome. There was a common phrase he’d use along those lines that I can’t now remember.
For me, though, if I think something’s going to be great, the expectation is a lot for it to live up to, whereas if I set my expectations low, I’m often pleasantly surprised. The example I like to give is that Wild Wild West movie with Will Smith. I didn’t think it would be very good, but I ended up enjoying it quite a bit – although I’m certain that if I’d been really looking forward to it, I’d have been far less happy.
All this is by way of noting that today’s Friday movie was Groundhog Day, which I’d seen within a year or two of when it came out, and which I hadn’t particularly enjoyed at the time. I’m not sure why – I’d liked Bill Murray in the Ghostbuster movies, and when Xena did the time loop thing, it was great. I just found Groundhog Day rather tedious. And I’ve said so a lot over the years – when J. learned it was on today’s poll, he was sure I would not be pleased about it. But when it won the poll, I decided I didn’t mind watching it again today. After all, it had been nearly 30 years. And it was… okay. Some parts were quite funny. I’m still not convinced it’s one of the best movies of the ‘90s, but I was happy enough to watch it today, and I’m glad my expectations were low, because it could then surpass them.
For me, though, if I think something’s going to be great, the expectation is a lot for it to live up to, whereas if I set my expectations low, I’m often pleasantly surprised. The example I like to give is that Wild Wild West movie with Will Smith. I didn’t think it would be very good, but I ended up enjoying it quite a bit – although I’m certain that if I’d been really looking forward to it, I’d have been far less happy.
All this is by way of noting that today’s Friday movie was Groundhog Day, which I’d seen within a year or two of when it came out, and which I hadn’t particularly enjoyed at the time. I’m not sure why – I’d liked Bill Murray in the Ghostbuster movies, and when Xena did the time loop thing, it was great. I just found Groundhog Day rather tedious. And I’ve said so a lot over the years – when J. learned it was on today’s poll, he was sure I would not be pleased about it. But when it won the poll, I decided I didn’t mind watching it again today. After all, it had been nearly 30 years. And it was… okay. Some parts were quite funny. I’m still not convinced it’s one of the best movies of the ‘90s, but I was happy enough to watch it today, and I’m glad my expectations were low, because it could then surpass them.
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Date: 2023-03-04 04:34 pm (UTC)That movie Groundhog Day has weird memories for me. I have seen it about 3 times and the first time was right when my step-son had a nervous breakdown so it reminds me of that. It also reminds me of some things in life that seem like one is just doing them over and over; rinse and repeat. I do like Bill Murray in the Ghostbuster movies but I never want to see Gh Day again, ha ha.
Have a great weekend! :)
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Date: 2023-03-05 08:08 am (UTC)I hope you have a great weekend too!
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Date: 2023-03-05 02:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-03-07 01:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-03-07 09:09 pm (UTC)