Casey here! Another Friday has arrived and that has me thinking about the space/time continuum and the movie My Cousin Vinny.
Anyone remember that movie? It starred Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei and was about a  lawyer whose nephew had been arrested in a podunk town on murder charges.During the trial, there’s a memorable cross-examination that went like this (from IMDB):
Vinny Gambini: How could it take you five minutes to cook your grits when it takes the entire grit-eating world 20 minutes?
Mr. Tipton: Um… I’m a fast cook, I guess.
Vinny Gambini: [across beside the jury] What? I’m sorry I was over there. Did you just say you were a fast cook? Are we to believe that boiling water soaks into a grit faster in your kitchen than any place on the face of the earth?
Mr. Tipton: I don’t know.
Vinny Gambini: Perhaps the laws of physics cease to exist on your stove. Were these magic grits? Did you buy them from the same guy who sold Jack his beanstalk beans?
I’ve always loved this scene, especially the mention about the laws of physics and magic grits. Which leads me to these thoughts about how the space/time continuum works in my life. These are my observations. Individual results may vary.
Things that take forever:
- work
- grocery shopping
- laundry
- the first 30,000 words of my latest book
- writing blogs, queries, back cover blurbs, taglines, and synopses
- appointments of any kind
- errands
Things that seem like they take five minutes but really eat up hours:
- Social media – especially Facebook
- watching television
- finding pictures to go on the aforementioned blogs
- crafting/gaming
- daydreaming
- reading books or magazines
- drawing or painting
- writing after 30,000 words
- answering e-mails
It’s funny how we all get the same 24 hour day, but the way we perceive the passage of time affects our enjoyment and/or stress level. They say time flies when you’re having fun and “they” aren’t kidding!
How about you? What would be on your list of space/time bending activities?
The last two hours of work seem to drag on FOREVER!!!!! But when I’m off I look at the clock and half the day is gone before I know it.
I know. Sometimes I feel like my whole work day takes forever!!
Funny post, Casey, and so true. Three days of editing felt like an eternity, but the entire time I was thinking I only have three days! My Grampa used to say, “Time is relative to which side of the bathroom door you’re standing on.” That puts it all into perspective:-)
That is so true! It seems like I’m always standing on the wrong side of the bathroom door in my house. Kind of like my cat. A closed door is like a challenged to him, so most of the time I don’t bother closing doors if I don’t have to.
I LOVED My Cousin Vinny!! I can’t believe I don’t own it. Great post & too true!
Thanks Jill. That movie cracks up. The Magic Grits speech is one of my all time favorite movie speechs!
I still can’t believe it’s Friday. Where did this week go?
Exactly Marian. I usually have that question on Monday morning too.
The older you get, the faster time passes. I remember summer days that lasted forever. Now they speed past so fast summer is a blur. (And I sound like an old crotchety person now. Back in my day…)
Time really is relative.
I read a study that shows time actually does go faster as we age. How can this be when it is all relative? I’m so confused.
I’ve had whole years that have flown by like that. Maybe it was from sleep deprivation when my kids were little. Though it seems like they have sped up more!
I just started an actual JOB and it involves being on the phone. It turns out that, when the phones are busy, three hours feel like fifteen minutes. But when they’re slow…
The weekend goes by in a blink. The morning time before work–I swear it’s 30 seconds long.
Things that take forever–the red lights I always hit on my way to work. Especially when I’m late!
Soccer practice. Yucky work meetings!
I think the whole weekend is about 30 seconds long. And a week of vacation – just as short. The morning after vacation is at least ten hours!
I love that movie! Yup. Time/Space – always relative.
It’s a fun movie. I’m overdue for watching it again!
Hi-larious post! I love that you sorted out which goes on which side of the continuum. LOVE that.
Thanks Sandra! I’m sure there are some things I left out.
Love the post and love “My Cousin Vinny”. One of the things that goes by too fast for me is date night with my husband.
Thanks Janna! I agree fun times always fly by!
How long is a New York minute? It depends on what side of the door you’re on. That’s an old one. Time in a bottle, by Jim Croce. I wish I could bottle it!
Too funny Gail! How could I forget the New York Minute?