Of Men and Multi-tasking

Who says men can't multi-task?

Right now, both James and I are studying. Or should I say, I am supposed to be studying right now. We both study part-time ~ a law degree for James, a personal trainer certification for me ~ which means right now he's trying to learn a bunch of law-related stuff and I'm taking a brief break from learning the names and actions of every muscle in the human body.

My study environment:

• Room: the study
• Location: the desk
• Noise levels: it's quiet (so I can concentrate - music just distracts me)
• Conclusion: I am alone with my thoughts, my textbook, and the colouring pencils I am using to help my identify various muscle groups.

James' study environment:

• Room: the living room
• Location: in front of the TV
• Noise levels: audio commentary on tonight's football game
• Conclusion: James is alone with his thoughts, his textbook, and the commentators and spectators live from the football stadium
  

Who says men can't multi-task?

I must concede though, that James has learnt a few things in our 2.5yrs of marriage... thanks to my wonderful influence by example of course.

For example, most of us women like to do something productive in front of the television, such as folding laundry, ironing, or even scrapbooking for the more creative ladies. Men, on the other hand, like to sit in front of the television and do nothing else, claiming that they must focus 100% on it because they "can't multi-task".

James, on the other hand, has been known to occasionally be productive whilst watching TV ~ this typically occurs when he's re-watching one of his favourite movies or watching his newest Smallville DVD purchases.

I can only draw two possible conclusions from James' odd behaviour:

1. After 2.5yrs of marriage, James is still trying to impress me
2. James is some sort of modern day super-man, able to do what no other man can do
   

Her Movies

Now this may not be the case with all girls, but it is with this one - most of the time, the content of the movie itself is not necessarily so important as the entire experience of "going to the movies". I mean, of course the movie choice plays a part (as you'll see mentioned later) because it contributes to the experience. But there is just so much more to movie-going... I mean, we pay so much these days for a single movie ticket, so we should make the best of it!

So, yes, James, guys and girls probably do have very different approaches to movies. For me, the five (5) most important things about "The Movies" are:

5. Entertainment value. Movie choice is definitely important. After all, did you ever go see a movie you didn't enjoy at all and come out thinking what a great time you just had?

Side note: I personally do not go to a movie to write a critique, or check out a director's directing skills, or monitor a story-writer's ability to write a riveting plot that links all the bits together in a way that artfully ties fiction in with enough reality to satisfy my sense of being. No. I go to the movies for one main reason: to have a good time. To enjoy myself. To be entertained. I don't want to know the details right after the movie because if I then discover that maybe it wasn't really that well put together, it can dampen my sense of how entertained I really was. James.

Side note 2: If you are good at figuring out the major plot point of a movie only 5 minutes into it, don't tell the person you are at the movies with just so you can prove that you figured it out before it was revealed. Maybe you'll prove your skill but other people won't enjoy it so much anymore. James.

4. Climate control. The cinema should be not too hot, yet not too cold. Shivering may cause us to expend more energy whilst sitting in our seats, thus enabling us to eat more popcorn and chocolate... but this is not enough to make up for the decrease in enjoyment factor. I find that even in summer, a jumper is a great thing to add to my cinema-kit.

3. Snacks. I've said it before, I'll say it again - it's all about the experience. I mean, what is a movie experience without the savoury aromas of popcorn, the sweet taste of M&Ms that melt in your mouth and not your hand, and the cool feel of a choc top sliding effortlessly down your throat?

2. Comfortable seats. James very well knows that there are particular cinemas I don't enjoy going to as much, even if they are cheaper (which normally appeals to my Asian, penny-saving heritage), simply because the chairs are too old and sunken to be the slightest bit comfortable enough to endure for over an hour.

1. Good company. Let's face it, what is the point of the entire experience - the big screen, the popcorn, chocolate and ice-cream, the large comfy seats - without someone to share that experience with?