In late 2001 I was visiting friends in Oregon, and we decided to see The Fellowship of the Ring, Peter Jackson’s film of the first book of J.R.R. Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. I was torn between excitement to see it and fear that it might not compare favorably to the book (since most films based on books don’t). My friends called some of their friends to join us, and we went to the theater. I needn’t have worried; although there were some differences from the book, overall it was very faithful and incredibly well made. We all enjoyed it very much.
As we were leaving the theater, we encountered some other people my friends knew, waiting in line for the next showing, and they asked us how it was. Without skipping a beat, I said “It was really good, but kind of sad at the end when Frodo died.” The looks of horror on their faces were priceless; I wish I had photos. It took them a a few seconds to realize that I was yanking their chains, and then we all started laughing uproariously. As Bugs Bunny would say, “Ain’t I a stinker?”
In hindsight, I’m amazed that I came up with that. It was entirely spontaneous, and in fact I don’t think I could possibly have pulled it off had I planned it. Ever since, that’s been a running joke whenever we talk about movies. “How was the Simpsons movie?” “Really good, but kind of sad at the end when Frodo died.”
Reminds me of s similar experience I had.
I was discussing some code a colleague, Rich, was transferring to me when he made a comment about an enhancement he had planned.
Cool as a cucumber I told him he could not make that enhancement. He looked at me quizzically and I said only I could make the enhancement, for him it would be an enrichment.
We both fell on the floor in stitches for ten minutes.
My point is not the pun but the fact that throughout the run up I was conscious of something happening but had no inkling of how it would come out. It was all done on automatic pilot.
Verily the mind is a curious and interesting beast.
— Hans