posted on June 4, 2013 by Jaycie Cash

No Repeat Offender Here, Until Now

oscarwildeI’ve decided there are two types of people in this world: those who enjoy watching favorite shows or movies, or reading beloved books, over and over . . . and those who don’t.

From the title of this post you’ve probably already guessed I’ve always been one of the later.

Oh, don’t get me wrong. In the past if, while flipping through channels, I chanced upon a show or movie I particularly enjoyed the first time out I might have stopped to watch the rest of it. More than likely, though, I’d sit through a few key scenes that made me smile, then go on to something else.

Anything else.

Figuring out or guessing what’s going to happen next has always been a big part of the enjoyment for me. Obviously, that isn’t possible when viewing something already seen.

However, I don’t judge those who savor repeat performances.

I’ve been known to buy friends obsessed with a particular film their very own copy so they could enjoy it in the privacy of their own home as many times as they liked, whenever they liked.

All I’ve asked in the past is that they didn’t expect me to watch it with them, at least not if I’d already seen the show.

But middle age has changed many things for me, not the least of which has been my viewing habits.

Lately, I’ve found myself watching movies I’ve already seen and reading books I’ve already read. Why? You’ve probably already guessed this answer as well: my memory sucks.

Novels I’ve read years ago are suddenly new to me. One or two phrases or scenes might seem familiar but that’s about it. All else is fresh and new.

In some ways this is like a magnificent gift. All those books I hated to end are now available to me as something I can relish. Again.

The movies that brought laughter or delightful suspense provoke laughter and gasps. Again.

Cue Madonna to sing Like a Virgin. It really is like my very first time.

Oh, sometimes there’s a shadow of a memory. But if it’s been long enough since I first experienced the book or movie, this just makes me feel either very smart or like a talented psychic who unerringly knows what’s going to happen next.

And that’s kind of fun in its own right.

Now I just have to make sure I don’t buy into the fantasy too much and decide to take off for Vegas or the local casino with my life savings.

HOW ABOUT YOU, ARE YOU A REPEAT OFFENDER OR DO YOU PREFER SOMETHING YOU HAVEN’T SEEN OR READ BEFORE? A FREE COPY OF MY DEBUT NOVEL, MRS. GOODFELLER, WILL BE RANDOMLY AWARDED TO ONE PERSON WHO LEAVES A COMMENT BELOW BEFORE THE NEXT WRITERSPACE BLOG IS POSTED.

4 thoughts on “No Repeat Offender Here, Until Now”

  1. Rhy says:

    I am the same way. Used to remember books years later not so much any more. I retread at least one book a year and often have to retread books so I can read the latest in a series.

  2. cindy r says:

    I read so many books that sometimes it’s hard to remember if I’ve read one before until I’m a chapter or 2 into the book. There are a few authors that I will read and re-read time and again, but most authors I’m happy to read once, then wait until their next book comes out.

  3. Lori P says:

    I have my favorites that I might go back to every now and then, but I love new 🙂

  4. Barbara Thompson says:

    I’m exactly like you. It’s got to be age. I never saw a show twice and now it’s different. That’s life! Great posting!

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