I
really liked the expression 'popcorn time' when I heard it for the
first time a few years ago. It is a spectator sport alert, a neat and
clever way of telling people to get ready because an amusing show is
about to start.
I
have seen it used a lot recently, and this has reminded me of a
popcorn-related incident from the past.
It
all started when I took some young children to a shopping centre to
see the Christmas attractions. There was a popcorn-making machine
there that fascinated my young friends. The popcorn danced on a jet
of air; they watched this for a long time.
It
was obvious that they wanted me to buy them some popcorn, but a small
paper cup cost a small fortune and the popcorn didn't even look very
good. As a matter of principle, I won't pay exorbitant prices for
low-quality products.
The
youngest girl cried and I felt guilty. I remembered getting some
really good popcorn from Marks & Spencer a while back, so I
promised them that I would bring some with me the next time I came to
see them.
I went to one branch of M & S but couldn't find the popcorn I wanted, which was one big bag with eight small individual bags of Butterkist inside, delicious and ideal for distributing to children. I went to another branch and looked everywhere. I remembered to check the sweet stands near the tills, but the popcorn I wanted wasn't there.
I went to one branch of M & S but couldn't find the popcorn I wanted, which was one big bag with eight small individual bags of Butterkist inside, delicious and ideal for distributing to children. I went to another branch and looked everywhere. I remembered to check the sweet stands near the tills, but the popcorn I wanted wasn't there.
I
decided that M & S must have played their usual game of bringing
out something edible that people like very much then discontinuing
the product.
I hated breaking my word, but time was running out so I
decided to buy something different for the children. I stood in line
at the till with my items, then a man, an M & S employee,
suddenly appeared. He was pushing a trolley full of sweets; he parked
it right next to me. I saw the popcorn I wanted: it had distinctive
red, white and blue packaging featuring the Stars & Stripes. I
just had to reach out my hand slightly to get it.
This
incident gave me a big fix of positive paranoia. The universe had
arranged for me to get something I wanted - but only after I had done
everything that I could. The popcorn appeared just after I had let go
of the idea of getting it.
Very
small stuff, but expressing gratitude and appreciation is a good way
to get more and bigger and better gifts.
