I went to see 500 Days of Summer last night. It's one of the better films I've seen this year.

I thought the movie was perfectly cast, especially the friends of the lead actor. They're the usual goof balls that drink too much and give horrible dating advice. But you seem to like them more than the usual cliche movie friends.

The movie tries for that indie vibe, and I think pulls it off so much better than movies like Nick & Nora, Juno, and so many others. And it also reminded me a bit of the John Hughs 80s films. One segment in particular, when the couple first sleeps together, and we see him walking to work the next morning. He visualizes a scene with a marching band, and every guy he walks passed high-fiving him. It was cute.

The soundtrack isn't just peppered with great tunes by Belle and Sebastian, Fiest, The Clash, and a few gems by Regina Spektor. And like the underrated Garden State, it throws in an oldie by Simon & Garfunkel that fits perfectly.

SPeaking of Simon & Garfunkel, one character admits to not understanding The Graduate. And I'm guessing a lot of people won't fully get this movie, or understand the actions of some of the characters in it (I can't say much more, in case you go to see it).

In the parking lot, I found a check for $500. I called the number on it and a woman told me it was her sisters, and that she was at the movie. I said that I'd leave the check with the theatre, if she wanted (I thought she might be more comfortable picking it up from a business, than a strange man that called up). She told me to hang on to it and she'd call her sister.

I left my number, and the lady called back the next morning. It turns out she was in the same movie I was. And we ended up having a 20 minute conversation about movies (we both liked Summer and disliked Away We Go).

I told her I'd rip the check up, send it to her, or drive to where she was. She asked if we could meet at Twiggs, which is close to my place.

I started thinking about all the wallets I've found in my life. There have been five or six of them. One had over a thousand dollars in it, and a military guy came up to the basketball courts as I was riding my bike home with it (I was about 12). I saw him searching the ground and rode back. I asked "Did you lose a wallet?"

I could tell from the ID it was his. He said yes, and thanked me as I handed him the wallet. No reward.

The other time the wallet had a big wad of bills, I turned it into the See's Candy in Seal Beach. I was there with my grandmother.

Every time I've lost my wallet, it comes back with no money in it.

As the woman approached for the check, I thought if she offers me a reward I'll refuse it. If she insists, I'll tell her she can by me a coffee or pastry inside Twiggs.

I handed her the check, she thanked me, and we went our separate ways.

I was putting gas in my car a few minutes later, and thinking about how odd it was that she didn't offer me a coffee.

I bought some oil at the register and as I was unscrewing the cap, I was burning the hell out of my hand. I looked around, to see if there were any paper towels I could use.

A young woman made eye contact with me, and a few seconds later ran over saying "Hello, sir. If you want, you can have this towel. I always keep these small rags in my car for emergencies."

I thanked her.

As the oil was funneling into my engine, I thought about how I can't offer to buy her coffee. She was half my age, and very attractive. She would think I was just coming on to her. And besides, the coffee at the gas station was probably crap. Not to mention, it was 11:00 a.m. and really hot out. Maybe I could offer to buy her a Coke (hey...this is a commercial possibility; substitute Mean Joe Green and the little boy for us!)

I glanced over, thinking I'd at least thank her one last time.

She had already driven off.