My ex has two tickets to see Impressionism, the critically-derided Jeremy Irons/Joan Allen play, tonight. And she just told me an hour ago that a friend is thinking about not going over fears of exposure to the H1N1 virus. We’re obviously talking about a timid person going overboard with caution and perhaps a little hysteria, but she’s probably a blade of grass signfiying the feelings of millions of over-40 types out there.

Younger people won’t be deterred from going to Wolverine this weekend, but my ex has persuaded me that a certain percentage of older viewers and particularly older women (10% to 15%?) might decide against going this weekend. This could marginally cut into the business for Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, the romantic comedy that will be depending on the support of over-30 females. I’d be lying if I said this wouldn’t provide a measure of satisfaction as it would reflect to some degree on the drawing power of Matthew “Satan Incarnate” McConaughey.