Posted on 05/19/2005 7:14:18 PM PDT by LouAvul
There are those for whom "Star Wars" is just a movie. For others, it's a destination to a galaxy far, far away - from the office.
With all the buildup and hype, some workplace experts are anticipating a flood of absenteeism in the wake of the opening of "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith," the latest installment in the trilogy, which opened in theaters at 12:01 a.m. today.
That's because the epic science fiction series hasn't just attracted fans, it's created fanatics. People like Renee Link, 30, who five years ago requested time off for future "Star Wars" premieres when she interviewed for her job at a Sacramento printing company.
"I related to Princess Leia since I was a kid because we both had long brown hair," she said while seated in a folding chair outside Century Theaters near Arden Way Wednesday afternoon, her hair twisted into the princess' signature buns.
In preparation for this year's movie release, Link took two days off work: Wednesday was devoted to staking out a spot in the theater line, where she made friends among fellow "Warsies" and shared in the communal takeout pizza.
Link arrived at the box office 13 hours in advance of the midnight showing, which she planned to attend with friends. Today will be devoted to recuperating, plus a second viewing.
One Chicago-based consulting firm estimates that "Star Wars"-induced absenteeism will cost employers as much as $627 million in lost productivity, ranging from employees who schedule a day off in advance to those who covertly convert a "Sith" to a "sick" day.
.....snip.......
All the mania actually caused an online stampede to the Web site that celebrates the Star Wars "sick" day.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacticket.com ...
What are the odds.
I took off a few hours early...It's my friggin vacation time, not some metric for productivity
Alot of people went at midnight and took a half day /shrug
A lot of companies make employees use either a PTO day (Paid Time Off) or a personal day (just about the same thing) even when they're sick. So, it really isn't lost productivity as SOMETIME during the year, workers are going to use their PTO, vacation time, personal days or flex days off anyway.
My personal feeling is that long holiday weekend is in order for this film.
No bias here of course.... :-)
The only part I can't ever seeing myself doing is waiting in line for 13 hours. Now sometime in the future I could see setting up times for me and my friends to switch off holding down a spot. But it would have to be one great movie. Like Godfather good.
That was polite of her, but I'd personally consider anyone making such a request to be somewhat deranged and not offer her the job.
"Dude, my server is totally down."
Another one:
"There are 2 internet's so if one goes down, there's a back-up."
The response to that statement:
"Yeah, but one internet is only for p-nis enlargement ads."
We are such dorks. The movie was pretty darn good though. Especially the end. Pulls everything together nicely.
That and anti-spyware ads.....
What does a popup blocker do to a penis enlargement ad...?
Did you just ask yourself a question?
Rhetorical...;^)
I think some people really need to get a life!
WGF
And some people actually think it is possible to catch the movie during regualrly scheduled off hours. Imagine that.
I think it's stunning...Just the Midnight showings did over 17 Million
I saw it during normal hours though :)
Do the ads offer a do it yourself product? I could try it while waiting in line for a showing of Star Wars 3?
Incidentally, I am 99% sure I saw the Millenium Falcon during one scene. I guess I'll have to watch it again to make sure.
You did see it.
the scene near the beginning when the rescued chancellor is landing with obi-wan and anakin, right? i thought so. that was neat.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.