singley.org > blog archives > Decision Matrix Exercise: Should you see Garden State? 09.12.2004

At work I was recently introduced to the concept of the "decision matrix." Essentially, it's the corporate version of the ever-popular Choose Your Own Adventure novel: You have an important decision to make, so you divide it up into smaller decisions upon which the final choice is dependent. Let's apply this model to an issue that is of absolutely utmost important after my most recent cinematic experience. The question is, "Should I see Garden State?". The obvious answer is of course yes, as this is one of the best films I have seen in recent memory. Now let's think of the contingent decisions. "Have I viewed the movie already?" "No." OK, good. Go see it now. "But Sparkles, my pomeranian, he's going to have to use it in an hour or so." Understood. Give me a call, and Sparkles and I will go for a jog together in the park. I'm very good with animals. "Great, but I have this huckleberry pie in the oven." Hmm, that's a tough one. How much longer will it be baking? "15 minutes." No problem - there's a show in an hour, so just let that huckletastic dessert chill on the counter while you sit down to some 20-something quirky goodness at the theatre. Save me a slice. "Fantastic! Oh...wait. One more problem. I swore off that artsy movie crap after Whale Rider. Really, what was that." Yeah, I have no idea. But trust me, while this is an earnest-first-time-director flick, it's extremely well done. Sure, there are some cheesy moments, but the core message and hilarious antics of the main characters make the cheese completely bearable. Trust me. "Thanks! Enjoy the pie, and remember that Sparkles likes to be held lovingly after his jog." Don't push it.

The pomeranian's name is Thor, not Sparkles, wiseass.