Nights And Weekends Blog

Well, I’m up, showered, breakfasted, and ready to tackle another day of movies.

Before I turned in last night (or this morning, I suppose), I carefully calculated how much time I’d need to take a quick shower and still make it down to the lobby before breakfast ended at 10. Then I slipped into a nice, NyQuil-aided sleep in my king-size bed, surrounded by five fluffy feather pillows. Sure, it’s not the Ritz, but this place ain’t bad for a cheap hotel.

Unfortunately, though, I was awakened by the sound of my phone ringing, well before my alarm. My co-host is my polar opposite—a cheery early-morning person. He’d been up since 3 or 4, I’m sure, and he had kindly waited until 8:30 to call and tell me all about his plans for the day. Tonight, I’ll be turning the phone off before I go to bed—first, though, maybe I’ll call him to tell him about my day.

So, after lying there fuming for a while, I figured I’d just get up. The first thing I did was take another shot of zinc. Then I took a shower. Then I took some vitamin C. Despite my best efforts, though, I think I may have to skip my last movie of the night tonight and turn in early.

As expected, I made it downstairs in plenty of time to make myself a waffle and get some fruit and orange juice and a cup of coffee before the end of breakfast. As I sat there, eating my (soggy) waffle, I looked over today’s schedule. Lots of short movies today—with nice breaks in between. When I originally planned it, I thought that it would give me time to grab a drink between movies. Now, though, considering the crowds, I think it might give me just enough time to grab some fast food and rush off to the next movie.

It’s amazing, though, how quickly I fall into the same old festival routine. Movie. Bathroom stop. Movie. Lunch. Movie. Bathroom stop. Movie. Dinner… I rush out, take my notes, rush back in, take more notes. Before long, there’s an easy (though somewhat frantic) rhythm to it all. It’s fast-paced but somewhat soothing. And I can’t wait to get started again today.

Michael is scheduled to show up sometime today—and I can’t wait to show him the ropes. This is such a wonderful film festival, and I’m always eager to share the fun with someone else. I’m sure he’ll enjoy his weekend just as much as I’m already enjoying mine. I hope he’s been resting up, though—because, sick or not, I’m not one to take it easy.

My first movie starts at 11:45—so it’s about time to finish getting ready and head back in…