Here are some things that ran through my head last night, some being old thoughts and some about the subject at hand. All I had was a new camera case on my lap for the subway and streetcar ride, nothing to read or watch, no escape.
I had cold feet as I do about almost anything in which I plan to I participate. Had to race to find a blank DV tape even though I knew three new ones were somewhere in my disaster area apartment. I put a little Sony Cybershot still camera into what I thought was a side pocket of my new videocamera case, only to realize at my destination that it had been just an extra handle of some sort and that the cybershot had slipped through. So my evening had that weighing on me. I didn't remember hearing anything clunk but it could have dropped as I descended a hill beside my building. I had stills of Maple Leaf Gardens in its current state, something verbotten. I had a few stills where I searched myself for "skin tags" in anticipation of hopefully getting them removed. I know that's gross to even mention, but I'm in mid-life and heavy and have type 2 diabetes, so this is one of the expected bonuses you get with that combination. But after stressing that all night I found the camera on my bed, where it had slipped out silently.
I shot some pretty good video of the preparation and a couple of stops made by the Cafe AuBrey Friesner had organized, Cafe Phantasmagoria. The Parkdale public library got a few passers-by stopping in for the free coffee and cookies. The rising of the cafe framework was not as regimented as rehearsed, but it got done. Interesting to see the labor of constructing a structure turned into a ritual with choreography and chants. The Marching band David the juggler (of rods with glowing coils and then finally fire) were excellent and people on the street responded accordingly.
I was wearing the required white, opting for a disposable painter's jumpsuit which I had kept in my camera bag. I had an incident getting into it, though it was extra large. The zipper broke so it just gaped open like I'd been split down the middle. My pants and jacket were underneath, but at least you could see that I was wearing a weathered Porno the Clown "F**ked by Porno" T-shirt. This was in honor of the clips from PTC shorts that I had donated to be shown on the video projector. But outside the library there were some smaller kids so this time a video was shown of Dave McKay satirizing Toronto Mayor candidate Rob Ford. Very funny stuff. A passer-by chimed in with his own "I hate Rob Ford" rant, which was understandable but anticlimactic after a killer-funny video. The Cafe was taken down in another ritual fashion, ending with people baring the lit legs as polls like they are torches and singing a song from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Although it had been given to us as the youtube link the lyrics trailed off a bit after "There's a light at the Frankenstien's place. . ." The idea was there.
Next we were to move northeast, ending up near some Burners and their "Heart Machine" display. But on the way I stepped into McDonalds to take a Mcleak after peeling off my painter suit which was stifling. It felt like one of those PSA's for United Way where a homeless person peels off their skin-suit and becomes healthy.
I followed the lights and caught up in time to see the structure put up again, this time a bit more smoothly.
Porno the Clown was shown, in the montage I had put together using clips from a few of the episodes. Jay Ould ended up being there, so we finally had an impromptu meeting to catch up a bit. It seems that when people come back from Burning Man, or a trip to Europe for that matter, it's harder to lock down where and when projects can be organized. Right now it feels like January, the stretch where there is almost no point making plans with people. Which is not a Jay thing but a people-in-general thing. Except me - I try to keep no life to the extent that I can always stick to a plan. "How's that working out for you?" Tyler Durden would say.
The next PTC short will involve Adam Bailey as a new character in the clown universe of PTC. Jay mentioned that he seemed enthused at a wrap party for Adam's new play. I had seen the play myself Royal Porcupine's production of The Shadow of a Boy. Earlier in Septmber I had run into Adam and one of his cast on Spadina while departing from a toxic buddy. They were coming home from a rehearsal and I decided to acknowledge my friend across the street and that was either a weird interaction or it was only that way in my head. I didn't explain to Adam and his actress Tanya that I was dropping off some DVDs I had borrowed from my quirky friend. I haven't spoken to him since but because this was part of my train of thought I'll follow through here.
A montreal filmmaker who had a couple of features I hadn't heard of had given my friend a disc of each to use in researching an article. He loaned them to me saying they were the only copy and don't damage them. I asked why not burn a copy of each and let those be the loaner copies. He said his computer couldn't do that and he had tried. After watching one disc (the most recent) I asked on the phone if I should burn a copy of the first in case I won't get around to watching it in two days. He agreed, and specially noted that this movie was not available in stores so copying it wouldn't be competing with a store-bought copy. Anyway, after copying the earliest feature of the filmmaker I phoned to say I was on my way over and I had checked my disc copy and it burned okay. He freaked out, insisting that he said I could "capture" the film onto my computer but not "burn" a DVD. We went back and forth arguing over what word was said. We had a few arguments over trivia in which he would say something like "Don't talk to me that way." And I respond "Okay I won't," and hand up. In this case the shrill "episode" was enough that I had to hang up a couple of times. Finally he took his turn hanging up after saying something bizarre about my father. If there hadn't been any sirens going off before, this would be it. I arrived with the discs and we were polite but I've silently resolved that being around people who seem stable and happy is necessary. Otherwise crazy is contagious. But like I said there was no point briefing these theater people about the whole thing, "Here's one of my hetero sci-fi geek mates who I am apparently breaking up with." Somehow if a woman is scolding me for something or having an episode I almost find it relaxing and necessary. But if it comes from a male - even a boss - the fight won't be over until I win. And that can take so much time and effort it's hardly worth it.
I left the cafe early, paid respects to a few people and hit the streetcar after what might be my final visit to McDonald's. I just can't afford to delay any further my celery-only diet. I think that has to begin right now and last until Thanksgiving at least. I think I need more cardio too. I had a hit of a joint before the cafe got going and caughed my head off. If I was doing the required hours of cardio per week, or more to lose instead of maintain, I would have enjoyed it all better. Well, I used most of the battery and a whole hour of tape so there should be something entertaining to cut together. Cafe Phantasmagoria.
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