I started the day in a rush but still slept until 7:30ish. I had to write the blog, have breakfast, take my meds (which require food to avoid unpleasantries), and dress again in a suit with suspenders, more of an assembly than a dressing process. So I wrote and rushed, drank some coffee, microwaved the leftover potato pancakes I had baked (from Trader Joe’s freezer section for breakfast–excellent), and added some sour cream to go with them. Perfect.
Now assembled and ready, I started across Beaverton in Air Volvo. I was headed to Susie at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. The traffic was slow to the pain level, and I was in a hurry. Going twenty in a forty-five was not what I expected. There were not many cars. The construction work was paused for the weekend, so all the cones, barrels, and signs were unchanged. The stop lights were very slow, with folks refusing to move for twenty seconds or more. And, again, I was in a rush.
Finally, after being stuck on the last bit of Hall Boulevard for ten minutes, I arrived. My time was short, and I could just fit in calling Susie’s mother, Leta, and having a quick phone video call via FaceTime on my iPhone. Susie was thrilled to see me; I could not arrive on Friday. While a short visit, Susie was still happy to see me in my suit and loved the picture.
I then explored the traffic in Portland; it was also slow for no determinable reason. I arrived and parked and soon found myself in the line for VIP; we were running a few minutes late. I was then welcomed in with the other VIPs and got my favorite seat in the main theater. I then went on a buying spree and found some books signed by the authors, some t-shirts (one for Susie), and a tentacle shelf holder–perfect. I collected this and started my voyage on day two of the festival.
It starts with a lecture from a professor on movies and a movie maker, Rebekah McKendry, Ph.D. She lectures on the source and meaning of Cosmic horror and its expanding role in movie marking. She is pretty good, and I will look for her online lectures. After she is done, we watch hours of short movies. Many of these are only the first time seen here, and they get little play and are hard to find. My favorite stuff. One on static is creepy for me and disturbing. There was one, styled as a silent film, that was wonderful and funny.
After sitting for hours, I collected my goodies and headed for the break. I put the stuff in the car and head to Laughing Planet, which I only eat once a year at this festival, and have a wonderful bowl of couscous with chicken and veggies. Excellent. The iced tea was great.
I return to the theater again. VIPs are first, and I get my same seat and more shorts. All are good. The funny ones are great. By 9PM, I am tired of sitting. I found a few more books to buy, of course and a prop from the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society.
Air Volvo returned to the Volvo Cave without issue. I soon disassembled my suit and was in bed. I went to bed soon. I did have dreams, including one where my hand’s nerve damage had expanded. Ugh!
Thanks for reading!
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