The Film Festival ends today. I was up early and showered and dressed, more like assembling my suit, and was out the door in the morning. I picked a gold-yellow tie with structures and diamond-shaped colored areas, sort of Carcosa–I think that will work for Mythos. Sunday morning had no traffic, and I soon entered Portland through Beaverton. I crossed to NE, found Sam’s Billards, and was a few forty minutes early instead of just on time.
I found a table upstairs while the event, The Cthulhu Prayer Breakfast, was prepared. Cody Goodfellow, the writer for the Space-private Sexy book I bought yesterday and started to read, Scum of the Earth, was the head priest. I started my blog with the plan of writing this morning at the event. I also met more writers who were selling their books. One, Katherine Kerestman, whom I had met yesterday and bought two books from, and Tony LaMalfa, who took my $10 to get his paperback, Forbidden Knowledge. I was able to start the blog before breakfast started. Some of my friends from the previous conventions and the Call of Cthulhu Role Playing Game (CoC) session on Friday joined me at my table, now in the proper alignment. Breakfast was served after a short chant by Cody, repeated by us, fellow followers of the unknowable gods. I tried to write some more, but the main events started. Tablemates were drafted for the choir, which did well considering they had never heard the hymns before, all to the unknowable gods and done in good humor and all of joining in between between drinks of coffee and bites of food.
Cody did, to my surprise, read a sermon. Cody was quite clear he was fed up with humanity and thought the unknowable gods should get those stars right soon and clean up this mess–my interpretation and memory of the sermon. We cultists, and people on the edge, are not the bad actors (until the stars are right); we did not make this mess.
I found a corner and wrote while others told stories, including the writers I had bought books from. Some of it was pretty good. I managed to finish my blog and find more coffee. The event closed with me wishing my friends the best–many I will only see again next year. Soon, I headed over to the theater for one more show, Glorious, 79 minutes from 2022.
The movie was about a man trapped with an evil demi-god in a dirty highway stop bathroom. It was excellent, and I was surprised at how they managed to make this work in a small space and with just primarily two actors and one just playing a voice; it worked. I was glad I had come on Sunday to catch this one. It was directed by Rebekah McKendry, Ph.D., who gave yesterday’s lecture on Cosmic Horror. I wanted to see her work. Wow!
Still in my suit, I boarded Air Volvo and headed to Susie’s place at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. I left the festival early so I could hang out with Susie.
I had some bad moments on Highway 5 when I changed lanes, and the car in front of Air Volvo slammed its brakes. Air Volvo, auto-braking, and I managed to avoid the mistake by steering into the shoulder–I should have waited until the other cars were better spaced. Next, another car changed three lanes at once and exited Highway 5, passing by Air Volvo at less than one care length. Yikes!
I arrived. Susie was popped into her wheelchair by Anassa (the weekend nursing aide), and, with it being warm, we headed out to Metzfer Park for the last sunny day in the forecast (all ten days are rainy or overcast). Older kids and some younger ones were enjoying the warm day. Susie and I found a bench and were missed a few times by errant American footballs. We called Leta and Barb (Susie’s mother and sister, respectively) on a three-way video call on Facetime, and soon, we saw each other and talked about our day and how Susie felt, “I am fine.” It was fine chat, and soon, we rang off and toured the rest of the park.
Susie was placed in her bed, and I helped her to drink some Ensure (I drank a whole bottle of water). Susie was uncomfortable after a while, and Jenifer re-arranged Susie a few times–Jenifer and Louis took over for Sunday afternoon. We watched another episode of Only Murders in the Building from the third season. I liked it, but I think Susie was a bit lost.
It was 5PM, and I was tired, and Susie was falling asleep. I pulled out the crash pad and put the gate on the bed. Susie has fallen before and sleepwalks and needs all of this in place to be safe. I kissed her goodbye, but she was distressed and said, “I need you,” while barely being able to stay awake. Susie let me go and said, “I love you,” as I left. Always heartbreaking.
I drove south to Ancestry Brewery to meet Mariah. I was again easily; I had an Irish Red Ale with excellent freshly made onion rings while I waited. Mariah appeared after 6PM, and we talked about the film festival, her trip to Montana, and other details. I told her I enjoyed meeting and talking to many writers and moviemakers. It was an excellent festival. Mariah was relieved to see me “spend some money on myself to enjoy myself.”
We promised not to be so many weeks before we meet again. The drive back was on all twisty roads over Cooper Mountain. I had not driven them in a year and not in the dark. I was careful. Lastly, I also had to backtrack to 209th, the main road to the Volvo Cave is closed for construction, but tired, I arrived safely in Air Volvo.
I disassembled my ensemble, which is my suit and suspenders. I have new books, cards, websites, and many things to do. So many chances to write and to learn. It was a great four days! The summon happens next year on 4October2024, and we cultists will hope to meet again then.
Thanks for reading.
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 