I've spent my evening in the computer lab and now I only have 15 minutes to try to write a report from all my pages of notes ... I started them already at the fest and continued on the plane home ... Since I don't have enough time, I won't be able to say all that I wished to, and I know I'll forget to mention a lot of people ...
To start with, it was wonderful to return to California after many years. I'd forgotten how beautiful it is. People were friendly, traffic was light, the sights were lovely, the food was wonderful! I don't know when I last ate so well ... If I ate the way I did every meal in California, I'd gain 20 lbs. On the other hand, everything I ate was so healthy (e.g., a vegetarian panini sandwich, roast turkey with red pepper aioli, etc.) that maybe I wouldn't gain a single pound! It wasn't very warm, though, except in the afternoons, and it was quite a shock to return to my home state of ---------- where it felt like a steam bath (20 degrees warmer!) than it had been in California.
Teresa, thanks for inquiring about my throat. It turned into a full-blown cold unfortunately, and I'm coughing a lot, but as far as colds goes, it's what I'd call a "moderate" one.
There were so many things I somehow missed ... most of Ben's piano playing (I had hoped to hear "Misty" and "Moon River," but at least I got there in time to hear some of Josette's music box theme). Missed Professor Stokes' vocal performance and video production, both of which were said to be highlights. Was pleased to meet the estimable professor, who was not at all formidable but rather modest and self-effacing.
I didn't know Joe Integlia was there until reading the board now.
I didn't know anything about Marie Wallace's performance; am very disappointed to have missed that.
However, Ms. Wallace did stop by my table at the banquet to inquire if everyone had been enjoying the weekend.
Speaking of the banquet, one of the oddest moments was the prominent presentation of Roger Davis' video on his real estate development after dinner. Uh-huh.
I arrived late to Darren Gross's presentation on the NODS restoration, but saw the scene of Angelique's hanging which was
very effective. I was less saddened by the loss of some of the other clips that were shown that had to do with sexual molestation and some gory shots. To me, those would not have enhanced my viewing pleasure of the film. What I would have liked to have seen (perhaps I missed mention of this earlier) was the scene where Charles' and Angelique's skeletons are discovered beneath the house. That excised scene would have brought the entire movie together thematically.
I wish that an updated schedule of events had been posted outside the main ballroom twice a day, as the schedule seemed to keep changing, especially with all the cancellations.
Quickly ... whom did I meet? New this year were Anna Kelly from England; Dawn and her friends; Julia99 and her friend, whose name I didn't catch. Also Teresa, Minja, and Prof. Stokes figured prominently.
Enjoyed seeing some people from last year, such as Henry, Bette, VAM ... and I can't find my other list of names here ...
I was quite intrigued by the video that David Selby produced and provided voice-work on, "The Griffin and the Minor Canon." Hope to do more investigating, as it seemed to be based on a children's book.
In the dealer's room I finally saw a "Josette's Music Box" and it was selling for $100. Now I wish I had ordered one from MPI when they were available. I was advised against it by several posters at the time, but if it had been made clear that this was a "miniature reproduction" I still might have bought it. The music would have been available at any time and would have looked nice next to the antique-style oil lamp on one of my bookcases...
I wasn't able to track down a copy of TV Guide to read Nancy B's article.
There was a dark, exotic looking woman with enormous brown eyes who generously supplied libations for all around the piano on Saturday night, but I didn't catch her name ...
many thanks to whomever this mysterious creature was.
Looks like this will have to be continued if I'm going to get to my impressions of Robert Rodan and others ...
