Pre-film fest observations

It's fun every once in awhile to look through my old notebooks (back when I used to write regularly in journals/notebooks) and read some of the things I've written, what was on my mind, even relive my past on the page. I came across something I wrote while waiting in line before I went to see a short film at the Chicago Film Fest on October 13, 2004. Thought I'd share it here.....


All of us expectant movie-watchers have been put in a "holding pen," like we are pigs waiting for our nightly feeding. As I await being released from the confines of captivity, a lady a few feet in front of me wearing a pink hoodie carries on with two tall, older conservative looking gentlemen. Her laughter grates on my nerves as it carries beyond the radius of her personal space, spilling into mine. "Ha ha ha. This is SO FUN-NY. You should work for them. You should really work for them" she announces as I try to patiently await being released from this herd of wild animals caged amongst me. A cloth bag hangs loosely from her left arm by her side. "Yoga" magazine peers slightly curved, rested inside the lining of the roomy bag. Now she is needlessly talking about picking up a mango drink for someone as a favor, adding that she doesn't know why "she" requested this mystery smoothie. All I can silently scream to myself: "Who cares lady?!"

Meanwhile, Thing I and Thing II behind me are tapping each other playfully (irritating and repetitive to me) with their movie tickets. Probably a yuppie newlywed couple. I turn diagonally to my right and glance over to see a Tobey McGuire lookalike. Well, a long haired version, with his straight brown hair pulled back loosely in a ponytail, cascading down his back. He looks like he is about to be cast in an Indiana Jones flick.

I plop down to unwind once we finally migrate to the theater room. Although there are a plentitude of seats to choose from, a twentysomething female with short, greasy hair sits right beside me to my left. I imagine she is a traveling transient in the city for the festival and has been exclusively staying at a hostel. From the looks of her backpack and the body odor that smells of onions and sweat, I predict she has not showered recently in attempts to be a low-maintenance spender. I refuse to let my movie experience be spoiled by this most atrocious of smells and move up to a row much higher in the back. Much better for my enjoyment!