PIFF

Up early for a Portland International Film Festival (PIFF) screening (“The Beaches of Agnes,” 11 a.m. at the Whitsell) and just had breakfast: Trader Joe’s banana waffles, a banana, and tea. Saw “Tulpan” yesterday, another PIFF movie (whence the above photo). I forgot how snooty PIFF is, so today I’m going to wear nicer clothes. I heard “Tulpan” was supposed to be really funny but I suspect the humor must have been subtle or stunted by cultural barriers ‘cause I didn’t laugh much. It was pretty well made but bleak and a bit slight in terms of story. A scene in which Tulpan crudely assists a pregnant goat in giving birth was...painful. On the way to the movie I stopped at the Philly Cheesesteak/burger cart in Pioneer Square and got a bacon cheeseburger. Guy working the cart said business was slow, only 7 burgers sold (by 2 p.m.) I asked him what a good number would be and he said 20 would be great, but he added burgers aren’t their big seller, more people come for the cheesesteaks. The burger was REALLLLLY good, they always are, I’ve eaten there before. I added a boom mic to our equipment reservation for 2/21 to be sure we get good audio for Art Police. I’m now trying to line up a photographer and videographer for the Hat Party on Pat’s behalf, and may end up being the videographer myself. If so, then between the Hat Party, Art Police and the other little film Emie and I shot a while back – “Monsieur LeTigre Speaks” – I’ll be completing three more short film projects before leaving, which I’ll feel good about. Tomorrow is the Loveshow, I’ll have to put together some nice little outfit for that. It looks like Vicky and I will just miss each other: she starts her shift as an alcohol monitor at 11pm, just when I’m leaving. I’m debating what to do tonight: either attend the screening of “The International” at Lloyd Center just because Ben Whishaw has a small part in it (Tom Tykwer, director of Run Lola Run and PERFUME starring Ben, obviously enjoyed working with his young star), or stay home and watch the Thursday night line-up, which is probably what I’ll end up doing, since they’re all new, and I’m lazy. Sorry, Ben, I’ll catch it on video. I sent out my going-away email last night and the people I expected to reply right away didn’t at all (except Kara), and a bunch of people I hardly expected to reply at all replied immediately. Funny stuff! Oh, and my valentine got printed in the Mercury! But which one? A ha ha ha ha ha.