BIRTHDAY

Saturday, May 30, 1998

I had a fun birthday today! Thanks to all the friends who sent good wishes! I am now forty two years old, which doesn't seem possible. Like the Marschallin in Strauss's Rosenkavalier, I feel like the same person inside as when I was a young girl.

In the morning I went over to my sister M----'s house, and had breakfast with her and my two nephews: cut-up cantaloupe and oranges, and cinnamon rolls warmed in the oven. Both nephews gave me birthday cards. J---, who is seven, drew his by hand, and B----, who is five, created one on the computer, with a picture of baby dinosaurs having birthday cake. It was fun catching my sister up on what's been going on with me. I also admired the refinished floors in two of the upstairs rooms.

I went down to the Egyptian for the first movie of the day. I had called A--- (and he had already left a message for me at home) to confirm our schedule, since we hadn't crossed paths yesterday. He was already inside, since no waiting in line is a benefit of being a platinum pass holder. My birthday gift from him was a big paperback compilation of puzzles and brainteasers from Games magazine. This will be fun! I used to be a regular reader of Games during most of the eighties!

Waco: the Rules of Engagement
A documentary about the Waco standoff between the Branch Davidians and the ATF and FBI in 1993, and the inferno that ended it. Powerful stuff, and interesting! But I didn't buy the conspiracy part of it. "Never attribute to malice that which may be due to stupidity." This was long, but it held my attention.

While waiting for the next movie, I walked over to the other side of the auditorium to catch up with Jon Newman, who was talking with Avi (another full-series pass holder and a former Microsoft guy). I was amazed and touched when Jon pulled out a small box of Dilletante chocolates and gave them to me, with a hug! I guess if you relentlessly remind people about your birthday in your journal, it will pay off sometimes. Thanks, Jon!

Things I Left in Havana
This reminded me of "Three Coins in the Fountain"! Three sisters emigrate from Cuba to Spain. This was a bit shapeless; some material set up in the beginning was just dropped, instead of being followed up on. Interesting seeing the Cubans being forced into the "hot, spicy" stereotype, when we might think of the Spanish folks that way! These things are all relative, I guess. The male lead, Jorge Perugorria, was also in "Amor Vertical." A scene where one of the sisters seduces a candidate for an arranged marriage was hot! Overall, a mild comedy, a bittersweet ending, a pleasant movie but not special.

A--- and I went over to a new Chinese place (mostly carryout) that has opened up over the QFC grocery store, a block away from the theater. I was very please to see chow fun (the wide rice noodles) on the menu, so that's what we had. The girl who was working the counter was interested in the festival -- we had told her we needed to eat fast to get back to the next show in time -- so I gave her an extra copy of the paper schedule. She was reading it most of the time we were there. We should have just ordered one plate of chow fun and split it, perhaps with some potstickers or another appetizer; we had too much food!

It took a while to get everyone settled for the next show. "Smoke Signals" is a local production, based on Sherman Alexie's novel, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. So there was a large section of seats reserved for cast, crew and friends, and talking from the stage before and after. I ate the truffles that Jon had given me earlier, sharing one with A---. Yum!

Smoke Signals
Two young Native American men take a trip to retrieve the possessions of the dead father of one of them. Very funny and very touching. The cast was great! Sherman Alexie adapted his own novel, and did a good job as far as I can tell. Now I want to read the book! The only distraction was bit parts played by Northern Exposure alumni. This will be opening soon, and I do recommend it.

I left before the Q&A was quite finished, and went across the street for the next show. While we waited, Jon went around and polled folks on what they had seen today and what they thought of it, so he could update his special SIFF page.

Metroland
In 1977, Chris lives in a suburb of London with his wife and child. But his old friend Tony visits and stirs up trouble. Has Chris sold out? "settled"? Lots of flashbacks to the early and middle sixties. I liked this! Based on a Julian Barnes novel.

When I got home, the message light was flashing on my phone. Jason had called and left an extremely funny version of "Happy Birthday" on my machine, sung full out by him as if he were channeling the voice of Frank Sinatra or another saloon singer. Thanks, sweetie!