In Dreams

Dream -- a scintillating mirage surrounded by shadows -- is essentially poetry.
-- Michel Leiris

Monday, June 6, 2001
One year ago: Grass
Two years ago: Self-Healing Bus
Three years ago: Meeting
Four years ago: Written in Water

I only went to two screenings today.

• Crimson Rivers
  (IMDB page for this film) This French thriller/mystery with Jean Reno was only so-so. The story was fairly unbelievable, with many convenient coincidences. I liked the setting, in the French alps -- good scenery with some interesting stunt work up in the mountains.

• Haiku Tunnel
  (IMDB page for this film) A bad title for what may be my favorite film of the fest! Josh Kornbluth is a temp at a law firm, who gets offered the chance to go perm. This affects him psychologically. Stylized and very funny!

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Midafternoon, I drove north to Bellingham, stopping at Costco in Mount Vernon for two sodas only. A quarter each! such a deal!

Jack's place is filled with stuff from recent conventions and from cleaning out his office at work (his last day was last week). He's tired from meeting with the college about Vikingcon stuff, and a court hearing for A----, who was picked up in Seattle last Friday.

This evening we went to the public library, so Jack's younger daughter H---- could work on an important school project. She picked dreams as the topic. She'll have to give a presentation, using many different learning modes (even creating a game or writing a song). It's a requirement in Bellingham schools for passing into high school, which I approve of -- but H--- only entered this system a few weeks ago, so the pressure is on! Jack went to visit older daughter A---- in Juvie (juvenile detention), a block away. I reminded him to bring magazines and books for the waiting room there, which really needs reading material. At the library, I read Old House Journal and Architectural Digest. The latter is pure lifestyle porn for me.

From there, we continued up to the mall. The purpose of the trip was to pick up my engagement ring! But they sent the wrong mounting, all white gold, so we decide to have them try again. Jack and H---- will be down in Seattle this weekend, so they can bring it to me then. I don't want to come to Bellingham again and miss more of the festival! This is disappointing, but not a tragedy.

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We went over to Casa Que Pasa for a meeting of the group that's doing some sf parody videos. Tonight was Margarita Madness night which is why they decided to have the meeting there. Jack's carne asada burrito was much tastier than my chicken fajita burrito. I read a book while they discussed costumes, sets, equipment, and logistics. It wasn't that I was bored, I just am not involved in this project, and right now I want to keep it that way.

Jack noticed that I was uncomfortable driving home. "I told you I had my period last night, remember? or didn't you hear me?" I giggled as he admitted he hadn't been paying attention to what I was saying. So he made much of me when I was on the couch watching the Chris Isaak Show, by rubbing my back and such.