We woke up around 8, had some incredible sex, and then headed out to the Carolina Theater for our next movies at the documentary festival.
We arrived at about 9:15 for the 9:30 movie, and there was a long line at the ticket window. A lady who was “helping,” said, “Those of you who are trying to see a movie before 10:00, should go in this line; this is the one people are in who are trying to see a movie before 10:00.
I moved over into this line, and it was at an absolute standstill. There was no way we were going to get in by 9:30. After about 10 minutes, I moved back to the other line, which was moving much faster. I was really annoyed. They need to “work on the ticket-purchasing process” before next year.
We ended up getting into the Armory with about 3 minutes to spare. The first film we saw was “Texas Hospitality,” which was about (Texas) death row inmates’ “last meal requests.” I thought it was going to be an interview-type short film, but what they did was flash the inmate’s picture, with a blurb next to it about what his or her crime was. Then they started adding “their order” to the screen in words. It was interesting, and a couple were funny, but overall they did not keep the information on the screen long enough to finish reading it before it moved on to the next one. One inmate, a woman, requested, “A salad. Fat-free dressing. And some fruit.” One guy’s request started off with “10 quesadillas” and then went on to many other items.
Movie Synopsis: (2003. USA. 04mins. Directed by Michael Pfaendtner. Produced by Michael Pfaendtner.) Steak? Caviar? Blueberry pancakes? Perhaps all three? Golden Corral for the rich and famous? Not exactly. Based on information from the Texas Department of Corrections’ website, Texas Hospitality , a short, unadorned film, offers the last meal menu for a number of death row inmates. The wide variety of culinary choices reinforces the apparent pride the Department, which, after all, leads the nation in executions, takes in its completion of this most difficult task.
The second film was called, “A Certain Kind of Death,” which was fascinating. It chronicled three men who died with absolutely no next of kin. It showed what happens in terms of how the body is “identified,” what is to be done with the remains, and then how all of their possessions are handled. It was very, very interesting. A lot of things you always wonder about were addressed. The most interesting thing to me was the cremation, how the bodies were put in, and came out. With all the bones lumped there, and the guy taking this poker and just lightly poking the skull so that it broke up into little pieces. Eventually, the remains were put in this Cuisinard food-processor looking thing to grind them even further down.
After five years, on the last day of December, the crematory takes all of the unclaimed/identified ashes boxes to a cemetery, opens each little box, and pours all the ashes into a massive grave, which is then marked with a marker that simply said, in this case, 1997.
Movie Synopsis: (2003. USA. 70mins. Directed by Blue Hadaegh and Grover Babcock. Produced by Blue Hadaegh and Grover Babcock.) What happens when someone dies with no next of kin? Who takes responsibility for identifying the person, preparing the body, determining funeral and burial arrangements, and disposing of possessions? Filmmakers Grover Babcock and Blue Hadaegh follow three such deaths in Los Angeles, beginning with removal of the bodies by the coroner’s office and continuing until each case is resolved. Though this film is not for the squeamish, it’s also not morbid; instead the viewer comes away with a profound appreciation for life and relationships. We also come to appreciate the civil servants who go about these unsettling tasks professionally, thoroughly, and respectfully. This film has scenes of graphic content.
As it turned out the afternoon movies we wanted to see, “The Great Cheesecake Debate” and “Super Size Me,” were sold out. Walking back to the car to go to Elmo’s to have breakfast, we ran into Richard Z., who ended up joining us for breakfast. I had a killer Corned Beef Hash, and eggs and cheese with English Muffins breakfast. Robert had Eggs Florentine, and Richard had banana pancakes, which had me drooling. I will get those the next time I breakfast there.
Back at the house, we did Robert’s taxes, and then I did Jeanie-baby’s. She’s going to be thrilled; she’s getting back just over $19,000! I can’t help feeling I’ve missed some income of hers. I sent e-mail to Phyl letting her know the results, and asked her for a sanity check.
We took a nap from about 4-6. Had dinner, and then headed to Flex for dancing. We got there at about 8:15, and it was pretty empty. Things filled up, though, and I had a blast, as usual. We stopped dancing a little after 10:30, and at a little after 11, me, Robert, Joe, and Lauren headed over to CCs.
Patrick was there, which was awkward with Joe there. After saying hello, we went into the Piano Bar (me, Joe, and Robert), and we just had a great time in there. “Frank” was sitting next to us for a while. They called Robert up to the piano, and did a C&W song, and Robert and I two-stepped in front of the group.
We drank way too much, and left after 2:00. We “sprung ahead” once home, so got to bed/sleep around 3:30.