The lack of pens, t-shirts and other fantastic little oddities that complete my enjoyment of the festival in the norm were probably the pieces that made it almost. I had registered to attend the festival and was eager to see my options for Monday. However, it did not start until Tuesday. This was somewhat of a blessing, as I did not really have much time to waste. Grant was going to be away for three days, and I had forgotten quite how much work his job entails. My daughter took on most of the tasks, as she is both his mentor and his understudy, if that can be conceived as possible! I had to field some of the phone calls. "Is Grant there?" clients and servers alike would ask. "Nope, it's me, me or me until Thursday", I would joke. "Is Dana there then?" would come the response. I would transfer the call. After an exchange of pleasantries, I would hear him say, "Don't let the English accent put you off. She knows more than virtually everyone in the State. In fact, there are probably only two that know more!" Silence would prevail, and then would come the words, "No, I am being serious!" It is probably the word, 'virtually' that puts them off! Yet, here were thousands of people (by all accounts) waiting, with an overwhelming sense of excitement, to attend a virtual week of almost events!
Our usual experience during 'spring break' is to venture downtown and see what events we can attend, what is open to anyone who does not have a 'badge', and in my case, keep up with the under 45's who were born into a world of technology and a smaller world! Trying to keep up with those between teens and thirties is somewhat more of a challenge, especially if you cling to basics as do I! The thirty six hours without power, and inability to leave our complex for a few days last month brought me back to reality of no modern day conveniences, and made me glad I had not given myself over completely to technological advancement! I answer my door in person! Sometimes I answer my phone without looking to see who is calling! I write letters! Jurassiconian indeed!
Digressing is just me virtually staying on track! Please forgive me for virtually staying on track! Apart from bagging the swag from the festival, I do learn a lot! Anyone who has been with me throughout the years, through this blog, will know that I have been fobbed off more than once by a generation who assume that I do not have the brain power to comprehend new ways of thinking. (In fact it is usually those just under 45 who are the main culprits. Kids give me a little more credence!) My look of disdain usually beats theirs, and they end up explaining the latest fads or fields that they are promoting. Perhaps an advantage of the virtual sessions was that unless I gave personal information, no one would know my age, gender, race or if I was even human! I could ask a question and be told, "Great question!" That was, until it wasn't.
Although not a feminist by any means, I do believe that women are capable of virtually anything. With that in mind, I decided to sign up for one of the women's sessions. I thought it might be fun, and as there was an 'interactive chat' section at the side of the screen, I thought I would be 'interactive'. I did not actually, nor virtually tell the first group to whom I listened that they sounded like a bunch of eighth graders, vying for approval, but that was my opinion. I really felt as if personal choice was somehow a failure, and as a nurturing, maternal creature, I was letting the side down! "It should be your choice to be a working mother, or successful woman", was the premise. What if (providing you have the option) you want to stay home and look after your kids? Answer: "Why would you?" Response: "Because that is my choice". Answer: "Why would you choose that?" Response: "So basically, you are saying you can't choose?" The conversation went on. Suggesting that you were going from one form of drudgery to another probably would have got me reported and sent to the dungeons, so I stayed silent, and anonymous! Where was my choice? The second session held my attention for less than five minutes. Equality means equality, not virtually equal. Perhaps I should host a session on the ability to choose! I doubt I would get an audience, and if I did they would turn me off after a couple of minutes, as I do not fit the profile!
One of the benefits of the almost sessions was the ability to pick and choose when and where I watched the films that were being premiered. I registered for a few, but as I was at my desk, it was virtually impossible to watch at the times they were being shown. The first I started Tuesday, and finished the next day. Samantha watched with me, as I knew it would be something she would enjoy. "The lost sons" is the most amazing documentary. Directed by Ursula MacFarlane, (yes, I am naming names,) this film had me on the edge of my seat and in floods of tears! A true story about a kidnapped child, his return, and following events, caused not a virtual, but an absolute loss of concentration on what I was meant to be doing! It was the phone ringing that brought me back to work, and the daily grind! I watched in two sessions, having to turn it off when I left work on Tuesday and then restart on Wednesday morning. I left a note for the director and she graciously responded. Apparently her mother grew up in the same small town as me! Had the festival not been almost, I would never have seen this film, or if I did happen upon it, it would have been on television and I would never have thought to write to the director!
The words "Dr. Who" grabbed my attention and I looked at the
session. The name "Caroline Catz", was next to hit my vision. I recognised her as the actress who played 'Louisa' in the television series, 'Doc Martin'. She had directed, written and acted in a film that was being premiered. Delia Derbyshire was a woman who was born 'too early', into a world that did not recognise her talents until she was dead! Many years after her demise! Watching the film, I laughed at a scene with the portrayal of the man from the Decca record company telling Delia that he never thought women would work in 'sound' (forgive me if I am misquoting, Caroline) and thought there might be an opening in the administration department for a secretary. I wondered if he ever looked back and thought of the opportunity he missed. However, the time was not equipped for such thought! The woman was a mathematical whiz as well as a musical genius! With primitive equipment, she created the theme tune to the science fiction masterpiece, Dr. Who, along with much more. Caroline Catz plays the part of Delia, and the docudrama was something of a masterpiece in my opinion. I wrote to Caroline, explaining that my dad was 'old fashioned' and thought that girls (unless particularly brilliant) grew up, got married and became mothers. Further education was a bit of a waste, and shorthand and typing was something that would stand them in good stead for life. He was not sexist by any means. This was how the world was! None was more proud than my dad when my sister and I broke free from the 'old fashioned' mould and did things that were not traditional! Again, I received a lovely reply.
When I told Jerry, in our office, that I was 'chatting' to Caroline Catz, he was very jealous. He subscribes to the 'British' channels and loves Doc Martin. He seemed to be rather excited to think that 'Louisa' was more than just an actress! I promised that if ever she came to Austin, and got in touch, I would let him know!
Perhaps the most outstanding thing I saw was a short film by a Chloe Merriman. It was in the category of the Texas High School Shorts Competition, and was 'The Good Wife's Guide' from 1955. It was brilliant in its simplicity. Animating the guide, she had scribbled out the face of the wife, showing that she was just 'nothing'. My comment was, "It was what it was!", and it was! Two and a half minutes long, this was brilliant! "Before your husband comes home, refresh your make up, put on a clean apron and put a ribbon in your hair". I did the latter. Dana told me I had something on my head, and did I know! I asked him if he would like a cold drink, or to sit by the fire. He asked me what I was talking about! I asked him how his day was. He said, "You were there!" giving me a quizzical look. He then looked at me seriously, and asked if I had been reading a 'Good Housekeeping' book from his mother's collection! I told him about the short film, and he said that I was far more useful in the office! He then went on to extol my virtues, as if he wasn't in enough hot water! Thankfully, we both saw this as amusing! It was what it was!
I did attend a session on the future of 'soccer' in Austin, and the USA. I enjoyed that. I was able to interact with a full understanding of the comments being made.
The Drover's wife - the Legend of Mollie Johnson was also a brilliant film. Depicting so many issues, it was not subtle, but defined problems rather than created them!
Grant was back in the office on Thursday, and despite not having to field telephone calls, I was much busier than I had been at the beginning of the week. I was judicious in my virtual time, and found fewer sessions to attend than I thought I would. It made me realise that going downtown and just 'hanging out' was probably a much better choice than trying to get a ticket. Admittedly, Austinites get a reduced rate, and it seemed like it would be a 'good deal' if I had a week off, but if I would have taken advantage of the opportunity, I would have missed some of the 'un-official' events that used to take place.
Sixteen years ago, when I was told of this amazing festival, that was happening, quite literally, outside my office window, I was intrigued. Fifteen years ago, I was waiting for it to start with an excitement that enhanced living in Austin. This year, I got to attend all those events that I had wondered about, and I do not think I could have been any more interactive had I been in a 'session' room at the Convention Centre, as I doubt I would have had a front row seat, and I doubt I would have been called upon to ask a question. For a controversial world, my questions are virtually too controversial it would appear!
Perhaps my biggest accomplishment all week was going shopping on Saturday. Samantha and I dismissed the fact that for the second year running we were not going to be dropped off downtown, wander around in the heat, fight through crowds and end up at a venue where I would sit outside because I would not surrender my bag full of drinks and sweets, and then try to explain to Dana where we were in order that he could pick us up! We were also not going to be subjected to passive smoking of some contraband that was being passed around! Instead, dressed in my jeans, shirt, hat and boots, I was told, "You are the coolest thing, ever", by an older man. A fashion guru obviously, himself dressed in a light gray tracksuit, battered cap, trousers tucked into calf length socks and a pair of slip on sandals. He made my day! More the point, I think I made his day! This was the real Austin! Nothing virtual about the compliment!
After power washing the sun room, I decided that a course of preventative measures would have to take place, and in order to keep it looking virtually beautiful, I bought a leaf blower. I nearly took it back, after taking out the instruction pamphlet and reading, "If not put together properly, this may catch fire!" I put everything back in the box, and then took it out again. Putting it together was quite easy, despite having to follow instructions! After blowing everything everywhere, I decided to use it as a vacuum. Much more my style! After being covered from head to toe in dust, I now vacuumed the dirt and leaves into a bag, which was unzipped and dumped in the dumpster, with such force that it vacuumed its way up and covered me from head to toe in dust. Again, vitually a success!
Another glorious day in Austin means that I will probably go and relax for a while before starting the afternoon challenge of sorting something! I have no plants to plant, and no tidying to tidy, so I am at a bit of a loss until I make another plan! I do have to vote! It is almost time to almost vote for the films and sessions I watched and attended. Most will not get a rating from me, as I am too much of a dinosaur to appreciate the finer points of non-compliance as compliance! Or is the vice-versa! However, both Ursula and Caroline will get five stars, and a comment to the organiser! (Albeit with a 'z'!) It appears I cannot vote for Chloe, but I will find somewhere to make my voice heard, thus making her voice heard! She will go far I am sure!
Next week will seem somewhat real in its entirety, I am sure, with just a few virtual points. I am sure I will only virtually finish a modicum of things, completing most all else. Please feel free, as always to almost comment on anything I write! There is a space I believe. If you don't feel inclined, it is not a problem, as after all, next week I will be actually, not virtually writing ...... another story!
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