Jook Sing

Surrounded by friends, we laughed and danced as we count down to the new year. While hugs, kisses and handshakes were exchanged, the night was tinged with a sense of awareness. And as the evening went on and we all went home with each other, being lonely was all I could think about. Of course, there are friends and family. Some I'm fond of and others I love, all of whom I value. But being without someone who cares about me above a platonic or familial level is starting to take the wind out of my sail. Admittedly, I've put a lot of importance on it my entire life but going this long without it has been a depressing experience. And as I drifted off to sleep on the floor of my friend's apartment, I couldn't help but feel absolutely sorry for myself.

The next morning I was awoken by the paws of a cat across my torso. I spent the rest of the morning drifting in and out, listening to the other people in the living room breath deeply in their sleep. I felt terrible. When we all woke up, some of us slightly more alert than others, we decided upon my suggestion to go to the theater. Disheveled and still wearing what we had on from last night, we rushed out for a coffee before the movie. I was delighted to find the theater mostly empty as we made our way to the balcony for a good seat. The film began, we watched and I forgot about all the trivial neuroses that managed to ruin the previous evening. I enjoyed the movie thoroughly and as we filed out of the theater, I couldn't help but feel the rush of excitement that comes with talking about what we just saw. Of course, we did and after finishing our cigarettes and conversation, we all parted ways. I walked back to my apartment alone replaying all the things that I enjoyed, was inspired by and preferred not to have seen. I was in a great mood and I couldn't damn well help it.

I started this blog almost six years ago. I haven't written in it for quite some time now and that has a lot to do with the fact that I don't have much I'd care to share. I can assure you that a lot has happened since then. But if there is anything I want people to know about me at this point in my life, it's the fact that I'm coming to terms with being in a situation I'm not satisfied with and the only thing that pulls me away from it all is watching. While I can't expect that my situation will be remedied anytime soon, I have my romance for film that started a decade ago and it will do for now.

Alright, so I still have my tie on from last night and I'm pretty sure you're sick of reading this syrupy post anyway. I think its time I take a shower.

I just realized that the poster doesn't explain much
of what the film is about but that's all the more reason
to come check it out. Trust me. The film will blow your mind.

I wish I could justify all these scribbles in my daybook.
Meetings. Right. The only one I've been excited about all week called me this evening to cancel five minutes before we were supposed to meet. I don't think she realized that it took me a week to build up the courage to talk to her. I drove home realizing that all the time I've spent working on these projects are fruitless. I'm starting to wonder when I'm going to get the chance to sleep well again.

In the past few days, I was afforded the luxury of watching David Lynch's Inland Empire a couple of times. The three hour dream logic narrative left the crowd clamoring for answers after recovering from what can only be described as an exhausting and dizzying experience. Fantastic and well worth the wait. You should see it. It screens nightly at the Vancouver International Film Centre till Wednesday.

For those who have had their fair share of Lynch, Alejandro Jodorowsky's El Topo (in 35mm!) is screening at the Cinematheque on Tuesday evening (7:30pm) for one night only. The psychadelic twist on the spaghetti western is a visual feast which was meant to be enjoyed on a big screen. Plus, it's a great excuse to avoid the Japanese bootleg videotapes marred with color bleeding while supporting local film events.

Speaking of supporting local film events, come to the first of many (hopefully) film screenings Jorge and I are putting together for Blim! Yasuzo Masamura's Blind Beast will start the series. It'll be fun and a perfect date movie.