"the people I've met... are the wonders of my world"

On the last day of the Atlanta Film Festival, I went to the Inman Park Festival and Parade with a friend from work and her family. It was my first time at the particular parade, and I enjoyed the colors, diversity, and the SUN that was out in full force. I left hot with sunburned shoulders, but it was worth it. I still would like to live there someday, although some of the apartment prices there are way out of my price range :).

That afternoon I drove back up to the film festival, passing Piedmont Park and all the families, strollers, runners, frisbee players, and the GA Tech boys showing off to their girlfriends. I turned onto Monroe and then left onto 8th, and chilled at my new 2nd favorite Starbucks. I curled up on a patio chair with a yogurt parfait, my misto, and an assortment of used newspaper sections and reveled in the shade, breeze, and the fact that it was simply the weekend.

A barista I had managed to see every day of the film festival walked by with a friend in running clothes, so we chatted and I found out they were also thinking of attending the closing night "extravaganza" film, "Rudo y Cursi" (http://www.rudoycursilapelicula.com/).

My best friend, Lauren, called and let me know she was en route but stuck in construction traffic (welcome to the darker side of Atlanta), so I promised to have the front hold her ticket for her. After picking up my reserved tickets, I wandered into the theatre and found a seat near the front. A young latino couple soon joined me on the other side, and we began talking. They told me that they were siblings from Colombia - the sister was studying interior design, and the brother (quite cute, I must admit - Dolce and Gabbana glasses and all that) was a journalist for an Argentine magazine.

I realized that he was the same guy who was volunteering on Sunday night and had helped me buy the red ATLFF tshirt. We discussed the movies we'd seen and flirted a little until the lights dimmed and the speakers began to praise the festival, directors, volunteers :), and audience. The film started and I sent a last, desperate text to Lauren telling her that I was a third from the front.

The movie was good, although I still prefer Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna in their previous movie by the same Director/Writer, Carlos Cuaron, "Y Tu Mama Tambien." The best part was at the end when they introduced Carlos Cuaron himself, and he answered questions from the audience (including my seat neigbor, the dashing Colombian journalist). I cheered when he admitted that he's a strong Cruz Azul fan (my favorite Mexican soccer team), and then we all began filing out to leave for the after party.

I found Lauren - she thought I meant third row from the front... oops... and we followed wand-waving volunteers a block away to the Guillotine Post (a movie production company) where the party had already begun. Free drinks and catered mexican food, a spotlit set of 3 Red Bull soccer players, and hundreds of people mingling on the patio under the stars. Lauren and I chatted with some of the volunteers I had met earlier in the week, and then Cuaron arrived with a long line of fans (the journalist among them).

Suddenly I realized that one simple glass of wine, a day in the hot sun, and a long week of testing children had me completely wiped out. Lauren and I slipped out and walked back to our vehicles, and I played my music loudly on the long ride home to stay awake.

Adele  - Hometown Glory

I’ve been walking in the same way as I did
Missing out the cracks in the pavement
And tutting my heel and strutting my feet
“Is there anything I can do for you dear? Is there anyone I can call?”
“No and thank you, please Madam. I ain’t lost, just wandering”

Round my hometown
Memories are fresh
Round my hometown
Ooh the people I’ve met
Are the wonders of my world
Are the wonders of my world
Are the wonders of this world
Are the wonders of my world

I like it in the city when the air is so thick and opaque
I love to see everybody in short skirts, shorts and shades
I like it in the city when two worlds collide
You get the people and the government
Everybody taking different sides

Shows that we ain’t gonna stand shit
Shows that we are united
Shows that we ain’t gonna take it
Shows that we ain’t gonna stand shit
Shows that we are united

Round my hometown 
Memories are fresh
Round my hometown
Ooh the people I’ve met

Are the wonders of my world (4x)"