let me guess, you're a gemini...

this year I was fortunate enough to be a jury member for the Gemini awards. even more fortunate, was being invited to the awards themselves as well as a few choice parties and events surrounding the big day. wasn't sure what to expect. knew a grand total of two people, and one of them was an old boyfriend I'd left naked in a hallway in a flurry of feathers a gazillion years ago so wasn't sure how that was going to go…

stayed at the beautiful, historical Hotel Saskatchewan and barely had time enough to unpack my bags before being whisked off to an event. the incredible vibe in the room was unlike anything I'd experienced at any film event in Vancouver. maybe because it wasn't a film event. I had to keep reminding myself that this was TV. there's such a crossover of people in the two industries it can get a little confusing.

met some incredible, talented people, everyone asking
"what brings you here?"
(gulp!) "jury member, but not for any of the categories up for awards this weekend"
was so grateful the category I'd been a juror for had already been announced in the big smoke the week before. next question
"what do you do?"
"well, I have a day job which really doesn't have anything to do with anything that's happening here, and um, I make films and act."
"nice, what kind of films do you make?"
"dark comedies."
"oh really? give me an example of what you'd write about"
"well, one might say I have a bit of a morbid sense of humour but I really think it can be funny when say, someone slips on a rotting corpse or…" (huge pause)
"ok then. Nice talking to you"…

clothes say a lot about a person, so when I came upon a couple of women dressed in flamboyant dresses and coats, I just had to stop and introduce myself. I spent the rest of the evening laughing my face off with Phyllis Ellis
and Louise. they didn't mind my dark side at all. Phyllis later won a well deserved Gemini for best comedic performance, and after the previous crazy night it was pretty obvious why.

the writers, Paul Bates et al, from The Hour came up with the opening sketch and the buzz around the room afterwards was incredible! The Best Geminis Ever etc…
watching the host, George S, zip back and forth across the stage and through the audience it was clearly evident that this man was extremely good at what he does.
at a party the night before, he seemed (a bit surprisingly so) a little less impressive than what was presented on The Hour. (sorry, until I can deal with my elephantitis there'll be no details)
however, about thirty seconds into the conversation he stepped in a little closer and zap, I thought he was going to kiss me… (reality check)… I thought I was going to kiss him… (snap) ok, but there was this charisma thing that just made me feel so at ease.
I got it. that's what it was. this guy just oozed charisma!

Regina was an impressive city. everyone I spoke with, from the staff at the hotels to the servers at the events, were friendly and welcoming. one taxi driver said this was due to the size of the city and the fact that if you pissed someone off they'd most likely know where to find you and send guido over with a large wrench to rearrange your dental work.
all in all it was a great time spent with some amazing people, and I certainly hope to cross paths with a few of them again some time in the not so distant future.

moot or hooey?

before Regina was named Regina, the city's name was "Pile of Bones"