We did meet up with R and S, then walked the Farmers' Market. I got strawberries and raspberries, K got a pickle, S had to go, then K had to make a pit stop, and R and I bought kale chips. R had to leave for work, so K and I walked a little more. We took a break, then decided to head back, but not before visiting CANDYLAND! I got myself a smattering of candies and K got some popcorn. We left with our goodies and went back to her house to have grilled cheese with chicken patties.
K and I put on some Rifftrax, and we watched a little, then took naps - her on her bed and me on the couch. After our naps, however, K was not feeling well, and would need to stay in. I packed and prepared for my trip downtown, taking a blanket and a little seat thing, courtesy of my hosts. I had some protein sources - nuts and bars - and was off to the Walker Art Center. The traffic was good until I got to the entrance to 94. There were a couple of cars trying to get in ahead of me, and I thought about being a jerk and not letting either of them in. The first one was a little more aggressive, and then I noticed that yes, they had a MN plate, but there was a Green Bay Packers license plate frame, and I happily let them in. They waved, and I believe that I waved back and they were off to get to the other exits to the right. I forget if I let the other car in ahead of me.
I got off the highway at the right location, and there were a lot of cars going in a direction, but not turning down the road that my directions took me. I began seeing people walking with blankets and realized that the traffic was for this event, so my mind turned to finding parking. When I made the right onto the main drag, I saw "Parking $10" and was all in. I paid my $10 and was set to park, but the very nice Norwegian looking Episcopalian that was directing parking tried to get me to do something that I am incapable of doing - turning around backwards and backing in to a sort-of spot near another car and a stone wall. So the Episcopalian lady contemplated other spots, and evenetually had me parking under a tree on the lawn. When I got out, she said "now you can say that you parked on the Cathedral lawn!" which now I can say. I figure that if I ever am at the Whad' ya Know show, get to play the quiz, and am asked for my reason, I will use that. I also found some sunglasses on the ground as I was walking out - black plastic with purple on the sides - and took them. They had some blemishes on the lenses, so I figure that I got what I paid for.
I walked with many other people to the WAC and found it to be just as expected.
I went in to the Museum first, to get my souvenirs. I picked up some post cards, a poster, a pen, and some stickers. Then I went to find a place to sit that would accommodate R, S, and me. After a false positive, I found a good place and laid out the blanket.
I chatted with the two people next to me - some possible undergrads - with their faces painted like cats, but mostly monitored Facebook and my text messages. Eventually, R showed up with someone named M, so we would have 4 people on our blanket, but it would work. R and M went to get food and beer from the food trucks and then the crowd gasped. The inflatable screen on which the videos would be projected collapsed! The kids next to me said that there might be riots if they couldn't get it back up, and I blamed Animal Planet. Then I learned that the two had been interviewed by Animal Planet and the one nearest me had told them that he said that people should poop in boxes. I laughed and told him that it was awesome, but he was a little embarrassed that he would be saying that on national TV. I reassured him that it was hilarious, and he shouldn't worry.
R also texted me that there was wine at the food trucks, and wondered if I wanted red or white. I replied with white. It was not yet sundown, but someone did come on stage and told us to talk to each other - maybe this was before my little conversation with the kids, I forget. Then I got calls from J - an old college bud that I hadn't seen in over a decade - and he was on his way. He made his way to the blanket soon enough, and then R and M arrived with food and wine. S arrived, and now we were 5 on the blanket, with me in the top left as facing the screen, R below me, J in the middle, then M in the top right and S below her. We had, indeed, made it work.
Then the crowd had to be silent for a while before Lil' Bub could come on stage. I couldn't see her from where I was, but she was there. We heard the story about how her owners learned about her bone conditions because of her fame and could get her the treatment she needed. They then showed a video of Lil' Bub performing an impressive feat of going up 15 steps. When our celebrity was safely in her carrier, we could begin the film festival...
The videos were great, but sitting on the ground was murder on the posterior. I was able to re-position myself enough to get through the festival, but was happy to finally stand. For the record, I also disagree with the winner of the Golden Kitty Award, but c'est la vie. S went off quickly, then the remaining four chatted a bit before R and M went off to their car. I talked with J for a while about what I've been doing and what he's been doing. He had also given me the same t-shirt he was wearing - a cat head on a swirly spiral of color backdrop. We walked to my car and kept chatting about all kinds of things, including an old friend we both used to have who was very manipulative - M. Eventually, we said our goodbyes and I set off back to K and J's house.
I didn't really have directions back, so I thought I would just wing it. I was doing pretty well too until I got to the Mall of America and had no idea how to get where I needed to go. I got directions on my Blackberry and was in business. I got back to K and J's house, changed out of my DEET clothes and into pajamas, and sat down in the living room. K and J were watching The Wire, and after we chatted for a while, they put that back on. There was much chatting and watching, and then I went to bed.
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