June 14, 2004
Misspent
I wanted to go, but I kept on walking, and when I came up to her she hugged me so hard that it really hurt. And then she told me: "She's gone." And I just started to hit her; it was like I was fighting against it with my whole body. I was so scared to let it go. I kept telling myself that it was a mistake. If I would just stand still for one second, time would take one step backwards, to correct itself, and everything would be undone.
There was a time when, if I said I'd misspent my weekend, it would have entailed plenty of tawdry sex and the use of recreational chemicals; these days it means I spent three hours watching the unspeakable waste of celluloid, acting talent and story that is Troy. In truth, that was pretty much the only part of the weekend that was genuinely misspent.
Friday brought another viewing of the wonderful Foi, which I have written about before. This was in the presence of Ian, Kym and Stairs. Max was also around, but only fleetingly glimpsed; I hope he enjoyed it, since he was largely there on my recommendation.
Saturday brought the aforementioned shite film, which I ranted about at length elsewhere, and the last episode of Angel, which I enjoyed a lot, though it didn't have quite the impact I'd allowed myself to hope for. It was also Dunx's birthday: many happy returns!
Today (or, going by the clock, yesterday) included another afternoon dancing in the hot sun in Green Park in front of bewildered but amused bystanders. The quality of passersby has improved markedly over the 12 years we've been doing this stuff, I must say. Nowadays they are unfazed to learn that we are practising for the Gay Pride parade, and are usually very friendly and positive. They frequently applaud, even as we make a total dog's breakfast of the routine. I don't think there's been a hint of abuse for several years. Probably the people who are offended by the spectacle are just keeping their insults to themselves, but that's progress in itself. There are some photos from this rehearsal, but I haven't had a time to do anything with them yet -- even look and see if it's worth doing anything -- so you'll just have to watch this space.
After that I went to my mother's house for a farewell dinner for my father, who has been here for the past two weeks. Tomorrow he is off to visit a number of academic institutions around Europe -- justification for the trip -- and then back to Sydney. It has been lovely having him nearby -- Australia, much as I love it, is so fucking far away.
And that's it, pretty much. Hope you all misspent your own weekends at least as happily.
Posted by matt at June 14, 2004 12:47 AM
