In junior high I remember using the term to validate reading sci fi, in college I remember expanding the boundaries of what I read to things beyond Lazaurus Long and space operas, and now in my post ebay days the term has a wierd finacial resonance. Specifically now the debut novel of writer Joe Hill, Heart Shaped Box. The book released on the day before Valentine’s Day concerns an aging rocker who on a whim buys a ghost on an on-line auction site. The ghost arrives and of course all hell breaks loose. Let the buyer beware - at least in the case of dusty monkey’s paws and old suits in heart shaped boxes - but not so much in the case of this book. It’s been a good read and now that the “identity” of the author has been leaked to the press (Joe Hill is Stephen King’s son) this might be one of those wise investment purchases (maybe not like the Death of Superman??). His first collection of short stories 20th Century Ghosts was published last year in a very limited run in England and landed him a Brahm Stoker award. Copies of that are fetching a pretty penny (farthing?) now. Scuse me I am off to check on my ebay portfolio.

So, I had heard that there was big shakes coming our way for SBIFF  on Wednesday. My imediate thoughts turned to the line up of music at Sundance which was going through its best efforts to become South By Southwest.  They even scored sets by Silversun Pickups (going to see them at Cochella)  and way too many to list here. Could SBIFF be drawing on the indie talent form 90 miles south? Could be - could be.

I was building a list of who was going to play the after party - but then - I got the news that it was the Food Network with a reality chow program called ironically Dinner Impossible. So, I was let down, but the foodie in me was ready to the challenge of maybe spotting Rachel or my little Giada and her big white teeth, but no such luck. instead we got the tease of coming up to the theater getting the wafting scents of butter and could that be seafood??? Yummo! I was there squirming through a less than phoned in effort by Michael Apted - Amazing Grace - a film about slavery that boasts one - count them ONE - black actor - in the whole damn ensemble cast waiting to see and taste what was up. On a quick trip to the little movie watchers room I spied some squgling urchins getting prepped for sluather and serve!! Could be promising! I drooled over the big-ass mock-Wolf stoves and deep fat fryers. What were we going to see and taste. I should have looked closer and spotted the costco-size boxes of crackers and stocked up on a little more popcorn during the heavy handed (though really well-acted) proper Brit-drama.

What we got was not much. We got some pass around platters but far too few for me and I was trolling for food like Quint and Hooper - I heard tell of the lamb -  and all I really scored for my efforts was a heaping helpin of mac and cheese. That was a comforting balance to my free Vodka but way didn’t fit what I expected out of the FoodNet people. So, maybe if you look quick in the upcoming episode you might catch Waldo giving his on-camera take on the wierd and unsatisfying pastry beef wrapped things that felt a little more like canned food than Cannes food.

Soundtrack for this fest “Songs for Drella”. Ever since Factory Girl this little spoken word concept album out of Lou Reed and John Cale keeps finding its way back into my Itunes player.