Toronto, my first day inside of you was quite spontaneous and adventurous. After our delicious vegan meal together and settling into the hostel, I took a lonesome walk through Chinatown at dark in search of a restaurant that hosted an open mic night. I was fixing to get my hands dirty with a guitar after such a long bus ride. I simply Googled Toronto open mic and found a place called The Kensington Lodge. Upon my arrival there was a man, approximently 60 years old, laying on the floor next to the bar. When I walked, in there was an unavoidable silence. Staff and customers surrounded the man helping calm him and help him back to his feet. Apparently he swallowed his drink down the wrong pipe and ended up falling off his stool and hitting his head.

I stepped outside to give the staff and ambulance medics some room to work with the man. I spoke on the sidewalk with a young woman from Jordan, her friend from Italy, and an Asian local who was running the open mic equipment. I mentioned that I was in town for TIFF and the Jordan beauty brought up Richard Linklater and how she loves his romantic writing/ directing style. Of course we started talking Boyhood and an interesting debate arose. The Asian man informed us of a controversy over the film after its release that the film should have been called Girlhood instead and that the main focus should have been on the main character’s sister rather than him because the fundamental stages of a young girl’s life is more complex and interesting than that of a boy’s. The Jordan beauty made a brilliant point to counter this position. She explained, “Richard Linklater is focused on the simple and priceless/ pretty moments in life and the fact that Linklater focused on a boy’s life, he accomplished his goal within his traditional tropes. It was interesting to hear a woman stick up for the male lead focused role. We went back inside and sang 70’s classic rock songs.

I then walked from The Kensington Lodge to the Ryerson theatre to catch a midnight premier of Green Room. The streets were alive and thriving, the rush line was long and tense, and the film was spectacular. It was exciting speaking to other attendees in the rush line about the festival: why they were at TIFF, what films they had already seen, which films were good, where they were from. It made me ecstatic for the days ahead.

Here is an excerpt from my field journal:

Sept. 10. 11:45

In line for my first film rush at The Ryerson Theatre. A melting pot. All different walks of life talking and laughing in line together and getting to know each other. Limousines, camera flashes at the door, BOOM SNAP POP!