Actually, that is I speaking, not Snowden, haha.
A confession from mama. She and papa did not stand in line for two hours to get into an interview with Snowdne but instead opted to hear him on Utube videos, but the most interesting thing that happened in ANOTHER line in which they were waiting for express tickets to The Grand Budapest Hotel was this:
People start talking with one another in the lines, which is part of the fesitival’s fun, and mama asked the lady in front of her about the long line mama and papa had just passed and what was it for? And the young woman said, “Oh, I think it’s that video conference with the traitor.”
Mama did a double-take, of course, mainly because her opinion of Snowden is not yet fully formed, but because it was a shock to hear someone with such a strong opinion use the word traitor. A powerful word. But it’s good to know both sides, no?
Mama always comes back to the fact that all governments spy on each other and try to keep it under the radar, and that’s a fact.
Mama says you can click on this link to see just what the ACLU-sponsored conference was all about:
The gist of it was that because of his revelations, security for all of us on the net will be greatly enhanced or at least a subject/target of improvement, especially when information about YOU can be given to advertisers or solicitors wanting your…let’s just say it…money.
Or your identity.
But back to normal events. Mama and papa discovered that all the movies they have not been able to go to in Europe are all playing in Austin and they are NOT part of the festival and so can be seen at other theatres calmly without standing in line for hours to get a ticket. Duh….
But mama thinks that people like mixing and intermigling and the lines are good excuses for meeting and exchanging thoughts and info and cards, etc. But…the truth…mama and papa re not 30 and excerside is great, walking is wonderful, sight-seeing in weird Austin is stimulating, but sitting down a bit sooner than they might have several years ago, with a glass of vino or a good film to see is just more attractive.
Well, I know that! Don’t think you’re going to catch me running and running and running around the yard to and fro, hither and yon, chasing phantom lizards or birdies when I can be watching “The Aristocats” or “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (remember that tabby?) or simply gazing out the window thinking my deep, profound, and original thoughts.
But right now they’re off to eat oysters.
Hey, they’re in Texas, land of seafood.
SO WHY AM I NOT THERE???
