Last year I did not make it to a single film during the film fest. I was enthralled in a very unhealthy relationship which took up most of my time and energy. Let’s not go there right now. So…this year I vowed to make up for missed films! I pre purchased several tickets and was looking forward to seeing some great films.

For many years I have been going to the film fest and every year the films get better.

The first film “When I knew”  was starting at 5 at the Castro theater. I figured if I got my ass out of the house by 4 and was lucky with the MUNI (yeah right) I could get there in time for the show. So I wait for the 27 and it arrives in 5 minutes! What a fucking miracle!

I get off the 27 at Bryant and 16th. The little electronic sign on the bus stop claims that the 33 is arriving in “14 minutes”…..well…”thats not bad”, I think. I wait patiently all the while looking forward to this documentary about when people first had the realization that they were gay/lesbian. The sign reads “5 minutes”, then “1 minute” then “arriving”. I eagerly look for the 33 to arrive. Nothing. I look at the electronic sign with confusion. It now reads “next bus in 14 minutes”. WTF??????? where is the fucking 33?

I wait…now very nervously counting down the minutes. I know that i will be cutting it very close. These films sell out, the theater gets packed….what to do? I wait. The sign reads “8 minutes” then “5 minutes” then “arriving”. I think “OK..I can still make it..I really want to see this film…hell, in the time I have waited I could have walked to the fucking Castro theater…hell, In the time I’ve waited i could have made my own documentary film!!”. The sign reads “arriving”. I’m relieved. I keep looking for the bus. No bus. I hesitantly look up at the sign and it now reads “next bus in 18 minutes”. ARGH!!!! Fucking MUNI!!!!! I wish typhooons, earthquakes and tsunamis upon you and those who run and operate you…you fucking MUNI you.

I hail a cab and make it to the theater by 5:00.

The film was incredible…one of the best I have ever seen during the film fest. I have been going for at least 12 years.

and for MUNI….fuck you!

www.wheniknew.com