Still recovering...

..from the taping of Laugh Out Loud this past weekend, entertaining the film crew, and hanging with Jackie Monahan and Chris Doucette.
If you weren't there, you should have been - it was seriously hilarious.
And I'm not talking about the grumpy attendee (you know who you are), the DC vs. LA catfight that almost broke out, or our poor PA Christina, who was almost struck by lightning. Okay, that last part's not hilarious at all... I get that.
Festivals are all about pulling the velvet curtain just enough to see the picture - but I live for the peeks behind stage.

Sadly, I'm sure there's a non-disclosure agreement in each of the many contracts bandied about this weekend, or I'd dish some more.

Here's a rundown of some of the "official events" leading to the actual taping of the show on Saturday night.

Friday afternoon: Film crew starts arriving, which is good because we've coordinated airport runs so that we can pick up a camera person here, a comedian there, and not spend all day in the car.
Except... Vidur has missed his flight. Now, Vidur Kapur is Logo's darling - he's been nominated for New, Now, Next Award and he's going places. Just not DC.
I'll say it first - but out of all the personas I'd like to try on during international travel, gay Southeast Asian trying to book a one-way flight into the nation's capitol isn't one of them.

With one less airport run to make, we all decide to meet at the Women's Networking event at Chi-Cha Lounge, which was sponsored by One in Ten and a bunch of other great organizations. Yeay ADKLN - still keeping DC a great place for ladies!

Andrea Meyerson, the director and her crew: Sheila, Phillip and Tavia all pile into our car (Leesil graciously riding in the back back) and we head off to ChiCha's, where two of our board members are holding court.

Mel's all about the ladies, and she usually has a posse of them following her around, but she seemed to be relatively unencumbered. Of course, this meant that I instantly put her to work handing out fliers.
Courtney was there with a friend, and since she's our treasurer, I keep her free for more important stuff.
Then it's off to Hook - for more wine, geography lessons from our Australian server (who used to work at Veritas - he knows his stuff), and some yummy homemade s'mores.

We were the last to leave, which seemed to be the start of a motif for the entire weekend.

The next day, all the comics start arriving, and the film crew heads off for some shopping. In the meantime, we're frantically putting together the last minute requests for tickets, making signs, etc...
Andrea tried to make reservations for West End Bistro, but they were booked. Probably for the best.. we all have a huge day tomorrow and turn in early. I stayed home and caught up on film previewing (The Lost Coast by Gabriel Fleming will be THE surprise hit of the festival - mark my words).


By 10 am, the crew is in place and Leesil and I are heading to Crafty Bastard to check out the wares and to see if it's a possible spot for some Reel Affirmations parties this fall.

More excitement to come - but I have to run into a meeting now.