Seventh session

A very small number in attendance for this month's session. Little wonder, seeing as we're right in the middle of the holiday season. However, we who were there (here) did amuse ourselves. On the "café" theme, Celia Lottridge read two pieces, one a memory of an incident of racism in a diner, the other a rejoinder of sorts to David Sedaris:

While I was contemplating the importance of cafés in my life I read an interview
with David Sedaris in the Globe & Mail.
David Sedaris (he said) does not go to cafes. In Paris. Where he lives. God, no.
From which I conclude
David Sedaris owns an espresso machine. Or he drinks instant coffee.
David Sedaris has a room with no books, no files of bills, no applications to submit, no
bed, no stove, no TV. A room of his own.
David Sedaris does not have others who tap on his door and say, “Are you busy?”
David Sedaris has the will or the ego to ignore phone, e-mails and the above-mentioned stacks of to-be-dones.
David Sedaris cannot go to a café in Paris without being besieged by people who love or
hate his books. Or by dear friends who must have a word, a chat or a long
conversation

David Sedaris does not need a café. Or he lies.

But me
I need a café.
The bare square table
The coffee I did not make
The absence of everything that is mine
And people who surround me but do not know me.
That is my café.
So when you see me there, remember,
I am not the woman you know
I am in Paris. In a café. Ignoring David Sedaris at the next table.

[© Celia Lottridge]

Gil Gauvreau described a video he might have made if he had had the time – which would have seemed like cheating if he hadn't described it so convincingly (a coffee bean springing from his pocket at the most opportune moment). Theo Heras recited the lyrics from the blues song "Black Coffee":

I'm feeling mighty lonesome
Haven't slept a week
I walk the floor and watch that door
And in between I drink
Black coffee ...

(Music by Sonny Burke, lyrics by Paul Francis Webster; published in 1948.)

For his contribution, Bernard showed a short video entitled "café ... coffee ... cafard." Below is the espresso version from YouTube:



Bernard and Gil also showed the videos they had entered in the Toronto Urban Film Festival (TUFF). With his, Gil demonstrated how the addition of a little voiceover can change the tone considerably.

Finally, Courtney Fairweather read a touching piece about the surprise and annoyance occasioned by a death notice.