Who knew that you could get sick from being too high up in the mountains? Sadly, everybody but me. It’s called Altitude Sickness and it’s left me feeling, well…not so great.
The short version of it is that I’ve had a strange headache for the last two days and feel as though I need to have an oxygen tank tied to my back each time I walk up Main Street. I’m glad to know that my symptoms are not uncommon, but it’s still a bit scary and tiring. A buzz-kill, for sure.
I so wish I’d had the energy to do more while I was in Park City, but I have had some lovely networking opportunities. Oh, before I get into all of that, I thank the universe for providing me the fortitude to make it to the 50 Cent show last night. Perhaps it’s because we share a hometown in common – South Jamaica, Queens – but I’m not ashamed to say that I was excited to see 50 hit the stage at Harry O’s last night. With Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks by his side (when did they become his official hype men?) Curtis ran through hit-after-hit-after-hit and although my dear friend, Courtney, despises me for loving “Amusement Park,” by the time 50 got to that line…”I’ll work it out, without a doubt,” I kinda forgot that my head was hurting. And it was great to see Tony Shellman and Chaka Wilson, formerly of Enyce, whom are in the midst of building a new fashion empire named Parish. They definitely keep it moving.
Spent some time with Boost Mobile’s finest, Caralene and Antoinette, at their gift suite, where John Legend slid through. Then headed down to Blackhouse for their panels, Debunking the Myth: Black Films Overseas and Pitch School, both which were tres informative and well-attended. Bumped into Toure’, Nick Charles, Gina Washington, Benny Boom, Maurice Jamal, Stephen Hill, Sheila Marmon, Brian Jackson and Alvin Bowles. Also, met two guerilla filmmakers who are working on a documentary project that I can barely wait until April 11th to check out, Len Bias. I can’t believe that it’s been almost 22 years since Bias, who’d just been drafted by the Celtics, lost his life. I lived in Maryland at that time and I remember that his was the top story on the local news for two solid weeks and a year later, his mother came to speak at my school. Then, Bias’ younger brother, Jay, was killed after a dispute in the parking lot at Prince George’s Plaza. My heart always ached for their parents, who I understand were interviewed for the film, as well as Brian Tribble, who really caught it for being the one to supply the elder Bias with that fatal dose of cocaine. It’s way past time that the situation be revisited, so I look forward to seeing this one.
Had to sit-out the Blackfilm.com event this afternoon, which I hear was rather cute. Would love to have attended, but the bed was calling my name. Tonight, am headed to an event sponsored by BET. I’ve had some time to rest and self-medicate (pain reliever, water, pillow), so I’m hoping that I can keep my energy up and the headache at bay for the festivities. Headed home tomorrow morning and then, it’s back to life, back to reality.