oscar night

so tomorrow is the oscars.

i used to be a fanatic about these things. even as a kid, i would stay up late and watch the academy awards special. i remember when billy crystal used to host and do all his spoofs. when whoopi goldberg was the first african american women to host the academy awards. i remember steve martin, david lettermen (uma/oprah), chris rock, and john stewart. i remember ellen degeneres with that ridiculous swan costume. i remember the outfits. i loved the dresses, the glamour, the make-up, the illusion. the big party where everyone would dress up for one special night. i always wanted the invite...but only if i could dress up too! and the wins were my favourite part. when roberto benigni jumped all around the seats after his name was announced. when matt damon and ben affleck were in disbelief as they randomly shouted words/names as they clung onto their statues. when little anna paquin hyperventilated (just a little) before her speech. when hilary swank forgot to name her (then) husband for a beautiful yet small movie. and when james cameron declared he was "king of the world" for a beautiful yet large movie.

it was an event i shared with my mom. that one sunday we would sit, and watch certain musical numbers, wish for certain winners and be intrigued with certain movies that we never took note of before. when my mom was away, i took my oscar fix to my very awesome(est) friend casey's house and would sit with her, her mom (my mama b), and her aunt. we would watch musical numbers, wish for winners, and wonder about movies all the same. when i was away in australia, my travelling commrades and i staked out the television in one of our hostels up the northern coast. in our little shelter, under the pouring rain, with a feast for plenty(liquorice, tim tams, chips, candy, much more) we watched muscial numbers, wished for winners, and planned on those movies.

in the last couple of years i stopped watching the ceremony. i still cared as i would hear about the winners on the radio the next day. i would admire the dresses in the magazines the next week. i would see the movies in the video store the next month. i still love the idea. it is that one magical day, where those selected actors/actresses get a chance to be in a fairytale.

i think i will watch them this year.

love