The thing that makes a big difference about the ride to the Oscars is the personality of the driver and we were so lucky to have a wonderful driver. It was his first Oscars experience and I think that he enjoyed every bit of it without taking it too seriously. He was so sweet and funny!
During the ride you always see an ocean of limousines going through inspection.
You also see the most interesting characters with the most unexpected signs on the sidewalk. I took some pictures of them from our car. Our driver said that the signs didn't inspire him that much :o The one with the BURN word scared me to death! :0
The man in the photo above was saying the most complicated things through his laud amplifier; a mix of history, religion, philosophy, comedy, live TV show and politics.
There was also an old man carrying a huge sign saying: ALL I WANT IS A RECORD DEAL, he was singing a capella. I have seen him each one of the three times that I have been to the Ocars. I wish that I could give him a record deal, he deserves it just for not giving up.
On our left we saw Mickey Rourke, he seemed very calm looking to the crowd through the car window. I wondered all the time what he was thinking about. If you haven't seen his movie, The Wrestler, you are missing a very powerful film. His performance was so deep and honest and stunning that a week after I saw it I was still thinking about it and even crying. Through his character, I got to revisit the pain that I experienced myself many years ago when I was struggling in Cuba. This is a movie that makes you think a lot about all the different aspects of life.
And during the ride to the Oscars you get to think a lot about those different aspects of life: About the constant human desire to be successful, about the need of being loved and recognized, about the struggles that we go through in order to make our dreams come true... During that little ride on Sunday I was thinking that in the end real life is the most amazing movie ever for each one of us, because we are always the hero in it , because we get to deeply experience our own unique story and because we always have the choice to enjoy a happy ending. I think that every person deserves an Oscar! :)
And tomorrow I will tell you about the ceremony and a few things that you didn't see on TV.
Have a great day my friend!!
Elsita :)
Oh what fun, thank you for sharing this with us :-)
Posted by: flowerpress | February 26, 2009 at 02:29 AM
You are the star of this show Elsita. All the Oscars in the world could never express just how much you mean to us.
Posted by: Margaret Oomen | February 26, 2009 at 04:05 AM
Thank you for sharing all this. You will have to laugh, I did - I kept telling my husband over the weekend about "my friend" Elsita going to the Oscars and her husband movie and all the little bits you've shared. Then I had to 'fess up, well, she's really just my "internet friend". But you open up so much and are so positive, I'm still considering you my friend!
Posted by: Peggy | February 26, 2009 at 04:43 AM
You are so wise, Elsita. I love the part where real life is our amazing movie and how we all deserve an Oscar. I will be thinking about my acceptance speech and who I will be thanking in my life.
Posted by: dutchbaby | February 26, 2009 at 05:35 AM
What a fantastic way of looking at the Oscars Elsita...funny, touching and unique, just like you! :0)I agree with Peggy about feeling like you're our friend even though we haven't met you!!! xxx
Posted by: Lois Collins | February 26, 2009 at 06:57 AM
OMGoodness! Just like one of the previous comments, I talk to my family about you as my "artist" friend....que mi amiga va y viene...y mira que bonito el vestido que quería ponerse...y aqui está ella con Oscar.....☺
Posted by: Lucia | February 26, 2009 at 07:11 AM
"because we get to deeply experience our own unique story" - this is the absolute essence of it all really..
Posted by: bluemountainsmary | February 26, 2009 at 12:08 PM
I have really enjoyed your Oscars reports. I love your perspective on the events and how you see through all the glamor and frivolous things that can be seen at the Oscars to see a deeper meaning. This I find especially touching: "we always have the choice to enjoy a happy ending." It is so easy to forget but is so true!
Posted by: Erin | February 26, 2009 at 04:56 PM
Congratulations for being able to participate in every siuation with compassion, detachment and wit. And Thank you for generously sharing your observations with us.
Un abrazo,
Ana
Posted by: Ana | February 27, 2009 at 02:20 AM
That was a beautiful post, Elsa. I've enjoyed reading all of them. It's a peek inside something that I will never see. jan
Posted by: Snippety Gibbet | February 28, 2009 at 08:25 AM
Oh, it makes my stomach lurch seeing those angry people with their angry signs. Thank you for sharing your Oscars experience with us. My husband does film reviews, so I was lucky enough to see a lot of really great movies this past year. I love getting your perspective on things. :) Can't wait to hear about the ceremony and what you thought of the Best Picture!
Posted by: Kristena | March 01, 2009 at 06:02 PM
The people holding the signs make me angry, but it sounds like you had an interesting time!
Posted by: simi | March 02, 2009 at 06:38 PM