Sundance draws near it's conclusion for yet another, it's 25th, year. This Festival continues to grow in leaps and bounds, although this year the atmosphere seemed a bit subdued and the crowds on the streets seemed a bit lighter. Today would be my last day in Park City, my daytime stomping grounds during the Festival. My yearly routine has been Park City during the daytime and Salt Lake City activities at night. It just works out well for me. Especially since I've continued to have the good fortune of gracious friends who allow me stay at their place in Emigration Canyon, which is located about 15 miles from Salt Lake, and 30 miles from Park City. And with that routine I miss all the nighttime activity in Park City.

Mel and Deb, my annual hosts, join me for a few of my evening screenings, and more important, allow me the flexibility to go with the flow. We share many meals at the house and sometimes even go out for an occasional meal. Nothing better than being away from home, and still having the luxury of returning to a house filled with good friends, great conversation, and a warm welcome. Sure beats hotelling it and not having any friends nearby Over the course of my 5 years out here, I've come to know many of Mel's and Deb's friends, and can now call a good percentage of them my friends as well. This has become a "home away from home" for me. Mel comically often refers to the room where I stay as "my room", and it's just comforting to be able to be a part of their lives, even if only for one week of each year.

I do so much enjoy participating in and attending Sunance each January, and my life might not seem complete if I didn't continue this annual tradition. I am ever so appreciative for Mel and Deb, and their ever so gracious hospitality. I do hope I never wear out my welcome. I wish I could share more of this experience with my wife Wendy, but she doesn't have the tolerance for 2-4 films in one day. She did manage to share in the experience toward the end of the fest in '07, and I think she enjoyed the idea and the films we did watch. Unfortunately for her, I just don't think I could bring myself to only screening one or two films each, though I did take it a bit more easy this year. Maybe until another year, we can make this a "shared" experience. I miss her so every day I'm here. And I can't wait to get home, though I am reluctantly also sad to see the fest roll up the sidewalks and cal it for another year.

Probably one of the funniest moments during my years of Sundance was the year Wendy joined me for the final 2 days of the Festival. We had gone up to Park City on the final Sunday, and as we were walking up and down Main Street, Sundance workers were breaking down venues, taking down signs, and packing it all away until another year. Wendy will tell you that I was shouting "the festival isn't over, how can you pack up already???" And I think her recollection is not far from the truth. It does sadden me when Sundance comes to an end. It's like the last day of Summer Camp, and you know your evil parents will be arriving later to take you home... away from the fun, away from your new-found friends, and back to that cold, hard slap-in-the-face of reality. So far I've been able to find comfort in the fact that I'd be back the following year, and I'd also get to see my friends Mel and Clayton at my Film Festival in June.

What will next year bring for this reporter? What will happen to the great films I've screened this week? Will I be able to bring any of these films to SouthSide? I hope to answer these questions as the days, weeks, and months pass by. I will also be back to tell you about Saturday's films and the many "reunions" I've experienced today. Must run for now.

In the meantime... Butter up that popcorn, turn down the lights, and crank up that projector baby, I want to see some more films!

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