She was really a hottie. Dressed to the nines in a red, velvet looking outfit with sparkles and small studs on leather. Small, lean body and large expressive brown eyes. Her back end was really "working it" ...sashaying back and forth...rapidly.
I saw her kiss Al Gore. I was right next to her waiting for him to arrive at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival's screening of An Inconvenient Truth. After Mr. Gore shook my hand and said kind words, he cocked his head back, smiled, arched his eyebrows and replied "Oh, that's great!" when I mentioned that the "Daily Kos says "hello!", I saw him notice Oolah right next to me in line. "Whose dog?" he asked as he reached out touched her. That's when she planted a wet one on him.
Last night, at the historic Arlington Theatre here in Santa Barbara, Al Gore was given The Attenborough Award, along with his film partner, Davis Guggenheim. I didn't get to see the event, but I, along with Oolah and her "parents", were among approximately 80 people (including the men in black, talking into their sleeves sorts)hanging out in front, awaiting "the big guy". It was a slightly chilly night, in California standards. You could see your breath...that qualifies as chilly, doesn't it?
State Street was blocked off to auto traffic and they had a makeshift barracade up out front. I wandered over about 6:45 p.m. to see what was happening. The movie had already started...I was kinda hoping that volunteers would be shoving free tickets into warm body's hands like they had at the Bill Condon award event. (It was an interesting intverview and glad I was given a free ticket) Alas, at this event there was a good turn out and no giveaways were to be had. I saw a small crowd huddled against the metal barriers. I decided to join them. Got a terrific spot, right infront of the theatre. I then noticed the major "ironic" moment of the evening. There were three, gas guzzling Chryslers parked out infront, multiple lights shining on them. Several banners with the Chrysler logo were flying alongside. Apparently they are major sponsors of the "Fest."
What a better way to honor a man who is putting Global Warming, CO2 emmissions and environmental issues on the "front burner" of world wide discussion then to showcase the very things that are helping to cause global disaster. "Hey, Al...here's an award for being such a good environmentalist...can we interest you in a car?"
Perhaps the worldly music coming from the two restaurants in back of us made up for some of hypocracy. There was Argentine Tango coming from Cafe Buenos Aires competing against the Mexican music from Carlitos Cantina. Al Gore is a citizen of the World. (I was just glad to have music to move to keep warm to....)
I started talking with the ladies to my left, who had only become aware of some of the issues that "President" Gore is talking about, by his appearance on Oprah. Well...if it gets more people aware, thinking and talking about it, good for Ms. Winfrey. I won't rail against her arrogance to our Santa Barbara Community...today, anyway.
The "inside" folks were beginning to walk a little faster, pull their sleeves up to their mouths a little longer....we began to suspect something was up. The "outside" people started pulling out their cellphones. Not to talk, but to ready themselves for the photo op moment they hoped would be.
Then...the barrier was moved on one side to enable a car to come through. Game on!
The Lincoln towncar with tinted windows pulled up right in front of where I was standing. The driver and escort popped out to open up the back doors. The "outside" people were straining forward to get a glimpse. They held their breath. A lithe, ponytailed blonde woman and a tossle haired gent with black rimmed glasses stepped out. The collective breathe was let out with a whoosh. Alas, it wasn't Al. It was, however, Davis Guggenheim and his wife Elizabeth Shue. I started clapping in appreciation of his efforts, too. Others joined in. I think he was a little surprised that he would get some acknowledgement, but heck...he worked on the film, too.
He and Elizabeth then hit the Newsline running.
Vice President John Hoynes...I mean the actor Tim Matheson (who lives in Santa Barbara) arrived with his wife. The flash bulbs started going off. The TV camera lights went on. That cause some stirring among the growing crowd outside the barrier. The hollywood "air kisses" started aflying inside the barriers. The director James Cameron arrived with a light yellow hair. The outside the barrier crowd didn't really know who the hell he was, but when the cameras turned on Cameron and the microphones were stuck in his face, the "outside" crowd put the collective thinking caps on and came up with "oh, that's the Titanic" guy.
The media line became a mob. The TV camera crews were now in full action. The "over enthusiastic" bobbleheaded blonde with the layered flip hairdo was about to pee her pants as she tried to get the "beautiful people's attention."
Then. The second Lincoln Towncar with the tinted windows was spotted slowly coming down the street. People started jumping. This had got to be Al. People started clapping, waving and cheering. Al! Al! Al!
The car pulled up, again, right in front of me. The driver and the escort got out...opened the doors...and Al and his daughter (I think it was Kristin) arrived to cheers, whistles and a good deal of applause.
Al! Al! Al! Mr. President! He flashed a warm smile and waved to us. Turning all around to the "outside" crowd on all sides. I thought he was going to get a little dizzy turning around and around like that, but he managed it with ease.
The "beautiful people" then swarmed him. His daughter dashed away from the onslaught of the crowd and found a safer place nearer the theatre itself. The photo ops then ensued. What a terrific image of a Ficional Vice President meeting a "reality based" Vice President.
Gore then set his sights on us...the "outside" people. He strode by the "handlers" and started in with a press the flesh moment. Hands were thrust out at all levels. He shook every one. Smiling. Joking. Bantering. He was in no hurry. He was taking his time. He was enjoying himself it seemed. We were enjoying ourselves.
When my turn came, I did the "cup handshake". Shake with the right. Clasp with the left. He had very soft, warm hands. I didn't want to let go. Mine were a little cold. "Thank you, Al." He flashed a warm smile. He's a little taller than you imagine. (I noticed later he was wearing "boots" as a good Tennessee boy should!) He's a little more jowly than when he was in office. More "grey" hair than before. He's a tad more "pasty" in complexion than I. "Thank you" he replied. As his warm hand left mine and started to the next person, that's when the "Kiss" occured. Oohlah, the adorable Boston Terrier made her "move." OoooohhhhLaaaaaaLaaaaaaa!
Al made his way methodically down the barrier. Stopping and giving everyone his attention. The school kids doing a project.. Folks wanting to give him gifts. He was shaking hands and "mingling" with everyone.
People were still cheering, clapping him on. I did shout out several times "Go Mr. President!" There was a botoxed brunette chick in back of me who said in a gruff, loud voice, "some people just can't get over it." "some people just can't admit losing." "Some people just make me sick." To those words, I turned around, clapped louder, and yelled "Thank you Mr. President" even louder. The botoxed chick and I locked eye glances. She scowled. I smiled. "Oh, my god, I think I'm going to vomit!" she retorted as she scurried away. Hell...I'm not backing down to those people anymore! Let her go vomit. Just not on Al Gore's parade.
As Al was engulfed by the Media Mob, the crowd slowly disappeared. Once you get in the Media Line, they're not going to let you go. I stayed and watched him being interviewed, giving each one his full attention, even the bobbleheaded blonde who probably ended up peeing her pants from excitement. Slowly. Methodically. One by one. All the way down to the entrance to the theatre.
I had a delightful talk with Oohlah's owners...DAILY KOS readers, by the way! Oolah planted some warm wet kisses on me.
Shaking hands with the "President" and wet doggie kisses. What could get better than that?
Our local blogger extraordinaire, Edhat, was inside for the awards. They've got a "run down"
In presenting film masters Gore and Guggenheim with the 2007 Attenborough Award, Cameron noted the "unique nexus of news stories" and provided a news flash that the British Parliament voted to distribute An Inconvenient Truth to every school in England; as well as its two Academy award nominations, a Nobel prize nomination for the former Vice-President, plus release of definitive global warming information. Cameron was not able to hold back, and took the opportunity to publicly, "beseech Mr. Gore to step up to the plate one more time!" This received the longest and loudest applause of the night (I watched Mr. Gore shake his head side to side). Cameron continued, "If you choose not to - we thank you for your leadership!"
and photos.