The San Diego screening last night was a homecoming of sorts, I lived here for about fifteen years in the mid-80’s to late-90’s. So the pre-screening reception felt more like a wedding reception than a film party: dozens of round tables filled with old friends I hadn’t seen in years, live jazz in the background, and lots of drinking. The Martin sisters, Jeff Dirkes, Jimmy Jazz, Mike and Kelly Moe, Mike Green, Jim Benham, Bruce and Amy Fernbaugh, John and Pam Yeiser, Rob Gregory, Tim Bunning, Clea Hantman, Jeff Motch, and of course Josh Higgins, an old friend and bassist for the band Fluf who now organizes events for AIGA San Diego.

How cool is that skateboard???

The film showed inside Sherwood Auditorium, a lovely old theater inside the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla. 375 people enjoyed the movie, actually I think there was more laughter during this screening than any we’ve done so far (note to you filmmakers out there: free beer before the film = good). Then Josh Higgins presented me with a custom Helvetica skateboard with the logo they’d designed for the event. Best-Helvetica-gift-ever!

When I was introducing the screening, I mentioned that I’d been kicked out of San Diego State University, twice. After the film, a woman came up to me and said, “I’m a graphic design professor at San Diego State.” To which I replied, “So when do I get my honorary degree, dammit!”

El Ten Eleven in action

Then we headed over to The Whistle Stop for an afterparty featuring a live set from El Ten Eleven. I cannot tell you how many people have commented on their music in the film during this tour, or asked who are they, where can they buy the music, etc… The good news is that they’ve just released a new CD, Every Direction is North, which includes a bunch of tracks used in the film. Their previous album is also available on iTunes. Get it!

I also got to re-live the joys of scarfing down a carne asada burrito with guacamole at a taco stand at midnight. There are certain things that all ex-San Diegans miss when they leave town, and that’s definitely one of them. Thanks again to Josh, AIGA SD, all the volunteers who helped out with the event, Sam Chammas, Kristian and Tim from El Ten Eleven, and the lady who made that burrito.