Five years ago, my wife and I took a spur-of-the-moment Valentine’s Day trip to Florida. We had no idea it would be our last vacation before something called a “coronavirus” was re-labelled COVID 19 and turned the world upside down. My executive producer had called and offered to send us to the Florida Comedy Film Festival for the screening of my new movie Notzilla. We looked out at the thick duvet of snow engulfing our front yard, and graciously replied, “Ohhhh, OK.”
It was like we’d flown to June. With temps in the 80s, we walked barefoot in the surf near Boca Raton, stepping over hundreds of plastic bags full of blue goo. We asked a passerby who would throw all this trash on such a beautiful beach. “They’re Portuguese Man-O-War jellyfish,” he said, “baby ones, so not quite as venomous.” (I know, “How cute!” right?). “Still, don’t step on ’em. Hurts like hell. Could even kill you.”
The next day we toured a spectacular Italian villa with native Floridian flair (coral stone, seahorses), and then walked along Miami Beach’s iconic Art Deco oceanfront. Have I mentioned we love long walks together? Maybe we should consider dating.
On day three, we tucked into the Willow Theater for a barrage of comedies, long and short, from multiple countries, ending with Notzilla. Most of the audience were New York transplants (Boca Raton is bascially South-South Brooklyn). So, our snawky little monster comedy nailed their “New Yawk” sensibilities.
Day four, between screenings, we squeezed in a visit to the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, named for a native tree, also sometimes called “the Tourist Tree” due to its peeling red bark. Besides Gumbo Limbo trees, we saw Strangler Figs, named for their habit of hugging other trees to death (love hurts).
Along with lush vistas and a teeming butterfly garden, Gumbo Limbo provides tender rehab for sea turtles (love also helps). We couldn’t help but choke up at the care given these magnificent creatures.
Day five brought a final round of screenings, followed by the Awards Gala. After dozens of gem-themed awards were handed out (diamond, ruby, emerald), we figured we’d be lucky to win Cubic Zirconium. Instead, we had to settle for Best Feature Film, along with Best Actress for our leading lady Tifani Ahrens Davis!
We topped off the evening by watching a similar but far less important event on television called the “Oscars.” Presumably named for some native California tree.
Beatiful 🤗
Thank you, Sneska.
I am definitely going to watch Notzilla tonight!
Looks like a very memorable and successful trip.
Great. Enjoy, Lisa!
We’re leaving for Florida in a few days. Thanks for getting me psyched up for the trip. 😎🌞
Have fun, Annie!
NotZilla is definitely worthy of the award for Best Feature Film and Best Actress. It’s quite an achievement and something to be very proud of. You and Trudy took a great pic together while you were there. 🙂
Aw, thanks, Nancy!
What a great way to celebrate your film!
Congratulations on your win!!
Thank you, Sheryl!
Best Feature Film – congratulations! That’s exciting! Sounds like an awesome trip. Great photos. I bet you were both flying high even after you returned home.
We were, Maddie.
How Fun!
The good old days
Indeed.
This is beautiful, Mitch!
Thanks, T!
My pleasure.
Wow! What a great last vacation before Covid hit! Beautiful weather, impressive awards, lots of fun….what more could you ask for?
It was an unexpected gift, Ann.
That does sound like a fun last hurrah before the world shut down! And meanwhile, here I thought the Oscars were named after some grumpy guy who lived in a garbage can …
;>)
This entry relates to another one of your points about not getting what you want only to realize what you need. Maybe or little road trip around Florida next week will yield the same result.
Enjoy your trip, James!
Awesome! What a great Valentine’s trip. Congratulations on the awards. Well deserved.
Thank you, my Anonymous friend.