The last week of prep!

Of course, Boston still has to dig out from the storm, so that's the first priority.

Here's what I'm listening to today to get psyched up. What are you doing to get prepped?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIb8gpDA4ZU&list=PLB389F2600E41973F

Watching science fiction movies of course.  Yesterday, Teenagers From Outer Space and Giant Behemoth.  Today, Bucket of Blood (yea it's not science fiction but as a member of the Dick Miller Fan Club I could not pass it up it's on Epix on demand.  After that , I saw Epix also had Inframan and that is where I am now. 

There are other weapons I haven't given you as yet. For success it's essential you have thunderball fists.
I can have such a thing?
That's right, thunderball fists!

I take the opposite approach, and go dry for weeks before the 'thon. I can't even remember the last SF movie I watched, save for some stray episodes of The Twilight Zone.

Today's listening:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZKF1EAMJWg&list=PLxd0yfUSHW607MGNEXHQ1b8wIQtwuVx6w&index=1



Frank wrote on Feb 9^th, 2013 at 11:30pm:

Watching science fiction movies of course.  Yesterday, Teenagers From Outer Space and Giant Behemoth.  Today, Bucket of Blood (yea it's not science fiction but as a member of the Dick Miller Fan Club I could not pass it up it's on Epix on demand.  After that , I saw Epix also had Inframan and that is where I am now.  There are other weapons I haven't given you as yet. For success it's essential you have thunderball fists. I can have such a thing? That's right, thunderball fists!

L.A. Connection wrote on Feb 10^th, 2013 at 12:40pm:

I take the opposite approach, and go dry for weeks before the 'thon. I can't even remember the last SF movie I watched, save for some stray episodes of The Twilight Zone. Today's listening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZKF1EAMJWg&list=PLxd0yfUSHW607MGNEXHQ1b8wIQtwuVx6w&index=1 Frank wrote on Feb 9th, 2013 at 11:30pm: Watching science fiction movies of course.  Yesterday, Teenagers From Outer Space and Giant Behemoth.  Today, Bucket of Blood (yea it's not science fiction but as a member of the Dick Miller Fan Club I could not pass it up it's on Epix on demand.  After that , I saw Epix also had Inframan and that is where I am now.  There are other weapons I haven't given you as yet. For success it's essential you have thunderball fists. I can have such a thing? That's right, thunderball fists!

I guess there are fans of science fiction movies who can watch it year round and then there are the other guys......

I usually go cold turkey for a while before the 'thon becuz I'm 'noid that they're gonna book something that i just saw. Like that year that Cloverfield when it was still in theaters. any bombshells coming this week?

The storm has me rattled, now.  I can't seem to even think about prepping right now.  Usually I am running to the store to get special stuff to bruing along, planning my menu, packing, etc. 
I think I'm just going to show up whenever I remember to do so.  After 37 years, I still love the darned event, no matter what, so....
:)

My Guide On How To STAY AWAKE all 24 Hours!

Been going to Marathons since...gulp...1979 and have never fallen asleep!

First, I know that it is NOT A MUST to stay awake. This is a guide IF you wish to try (Only an IF). Second, yes, know your body. If you can take gallons of coffee and greasy spicy food at 4am - go for it. But, these are some tried and true suggestions. Just, suggestions....

Tips:

1. GET SOME REST before the Marathon. Easier said than done sometimes, I understand. Particularly, if the Marathon starts at Midnight! But, do your best. Also, I start a Vitamin, Echinesia, Zinc pill-popping regimen the week before the Marathon to be as illness resistant as I can.

2. LIMIT CAFFEINE. One year, early on in my Marathon career, I thought popping No-Doz and drinking coffee was a good idea. It wasn't. 3/4 of the way through, I thought I was having an ulcer right smack in the middle of DEMON SEED (that 'demon' was in my stomach!). More importantly, the constant ups and downs eventually catches up to you (same goes for excessive Sugar intake). Some folks have a higher built-up tolerence, but go easy.

3. Wear COMFORTABLE CLOTHES. That Klingon mask and paraphernalia might seem cool at noon, but by midnight, it likely won't. Also, a pillow or neck/back support might be in order.

4. EAT as LITTLE as possible. Again, early on, I looked forward to the Marathon as a 24 hour junk food party. Over the years, I have seen many Marathoners "go down for the count" long before the finish line due to upset stomachs. Pizza, burritos, Chinese, Indian, Thai food are all favorites of mine, but I would stay away from them. I eat a big breakfast. Then nibble, nibble, nibble all day and night with only 1 warm meal (usually just a chicken sandwich without fries, shakes or too many condiments). Maybe , something warm for breakfast. Otherwise, it's pretzels, chocolate covered raisins, several Power/Energy bars and lots and lots of water. Boring? Yup, but this post is about SURVIVAL!!

5. GET UP AND MOVE AROUND!! I pop out of my seat after EVERY SINGLE MOVIE and move around. If you think to yourself, "Oh, I'll just grab a little 5 minute nap between movies" - you're likely a goner. That walk around will do you much more good than a 5 minute nap. Longer naps are another story (for wimps!), but this post is about staying awake the whole 24.

Most important tip:

6. PSYCH YOURSELF UP!! Come on, this is one (long) day a year! ONE! You can't get psychologically tuned up to stay awake one little night a year?! Think of all the cool movies and shorts you are going to see! All the bad puns and callbacks you'll hear! The fun you have reminicing with fellow Marathoners throughout the year! The pride and honor of being a 24 HOUR SURVIVOR! You CAN do it!! I ain't into any of that New Age mind over body holistic hooey - but, in this one instance where it makes sense; I think a LOT of what defeats Marathoners IS in their head. If you say to yourself, "That slow draggy movie at 4am is going to KILL ME" - then it will happen. Instead, repeat to yourself - "I will stay awake, I will!"

That's it. 6 simple rules to follow, and you can join the Android brigade like myself! You'll never miss a single ray gun shooting, alien attack, day for night scene, cheezy line of dialogue, CGI overloaded frame, vintage trailer or Major Tom quip again!!

L.A. Connection wrote on Feb 11^th, 2013 at 12:04pm:

My Guide On How To STAY AWAKE all 24 Hours!

     I, of course, make radically different preparations.  ::)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LeB8_by65A&list=PLFFA29B74FA9B3719

LA: The "Gattaca" soundtrack is a real beuty and goes so well with the visual beauty of tha fine film. I'm a big fan!

Last night's "Mars et Avril" was a pleasant surprise. When I heard it revolved a futuristic jazz musician, I gave out a full Luke Skywalker "Nooooooooo! NOT MODERN JAZZ!". The music, by the composer who gave us "Triplets of Belleville" was actually very pretty. The visuals too were well above my expectation. :)

My Guide On How To STAY AWAKE all 24 Hours! 2014 Update

Been going to Marathons since...gulp...1979 and have never fallen asleep!

First, I know that it is NOT A MUST to stay awake. This is a guide IF you wish to try (Only an IF). Second, yes, know your body. If you can take gallons of coffee and greasy spicy food at 4am - go for it. But, these are some tried and true suggestions. Just, suggestions....

Tips:

1. GET SOME REST before the Marathon. Easier said than done sometimes, I understand. Particularly, if the Marathon starts at Midnight! But, do your best. Also, I start a Vitamin, Echinesia, Zinc pill-popping regimen the week before the Marathon to be as illness resistant as I can.

2. LIMIT CAFFEINE. One year, early on in my Marathon career, I thought popping No-Doz and drinking coffee was a good idea. It wasn't. 3/4 of the way through, I thought I was having an ulcer right smack in the middle of DEMON SEED (that 'demon' was in my stomach!). More importantly, the constant ups and downs eventually catches up to you (same goes for excessive Sugar intake). Some folks have a higher built-up tolerence, but go easy.

3. Wear COMFORTABLE CLOTHES. That Klingon mask and paraphernalia might seem cool at noon, but by midnight, it likely won't. Also, a pillow or neck/back support might be in order.

4. EAT as LITTLE as possible. Again, early on, I looked forward to the Marathon as a 24 hour junk food party. Over the years, I have seen many Marathoners "go down for the count" long before the finish line due to upset stomachs. Pizza, burritos, Chinese, Indian, Thai food are all favorites of mine, but I would stay away from them. I eat a big breakfast. Then nibble, nibble, nibble all day and night with only 1 warm meal (usually just a chicken sandwich without fries, shakes or too many condiments). Maybe , something warm for breakfast. Otherwise, it's pretzels, chocolate covered raisins, several Power/Energy bars and lots and lots of water. Boring? Yup, but this post is about SURVIVAL!!

5. GET UP AND MOVE AROUND!! I pop out of my seat after EVERY SINGLE MOVIE and move around. If you think to yourself, "Oh, I'll just grab a little 5 minute nap between movies" - you're likely a goner. That walk around will do you much more good than a 5 minute nap. Longer naps are another story (for wimps!), but this post is about staying awake the whole 24.

6. JOIN IN! If the audience ritually claps - CLAP ALONG! Rice Chex, Wheat Chex? Make a choice and proclaim it to everyone! When a 'Mark' comes on screen or the name is uttered - you know what to do. Cheer on contestants in the contests! Give thanks to Garen, Ian, Frank, Major Tom and the many others who help put on the show, especially the Somerville Staff. All of this not only helps the spirit of the Event, but, it also helps YOU become involved and raise your enthusiasm level!

Most important tip:

7. PSYCH YOURSELF UP!! Come on, this is one (long) day a year! ONE! You can't get psychologically tuned up to stay awake one little night a year?! Think of all the cool movies and shorts you are going to see! All the bad puns and callbacks you'll hear! The fun you have reminicing with fellow Marathoners throughout the year! The pride and honor of being a 24 HOUR SURVIVOR! You CAN do it!! I ain't into any of that New Age mind over body holistic hooey - but, in this one instance where it makes sense; I think a LOT of what defeats Marathoners IS in their head. If you say to yourself, "That slow draggy movie at 4am is going to KILL ME" - then it will happen. Instead, repeat to yourself - "I will stay awake, I will!"

That's it. 7 simple rules to follow, and you can join the Android brigade like myself! You'll never miss a single ray gun shooting, alien attack, day for night scene, cheezy line of dialogue, CGI overloaded frame, vintage trailer or Major Tom quip again!!

Geez staying up for the entire 24 hours?
I have to nap through at least one film to maintain even the level of sanity I start with.
But I figure I've made it through SF10 (36 hours kiddies)
And Demonlover the movie that refused to end
Plus The worlds longest still, picture TheTerminal Man
So cut me some slack (as "Bob" used to say)

I've also had an over caffeinated experience like L.A. where I rally wanted to sleep through a film and couldn't!
Also avoid those canned energy drinks, they're just caffeine and sugar 
I really do recommend those little 5 Hour Energy drinks. They use B-12 so no crashing and no coffee nerve jitters.
And definitely get at least one hot meal even if you bring it back to the theater.
Found a great place near the theater when we went to TerrorThon.
It's called Deli-Iscious
http://www.yelp.com/biz/deli-icious-somerville

The Somerville has much better than average restroom facilities for a theater that age. As long as Marathoners take responsibility for keeping it clean, it serves well for 24 hours. I always bring deodorant, toothpaste and a small packet of santi-wipes. They serve me well. While I never come out of the Marathon the way I went in, at least I don't horrify monday passengers on the T.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t214/Karen_Tom/Movies/X-Men2_zps349cc384.jpg

Many board members remember the Coolidge before it was upgraded. We had it rough...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1a1wHxTyo

What!?! The Festival is under way, and it's time again, already?!?  Where did the time go?  Every year I bring less and less to the 'Thon.  Soon it'll be just the towel and the Guide...;-)  Oh, and the ticket(s)....

After 38 years, I realize the only thing I really have to remember is, "LAYERS!"  Clothing is key.  I can get everything else once I arrive.  Once in place, I can wear a layer at a time so I'm not living in the same clothes (yuch!) for 24 hours.  Mouthwash can help, of course, and deodorant, as mentioned elsewhere, but mostly clothing (and meds -- I'm old now) is what I'll bring along - oh, and a Groupon or two for nearby restaurants, just in case.  Other than that, family and friends (should I have any left by then) will bring and take care of themselves.  And there'll be SCI-FI MOVIES for 24 hours!!  :D

LA pretty much said it all.  Some years I pig out and/or over-indulge in caffeine and snooze the 'thon away.  On the other hand, I've learned that if I limit my food and coffee/soda intake I get to actually watch the movies!  Also, the food and caffeine can lead to various forms of discomfort.

One year I ate a whole package of chocolate covered espresso beans.  The combination of tired and wired made me feel ill enough to go home, where I was still too spent to stay awake and too jittery to fall asleep.  For me it was the worst 'thon (SF21, I think).

I don't think that I ever stayed completely awake for an entire 'thon, but the closest in recent years was SF32.  Which was a great year for me in several respects.  Both my kids joined me for the 'thon which was a big thrill for me.  I was very judicial in my eating and drinking choices, and I stayed awake for every movie other than the Stepford Wives, during which I crawled into a sleeping bag for a 90 minute power nap.

The first year I went to the 'thon (SF4) I didn't bring anything with me.  I also went through a phase about 15 years ago where I packed enough stuff for a weekend.  Now, I'm somewhere in between and I bring the following, more or less:
Hand wipes, talcum powder (great for my feet, and elsewhere!),  5 hour energy, pillow, blanket, change of socks, sensible snacks, advil.
See y'all Sunday!!!!!!

I never see it mentioned in what to bring but a great thing to have along is a small flashlight.
Remember even between the movies it's kind of dark if you're looking for something you dropped.

Right on Bunnyman!
I've learned. It's amazing how sure that you know where something is, and it isn't there.

I'd also like to speak to the advantages of sleep.
At the Cleveland Marathon (admittedly of 30 hours duration),  I learned that trying to gut it out most often results in dozing through the most interesting flic on the schedule. LA and others are probably more skilled than I in controlling the tides of Morpheus. Congrats. I and most others aint.
My 29 year old son skipped the last Cleveland Marathon as he had "Slept through half of the movies at the whole ---" the previous year.
Most people doze. So plan ahead. Consciously choose a film or two that you have seen or even enjoyed and stay awake for the joy of the new.

Stuart wrote on Feb 10^th, 2014 at 4:29pm:

One year I ate a whole package of chocolate covered espresso beans.  The combination of tired and wired made me feel ill enough to go home, where I was still too spent to stay awake and too jittery to fall asleep.  For me it was the worst 'thon (SF21, I think).

Yeah, at SF/24 I pretty much had a cup of coffee after every movie up until 10:00 pm or so. Then I realized what the hell I'd done and backed off. Was wired the entire night. I nearly made it but crashed just as Dark City was starting. Watched the light swing back and forth across the bathroom and that was it for me. Staggered home on the T, lesson learned!

If you plan on waiting in line, dress warmly and in layers.

As I noted, it isn't for everyone.

BUT, I do want to caution those, particularly newcomers, from GOING INTO the Marathon with the attitude that "I'm not going to make it! No way! I'm sleeping!"

I truly believe that is a self-fullfilling defeatist attitude. WHY would you look at the schedule and say, for example,
"2001 is on at 2am. I love that film, but, there is NO way I'm going to last until then! No Way!"

If 2001 is indeed one of your all-time favorites, why wouldn't you so psych yourself up that you just run on adreneline?

Like I said, if you can't you can't. Just don't make it a fait accompli by giving up BEFORE you even enter the theater is my advice.


http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/2/87826/4175021/Sleep-No-More_Cover.jpg



pogo wrote on Feb 10^th, 2014 at 10:00pm:

...I'd also like to speak to the advantages of sleep. At the Cleveland Marathon (admittedly of 30 hours duration),  I learned that trying to gut it out most often results in dozing through the most interesting flic on the schedule. LA and others are probably more skilled than I in controlling the tides of Morpheus. Congrats. I and most others aint.

Lile wrote on Feb 12^th, 2014 at 7:38am:

If you plan on waiting in line, dress warmly and in layers.

At one time there was a group of fans who'd be in line the NIGHT BEFORE the marathon.
Back when we were at the Coolidge Corner my friends & I would stay down the street at the Holiday Inn in order to get to the marathon early. We'd swing by the theater on the way in and see folks in line. One year there was sub-zero windchill but still fans were there. Contained in insulated pods, but still there in line waiting.
And you remember what a wind tunnel the Coolidge waiting area was.
Any brave marathoids still getting in line that early?   

These day I aim for 8:00 / 8:30ish.

Ah yes the Damnation Alley years as I named them.  There were several groups vying to be first and I admit it got a little out of hand but it did lead to the formation of a terrific coalition and all of this has morphed into the Dick Miller Fan Club.  Soem years we had tents, some years we had industrial propane heaters.  Several times we were mistaken for homeless folks.  You will still find most of us in the front row and many of us still attend.  Some of us still get there early enough to be first.  How early? That would be telling.

Couple of recommendations for where to get food quickly (i.e. 20 minutes or less between things ) -- Boston Burger Co. just across from the theater, or if you're not of the carnivorous persuasion, the Blue Shirt cafe at the Davis sq end of Highland has wraps and cookies and similar things, lot of vegetarian options). Someone I was talking to at the 'fest also recommended Cafe Barada -- on Mass Ave at the other end of Dover St.

Café Barrada Nikto sounds like it would be the perfect place for us.

My crew should be in line shortly after 8:30 am