(Regarding Pop MTL, Part VIII)

Around midnight I got a text from Dan: “You done?”

Indeed, I was done. I no longer felt like Danny Glover. I was Danny Glover.

I had half a roll left on the MX from my pilgrimage to “The Suburbs” and almost a full roll on the P+S. It was time to conclude my Pop Montreal adventure. It was time to end this. So I suited up and drove my tired ass down to the “wrap it up” party.

Throughout the day I had been told that I “preserve well,” that I “look young.” and that I “haven’t aged.” Yet, I felt like I should have been carted off to a nursing home, not going to party at 1am.

For the first hour or so, I literally knew no one. It made me feel really self conscious. I have no friends? Sort of. Or I only have smart friends. After while I managed to settle in and snap off some shots.

At around 2:30am, the headline act of the night took the stage. I have never heard of Nick Da B. As I said: Don’t expect too much of me. Anyway, the rest of the kids seemed pretty amped up about it. It was wild. When they got a bunch of people on stage, I sneaked my way behind the DJ, hoping to get a different angle. I really had to “ninj” my way through and keep my shit tight. I really became awake, sweating, deep in the shit.

Nicky Da B had his own dancers, one of which was a girl who’s specialty was bending over and shaking the shit out of her ass. Like really really shaking it, really fast. I was too overwhelmed for it have any sort of “boner effect” on me. As I’ve pointed out already, I’m not 20. I found it all kind of funny so I still had to try and capture it. Right?

After I had enough that, I took a few snaps of Pop staff, carrying on and such. I reckon everyone was pretty happy to see this marathon end. Personally, I have to say that I will be eternally grateful for the experience of Pop in this manner.

After 5 days/nights, 350 exposures, 3 cameras, 2 gallons of D76, and my last drops of photo-flo,  I am finally done processing all my rolls of film AND scanning every image. The festival ended a week ago so I don’t think that’s too bad. However, I’m finding scanning negatives and any “digital darkoom” work unsatisfactory. My hope is to pick my faves, and bring them into a wet darkroom and make actual prints. Then I’ll scan those to check out the difference. I’m curious. Aren’t you?

Also: #blackdontcrack

Above: Ass, between shakes.

Pentax MX Tak 85/1.9, HP5 @1600, D76 1+1, 18 mins