Bites, Camera, Fashion: Bites, Camera, Fashion is a column from Davey McNelly, who is disabled, likes films and makes poor choices while trying to simplify his life.
I didn’t see a film in theaters this month because I got COVID at a disability conference in Austin, Texas. I didn’t wear a mask nearly enough, and even forgot one on the airplane.
When I travel by plane, I have to arrive at least an hour early, drive my wheelchair down to the plane door, get lifted onto the tiniest wheelchair that you can imagine, and then watch out the window while baggage people try their best to destroy my wheelchair while jamming it into the cargo hold. This time, they broke a piece of the base and ripped the seat, for instance. They will, eventually, fix this.
Ironically, at the conference, Delta Airlines showed off their prototype (as seen in picture) for a wheelchair accessible seat, which can be folded up so you can stay in your wheelchair for the flight and not have your priceless wheelchair thrown about like a salmon at the Pike Place Market. This has been in the works for years and might be ready in another year or two and available on all airlines. Meanwhile, hundreds of wheelchair users at the conference were getting their chairs fixed by technicians (paid for by the conference).
Anyway, I promptly spread my COVID to my partner upon return, so we quarantined together. My partner’s sister, Sarah, recommended that we watch “Fantasmas,” a surreal comedy series on HBO.
Have you ever wondered why the letter Q isn’t with all the other weirdo letters at the end of the alphabet, and daydream about Q being personified by Steve Buscemi? Have you ever wondered what would happen if the dad from Alf started an affair with Alf and broke up their family? Have you ever felt the weight of postmodernity squeezing you so tight that all you can do is worry about health ailments?
I know I have. While watching “Fantasmas,” I felt like my brain was on the screen. It was beautiful. Thank you, Julio Torres. Thank you to all those making art about the absurdity of human existence.
“Fantasmas” is currently available on HBO and whatever their streaming service is called, and comes out weekly. Please take a half-hour for some self-introspection and then take a half-hour to watch some TV. You’ll be glad you did.
Bites: My oldest daughter is going through her early teenage phase of vegetarianism. I highly recommend the General Tso’s bean curd dish at China Panda in Athens. It has a nice kick and it probably is better to not eat meat.
Fashion: I tried ordering some linen shirts off an Instagram ad on an impulse buy because of the heat, but the shirts came weeks later and are synthetic materials. I kind of knew this would happen, but couldn’t help myself.
Continued fight to make the Athena Cinema accessible: will get back to that next month.
