Hey folks, Harry here... I am finally essentially through with nearly all BNAT X prep. THANK GOODNESS! There's a few things to let folks know.

1) BUTT-NUMB-A-THON 10: PRE-PARTY

Ok, first off. BNAT is a party, but over the last few years, we've congregated at an agreed upon location the Friday before BUTT-NUMB-A-THON and gotten a LOT of the chatter out of the way. Cuz once films start, mouths stop - but BNAT is about creating new friendships, as well as enjoying the Saint Jack style friendships that come about through this festival.

This year, we'll be meeting up at SCHOLZ BEER GARTEN at 1607 San Jacinto. They serve food and a ton of beer. There's an in-door and an outdoor area - and there's a possibility that we'll be in both - so dress accordingly. IE - Bring a coat. They have a tremendous selection of good drinking stocks and we'll have a great time there.

TIME: Please arrive beginning at 7:30pm and note that I will most likely be leaving at 10pm, kinda have a full day the next day and I'd recommend doing the same, if you have a similar day, the next day. That said - some of you are maniacs that party till 3am and then turn around and attend BNAT - but that's your funeral, not mine. I'm a BNAT professional. I've got it down to a science. Heh.

2) STANDBY LINE

First off - there's no need to get there at dawn, or line up the day before BNAT. Yes, people have done that before. You don't need to humiliate yourself. Bringing me tremendously expensive items to bribe your way in... well, won't hurt - I will take them from you, but you should be aware... it still won't help you.

Get to ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE SOUTH at 11am. You will see 1 line of extremely happy people - and most likely another line of desperate looking sorts. The desperate looking sorts line, is your line. Smiles will not be upon every face in this line. As of right now - there are ONLY folding chair seats available - and very very few at that. Less than two handfuls that we know of. When you get there - you should make sure you find a lottery ticket. These tickets will be chosen - AT RANDOM - by a designated GREAT NEWS GIVER and HORRIBLE NEWS GIVER.

We will attempt to have this process done no later than 11:30am - so you can locate your seat (if you're lucky enough to get a magic ticket) - pay, gather up your goodie bag and skip like you're on the Yellow Brick Road.

After this process is done. You're more than welcomed to purchase a ticket to see another film playing at the resplendent ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE SOUTH. You can pay to see movies the whole day if you wish, but if you're thinking of sneaking in? FORGET ABOUT IT. Everyone will be wearing amazing badges, all the seats are reserved, and you really have no chance of getting in. If, perchance, you have FLOWN or DRIVEN cross-country to get in - I applaud your faith and dedicated lunatic leap from the lion's mouth... but I can't help you. The process is officially out of my hands at this point. And the odds are against getting in. But to each of you in that desperate looking sorts line - know that I applaud you. You're what is best about geeks - and I hope to see you inside and I hope to shake your hand. As you folks will be sitting behind me and in front of Moriarty. You're all that protects him from public sacrifice.

3) THINGS ALLOWED & NOT ALLOWED

Ok - there are no CELL PHONES ALLOWED. (If you are one of the recent MOTHERS, that have made yourselves known - you may give your cell phone to the manager at the manager's office - between the water fountains and the men's room. If you need to call home to check on the baby, knock on that door and you may CALL from that point and hand your phone back when done.) OTHERWISE - NO CELL PHONES. Not only that, but no CAMERAS, NO DIGITAL RECORDERS, NO BLACKBERRYS, NO HANDHELD VIDEO GAMES, NO ELECTRONIC PETS - Look - you're gonna be really preoccupied. NO LASER POINTERS. NO NOISE MAKERS. NO FOOD - (Unless you've contacted the ALAMO with some medical need) but otherwise - The ALAMO has an amazing menu at quite affordable prices. They have and serve many types of booze and this is all available to you.

Some people bring a change of clothes... house slippers... blankets... a pillow, etc. This is all fine - but please cooperate and pay attention in line to what the Alamo's staff are requiring. It will help with everything.

Couple of additional notes.

Look - I know many of you are excited to see a lot of long lost friends and internet companions. SO AM I. But we have an exceptionally tight schedule. So once you get through the admission process - Take your seat and stay in it, unless you have to use the restroom, but get back into your seat ASAP. We'll need to know where everyone is and if any seats are empty. To process the folks in the Desperate Looking Sorts Line.

PLEASE save the excited chatter and wandering for the breaks - and for the PRE-PARTY.

Once we begin letting folks from the DLSL - we're going to get underway.

If you're attending BNAT - do not arrive at the theater at 11:30am - we want all attendees there by 11am (you can be a little early, please do not be late, I'd hate to see your seat given to someone else.)

Thanks - and I will see you all there!

Harry