This is now my 4th year as a Volunteer at the Toronto International Film Festival (my 2nd-and-a-half as a “Volunteer Captain”) and it never ceases to amaze me how quickly it creeps up every September. I mean, I don’t even know how it has already been four years since I first signed up. Admittedly, from the time I picked up my swag bag and t-shirt up to the subway ride to my first shift of this season, I had nervous butterflies in my stomach, like I was expected to give a huge speech or something. I don’t remember being nervous about captaining before, but I’m betting it’s because I didn’t get my lazy ass to any of this year’s orientation sessions.

Anyway, once I put on the headset and made sure the volunteers in my shift were all signed in, me and my much-more-seasoned co-captain, Calista, started the evening shift. Can I just say that I felt so out of practice? There’s a certain rhythm to how to organize and delegate the volunteers efficiently and I’m pretty sure I forgot all the tricks. Thankfully, there weren’t that many screenings to deal with. Not to mention the awesome Calista. *phew*

Today’s celeb sighting: Robert Joy (probably most recognized as “Dr. Sid Hammerback”, the coroner from CSI:NY)

As a captain, I don’t see as many celebs as I did during my first year as a volunteer, but I thought it might be interesting to keep a tally of who I run into this year. :) For the curious, some of the celebs I’ve seen in the past include: film critic Roger Ebert, documentary film maker Michael Moore, actor Scott Speedman, director Spike Lee, actress/comedienne Margaret Cho, actor Alan Cumming, entertainment reporter Jerry Penacoli, actress/writer/Much Music alum Sook-Yin Lee, TV host/Much Music alum George Stroumboulopoulos.