03/06/2006: 
Stuff That Doesn't Suck
Nice Marmot: A Report From Lebowski Fest West 2006
from LebowskiFest.com
"Over the line!" "Do you see what happens, Larry?" Sometimes, there's nothing better than getting together with some like-minded individuals for some bowling, White Russians, and general tomfoolery. In that vein, crazywriterinla and I headed off this past Saturday to Lebowski Fest West 2006, a convention dedicated to all things Lebowski. "The Big Lebowski" is a 1998 film by the Coen Brothers about the misadventures of the Dude, Walter, and a rug that tied the room together. Although it did not do well upon its initial theatrical release, "The Big Lebowski" has become a cult classic, and has inspired a series of Lebowski fests across the country. The first one was held in Louisville, Kentucky in 2002.
It was quite a scene, let me tell ya. The Kahlua was flowing and so were the one-liners from the film. There were folks dressed up as The Rug, Walter's Dirty Undies, a Brother Seamus, several Maudes and Dudes, a couple of Woos, and a person in a Chuck E. Cheese head who I think was supposed to be a marmot. A good time was had by this correspondent, that's for sure. The highlight of the night was an appearance by the real life Jeff "The Dude" Dowd, who was the inspiration for the movie Dude. He was greeting people as they entered, and when he saw crazywriterinla, he said "I know you, but I don't know from where." Now that, my friends, is some indie street cred.
