A moment of reflection is an order as I look back at this year's TIFF experience. What have I learned?

I have learned the art of party crashing having crashed 3 parties this year. OK, so it's a bit easier in my case because I have friends on the inside, but ... indeed ... they too have not been officially invited and yet, still magically show up to drink and dine on hors d'eouvres.

As a supplementary skill I've learned as a result, is the art of bullshit. And I don't mean bullshit as in, "Do you know who I am?" because that never works. More like, "I sent my RSVP in late/last minute, that could be why I'm not on the list." Bat the eyes and smile (for the ladies). For guys, show up talking on your cellphone looking like you're talking to someone who couldn't make it to the party but that you're meeting someone inside. This also works for the ladies who refuse to use their feminine wiles in this case.

I've also learned/ realized that I'm now addicted to coffee thanks to the Starbucks promotion team walking around with coffee canisters strapped to their backs.

I've learned that some people take themselves WAY too seriously. Granted, I understand that in order to be taken seriously, you should act like you're serious, but come on, it's a movie. And I'm not talking about the artists who create the product, I'm talking about audience members.

Yesterday, in the rain while supporting my stargazing friend hoping to get Annette Benning's autograph, I spoke to a volunteer, who apparently also doubled as crowd control and outdoor bouncers if the fans/spectators got too rowdy. A fight nearly broke out among the spectator's circle as Annette was ushered into Roy Thomson Hall. She mused that during the Orlando Bloom movie, she was fearing for her life as the crowd pushed and prodded their way against the rails and each other. She was not looking too too forward to the Justin Timberlake film.

I've learned that stars are just people who want to be left alone. Sure they're thankful for the support and probably would spend some time talking to their fans, except that there are just so many of them. "If I give you one, I have to give to everybody else!" as the old Lays chip commercial goes. A director once said, "It is overwhelming to even attempt to speak to everyone because you want to take the time out to get to know each individual." She was nice.

I've learned some people are hard of hearing, but they hear themselves just fine. There is always one in every theatre who, when the moderator says, "Last Question" seems to ask the same question posed previously.

I've learned that you can't please or be all things to everyone because someone along the line will find fault in what you're doing. After all, it's easy to criticize but hard to offer solutions.

I also learned the Letteri at Spadina and Queen has an open wireless connection.

Hmm ... what else? Anything you learned?