Theatre

So over the past few years I have been too focused (or broke) to attend many plays. Quite frankly, it took too much effort to make the plans and figure out what was playing.

Then we went to Law Show 2011. I made the joke that this was the first Law Show that I attended where I could afford to bid at the silent auction. And bid I did. It is unfortunate that T.J. had to pay, as my credit card conveniently wasn't accepted as payment.

My prizes? Two tickets to the Hunchback at the Citadel Theatre, and two tickets to a play called "dog" at the Roxy. I attended both.

Firstly, the Hunchback was quite the experience. T.J. and I made a night of it, starting at Ruth's Chris. A couple glasses of sangria and I was ready for some entertainment. Now, when I thought of Hunchback I thought of Disney. I think everyone thinks of Disney. This was NOT Disney. I was amazed at how little I knew about the story.

The play itself was visually stunning. Like many plays, they attempted to revitalize what is a rather old story by using modern costumes and designs. One sees this quite often with Shakespeare's plays. If this is not done correctly, the play comes off awkward, and the set and costuming actually takes away from the story. I found that the set and costumes were brilliant at the Hunchback, which saved what could have turned out to be a very long story.

The modern-style, silver and lace corsets worn by the ladies kept T.J. interested in the play!

Of everything involved in a play, I find I enjoy the set most of all. It is the fundamental base upon which a play can thrive or die. It's like creating a world that works, one must start with the soil. The Hunchback set was well done. The book itself poses a difficult issue - how exactly does one stage a scene in a bedroom, and between the bells of Notre Dame without significant set changes? The Hunchback set was very simple - 5 arch-shaped silver tubes, serving as archways, doors, bells and everything else the play needed.

The story itself was tragic. Once again, not Disney. I think I may have cried. The actors weren't particularly believable, but I don't think that is what the play was going for.

It was a pleasure to watch.

The play "dog" was the underdog, the black horse. I had never been to the Roxy. I knew that the play was much smaller scale, a little more artsy-fartsy as my family would say. I thought it was a comedy, and was taken aback when I read the internet blurb which described the play as being about a woman who miscarries, gets depressed, then her dog starts talking to her (she thinks its the voice of her dead child). After seeing this play, I must confess the internet description was horribly inaccurate.

My play victim (I mean date) was Jaymie this time.

We sat near the front of a 2/3 full theatre (on opening night I was sad, but then... who opens on St. Patty's day?) I ran into an old co-worker, and got to chat with her about how much life can change in 5 short years.

The play itself... well, let's see:

1. The plot did not spoon-feed the audience. In fact, I am still not really sure what happened. I guess it was all about mental illness running through a family. I wish they would have went into what disorder the father had. There was one scene in particular where they shipped the father off to Sweden. This didn't make sense, and wasn't believable in the context of the rest of the play, which was set in mid-century America.

2. The costumes were unremarkable.

3. The set was fascinating. Where Hunchback hadn't really relied on technology beyond what one would traditionally expect from a theatre, "dog" did the opposite. The set included two rows of see-through screens hanging from roof to floor and off-set from one another. The cast could walk between the screens, which acted as hallways, doors, entrance-ways and a bedroom. You could see the actors at all times. I liked that. The most impressive thing however, was that they projected movies and images on the screens. The most amazing visual effect was the heartbeat image, which moved across the stage on these screens.

4. The acting was very strong. In particular, the lead actor, who played at least 4 characters (including a dog) was remarkably versatile. I enjoyed looking at his facial expressions, which never missed a beat.

5. Vocals were a blend of voice overs (similar to 1950's commercials) and live voices. Occasionally, and to highlight a point, the character and the voice-over would speak at the same time. I found this particularly effective.

Well, as it is 1:15 in the morning and I have to work tomorrow, I will leave it at that.

I hope to enjoy many more plays in Edmonton in the future!

Spring Habits

So, like the weather, I seem to be thawing. Unbeknownst to me, I hibernated this winter. This became remarkably obvious when I came home from work today, nestled into my spot on the couch and turned on the telly. This has been my sad existence since the first snow fall of this season.

The more I think about it, the more I realize how deep I climbed into my shell this winter. I really hate winter. I like the smell of spring air, the warmth of the sun on my face, and the feeling of green grass between my toes.

I am really sick of snow. To make me feel less depressed, I have compiled a top ten list of what I really look forward to this summer:

1. Having drinks on a patio.
2. BBQ!!!!
3. The Super Happy Fun Camping Trip.
4. Gardening in my backyard.
5. Camping with T.J.
6. Evening walks, when the sun is still up, the neighbours are out in their yards, and I am not frozen!
7. Thunderstorms and still-frame lightning shots!
8. The festivals downtown.
9. Running outside.
10. Golfing, tennis and kicking a soccer ball around!

Wow, I feel better. I hope you do too.

This weekend I cleaned the house. My spring cleaning. I love the smell of cleaner. Go figure.

I can't wait to open every window in my house, hear the birds sing, and watch everything come to life again.

I also can't wait to retire some place much, much warmer. I think my parents have a very good idea. Snow should only be experienced on mountains in the distance.

2011 Vacation #1 - Palm Springs CA

It appears as though my blogging has achieved an abysmal state. I am officially hovering around 1 blog per month... a sad state of affairs compared to my first year on here. Oh well, perhaps I should get points for longevity.

March is well... March. The already dreadful Edmonton winter is clinging to the calendar with everything its got. Seriously, stuff should be thawing right now. Looking out my window, you can't tell the difference between now and Christmas, except maybe the lack of lights.

That having been said, I've really only been in this country two days so far this month, so my whining is rather hollow.

That's right folks, I just returned from an EPIC ADVENTURE in PALM SPRINGS, CA. Home of the hip replacement... and a yearly stopping point for my parents.

The reason that this trip was epic? I got to take my grandmother with me. That's right, me and granny are regular jet-setters now!

Before you continue reading what I consider the feeble attempt at sarcastic light-heartedness below, I would ask that you continue reading while keeping in mind that I had an amazing time. The trip is just what the doctor ordered. I am truly blessed with wonderful family who put up with my crap, and possibly even enjoy my company from time to time. Not many people my age have grandparents left, or even parents that are still young enough to amuse young whippersnappers such as myself. Granny and I have already had tentative discussions about going again next year.

I would say that this trip was quite the learning experience, right from the get-go Granny and I were doing all sorts of learning. Like the lesson in liquids that the Calgary airport security gave us... well... Granny actually. I like how the woman can go from Grandmother to cute little 80 year old lady in the drop of a hat.



I also got about a bazillion milligrams of vitamin C on my trip. See the pic? My parents had an orange tree, lemon tree, and grapefruit tree. I finally got to fulfill my dream of getting up in the morning and picking my breakfast off of a tree in my pajamas! Bucket list? Check. Should be between parasailing and pole dancing.

Back to the learning theme, I discovered that, contrary to popular belief, California is not entirely composed of pavement (though I think there may be a law in the works). We took a treacherous road up a gianormous hill/baby mountain, to get a stunning view of well... snow-capped mountains. Fucking snow.



Grandma taught me that looking at the camera when someone is taking a picture is merely a fad.







Meanwhile, I was teaching everyone who would look that wearing a sunhat makes one distinguished and fashionable. Needless to say it appears as though my wedding invitation is lost in the same mail as the Obamas'.



Then we went golfing. I am glad to see that the Canada Geese take the opportunity to shit on American golf courses as well. With the amounts deposited on some of the courses around Edmonton, I was starting to wonder if there were some form of customs regulations or environmental laws that required them to store the *ahem* shit, until they came back to this country. Sounds like something we'd do.



I got a putter made out of a clear piece of glass. Totally cool. T.J. got one made of rock. Not nearly as cool, but more manly.

There are five pools in the cone-bra shaped neighbourhood in which my parents are staying. I just had to throw that in there. We went swimming almost every night. I went swimming in the morning. By swimming I mean lounging in the hot tub lazily kicking my legs in the bubbles.

T.J. and I then braved the four-level highways in our kick-ass 2011 red mustang convertible, and drove to Hollywood. With the top down. Going 70 miles an hour. In 17 degree weather. Fucking tourists.

I went shopping. Then I went shopping again. Then there was one more store to peek into. I have a whole new wardrobe. I look like a good lawyer again. Seriously though, American clothing stores are in a whole 'nother dimension from the crap we are limited to here. Here you're either wearing something that matches your mother (no offense Ma) or you are in low-rida jeans with fake rips in them that are slowly cutting off circulation to the entire length of your legs.

Then we stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard. Right across the street from the Chinese Theatre... Then the hilarity ensued!

Yep, if there's one thing I can do well is leave these blogs with cliff-hangers. Tune in next time (hopefully before next month, but as I am a lawyer now, I make no promises) to hear about my epic battle with a T-Rex, T.J.'s amazing feats of driving genious, our love affair with Vodka, our cart ride through the Vancouver airport, and the great, warm feelings we had when arriving home to see that if anything, the snow drifts got bigger in our absence!

Adieu!