I have made it to London!
The evolution of the Transport for London logo, spotted in the Underground.
I’ve moved to do a Master’s program at City, University of London and I’ve been here for about a week, getting settled and sorted for the start of term. Continue reading
Mid-March I traveled out to Regina, Saskatchewan for work. My first time in Saskatchewan!
My view as I landed in Regina.
I was in Regina for roughly 36 hours, one night, and yet I managed to find a play! Confession: I found the Prairie Dog Magazine online and checked their daily listings. My other options for that particular Saturday night were a cheerleading competition and the What Women Want trade show. The Golden Apple Theatre was mounting a production of Venus in Fur, a play I had seen at Canadian Stage about 6 months prior and really enjoyed, so I was interested to see another version.
Venus in Fur at the Golden Apple Theatre, March 15, 2014
Amy Matysio, who played Vanda, lives in Toronto and had seen the CanStage production, I learned after the show. I thought she really suited the role and sustained the necessary tension through the changes in the play-within-the-play.
I saw the beautiful building for the First Nations University of Canada which apparently adheres to a corner-less architectural approach.
Here is the beautiful, curving building of the First Nations University!
It was a great first trip to the Prairies!
A Buffalo sculpture in downtown Regina!
As I mentioned in my last post I am currently a super(numerary) in the Canadian Opera Company production of Roberto Devereux, the third in a trilogy of Tudor operas by Donizetti.
My friend Isabel came to a show and then got in touch to ask if I would be interested in talking about my experience and sharing some photos. WOULD I EVER?! Isabel guest-writes for her friend’s blog, Home James and you can find her post, along with my backstage, sneak peek photos, here!
And for the faithful (two) readers I will include some additional behind-the-scenes shots of goofy high-jinks backstage.
The Ladies-in-Waiting with Russell Braun
Looking ponderous with Owen McCausland (Lord Cecil) and Liz, a fellow Lady!
HELLOOOOOO Michael! Michael Shannon, Ensemble Studio Intern Coach flanked by Ladies-in-Waiting
One final comment (and plug): the show is phenomenal. Yes, the Ladies-in-Waiting are surprisingly agile in their large costumes but Sondra Radvanovsky who sings Queen Elizabeth I is the literal phenom. Aside from her immense talent and obvious skill she is one of the funniest, goofiest and loveliest people I have worked with in a COC production – and this is my 13th. Come out, see the show, and stop by the stage door afterwards to say hi!
Queen Sondra flanked by her “dudettes” as she calls us.
Hey!
And whoops. I have been meaning to write – I promise! This pretty much explains my complicated, guilt-ridden and stress-inducing relationship with journal-writing.
Oy.
Quick update to say that I will be posting about my recent trip to Regina but first I will share that I am a super in the current Canadian Opera Company production of Roberto Devereux. What is a super, you say? See here for the previous post where I describe and define supernumeraries.
Here is a sneak peek of my costume, specifically my hair jewels!
HAIR JEWELS!
Guess what was waiting for me when I got home from my work trip to Boston? A dozen lemon cupcakes baked by the fabulous Hannah of Sew Lah Tea Dough. Why? Because I was the winner of her 1-year-anniversary-of-having-a-blog-competition.
For a full account, including mouth-watering photos, head over to Hannah’s post about (my) Double Lemon Cupcakes!
This was waiting for me when I got home from the airport!
p.s. I only have a “before” shot of the box. I hope that conveys, more than words really ever could, my love of these double lemon cakes of goodness.
I went to Ottawa for work and got to meet Dexter. Pretty good deal, right? Dexter was a member of my host family (my coworker, A.) and he is very well-behaved.
Dexter! A graduate of obedience school.
I want to share a video I took of Dexter but my limited skills mean that I don’t think I can do that on WordPress. *sigh* The video is of Dexter’s mom A. leading him through his “Stay” exercise. Please let me know if I am wrong and I am able to share the video in this post? The other issue I face is that I filmed the video sideways and can’t figure out how to rotate this video – is this even possible? Oy.
I will share this really cute photo of Dexter frolicking on the deck after the 7 am Olympic Men’s Hockey gold medal game.
Dexter, gamboling. Gamboling is one of those words you might read but would almost never use, amiright? However, when it comes to a puppy/young dog it seems really fitting.
To conclude my whirlwind work weekend in Ottawa A. and I had a nice meal at the Hintonburg Public House before catching our flight to Toronto!
I visited Boston at the beginning of January as my friend A. from high school will soon be finishing her post-grad and will very likely be moving so I jumped at the chance to visit Boston again.
View of Boston and the Charles River from Cambridge
I arrived by train during a snow storm (of course) and the train was a great way to get from NYC to Boston. That meant that my long weekend in Boston was very cold and blanketed in snow! A. and I spent a lot of time walking around which, in retrospect, felt like a warm-up for the exceptionally cold weather we have experienced (ahem, -38 with the wind chill) in the 6 subsequent weeks since my visit. Thank you, Polar Vortex.
The shortest suspension bridge in the world in the Boston Common/Garden
I wanted to share some of the more interesting photos and sights I saw:
The shortest suspension bridge in the Boston Common! (It may have been in the “Garden” side, A. would be able to correct me).
Watch Yourself!
A hilarious jumble of signs in Cambridge! A. and I walked all over MIT and then along to Harvard (thankfully we took the T – metro/rail – back to downtown Boston.). It was at least -15 degrees Celsius but very sunny, so it’s hard to complain. My favourite part of this sign was the spoiler alert: “Caution, Police Officer Ahead”.
Here’s a school that also houses a fallout shelter.
Here is an elementary school with a fallout shelter. The sign for the shelter is to the left of the main door in yellow and grey.
Doors commemorating the Boston Tea Industry
Intricately decorated doors commemorating the Tea Trade in Boston. I believe we found these in the Back Bay area. All I know was that it was on the way to Flour Bakery and everything other important or geographically-identifying factoid was promptly obliterated when I ate their Butter Breton Cake. I. Can’t. Even. I was the combination of a brioche and croissant with butter and sugar all over in a subtle glaze. *Sigh*
Boston sure knows how to preserve their building heritage.
This photo shows the evolution of Boston’s buildings and I love how the old and the new coexist so easily in Boston. The mash-up in this photo includes: Police Department Division Sixteen, Dillon’s Bar & Restaurant, Boston Architectural College and (just out of sight) a fire department.
Contemporary art from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Here’s one of the most interesting pieces of art I saw at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts in the Contemporary Gallery. Poor A. – we trekked all the way out to the MFA the day after I arrive (a.k.a the day after the snowstorm) and the MFA was closed due to extreme weather. We had to go back a couple days later and I’m so glad we did! I love how the dos and don’ts of gallery etiquette (and life?) are depicted.
The main reading hall in the Boston Public Library in Copley Square.
Final photo, I promise! A beautiful view of inside the Boston Public Library main reading hall. Cue the Hallelujah chorus #amiright?
I spent New Year’s Eve in New York City this year – a first for me.
I had a great time so I thought I would share some of my adventures from the trip.
A very discreet private club in the meatpacking district
The Norwood Club – I was lucky enough to dine here my first evening and it was pretty spectacular. I was warmly welcomed by very professional staff, who asked after my friend as they knew his flight had been delayed, and ate in their beautiful drawing room. I ate great homemade guacamole, delicious garlic kale (to the point where my friend J. and I were arguing over who got to finish the kale – when does that happen?) and homemade ravioli. I didn’t take any photos inside the club but I did capture the outside!
From there we joined friends at 675 Bar which was very fun and underground!
This reminds me of street art in Bratislava, Slovakia where they have sculptures popping out of manhole covers.
I snapped this photo of playful art in a subway station – I think in the meatpacking district? – correct me if you know where it is!
The next day, New Year’s Eve, was spent walking around Central Park, 5th Avenue and Rockerfeller Centre. Then it was “home” to change and get ready for New Year’s Eve at the Top of the Standard – High Line NYC .
A vodka-and-juice-infused ice atop fruit made for a light and refreshing end to the meal.
We ate dinner at Graffiti, a minuscule-and-great spot at the very bottom of Manhattan, and managed to squeeze six of us, men in tuxes, around a tiny table to enjoy their tapas-fusion food. The green chili paneer with naan stood out for me as did the dessert (see photo!)
Decor for NYE at the Top of the Standard
Then it was off to the Standard! Icona Pop performed at midnight and they really brought the party. Their energy was infectious and they alternated between performing their pieces and DJing sets. The Top of the Standard was fully decked out with gold balloons and, coupled with the stunning view of the Hudson and Manhattan, it created a magical atmosphere.
What else did I do in NYC? I went to Birdland Jazz Club and the Guggenheim!
The Guggenheim!
At the Gugg I saw an exhibit of Christopher Wool’s art, which was arranged chronologically up the spiral ramp in the centre of the building. I loved the layout and presentation of the artwork, it was great, visually, and I learned a lot about the artist and the evolution of his work.
Birdland was really fun – a special request by J. as he really wanted to check it out – and we saw a big band set. We also sat at the bar, which really made it for me! It was a slightly spontaneous trip and very memorable.
My host, Buzz, the cat with the umlaut nose.
Keeping in mind I haven’t updated this blog in a while I am, nonetheless, going to limit this mini-update to books I have read in the past six months or so. Here’s what I have been reading!
Books I have read and would recommend
Ru A stunningly beautiful book that is a complete blend of poetry and prose, in my opinion. I have never really studied poetry, so please take that with a grain of salt, but I have never read prose that was more poetic.
Hell Going The 2013 Giller Prize winner. Need I say more?
Why Manners Matter This is a funny and well-written book. I already enjoy Lucinda Holdforth’s writing and this is a well-reasoned argument for “the case of civilized behaviour in a barbarous world”
The Many Lives of Miss K. A fascinating woman! I did feel that the book did not, perhaps, do her enough justice but that being said she left virtually no first-hand accounts so I’m not sure how the book could have been improved in that respect.
Books I am reading
The Crooked Maid Shortlisted for the Giller Prize (2013) this is an eerie (eery?) and compelling book. Also, Dan Vyleta seems like such a lovely man.
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell A friend enthusiastically recommended this to me so of course I put a hold on it at the Toronto Public Library. When it came time to pick it up imagine my surprise as I had no idea how big it is!
Books I am looking forward to!
The Book of Life Yes, I have already pre-ordered this book.
Okay, so I haven’t posted anything in an embarrassingly long time. However, inspired by my friend M.S. of Sugar and Gravy I will attempt to be better. So stay tuned!
p.s. I am really enjoying Fundraiser Grrl because she is hilarious.
stephapps 