Reflections

The last couple of years can only be described as ones of extremes. Absolute lows and exhilarating highs.

It's hard to believe that I've been back in Toronto for six months now. It feels like I've spent that entire time rebuilding what I had dismantled (both emotionally and physically - it's taken that long to restock the kitchen alone!) but yesterday I bought furniture which I think is either a sign that I'm sticking here a bit, or that very shortly will have fabulous offers that require moving. One or the other. DC was a transforming experience and one that I was so lucky to have had but it's time to unpack.

December wasn't how I would have wanted 2010 to end. A rough haul for many people I care about. So I can only hope that 2011 brings strength, peace, kindness and dare I say, joy, as I think we all deserve nothing less.

The Longest Night...

For the first time in all the years that I've lived in Toronto, I went to the Festival of Lights in Kensington Market tonight. The event marks the Winter Solstice and involves costumes and lanterns and a parade ending with a big ol' bonfire. I'd intended to go many times in the past but something has always come up - or it was a blizzard or too damn cold or what have you. I'm really glad I finally made it out. It's another one of those neat uniquely Toronto things which is good for me to remember and participate in.

It was a little frosty out, but the crispness didn't keep the spirits down. It really feels like the whole community is out participating - families, couples, dogs - all out dancing down the streets, bringing back the light.

We came upon a group of kids putting on their very own unique pageant- a tale of how to save the city...

Yes, that's Sarah Palin standing with a representation of...you guessed it...Rob Ford (look closely at the license plate). Not only was the skit fun, but it also was very accurate in terms of the style and rules of the passion plays. Very impressive kids!!

No Frills was like a war zone this morning. It made me fear for humanity.

I love New York

I'm tired so will try to write more on this tomorrow but my New York fellows reunion was terrific.

Looking around at dinner, it all seemed very natural that we were there together again. If the program did nothing else, it seems to have created this strange crazy bound between us. I joked that it was this weird co-dependency. Which is true. And it's unique to our year - the two other Canadians from previous classes have similar experiences.

Anyway, some hi-lights:

Saturday night was the annual Santa march. Who knew? 6000 people dressed as Santa rallied at Washington Square and then spread throughout the surrounding neighbourhood - where we were having dinner. There were Santas everywhere. Drunken Santas.

We then went to one of those bars that would only survive in New York - though I'm sure someone in Toronto would love to be cool enough - no sign on the door and you have to ring the bell to get in at which point basically they judge whether you are cool enough to get in. We passed!! I would normally think this is terribly pretentious, but it is way better when you are allowed in :-) Actually the bar was super cozy and charming. I had a very yummy drink (well two) basically a bourbon sour with maple syrup. Tasty.

I also discovered High Line Park. Built on 1.5 miles of unused elevated railway from the 1930s, the city has created a beautiful landscaped park which overlooks the Meatpacking District on one side and the Hudson River on the other. It was this amazing oasis in the middle of the city - and designed not only to be beautiful but to be used by the people who live nearby - benches and cafe tables scattered along it.

This trip I feel I have almost conquered the NY subway system. Not that I know where it all goes or how, but I figured things out and took it on my own for the first time, I even gave someone else directions. Which I hope were correct. If not, she'll have ended up in Brooklyn.

Anyway, it was a wonderful refreshing break. I'll post some pics once I've downloaded them...

Top five theatre experiences...

In no particular order...

The Last Temptation of Christopher Robin - The Theatre Centre, Toronto (mid 1990s)

Gut Girls - The Theatre Centre, Toronto (again mid 1990s)

Into the Woods - York Theatre, York, England

Macbeth (Patrick Stewart) - RSC/BAM transfer, New York City

A Midsummer Night's Dream - NAC, Ottawa (I was five - it was an important moment)

That I worked on...

Hairspray

The Overcoat

There must be a million I've forgotten...

And now, Fellows Reunion in New York City!!!

Theatre Geek Fest

Otherwise known as an Evening in Conversation with Stephen Sondheim. Such an articulate man. Well let's be honest, he's a friggin' genius. A living legend of the stage - and that's not even an exaggeration. And I got to hear him talk for almost two hours. So what that he was clearly bored of it all the last 20 minutes?? (I would have been too if I'd had to answer some of those questions). That's still an hour and a half of hearing him speak not bored.

Still one of my top five favourite productions of all time - maybe even top three - was a small regional theatre production of Into the Woods that I saw in York in the north of England in 1997. This was before I became a musical theatre junky - in fact I was still a straight theatre snob - and probably was the first Sondheim I'd seen on stage. Basically zero set budget, no stars and actually a pretty small cast. And it transformed the way I thought about theatre. Full stop. And that is Stephen Sondheim.

Tangled

Tangled was my first 3D movie experience. I know, I know, the whole 3D fad has been going on awhile now and I've not seen any of them. The whole thing seems a bit fanatical to me - and wearing glasses on top of my glasses, less than appealing.

However, Tangled is a really sweet retelling of the Rapunzel story. Rapunzel is a spunky, spirited young thing and I liked her!

Since my depth perception is pretty much non-existent, there was only one scene which really appeared 3D to me, but the rest of the movie seemed fuller somehow. Not 3D exactly, but richer. Lovely lanterns.

I still don't really understand the phenomenon, but hey, this one was charming.