He hasn't told me his name yet...

But I have a feeling that it's Gnorman or Gnorton. He's quiet so far so no complaints from the neighbours...

There are many pluses to living in a very old Italian neighbourhood not the least of which is the beautiful rose gardens. I keep forgetting to take my camera out so for the time being you'll have to take my word for it - they are beautiful. It's like the whole neighbourhood has a green thumb. The house on the far corner of my street takes first place though. He has tomatoes along the side of the house with a system that would make professional farmers blush. And his daughter got married two weekends ago and the house is still decked with white bows - it was very sweet actually.

They are also it seems a very patriotic bunch. The flags came out in the dozens for Canada Day this weekend. The downside of that has been the fireworks - they are still going off tonight 24 hours late. There seems to be a tendency to buy sparklers, fireworks and other things that go bang, and just set them up in the driveway or backyard. This is somewhat unnerving as the bang bang bang surrounds the apartment. One just went off in the street actually. So far they've not set anything on fire but I wouldn't be too shocked if that happens at some point!

In the meantime, this visitor was spotted in a parking lot down the street....

Happy Canada Day!!

I know I've mentioned here before moments that have made me feel like I've succeeded on some level. Tonight watching the Tony awards brought two small moments like this. Tyne Daly, who I worked with last year, was presenting - and in fact the production with her that I worked on in DC opens on Broadway next week. So in a very small way, one step removed, I've worked on a Broadway play (though this could be said of some of the work I did with the Mirv too I suppose but this one feels more special somehow).

And capping the evening was seeing my friend Thom Allison, who is currently performing on Broadway in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, perform with the company on the broadcast. What a thrill to see his dreams coming true. I worked with Thom on RENT years ago and he is one of many Canadian talents I've worked with whose careers go along in a Canadian fashion, but our industry is so small and the opportunities so limited that no matter how good you are, it's hard to shine. And he's shining now. Way to go Thom!

I should really put myself on the waiting list for knee replacement surgery now as it's bound to be necessary and I might be at the top of the list by then. I'm not entirely sure how one actually bruises underneath one's kneecap, but hey, I've always had special skills in this area.

Anyway, it's not terrible, it's mostly annoying. No running, no squatting, no kneeling....at least I like my physiotherapist and can get some good gossip from the Mirv world while I'm there...

Full Body Scan

It was bound to happen at some point. Though I thought it more likely to be on my recent trips to New York City or Boston - big American cities with reason and interest in high security. But no, it was in Ottawa.

I know Ottawa is the Nation's Capital and all that but seriously, it's like a toy airport. Anyway, it was in Ottawa when returning to Toronto where first there was the hand scan for trace of explosives (this would potentially be a problem for my prop maker friends) and then being funneled into the body scan line. I was offered the full pat down but frankly that seems way more invasive to me than standing in a circular booth and having them take a digital picture of me. If someone really gets their jollies from that well, more power to them! Plus I'm not in as good shape as I was in 15 years ago or so when maybe there would have been something more interesting to look at!

Harold-ed

So I won this award tonight. It's called a Harold - named after this amazing/crazy old guy who used to attend all the plays in Toronto and heckle the performers (I, in fact, once was heckled by him in one of my very few on stage appearances back in the early 90s).

These awards are given by your peers and are sort of general achievement awards for members of the Toronto theatre community and reflect on your overall career rather than for any one thing. Typically I'm very skeptical of them since friends tend to give them to their friends but I suppose that doesn't mean those people aren't worthy. In fact, many very worthy people have won them.

One neat thing about them is that the award itself is always handmade and designed by a local artist. Mine is a tiara! (this was in keeping with the Royal Wedding theme...)

Anyway, my friend Katherine "Harolded" me. We met when we were both at Canadian Stage during a tumultuous time in that company's history. She said some very lovely things and I was really touched. More than I would have thought I would be under the circumstances.

As an arts administrator, we tend to just get the job done, you know? But it is nice to have a tiara to show for it...

Oh that walk down the aisle got me choked up. The music is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

I honestly don't remember the selections from the past ceremonies but this seems so much fuller somehow.

And I do have to say I love the little comments they are making to each other - I wish I could read lips, but I'm pretty sure William said "you look beautiful" when she first arrived at his side. They have to do all this, but it seems they are also trying to have private, special moments as well. And they are both glowing.

Bravo!

Also, love how she smiles when the crowd cheers. Cute cute cute!

(and hey, look at those crowds - the monarchy is doing just fine...)