Dancing with the Prom Queen

"Don't get envious, get your own life."
~ Lucy, from Susan Shapiro Barash's Tripping the Prom Queen: The Truth about Women and Rivalry

I had felt a little threatened.  Here were a bunch of young, thin, pretty, and talented girls... and I was to compete with them to get a spot as a teaching assistant.  I didn't deny that we were in competition, but I had fallen into one of the many traps outlined in _Tripping the Prom Queen_ - I was being competitive about things that had nothing to do with the thing that mattered - the ability to dance. 

It seems almost shameful to admit to feelings of envy (the book defines it different from jealousy, in fact to say jealousy is being worse because it includes wanting to take the item of envy or do ill to another). The book has opened my eyes to what I had felt, when I had believed (consciously and unconscioulsy) three myths of female solidarity, as outlined by Barash:

1. The Mommy Mystique - Belief and expectation that girlfriends can provide unconditional love and support, rather than realistic "adult relationships" where there are "legitimate expressions of rivalry, competition, and difference."

2. The Twinning Syndrome - Expectation that girfriends live similar lives and make similar choices.  And when "one woman changes her life path, overcomes a long-standing obstacle, or acheives a new goal... [the other] feels abandonned," or "deceived".

3. Foul-Weather Friends - Based on "the old cliche...: "Men punish the weakest member of the group; women punish the strongest", the support for girlfriends only occurs when they are in bad states. 

There were also other illuminating passages, and also scary interview quotes from women who told their story, of how they and others behaved.  In the end, the book was constructive in advising that the feelings are normal and can even brought to good use when directed in the right way (i.e. finding out what it is you truly want in life, then motivating you to work to get the life you want), and that cooperation between women is desirable and possible. 
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After week two of TA tryouts, I'm getting to know Eric, the current dance director.  Like D&D, he is from Montreal, speaks with a French accent, and likes to play to the camera.  Unlike D&D, he's fairly laid back and big on praise.  He also thinks it's a good idea that the men learn the women's steps and vice versa - something D&D never did approve (a "concentrate on perfecting what you need to know before working on extra stuff" method). 
My body has forgotten enough technique that I need to relearn some things, and Eric goes about it in a different way.  For rumba he suggests working on one layer at a time and they are:

1. Timing
2. Footwork
3. Leg Action
4. Hips
5. Ribcage

I have a lot to do.  And, at the same time, I will work on dancing with the prom queen.  I might lead her in little circles and circles (because I don't have the proper angles to lead), but still, I think I can learn to be better, and not trip along the way.

PASS!

Lorena and Boss Michael threatened to bug me every hour until I checked. I did it on my own accord after... well, a whole morning's worth of procastination. The happy news: I passed!

To celebrate I plan a night of uninteruptted / unfitful sleep!

In other good news: Happy Anniversary to Margaret & Morgan!

The Great Wall

... of York. (This one can't be seen from space.)

Paul has been back in Edmonton (not the one in the UK) for a week now.  His postcard arrived yesterday! 

Very pretty... but perhaps a tad unsafe?  Or maybe falling into flowerbeds is not really a concern.

Paul also visited the office yesterday bearing gifts: Chocolates!  All the way from ye olde England... which he "smuggled" in (i.e. forgetting to declare them because they're not really a food).

Of all the gin joints...

Erik: Everytime a famous quote is said you take a drink.

Steph: We're going to need more bathroom breaks.

Despite all our sipping, the usual one bathroom break was enough.  Casablanca has certainly aged well.  It is still stylish, and the characters are interesting and funny (in their dry wit).  The storyline has also seemed greatly improved now that I know more history (maybe also because this time around I was paying more attention). 

It's a great movie.  Still, there were some bits that bothered me.  The close-ups and soft lens on Ilsa seemed a bit much (yes, we get it - she's beautiful; Michael also points out we're seeing her from Rick's perspective - still it was a bit annoying).  And while I could sympathise with Ilsa's conflicted emotions, her response still felt a little... over the top?  I think of the overdramatic / soap-operatic fainting spells and hysteria that seemed to be expected from women in older movies (one sees this in old Chinese movies too). 

Steph also had another view, questioning, "Was it right for Rick to make the decision for Ilsa?" 

It was still light out, so we also watched the Looney Tunes version, Carrotblanca, which came with the DVD.  Hilarious!  Pepe Le Pew was perfectly cast as Captain Renault. 

The tribble was thrown around a bit more, and we cleared out some of my stuff from Erik's closet by sending it away with Michael and Paul (who knew it would fit?).  And then it was a drive off into the sunset. 

White Party at Rutherford House

Where could one hide the books?  We looked in various rooms and up the stairs even in the kitchen.  Rutherford House simply seemed to small to hide all the books the pamphlet indicated Mr. Rutherford had bought, but had to hide from Mrs. Rutherford because the library was full. 

Rutherford House was hosting a "White Party" in celebration of Historic Edmonton Week.  It seemed like a great chance for me to finally see more of house, rather than just the Arbour Restaurant for tea.  Drew and I went, read the plaques, and talked to some of the guides.  I stared at the wallpaper, wondering about it's authenticity. 

The house was beautiful and we made it a game to guess if items on shelves were authentic or of the period, and if so, what they were used for.  I had glanced into a cabinet in Cecil's room and there was Pit!  I hadn't occurred to me that the game was so old. 

After the tour, we went outside and looked at the gardens.  I was surprised that even with the wickets set (that seemed to be the most complicated part at Lindsey's party, the only time I had played) no one was playing croquet. 

The guides explained the basic rules and we begin.  It looked fairly evenly matched at the start, but Drew soon figured things out and finished the course even before I made the half point (is there something like "skunking" in croquet?).  There was no "croqueting". 

What exactly of the whole experience was considered a "White Party"?  I don't know.  Definitions from the web seem to lean towards political events... Regardless, it was fun.

Twilight

Beth honoured her side of the agreement.  I had gone swing dancing the week before, she was to endure a cheesy vampire movie - Twilight. 

We met at Cynthia's for the viewing (it was comically close to Kirsten's, but I still managed to get us lost).  Two of Cynthia's friends, Kirsten, Beth and I sipped cool drinks and chatted while the rest of our Girls Night, Kelly and Catherine, arrived. 

Once all present, we dished out the goodies (Cynthia, as promised, had done some baking, and in the heat people thought to bring popsicles and ice cream) and sat down for some cheese.  We were not disappointed.  The lines had us laughing eventhough it was all supposed to be heart-wrenching. 

The "watching as Bella sleeps" was slightly creepier than in the book... but still somehow, I think the movie makes the story a little less bad / pathological.  Hm... what I want to say is that in the book I could clearly see that Edward was bad for Bella, that he acted more like a stalker... in the movie... hm... maybe not so much...

Anyway, despite the bad dialogue, questionable acting, and at times strange makeup, it was still a beautiful movie to look at - greens and reds were intense (as I always like), while white (as in most people's skin) glowed white. 

We left the movie on to play an interview with the book's author Stephanie Meyer, but we were only half paying attention.  I brought up the flare buttons that really should be made into T-shirts: "Fictional Boys are Better" and "Real Men Sparkle". We did some commentary on the movie (Cynthia still likes it very much;  Kirsten thought the main characters were annoying and they should get over it - they're sixteen afterall; I simply love Alice) and just chatted. 

A good Girls Night.  When the next Twilight movie makes it to video, we have a date. 

Seeing and Believing

I decided to finally tell my parents at lunch: "A real estate agent is taking me to see condos today."  I had expected yelling; I got complete calm.  I was shocked.  They questioned if it was the agent who contacted me and warned me not to sign anything, but otherwise they seemed fine.

My heart felt lighter and with the skies clear, it felt like a great day to go viewing.  Realtor Lynne who had seemed very nice on the phone and had arranged for me to see four of the five listings I was interested in.  Three were downtown, one was in Mr. Anderson's old building. 

Armed with listings stats, a list of considerations from Steph, and a pen, I stepped into each place wondering what it would be like to live there.  Big things (e.g. location, amount and what was covered by condo fees), was considered alongside medium things (e.g. en suite laundry or communal laundry with coin slots).  Realtor Lynne kept an eye on things such as if the grounds and building were well maintained, and helped me find all the listed amenities. 

For the most part, the downtown places were from the 60s and 70s, and needed some renovations.  One stood out in layout for being L-shaped (entrance at the bottom of the L directly into living room and kitchen;  bathroom, den, and bedroom lined in that order along the L's long end),  and having two balconies (facing the same street!).  It was interesting, but not for me - Lynne also advised it would be a difficult resale. 

The one at Mr. Anderson's old building was newer than the downtown ones, but also stranger and a bit disturbing.  The door had a big hole (as if someone had kicked through).  It opened into a very small living area that branched off into three directions: 1. The kitchen (look like it hadn't been cleaned in years), 2. A bedroom with attached bathroom, 3. Another bedroom with attached bathroom.  The layout I could see being good for two roommates who didn't spend much time together or entertained, but it wasn't for me.  We backed away from a fogged and humid bathroom (the water left running in the bath), and I was sure I'd seen enough.  We shuffled out quickly, timely, as Realtor Lynne told me she could hear the tenant on the phone complaining loudly that his landlord had listed the place.

Throughout all these visits, I was amazed I was getting to see so much of strangers' lives. There were books in bookshelves, personal photos on the walls, clothes in the closet... I realised I was taking in all this information and guessing who it was who lived here, what their lives were like, and if I could picture myself there too. Almost as if by being allowed into their home, I was granted access into their lives or to even be them. I know, this is crazy talk, and I really shouldn't be attempting to buy a life / lifestyle. 

Anyway, there was nothing for me this time (though some of the lifestyles sure seemed nice).  I do feel I'm slowly learning what it is I want (or at least what I don't want).  Hopefully when I see the right one, I will recognise it. 

Needa Nightout

And we're off!

Erik, Michael, and I ventured out into the heat to Northlands to meet up with Judy and friends at Colours Restaurant.  It didn't take long for me to recognise Judy (who works with Jazzy, but who's name I didn't recognise eventhough she was in Circle K) and we settled down at a table soaking in the air conditioning and drinking cool drinks. 

Little screens on each table told us who was running and the betting stats.  Only a corridor away was a room filled with VLTs. 

The food was good and it was fun to make our fake bets.  Erik went with the "Fire in the Belly" method.  I relied on names: Low Maintenance to win over Bling! Titanium Tiger go!  (This didn't work so well.)

Though the air conditioning was nice, everything only seemed a bit more real and interesting when we went outside to watch.  We leaned right on the fence and hooted and hollered. 

Judy stayed on for the final races.  The three of us had enough horses for one day and decided to go. 

And we're back!

"Jesus was a zombie." ~ Jonwill

Since it was still relatively early, we went back to Feast.  We missed out on savoury pie, but was in time for desserts: Apple pie and pecan sugar pie. 

"This is a magical city." ~ Michael on how the street numbers just disappear in Edmonton

There were a lot of people there and it wasn't long before the discussion was oscillating between highly intellectual and highly ridiculous. Someone mused that they couldn't think of a happy philosopher, someone else quipped "Satre was not a happy man," which for whatever reason seemed hilarious to me. 

Rem loaned me his copy of Alice Munro's Lives of Girls and Women, which led to Beth's observation of how different coming of age stories were for men and women, and the hypothesis that perhaps it is the stories themselves that create and perpetuate misogyny and female body embarrasment.  It was an interesting idea.  Did other cultures have similar body image ideas and what are their coming of age stories like?  Definitely something to think about.  I wrote The Bell Jar, one of her examples, in my notebook - to read some day. 

Beth also commented that something written down, such as a book or newspaper, seems immediately to have more credence than something that is not.  As such, it means we need to be more careful and think critically when it comes to things we read.  I hadn't thought of that too much before (eventhough I always warn Celina that the alarmist emails Angela sends really should be checked out before believing fully), but I realised, there are many times my brain has equated the fiction I read, as being truth... and other times all the proof we can offer, and it seems like good proof,  is "I read somewhere..."  Hm...

Going to Northlands was fun, but I was overall disillusioned.  I had expected the races to be more... British... with live bookies and fantastic hats!  The original idea was to mingle and meet new people, but all in all, I think what I really like and need is Feast. 

I Hurt

Erik: How's the pay?
Lana: There's no money involved.
Erik: So you do it for the cachet.

Ack!  I hurt my back.  Who'd have thought that bending over to fix my shoe would lead to such pain?  I've already gone to the health centre for a checkup.  Thankfully, the verdict is that it's nothing permanent.

I had worried that I wouldn't be able to make it to the UADC TA tryouts tonight.  The doctor said I could go, but take some painkillers and take it easy. 

Le sigh.  Feel so very old. 

Moving Mr. Anderson

It wasn't wet and there was a mild breeze along with sunshine:  A good day for a move.  Rem greeted me when I arrrived at Mr. Anderson's late morning.  The apartment was surprisingly warm.  I marvelled at the gorgeous view; Mr. Anderson pointed out the patio furniture had been scattered by the weekend's storm. 

Some minor packing later, the three of us begin loading a truck and trailer.  Two of Mr. Anderson's Kokopelli friends also show up and we have an extra vehicle to pack.  With that extra help and space, I was mostly holding the door, keeping watch, and moving things out of the way. 

Watching was fascinating.  Rem would pick an object, look at the pile of already loaded stuff, and (somehow) fit it in.  Repeat and repeat.  Over and over.  He credits this to all those hours of Tetris he played as a kid (would all those hours of watching kung-fu mini-series [in particular The Legend of the Condor Heroes and the sequel] in my childhood turn out as helpful?)

After a few hours we were done.  Mr. Anderson and Shannon were to go back for a few more items (including extra bicycles), but for the most part, everything that needed to be was now in their pretty, newly painted space and the storage area.

Rem, Mr. Anderson, and I lounged in their little patio and talked.  When Shannon arrived, we went for dinner at Dawaat.  Yum, East Indian cuisine. 

We ate and ran to Erik's for Movie Night.  Strictly Ballroom has aged fairly well - what was supposed to be ridiculously big hair and costumes looked as they should. 

I realised though, that my suspension of disbelief had shifted now that I've been in ballroom longer. The funny costumes and hair were not actually that far off from what I see at some competitions, whereas the scene where one diva dancer stormed outside and I noticed she was still in dance shoes, was more difficult. The usual, take off glasses for mildly attractive girl to look gorgeous and still miraculously be able to see, was also challenging, but the laughs kept us from focusing too much on that. 

It was, all in all, a very good day off work.

Capital Ex

It rained and it was cold.  Definitely not what I had in mind to be wandering the fair grounds at Capital Ex.  Good thing, the main event was to see Cirque Shanghai Bai Xi. 

Cymbals crashed and horns sounded, then a parade of people with flags and lanterns accompanied what pretended to be royalty down the aisles, ending on stage to start the show.  For the next 30 minutes, acrobats with their feats of strength, balance, flexibility, and artistry performed in front of the Forbidden City backdrop. 

I jumped in my seat whenever there was a quick movement or when something done particularly high off the ground. 

I could definitely see the wires and wondered if this made it more impressive (this must be difficult and dangerous if they* needed them) or if it some how lessened the perceived danger (I must be reading too much Chuck Klosterman). 

I also wondered why particular pieces of music were chosen.  I liked (and saw fitting) the hypnotic tones that accompanied the little girl who balanced on the stacks of chairs, and the bright, playful, techno that played while the bicycle zoomed by... but "We Will Rock You" in a Chinese accent with Asian instruments?  I was too distracted and busy giggling to pay attention to the guys on stage.

At the end there were standing ovations, and then in a big flourish of flags, the performers ran off the stage as they had come. 

MSG and I weren't interested in the cheesy souveniers (so Chinatown!), and moved to visit the exihibits.  Who would have thought there would be butterflies?  And not just a couple - a whole boxful of chrysalides to advertise Spirit of the Butterfly.  I could have stayed there probably for hours as minute by minute new butterflies emerged from "their shells", shook out their wings, and fluttered in the box (I tried not to think too much about what happens afterwards). 

We didn't go inside the actual. Through the mosquito netting tent I saw people "collect" live butterflies on their clothes until they were almost completely covered (I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be o.k. with that - they're still bugs after all). 

There was then a visit to the vendor tables and the exhibit on ancient Egypt, King Tut and Egyptian Treasures. 

Outside, we caught sand sculptors in action, and evidence that suggests Obama's so popular, he's on a similar level as Hello Kitty (right). 

I wasn't in favour of "Klondike Days" being changed to "Capital Ex", but I realised that aside from the fact that panning for gold was closed, there wasn't really anything that different.  There were rides and bad food on the fairways, and the Kiwanis Slide closes when there's signs of wet... It'll probably be another few years before I visit again. 

* Or Canadian regulations needed them. 

Make it! Mooch it! Swing it 'round!

The busy and exciting Saturday started with Na, Kirsten, Beth and I meeting at the Arts Barn for the Make It! craft show.  Billed as "The Handmade Revolution" and "Not your Gradmother's Craft Show", I was excited to see just what it was about. 

The lobby of the Arts Barn was filled tables.  At one, a tree branch was used to display jewelry, at another a tableful of "handmade monsters" (cuddly, stuffed toys made of reclaimed materials by Belua Designs, remincient of Ugly Dolls but so much more adorable [one reminded us of a friend]).  There were pendants made of Scrabble tiles (hm... can one buy just the tiles in bulk?), jewelry pieces that looked like orchids and seahorses dipped in silver, head pieces and accessories in the swing style... Jenna (of swing) was there too with Sushi Papercraft. 

I felt fairly inspired after seeing all these diferent projects, but was surprised in the end that it was just the lobby... did we miss a room? 

We headed out into the heat.  Not long after decided it was time for ice cream.  Onward to Block 1912!   

Even with the shade, the fans, and the ice cream, it was still too hot.  We called Erik again (earlier, we called and convinced him to join us for swing dancing that night), and invited ourselves over. 

Erik didn't seem to mind too much that we had decended with such little warning and served us cold drinks.  We talked about this and that, including the Watchmen movie (I must read graphic novel first).  And then Beth and left early - time for aerials! 

Lana: Beth and I will be doing dips and tricks.

Erik: Right, look for you guys turning tricks. 

Andrew (and later John) met us on a patch of grass outside Beth's building and we started working on aerials.  Beth and John had gone to a couple of Sugar Swing's aerials workshops and insisted these were possible.  I was doubtful, but willing to give an easier one a try. 

John lead me and jumped.  He directed my body and I swung my legs... in the end it was possible!  Though many of the attempts did have me landing on my butt.  I don't think I could get the nerve to do what Beth does, whatever it's called (it looked like a complicated cheerleader move where at one point she's upside down). 

Soon it was time to go.  Beth and I "pretty up".  We met all the people Beth had managed to persuade for this swing extravaganza (Erik, Kirsten, Na, Dennis, another friend...) and danced! 

CRASH!  A fan that had been keeping us cool fell to the ground along with a folding table.  Though it was still fairly hot and muggy, there had a been a gust of strong wind.  And another, which knocked over the fan again.  It was getting late, so Erik, Na, Kirsten, and I left.  We got into the car, backed out of the parking stall, and it began to rain.  Almost at once the rain turned into a mixture of hail and buckets of water.  Erik waited, then drove slowly.  Not long after, the rain tappered off and stopped.  

Everything seemed to glisten, and I didn't think much of it, glad for it to be cooler.  But soon it became apparent that the storm had been much worse than what we experienced.  Streets lights were out, and there were tree branches and other debris in the streets, large undrained pools of water blocked walkways. 

After delivering Na and Kirsten safely home, Erik started on the route to my place.  On the way, we saw flames in the distance.  Of course we had to check it out.  (Fortunately, it just turned out to be a refineries' general burn off.)  It was a small detour, and when I got home I found out our power was out too.  Mom had found candles, but had been in a bit of panic because neither Dad nor I was home.  Dad showed up a little later, having to take a detour himself since a road had been blocked by branches. 

Some time in the night we regained power.  The news reports I've heard indicated quite a bit of damage, but no one was hurt. 

All that in a Saturday. 

Getting the Blues

"We need hobbies!"  Kirsten declared.  This was apparently the solution to us all not becoming crazy-cat ladies (gender differences and dislike of cats do not immediately make one immune).

While Scenes of Sexual Nature a few weeks back had us questioning love and relationships, Schultze Gets the Blues made us think about what we're going to do once we retired.  Would life be as slow paced as this movie*?  Would our days be dominated with watching games of chess and long moments of quiet, waiting for the cross walk barrier on an empty street to lift?  Or would we set off for a new land, search for that spark, with accordion in hand? 

Rolly-polly and very round, Schultze is comical in a quiet way.  More than once Kirsten commented that he looked just like a kid when he played his accordion (deciding to switch from traditional polka to the wildly foreign zydeco).  I cheered him on his quest, quite thankful that nothing bad happens to him as travels further and further south in the US (a great part of it on a boat - stolen?).  If anything, most of the people he meets are kind and generous (though he doesn't speak much English and there are misunderstandings). 

By the end of the movie you'll have the song in your head, having listened to it played faster and faster still on Schultze's accordion.  I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more accordion.  I also do not like the idea of retiring and being alone (which this movie made think about).  But Schultze's journey is inspiring, making me consider maybe it wouldn't be so bad, if I had the courage to go away and start something new. 

* Obviously, our brains have been spoiled by Hollywood.  We expect more thrills per second than this movie provides, and that a comedy that would have laugh out loud moments (there is mostly just chuckles... until the flamenco dancing waitress pulls the plug on an offending appliance).  There's something reminiscent of Napoleon Dynamite about this (without the intentionally bad hair, teeth, and fashion). 

Mission Accomplished

I feel a little sorry for my hypothetical kids: I'm way too cheap to do a Laser Quest laser tag party for their birthdays (apparently that's what parents do now days).  But my sister was willing to foot the bill, so I was willing to put in the time to plan one for Kevin for his big one-zero.* 

Weeks before, I'd called Laser Quest for quotes and made a reservation.  The day before, I picked up stuff at IKEA (Michael kept me company), snacks and drinks, along with dollarstore items and candies to make gift bags.  The day of, I was there on time with all the stuff, and the cake! 

I was quite impressed with Laser Quest and their staff.  They must do many parties.  There was a private room and refrigerator for the drinks and cake.  While the kids picked their operative names and were given their missions, I set up snacks.  Ah, then a couple of minutes to relax. 

The kids came out after their first game so excited.  They barely looked at me, instead they compared score cards and headed for the drinks.  Little did I know, one of the bottles of pop had rolled around in my trunk just a little too much.  The second bottle we opened: Fountain of pop!  Fizzy liquid spurt out from under the bottle cap and got some score cards got wet (and I was a bit sticky too), but it was just such a funny image that I just laughed.  I cleaned up while the kids went in for their second game. 

They had strategised in the party room for this round, but when the game finished I could hear from the excited voices that it had still ended up being every one for him/her-self. 

The sugared fun continued with ice cream cake, lots of jumping around, presents, and of course time with the hand-held console games. 

In the end, I got a big thumbs up and hug from Kevin.  With that and no crying or sick (I cringe at the amount of sugar) kids in the end: Mission Complete.

* This might be "enabling". 

Bryan: Married.

"Never in my life did I see the ladies run away from the bouquet."  ~ DJ

I haven't seen the guys from Business (Cohort 5) for several years now, so imagine my surprise when the cream and brown invitation showed up in the mail: Bryan and Sheila are to be married! 

After work Friday, I hurried over to the Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe to join in the celebrations. Vince was the first person I recognised in the dimly lit room.  We caught up on some of what was going on (he's still in Yellowknife, now an IT manager).  When the ceremony started I watched a very nervous Bryan waiting at the front.  I was a little surprised to finally see Sheila - we had never met. 

The official was jovial and made everyone laugh.  I had trouble paying attention to the ceremony though because there was a little girl sitting right in front of me with a doll in a dress that was almost an exact replica of her own (even down to the rosettes on the hem).  Then couple recited their vows, exchanged rings, kissed, and we all clapped. 

Out in the hallway I shook the hands of the wedding party (I officially met Shirley and she was warm and welcoming).  Guests were then directed towards a neighbouring room for the reception.  Not so suprising, the people at my table (also the "Single's Table") was like a mini reunion of our cohort. 

Our table took five guesses (out of four choices) to figure out Bryan and Sheila's favourite musical (turns out it's Rent), and so we were one of the last to head to the buffet table. No worries though, because there was plenty of food.  When we ventured to the desert course I realised I should have saved more room - there was a long, long table of fruit, cake, squares, chocolates, and cheeses! 

I was pretty sure the Bible/cinder block-sized puff wheat and rice crispy squares were only meant as decoration, but everything else was real.  I decided on small bits of almost everything (my favourite ended up being the chocolate mousse cake with marschino cherries) to go with a glass of XOXO merlot cabernet and a cup of coffee-tea. 

Speeches were short and sweet and revealed how Bryan and Sheila met (at a wedding 5 years ago), the nickname Sheila's family gave Bryan (Rice Bucket), and that the families think they will make a good match since they balance and complement each other (one is calm when the other freaks out) and neither is afraid to say "Make your own rice!"

Then Bryan took the mic, "I'm totally happy 'cause I've found my Lois Lane." 

 

Their first dance was Fergie's Finally. 

The DJ was funny, and we got up to dance.  Even Nick, who's neck was in a brace, and Mark, who insisted he didn't dance, made it briefly to the dance floor.  I caught up with Jocelyn and Mike to sounds of ABBA (they got married earlier in the year).  And I managed to squeeze half a dance with the Bryan. 

At some point it was time for me to go.  Blisters on my feet proved that I had been there and celebrated fully.  Ah, the conceirge, true to form, had a fix for that. 

Keith didn't understand why someone would want to wear another person's old clothes, or why swapping would be fun. I can't understand why it wouldn't be when you can choose to wear the clothes or not.

Yesterday, when I eventually made it over to Steph's, I found out Keith was in town. In my mind he's a true fashionista, but if labels and new are so important to him, then maybe he's not.

Steph, Cynthia and I got down to business once dinner was over, and the non-interested parties (Keith, Sarah, and Rem) left.

I have to admit that the fun in such an event sometimes comes from the worst clothes and fits. We'd catch up on gossip, talk about vampires (as Steph put it, the cheekbones are very important), and all the while share what we've cleaned out of our closets. I loved it when others would model some of my picks, and see how each of us would look in the same shirt. Eventhough I know Steph would never keep anything with ruffles (the Limited Ruffles policy), I'd still like to get her to try.

By the end of the night I had a one bag (one less than what I brought) of new (to me) clothes (my favourite being a shirt I wear "backwards"), and another ponderance: A Jewish guy who serenades me with Spanish songs? Good? Bad? Though, really, not my problem.

Shakespeare in the Park 2009

"There, there... it's not real." Celina comforted me as sobbed*. It was just so sad.

I had some warning that Titus Andronicus was one of Shakespeare's early tragedies and one of the most gorey of his plays, and thought I'd be ready for it. However, the sight of a recently mutilated (bleeding, handless, tongueless) and raped Lavinia, was just too much.

You're probably wondering why I take Celina to this play. She wanted Shakespeare! She wanted sword fights! She wanted tragedy! But she didn't seem that all that interested. Only the costuming (the Goths were dressed in a very modern way) was worth a her comments afterwards.

Definitely not something I'd like to see again. Though I do have to say the stage design was quite effective. (There had to be a way to manage all that fake blood, and the answer was a sand pit.) The occassional crash of real thunder also added to the atmosphere.

It has been very rainy. Yesterday there was so much downpour, that there were reports of floods in the LRT stations. Generally, this was not good outdoor theatre conditions. So, Jazzy called off going to see the other Shakespeare in the Park play, Comedy of Errors.

I kept an eye on the forecast. The response I got when I emailed the Free Will Players, "The show will go on." So, along with Kirsten, we met Catherine, Jackie, Samatha, and Steph.

I had not expected how cartoonish and goofy this play would be. This was a slightly updated version (to the 1920s?) with slapstick comedy (bobby chase scenes that involved a lot of bumping into each other and into walls), and clownish makeup and clothes (which makes it a little easier to create "twins"). The sun also came out from the clouds, which in made me very happy.

It was very neat in my mind to see Nadine and Belinda play such different roles in the two plays (mild mannered Lavinia became "shrewish" Luciana / Tamora, Queen of Goths, the great villainess in TA was also Lady Abbess).

Anyway, next year, I think I'll stick to the comedy.


* Further thinking: Was it because it was too unrealistic that Celina didn't respond? She, who if not really thinking something was sad, would at least declare "That's so sad!", had just looked bored. Hm... though I have to admit I did laugh at one point - the decapitated heads sure looked like bagged frozen chickens.

Down by the Riverside

Onward to Waypoint Alpha!

After being herded (like cats) at St. Joe's parking lot into various vehicles, we were finally off to Waypoint Alpha. Beth, Paul, and myself were in John's car. As he led the crew, our conversation strangely veered towards clowns and road kill.

At Waypoint Alpha

Turns out the satelite map was a little misleading. Not exactly a Tim Hortons.

At Waypoint Beta

The sun peeked out from behind clouds and we slathered on the sunscreen. John and some of the others went to deliver the vehicles to our trip's endpoint. While this happened, we pump, pump, pump (the iron), and filled the air mattresses that had labels specifically saying they were not meant for use in the water.

We managed to finish before John and the others returned. So we did the obvious - build a fort! Inside we hid and waited. It was a little warm, but we endured. Then our lookout announced John's return: EXPLODE!

Pirates!

The mats are in the water, and we are on the mats.

It soon became apparent that some were not content to merely float down the Pembina. Dread Pirate Andrew used a stick to paddle and overtake other mats. He and Dave Z flipped Beth into the water and stole her mat!

John and I on the Garbage Scow go in for a rescue. But then - Ahhh! I'm in the water! I'm wet! I'd been thrown in when the Garbage Scow hit nearby rocks and was tossed by the rapids. Good thing the water was only about waist deep. I stood up safe, but very annoyed - I don't like wet. I give up on all gear that was supposed to help me stay dry and we all try again.

There were some mat switches and some navigation of small rapids. Paul hands me a one of his flip-flops and we paddle along talking about tattoos. Meanwhile, Queenita of the Nile explored waters close to the bank, discovered tadpoles, and blew out her mat. Sir David the Mustached and others come to her rescue.

We arrived at the landing site happy, but shivering. The sun had gone away and there was a wind. I was very, very glad to change in drier clothes.

Mm... food...

Back now to Riverside Diner, this time to have dinner.

Though I had met some of these people at Swing events, I haven't really talked to most of them before. The Twins were lively and rex like. The others made me laugh.

We eventually settled the bill, and headed back to Edmonton. I was in Amanda's car this time with Sir David the Moustached and the Dread Pirate Roberts - no fights broke out. Instead, we listened intently to Amanda talk about her field of study (and latest paper on African American marriages) and sang along to the music. (Apparently, "Total Eclipse of the Heart" video is totally absurd, according to Andrew.)

* A super big thankyou to Beth for arranging this trip and inviting me along, and to John for driving and bringing along a waterproof camera.

Canada Day and Mid-term review

Went again to the community Canada Day celebrations with Kevin and Celina. The parade ended in a waterfight as expected. One added element though, instead of a bucket, we had waterguns. Hm... no, that's not quite right, the kids had waterguns, I'm pretty sure mine (on loan from Celina) only qualified as a squirtgun since I had to be inches away from a person to make a hit. That didn't stop me from running after the bikes. I wondered about this circumstance - could it be at all comparable to warfare on foot against a side with horses?

I stayed relatively dry. The kids were soaked, but dried out in the sun. Inside the community hall a blues band was warming up and the potluck had started. We go inside (seats saved with
a load of plates and cutlery I had lugged there). Theresa's contribution, Kraft Dinner, once again was the first to go.

The kids wanted nothing to do with the dance, and decided to head home after eating dinner. I sat listening and waited for Catherine... also thinking about mid-year reviews... It seems to be another slightly depressing time, but if I looked at the goals I set at the beginning of the year, here's how I fare:

1. Wrote exam for final course required in CGA - Almost there
2. Picked it up, and put it down again... but no progress
3. Two donations - I'm on track
4. Heck no.
5. Nadda
6. Maybe a little progress...
7. Hm... I've forgotten what this was. (FAIL!)

Catherine finally joins me. We have some food, take a short drive, and catch up. It's a nice feeling not to be alone. And though she could have, she didn't say "I told you so," about the bangs.