Dancing in the Square

Anton had built in a very generous time buffer, so when both Ashley and I arrived as planned, we were in fact much too early.  No problem, Anton simply took us on a tour of his office in City Hall.  And then later, into the main chambers!  As a reader of this blog, you can probably predict when happened next, but Ashley and Tony (who had arrived by then) was completely shocked with my fangirl response:

"You mean Mandel might actually be here watching us?!" 

He wasn't.  There was no one watching (except probably security via cameras).  But I was still happy. 

We took advantage of the view to check out Churchill Square, which was unfortunately kind of empty.  Hm... The International Day of Dance lunch festivities (part of the Fun to be Square campaign) were already underway, but where were the people?  There was supposed to be a flashmob too, but it didn't look like it happened.  Perhaps the weather was keeping everyone away? 
I couldn't believe how many emails had gone back and forth between me, Ashley, and Diana regarding costumes.  In the end, we chose according to weather from the few outfits we'd each packed. 

We'd changed, and Manoj had not arrived.  We headed out to the Square, and he still missing.  I was completely stressed.  It was only 10 minutes to show time, with music and everything set up, Manoj finally bounded in.  ("You scheduled an appointment to do taxes 1 hour before the performance?!) 

But once we started dancing.  Manoj stole the show.  He made things interactive.   He played with the audience.  And would stop in poses and have us mug for the camera.  (All photos in this post from Tracy O'Camera, more here.)








He persuaded a group of University-aged spectators to come close and surround us for the rumba.  And they, hilariously joined in by raising their arms to sway to the music and then they joined hands and spun around us.

For the samba we volta'd our way around, getting right up to people to herd them closer to the performance area. 

I didn't dance my best, but with all the attention and people seeming to have such fun it didn't seem to matter so much. 

The crowd had grown during our performance.  I was so glad to see Beth had made it along with some people from Swing and UADC. 

After our demos, Manoj still had the stage, and started leading an impromtu merengue / salsa lesson. 

The organising committee had started to dismantle the sound equipment, but still he went on.  That's dedication to dance! 

And for all that passion, spirit of fun, and charisma, I love dancing with Manoj. But with his unreliability, I don't think this would make a good long term partnership.  But I should enjoy these chances to dance while they last. 

Addition: The Edmonton Journal's photo gallery of the event, has photos of Alex and Helen. 

Noodle Noodle, Noodle, Noodle

Manoj's car was parked in front of the Winspear and his car stereo volume was turned to max.  And we were listening to rumbas.  Thankfully the square was mostly deserted given it was Easter Monday and past 4 p.m. 

He zipped through CD tracks pronouncing songs either too boring or not catchy enough... I'd hoped our time would be spent practicing for this week's performance, not doing all this logistics stuff - which seemed to start with helping Tony find Churchill Square (and parking) to figuring out a unified look for us three couples. 

When we finally got to dancing, it was good.  Dancing with Manoj makes me laugh (he's so cheerful) and I got over the small slight that Tony had decided to dance with (brunette) Ashley this time around.  I was also glad to actually test our moves on concrete and to figure out alternatives since there was too much friction for usual floor pressure. 

Manoj and I stuck around a bit longer to solidify our routine.  It was feeling pretty good, dancing in the streets in the sunlight, and then it was even better when someone walking by gave us some shouts of encouragement.

Still with that extra practicing, I arrived at Noodle Noodle a little (1 hour) early for our Early Mother's Day dinner celebration. But I had my latest read to entertain me. 

On Sharing: “I’m sorry, but if your brother doesn’t want you to play with his shit, then you can’t play with it. It’s his shit. If he wants to be an asshole and not share, then that’s his right. You always have the right to be an asshole – you just shouldn’t use that right very often.”   ~Justin Halpern, Sh*t My Dad Says

I tried to cover the book cover, but I guess I didn't do that well.  The old man from a nearby table came up to me: "Isn't it the funniest thing ever?"  After my surprise: "Yes, yes it is." 

Whew!  Here I was worried other patrons would think I was rude for reading Sh*t My Dad Says... and laughing (though I did try to keep it quiet).  There were just so many surreal gems.  And straight talking that somehow also translated into touching wisdom.

On Fair Play: “Cheating is not easy. You probably think it is, but it ain’t. I bet you’d suck more at cheating than whatever it was you were trying to do legitimately."  ~Justin Halpern, Sh*t My Dad Says

And some were just hilarious

 “You worry too much. Eat some bacon...What? No, I got no idea if it'll make you feel better. I just made too much bacon.”  ~Justin Halpern, Sh*t My Dad Says

When the Paul arrived, followed by my parents and Theresa and the kids, I was in a pretty good mood.  The adults ordered the meal, while we kids talked. 

Paul: So, have you heard the news?
Kevin: No. 
Me: I'm sure I told you.
Kevin: Oh, yeah, I thought you meant CBC. 

Contrasted with this rather blasé reponse, was Celina's indignant, "You didn't tell me first!" 

Well, as long as everyone knew. 

Food arrived, we ate.  Kevin and Celina's attention was mostly on their screens, but they did resurface for several bites when new plates arrived.  When Paul made the comment that tubas were set for left-handed, he, Kevin, and I switched briefly to using our chopsticks left-handed (with perhaps a little glaring from Mom and Theresa).  Mom questioned the cashews in one dish - reconstituted and formed into that shape?  They have the technology.  Dessert came, and Celina was so happy for the taro tapioca soup she took a photo. 

Sunday A LA Easter

"The vocabulary hasn't been invented yet." And Paul and I bursted out laughing, because it was both ridiculous and probably true.  This was the world of Project Runway (which Paul gave a chance to and seems to enjoy so far) and the designer in all ernestness had described his work that way. 

We were thus already in a pretty silly mood arriving at Adriana and Leo's for Easter Sunday dinner. 

And it continued. 

(Right: Pax takes the best seat in the house /
Left: Alexander trying to invent the vocabulary.) 

Over the pieful meal - started with Shepherds' (didn't seem, but was completely vegetarian) and followed with a banana cream (did seem, and was also vegetarian) - Adriana told us about her new position with Ohio State University. 

Wow!  Things are falling into place (with good planning) and it does sound like  a great opportunity.  Of course, the sad part is that they'll be moving. 

A second dessert: A Terry's chocolate orange. 

(Left: Smash!  / Below: Be careful, it could explode...)

(Left and Below: Tackling the Bach's Goldberg Variations)

After tucking Alexander into bed, we went downstairs to talk.  I felt much better doing some pedalling on their stationary bike after such a meal (I really should just learn to eat less...)

And that's when we told them.  So shocked was Leo, he bounced up from the couch! 

And then, I was surprised because it seemed all the pets were aligned in the same room (even the incredibly shy "Destroyer of Plants" Teg, below).  That must be another good omen / sign. 


They shared their engagement story:

Adriana: Do you think we should married?
Leo: Sure, alright. 

And then too details about their wedding:
- At their university faculty club, which had huge windows that looked out off onto the coast. 

Their suggestions for ours:
- Location: Edmonton Queen
- Theme: Vulcan

Whatever the location or theme, they did agree they would be back in Edmonton to attend. 

And then Paul invented some vocabulary (post-emptive and invisigsionate), that probably wouldn't apply to fashion either. 

Another 40 Cloves

Maybe that bag of garlic wasn't the best idea... Little green spouts are starting to poking out of the bulbs, and I know we're going to have a situation soon. 

To the internets for another garlic recipe!

I side stepped the chicken with 60 cloves of garlic (c'mon that's ridiculous!) and go for something called Gilroy Chili with the much more reasonable 40 cloves (approximately 4 bulbs).

Tomatillos don't seem to be a regular staple at my supermarket so I substituted with a jar of salsa verde. 

The end result was a pretty tasty beef and garlic stew that worked well with the brown rice Paul made. 

Now on to more garlic recipes...

Spreading the News at Good Friday Feast

Malcolm was sporting was he called his "thesis mullet" and completely confused me with his talk about transparency ("Not transparent enough to tell if it was transparent."), which I guess proved his point exactly.

Good Friday Feast was fully underway with lamb in the oven, Guiness in wine glasses, and Steph's sewing box fully open for me to snoop. 

Some sock truths were revealed.  

And then we ate dinner. 

When dessert came, Rem pronounced the cake a special cake and handed the floor over to Paul.
 

Hardly a minute later (Beth clued-in midway), there were cheers and hugs.

Those with the technology spread the news further: Texting / messaging other friends who were not there that night. Further enforcing that I really don't need to update my facebook status. 

Rem: Good job. 
Me: I didn't do anything - he did.
Rem: It's a joint effort.
Paul: Yeah, yo ucould have said no.
Me: That was an option?
Paul: Um... no, of course not.  

Over delicious cake, we received some suggestions for the wedding (there certainly are a lot of possible themes).

"Are you going to as me or what?" ~ Rebecca reveals how she popped the question to Johnwill.

And there was talk about bridal showers (well, amongst the girls).  Which also seemed to have many themes (from bible readings to sex toys and lingerie, to wooden spoons...)


One suggestion from Malcolm was about logistics. He figured if we had a large wedding we could (should) go with the Infinite Hotel. Oh, those Mathies.

 

The swirling dust made Catherine think of smoke and camping.  But for me stayed dusty and I was glad to get in from the parking lot. 

Thursday night out with Catherine and we're living it up!  Woo!  Vanilla cones from the in-house McDonalds followed by discovery and laughing in rows and rows of craft supplies, magazines, and toys.  With my best friend, this is Walmart at its best.  (I'll try not to think of the worst.) 

Before the night ends we also visit a dollar store and she tells me of her big purchases in Mexico: Lego and superhero collectibles.  How did she find them there?!  Her hypothesis is that whatever doesn't really sell in the US ends up in the market there rather than coming up to Canada.  My hypothesis is that she and her mom have a shopping and collecting sixth sense.  Mere mortals like me will just have to stand on the sidelines in awe. 

When I tell her my big news, I get a huge hug.  I half expect, in her mind, she's already planning the perfect collection (themes, decorations, colours) for me. 

Cantando

The wave started at one end and swooped around.  On its return, the people in the balconies took part too.  And just as though it was an outdoor concert, a balloon floated up into the air. 

Could this really be a high school band festival? 

I don't think Cantando existed back in my high school band and choir days.  Maybe I would have been just as excited to see some live bands, at the very least, the Winspear Centre was a beautiful place to visit. 

"Have you seen so many saxophones in one place? Do not be afraid!"

The Saxophone Festival Mass players started the concert. 

The accoustics in the space were brilliant, perhaps a little too good with sounds of talking, a chirping sneeze, finger snapping (on purpose) all magnified and heard.  More students arrived mid-set and began filling out the choir loft.

Next came the Mill Creek Colliery Band. I was sure I heard a gasp when Chris showed his fingers in the euphonium solo piece My Grandfather's Clock.  Someone even yelled "Thank you British People!" afterwards. 

The dixieland piece that followed had the audience bopping (though not quite to the level of guerilla dancing, I'd told Allan about, at Video Games Live).  There were bells and whistles (including a bugle horn and kazoo), and three cornets (like the three tenors). 

Throughout there were introductions to different brass instruments (some not so commonly found in a high school band) and Bessie was shown off. 

Their set concluded with the Muppet Show theme.  I smiled as tubas swayed, mutes went flying... and then conductor Wendy ended it all with jazz hands. 

The final group was the Manitoba Jazz Quartet.  Students from Manitoba cheered in the introduction.  The members oozed cool* and I imagined myself in a laid back night club. 

* Except maybe the piano player, who's gap between the bottom of his trouser cuffs and socks made me smile.  But all this was made up by the energy he had stomping along to each song, barely contained on the piano bench. 

They played:

1. "Nothing Personal" - which included a crazy drum solo.

2. A bossa nova

3. Thelonius Monk's "Green Chimneys" - which the saxophone player introduced as featuring "Anti-virtuosity": Making wrong notes sound really good.  "You may want to look into that." 

It was chaotic outside in the lobby, but Paul and I did manage to meet up before heading our ways home.  I told him how I liked the performances (perhaps the best I've heard MCCB play).  But I ultimately thought it was the audience that made the show: For each performance they wolf whistling, cried "bravo" and gave standing ovations. Their enthusiasm for the music and the performances was incredible.  And nothing like convention could stop them from expressing their excitement.  It made me feel like I was part of something bigger just being there.

Finally got myself back into physiotherapy.  I know, I should have gone back much sooner... but with dance over it feels like I actually have the time now. 

She pushed and rotated my foot, and finally showed me on a foot and ankle muscle skeletal model what was happening under my skin... The way the foot just flopped around was pretty disturbing.  And this is basically because I don't have many ligaments left.  So now the plan is to build up the muscles so that everything is properly supported.  Ugh.  This is going to be a long road. 

Forever XXX

"Ip-dip-dip... blue ship like a saucer..." ~ A way to decide?

Happy 30th birthday, Manoj!  We decended on Plato's to celebrate the day. 








And... I was a little disappointed.   The group who showed up wasn't the same as previous years and I had hoped to see (reconnect) with that crowd. 

But, as this group was of newer friends, I think Manoj was more open to just tell his story.  We learned he moved to Canada in 1991.  And that he discovered he had an aneurysm in 1992. 

So while we jested that he was only 30 years old, he really considers himself only in his 20s because he started "a new life" after these two big events. 

Manoj: So how did you meet? 
Um... I guess astronaut training camp wasn't memorable enough. 

After eating, instead of sticking around for pool, he invited us over to his condo (which also had a pool table in the common area). 

The added benefit was that we also meet his two sweethearts: his dachusands. 

(Below: More sausage dog love.)

Music and Words (and then some dancing)

"Scaramouche."

Rem: A lazy coward.

Steph: Someone who does the fandango!

Rem's super private recital (a small showing before the real recital) was a bit of shock.  He really is a tenor!  My mental picture of his voice was still that of bass, but he proved that these higher notes were where he was at.  (Must be excused for my fit of giggles between the shock and the song lyrics.)

The dictionary came out soon after as Steph pulled out the deck of old, out of use English words to play a game of "guess what it means".  

 

A tonsure, a tensor, and tenser...  

 

Sometimes similar sounding words could lead you on the right path... other times no. 

 

Ambercrombie and flitch? 

Applecrumble and fish? 

 

 

I was completely terrible at this.  But I did find it amusing... So, would anyone Feasters admit to being a fancymonger or smell-feaste? 

 

And maybe you someone would be happy to know that they are not frigorific...

(Left: Socks for the right day!)

Eventually, our short stay had to end.  So time to break the news:

"Oh, and by the way... "

They were very happy for us and immediately performed a happy dance. 

 

I suspect Jackie was also this happy, maybe even more :)  But my family wasn't quite so light of spirit.  It felt great to have such positive response to the news.