Living the Dream.

"First in line!  Yeah!"


Yes, Dear.  By showing up almost two hours before show time, we were first in line for A Midsummer's Night Dream, the comedy for this year's "Shakespeare in the Park".  I opened my packed picnic lunch and ate sitting down on the grass nearby.  Paul stayed near the gate (don't want to lose that spot!) and the first people to follow us chatted with him before lining up behind me.  It was pretty satisfying see the long line behind us, but it didn't seem quite as long as past years'.

Things were much less organised once we got our tickets.  We (mostly) got the pick of any seat we wanted, but Paul and I wanted different seating areas!  We compromised for approximately the middle and eyed the set.

 

I immediately coveted the "moss-covered" cubes on the stage.  Oh, to have them for the house!  (My storage ottoman obsession might be getting out of hand.) 

 

We watched the actors in shades of turquoise and purple run up and down the grey steps and then climb and tumble onto those moss cubes.  As expected, it was a spirited and entertaining production. But, I admit, I was lost.  The main plot was fine with fairies and love spells and a donkey... But what of those fairie bits at the beginning and end?  Who are they supposed to be?  That's what I get for not reading the play first!  :P 

Potluck Picnic Party - In the Park!

Erik to Steph: My mother told me to give you a hug.
Everyone: Aw...
Erik: And to tell you I can do the death race.
Meaghan: DON'T listen to your mother! 

Meaghan and Kathy's Potluck Picnic Party was on the other side of the park - the bit of Emily Murphy Park I didn't even know existed. When Paul and I tracked everyone down, people were mellow: Eating, feeding the fire, and catching up. 

Most were familiar faces.  But there were also some I only last saw at Kathy and Neil's wedding! 

More things to invoke that day?  Meaghan twirling in the same white dress and games on the grass.  If only there was singing...

Beth: Province in Canada, people from there are extremely silly.
Paul: BC... Alberta... Ontario...
Steph (on the other team, finally): Newfoundland.



We played Catchphrase -- and were too slick for our own good.  Somehow, we managed to blank out on "Elmo". 

Afterwards, instead of bocce it was "frisbee-soccer catch" which morphed into "multi-ball-throw-kick" chaos.  So fun!  At least for those actually playing.  We had the courtesy to call out to the person we're aiming for ("To the guy on the cell phone!") and not get too close to the food.  But we did not have very good aim. 

After hours of food, catching up (Meaghan seemed to be pretty happy in the States), and game play most of us were ready for a nap and headed home. 

I almost think the PPP in Park was blessed - not only the usual good friends, food, and fun, but also good weather and few mosquitoes... Unlike the UADC volunteer barbeque planned for a couple of hours later -- same time as the thunderstorm.

More photos of the PPP in the Park here.