I hope you're all having a happy Easter holiday. Today has been a lovely day. We went to a Easter party which really benefited from the good weather. We sat outside and the kids had an Easter egg hunt and the hostess had a petting zoo with goats and chickens and rabbits -- all very cute. It was really nice.
Our walks in the park have been good, too. On Friday, we saw two mergansers -- one with the great elaborate ruddy crest. The trees are finally showing some buds and my crocuses have come and gone. Next will be the lilies of the valley, which I transplanted from my mom's garden in Saskatchewan to here. I always think of her when I see the green curly heads of the plants poking up out of the spring soil.
I saw the horror movie "Get Out" last night. I thought it was great to begin with but I found the ending too trite for me to give it a complete thumbs up. It had a great deal of promise. It starts with a young white woman who is planning to take her black boyfriend to visit at her parents' country home for the weekend. He is nervous and asks if she's told her parents that he's black but she is very dismissive. When he gets there people are acting rather strangely and he feels increasingly uncomfortable until he wants to go. This is where the movie breaks down, because what happens at the end is very much a cliche and I wish that Jordan Peele could have thought of something a bit more creative. I've been thinking about how it could have ended and have fulfilled its early promise. I think they should have used more of Lil Rel Howery, who played Chris's (the main character) best friend.
I haven't said much here about Donald Trump -- I think I have mentioned that I am poring over the news obsessively -- I have a new subscription to the New York Times and the Guardian and I am actually watching a lot of tv news, too. It's probably likely that you realize that Donald Trump is not my kind of guy and the world is a scary place, as is evidenced by the place we find him, but here in Canada, on a nice Easter weekend, things seem pretty peaceful and hopeful. I wish we could bottle what we have and export it all over the world.
Sunday, 16 April 2017
Thursday, 6 April 2017
Laughter is the best medicine
Drama 9/10
Which stock character performance was the most memorable? What did you like about it?
Think of a lazzi for a character you could play. Why might it be funny?
Theatre Production
Hand in your mask drawing. Which character will it represent? Why did you choose that character?
Drama 8
Which of the Aesop lessons do you need to learn? Tell a story about why you need to learn that lesson.
Which stock character performance was the most memorable? What did you like about it?
Think of a lazzi for a character you could play. Why might it be funny?
Theatre Production
Hand in your mask drawing. Which character will it represent? Why did you choose that character?
Drama 8
Which of the Aesop lessons do you need to learn? Tell a story about why you need to learn that lesson.
Friday, 31 March 2017
Needful Things
These are some props and supplies we need for "For My Name is Will":
1. Beer steins (at least 10) - non-breakable
2. Wooden toy.
3. Embroidery hoop
4. Bows and arrows (3 sets)
5. Fake food (plastic)
6. Woman's nightgown and overwrap (lacy, not modern)
7. Hairbrush and hand mirror (old-fashioned)
8. Handkerchief (several)
9. Baby's cradle
10. Floppy baby doll (Cabbage Patch would do)
11. Water jug and basin
12. Long skirts -- natural colours.
13. Large baskets.
14. Lace
15. Old fashioned looking notebook with quill pen
If you can help us with any of this stuff, please let us know. Thanks!
1. Beer steins (at least 10) - non-breakable
2. Wooden toy.
3. Embroidery hoop
4. Bows and arrows (3 sets)
5. Fake food (plastic)
6. Woman's nightgown and overwrap (lacy, not modern)
7. Hairbrush and hand mirror (old-fashioned)
8. Handkerchief (several)
9. Baby's cradle
10. Floppy baby doll (Cabbage Patch would do)
11. Water jug and basin
12. Long skirts -- natural colours.
13. Large baskets.
14. Lace
15. Old fashioned looking notebook with quill pen
If you can help us with any of this stuff, please let us know. Thanks!
Thursday, 30 March 2017
Journals on Friday, March 31! Lions or lambs?
There is a tradition in the world of weather (and some of you know how much I love weather) that if March comes in like a "lamb"(meaning gently or softly), it will go out like a lion (violently). We are supposed to get rain tomorrow. I wonder if it will be stormy. Weather report on Monday!
Drama 9/10; Theatre Production 11/12:
What makes a scene serious? What can you do to make sure the audience takes your scene seriously? (Use the "serious" scene you presented as an example.)
What makes a scene comic? What can you do to make sure the audience finds your scene funny? (Use your comic scene as an example.)
Drama 8:
How do you think the world was created? Explain it in detail. Could you make a play out of it? Explain how or explain why you couldn't.
What are you thinking of using for your show and tell speech? Explain why and what you might say about it.
Drama 9/10; Theatre Production 11/12:
What makes a scene serious? What can you do to make sure the audience takes your scene seriously? (Use the "serious" scene you presented as an example.)
What makes a scene comic? What can you do to make sure the audience finds your scene funny? (Use your comic scene as an example.)
Drama 8:
How do you think the world was created? Explain it in detail. Could you make a play out of it? Explain how or explain why you couldn't.
What are you thinking of using for your show and tell speech? Explain why and what you might say about it.
Sunday, 26 March 2017
Work is a blessing!
Benjamin Franklin said that the working man is happy and the idle man is not. Tomorrow we will get back to our happiness! It has been nice to be idle for the last two weeks, but I do wonder what I would feel like if I never had to go back. My sister (with whom I spent four great days in Ottawa) is retired from her day-to-day work, but she is a writer and so now she has time to do what she sees as her life's work, without the distraction of making money to pay the bills. For me, I really do love my work, so I think I would really miss it if I retired. As I get older, lots more people ask me when I will retire (maybe urging me to make that decision!) but I am not sure I am ready for that yet.
We had a great time in Ottawa although the weather was quite uncooperative. We had two days of bitter cold (with bright sunshine) and on our last day, there was a record-breaking snow storm! There is nothing worse (well, I'm sure there is, but nevertheless . . . ) than cold wet feet. But there were many high points of our trip. The Canadian War Museum is terrific. It traces Canada's role in wars from First Nations battles to the present day. It is not just "rah! rah!" war; it tries to show the history but also to pose questions about what we are doing when we enter into these violent conflagrations. There is a lot of terrific art -- like Frederick Varley's (the Group of Seven) "For What?" which is a painting of soldiers' bodies thrown into a cart on a muddy mess of a battlefield. But there are also lots of weapons on display, chances for you to hear personal stories from soldiers or from witnesses, interactive displays, a haunting exploration of the Vimy Ridge memorial in France -- just great.
The National Gallery is also a wonderful spot. The building itself -- a glass rendition of the Parliament Buildings across the river -- is a work of art and we didn't have enough time to explore even half of what we wanted to see. I spend a lot of time in the Inuit Art section and I really enjoyed the whimsical pieces using stone and bone and different materials. There were a couple of Brian Jungen "lawn chair" whales and a room of huge furry camels with a background video of a herd of camels -- really terrific. And then glorious examples of Van Gogh -- the irises and a beautiful little portrait of an old woman -- and many other great artists from around the world.
One of the biggest highlights was our chance to see Question Period in the House of Commons. Our MP, Fin Donnelly, arranged for us to attend the sitting of the House of Commons and I confess I was so exited to walk into that hallowed place and see the MPs engaged in the nation's business. Question period was really lively -- the Liberals had introduced the budget the day before and there were a lot of things to discuss. I was disappointed that Justin Trudeau was not present, but it was still really lively -- people made passionate speeches and jokes and mocked each other and banged their desks in approvals and shouted their disapproval of their colleagues' remarks. Then Fin took us on a tour of Centre Block (the parliamentary library is magnificent) and we met the Sergeant at Arms who told us about the terrible attack on the Parliament that happened last year in a very compelling way.
Last night, I went to "Brave New Play Rites" on Granville Island. One of our great SLSS theatre alumni, Alyssa Hirose, had her play chosen for a professional production as part of the festival. "Bait" is a lovely piece of theatre about two men who meet to fish together. It is a funny play that explores ideas of acceptance and choice and how we build relationships and connection between people. There is one last chance to see a performance at 2 p.m. this afternoon.
Enjoy your Sunday! Back at it tomorrow!
We had a great time in Ottawa although the weather was quite uncooperative. We had two days of bitter cold (with bright sunshine) and on our last day, there was a record-breaking snow storm! There is nothing worse (well, I'm sure there is, but nevertheless . . . ) than cold wet feet. But there were many high points of our trip. The Canadian War Museum is terrific. It traces Canada's role in wars from First Nations battles to the present day. It is not just "rah! rah!" war; it tries to show the history but also to pose questions about what we are doing when we enter into these violent conflagrations. There is a lot of terrific art -- like Frederick Varley's (the Group of Seven) "For What?" which is a painting of soldiers' bodies thrown into a cart on a muddy mess of a battlefield. But there are also lots of weapons on display, chances for you to hear personal stories from soldiers or from witnesses, interactive displays, a haunting exploration of the Vimy Ridge memorial in France -- just great.
The National Gallery is also a wonderful spot. The building itself -- a glass rendition of the Parliament Buildings across the river -- is a work of art and we didn't have enough time to explore even half of what we wanted to see. I spend a lot of time in the Inuit Art section and I really enjoyed the whimsical pieces using stone and bone and different materials. There were a couple of Brian Jungen "lawn chair" whales and a room of huge furry camels with a background video of a herd of camels -- really terrific. And then glorious examples of Van Gogh -- the irises and a beautiful little portrait of an old woman -- and many other great artists from around the world.
One of the biggest highlights was our chance to see Question Period in the House of Commons. Our MP, Fin Donnelly, arranged for us to attend the sitting of the House of Commons and I confess I was so exited to walk into that hallowed place and see the MPs engaged in the nation's business. Question period was really lively -- the Liberals had introduced the budget the day before and there were a lot of things to discuss. I was disappointed that Justin Trudeau was not present, but it was still really lively -- people made passionate speeches and jokes and mocked each other and banged their desks in approvals and shouted their disapproval of their colleagues' remarks. Then Fin took us on a tour of Centre Block (the parliamentary library is magnificent) and we met the Sergeant at Arms who told us about the terrible attack on the Parliament that happened last year in a very compelling way.
Last night, I went to "Brave New Play Rites" on Granville Island. One of our great SLSS theatre alumni, Alyssa Hirose, had her play chosen for a professional production as part of the festival. "Bait" is a lovely piece of theatre about two men who meet to fish together. It is a funny play that explores ideas of acceptance and choice and how we build relationships and connection between people. There is one last chance to see a performance at 2 p.m. this afternoon.
Enjoy your Sunday! Back at it tomorrow!
Tuesday, 21 March 2017
Our Nation's Capital
We arrived in Ottawa yesterday without mishap. The plane ride was uneventful and our hotel is pleasant, with a nice BIG suite and a full kitchen and a view of a church and a Kafka-esque government building with very small windows. It looks cold today and the Weather Network says it might rain or snow. We are going to the War Museum.
When we arrived, we decided to walk down Sparks Street to find a restaurant, and that was a rather wasteful adventure. There were a few pubs but of course, Anthony and William can't eat at a pub, and so we walked a distance and only found McDonalds. Of course, Anthony was ravenous so we ate there. William remarked that there was no one on the street -- I have heard that about Ottawa -- that after about six the town is empty! Everyone decamps to the suburbs.
I watched the movie "Arrival" on the plane. It was lovely, I thought. I don't really like Amy Adams as an actor, but she has been in some really great movies and this was terrific. It was directed by Denis Villeneuve and looked and sounded beautiful. We saw just enough of the aliens (nicknamed by Louise Banks's (Amy Adams) partner as Abbott and Costello) to make them mysterious and strange, but still get a sense of what they were like and their language was glorious, both the sound of it and the written version. It posed questions about our concepts of communication and time and the choices we make and I would like to see it again. William watched it, too, and he said the same thing. I have read that people have gone back several times so maybe other people feel the same way.
When we arrived, we decided to walk down Sparks Street to find a restaurant, and that was a rather wasteful adventure. There were a few pubs but of course, Anthony and William can't eat at a pub, and so we walked a distance and only found McDonalds. Of course, Anthony was ravenous so we ate there. William remarked that there was no one on the street -- I have heard that about Ottawa -- that after about six the town is empty! Everyone decamps to the suburbs.
I watched the movie "Arrival" on the plane. It was lovely, I thought. I don't really like Amy Adams as an actor, but she has been in some really great movies and this was terrific. It was directed by Denis Villeneuve and looked and sounded beautiful. We saw just enough of the aliens (nicknamed by Louise Banks's (Amy Adams) partner as Abbott and Costello) to make them mysterious and strange, but still get a sense of what they were like and their language was glorious, both the sound of it and the written version. It posed questions about our concepts of communication and time and the choices we make and I would like to see it again. William watched it, too, and he said the same thing. I have read that people have gone back several times so maybe other people feel the same way.
Sunday, 19 March 2017
A Holiday about Nothing!
You gotta love spring break. There's no pressure! No gifts to buy, or flags to fly or eggs to hunt or even fancy dinners to prepare. Just good old-fashioned hanging around. We took care of Izzy, the chihuahua (some of you know him, I know) this week, while his owners were away in Mexico. He is very different from Daisy -- a lot noisier and livelier -- he barks at people when they come to the door and whines when you go out and begs at the table. Daisy was surprisingly nonchalant about his presence and did her best to ignore him, but certainly, she took advantage of him not eating his food as quickly as she does. If he got distracted during a meal, Daisy was at his dish like a dirty shirt! He didn't lose weight, so I don't think she ate all his food, thank goodness. He went home today and I felt quite sad to say goodbye. He is a spritely little fellow and you couldn't help enjoying his funny little prancing and his cute perked up ears.
Off we go tomorrow to Ottawa. We've arranged to see our MP at Parliament and he is going to get us into Question Period and then take us on a tour of the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings. I am looking forward to seeing my sister and having a good visit and seeing the sights of the capital. We'll miss Daisy, though. Our neighbours are going to look after her, but I often wonder if she worries that we won't come home or that we don't love her. Of course, we do.
I just finished reading a really great book -- Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien. It focuses on a family during the Cultural Revolution in China and it is just fascinating. How the different characters deal with "self criticism" and re-education and the terror of trying to survive when the rules keep changing and everything is suspect. The people are mostly musicians and they find that even that can get them into trouble. Anyway, I don't think I'm describing it very well. It is an epic story with so many memorable characters -- it reminded me of one of those epic Russian novels, or Dickens and I recommend it highly. Now I'm reading Philip Roth's The Plot Against America which imagines that Charles Lindbergh beat Franklin Roosevelt in 1940 and became the president of the United States. Lindbergh spoke positively about Hitler and Roth wonders how the United States would have been changed by not entering the Second World War and allying itself with the Axis powers. A lot of it reminds me of the situation in the United States now -- how popular the president is with certain sectors of the American populace and how people don't seem to really listen to what he's saying, how frustrating it is for people who are actually listening (and how scary), how he takes credit for things accomplished by his predecessor; as I'm reading, I keep thinking, "oh, how did Philip Roth know this would happen?" Okay, it's time for bed. Our plane to Ottawa leaves early tomorrow morning!
Happy Spring!
Off we go tomorrow to Ottawa. We've arranged to see our MP at Parliament and he is going to get us into Question Period and then take us on a tour of the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings. I am looking forward to seeing my sister and having a good visit and seeing the sights of the capital. We'll miss Daisy, though. Our neighbours are going to look after her, but I often wonder if she worries that we won't come home or that we don't love her. Of course, we do.
I just finished reading a really great book -- Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien. It focuses on a family during the Cultural Revolution in China and it is just fascinating. How the different characters deal with "self criticism" and re-education and the terror of trying to survive when the rules keep changing and everything is suspect. The people are mostly musicians and they find that even that can get them into trouble. Anyway, I don't think I'm describing it very well. It is an epic story with so many memorable characters -- it reminded me of one of those epic Russian novels, or Dickens and I recommend it highly. Now I'm reading Philip Roth's The Plot Against America which imagines that Charles Lindbergh beat Franklin Roosevelt in 1940 and became the president of the United States. Lindbergh spoke positively about Hitler and Roth wonders how the United States would have been changed by not entering the Second World War and allying itself with the Axis powers. A lot of it reminds me of the situation in the United States now -- how popular the president is with certain sectors of the American populace and how people don't seem to really listen to what he's saying, how frustrating it is for people who are actually listening (and how scary), how he takes credit for things accomplished by his predecessor; as I'm reading, I keep thinking, "oh, how did Philip Roth know this would happen?" Okay, it's time for bed. Our plane to Ottawa leaves early tomorrow morning!
Happy Spring!
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