As I sit writing I am listening to The Devil's Dictionary - Aeolian Winds (a CBC production). It is a wonderful collection of classical (neo-classical? - all composed in the 20th century) pieces for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn which sometimes sounds like the soundtrack to an old LooneyTunes cartoon. Mainly because of the lightness of the music and the lyrical rhythms.
I have to backup a bit to the 18th of February. For my birthday Cathy (a dear friend) took me to the NAC for the Black and White Opera Soiree. For those who have not heard about this event it is an annual fund raiser for Opera Lyra Ottawa and the NAC Orchestra. A great night of fancy dress-up, great music and song. The NAC Orchestra, the Opera Lyra Chorus and guest voalists, hosted by Colm Feore. Lots of the rich, famous and infamous of Ottawa and Canada along with several other dignitaries attend this event. It is a feast for the eyes with all the glitter and glam, tuxedos and fancy hairdos.
Well, it was a great evening. Cathy's friend Dan came too and all three of us really enjoyed it. Cathy is not an opera fan so was not certain about an evening of opera but I felt she would enjoy this. And I was right (I love when that happens). It is so much different than sitting through one whole opera... one composer, one style, one theme. The Opera Soiree is like an opera sampler, live. Several composers, styles, themes and combinations make a great variety. And of course Colm Feore (easy on the eyes ;-) introducing the pieces broke it up nicely. And then there's the rubbing elbows with the rich-folk ;-) and the checking out who's wearing who/what. Trust me... rich does not mean good taste :-}
This was a great birthday present... thank you so much Cathy. I really loved getting prettied up and going out to do something so elegant and classy. It also gives me a hit of opera that I really do enjoy. Oh, yes, and when they play the overture for the Barber of Seville I still can't get the image of Bugs and Elmer out of my head. Or, for that matter, Figaro and at least one other piece that were made popular by the Looney Tunes studios.
The very next day was the Dancer's Bazaar. This event is organised by Tracey and this was the third or fourth time I volunteered at it. For more details and info visit http://www.tav-creations.com. It was a great success and, as usual, lots of fun. This is an event where Belly Dancers gather to buy and sell pretty, shiny, fancy, girlie glitter. Costumes, veils, jewellery for all parts of the body, canes & swords, zills, shoes & slippers, hip scarves, head pieces, fabric& trim to make costumes, beads, etc., etc. And tarot readings too. Way too much to mention here. The one thing I've been saving up to buy was not there but Catherine is hunting it down for me. I'm looking for 4-6 inch amethyst bead fringe to trim an existing costume (some of you saw it at the Christmas party and show.) I need at least one yard or metre. If anyone finds it somewhere, please contact me. For my contact info go to http://www.gailene.com
After everything was cleared up and the last vendor cleared out a few of us went to DuBerry's Buffet for supper. I was so hungry that I attacked the buffet like a ravenous animal. Ended up eating too much too fast. Went home and passed out in front of the tube while watching a movie.
Last week my boss Poul and his wife Rosalyn went to Mexico for a week of R&R. There was much speculation during the preceding week about what might go wrong while they were gone. Every time either Poul or I take time off for vacation there is a mini-disaster at work (server crash, infrastructure outage, etc.) which has the person left behind scrambling to get everything working again. So you can understand my concern with Poul being out of touch for the entire week. Yes, I was very concerned. But I was not prepared for what happened. On Tuesday in the wee small hours I fell ill (no I'm not going to go into the long, boring details) and ended up in hospital. I was pronounced OK (mostly) at the Civic Hospital Urgent Care. And now I'm being treated for the problem that caused the concern. Not to worry, I'm fine. But that was a bit scary. And I broke a tooth on lunch on Friday. I blame Poul for going on vacation ;-)
On Wednesday night I attended a Life Mapping Workshop put on by Laura Young at the Crystal Dawn. Another tool for accessing the positive energy of the universe. I found this to be an eye-opening experience.
This past Saturday was a very productive and enjoyable one. It started slowly... slept in and lolled about the apartment until well after noon. Then Cathy and I went over to Gatineau to a furniture store I've been wanting to visit for a couple of months now... Vice Versa on rue Montcalm. I just loved this store. The best part is that I found exactly the furniture I have been envisioning for my home. It is designed by Normand Couture (Montreal) for Shermag. The design is called cameleon - Jelly Bean and I must have it. What blows me away is that this stuff is exactly what I had in my head and was all ready to start building because I never thought I'd find what I was looking for. Now I have to find other furniture stores that sell it to do some price comparisons. Check it out at http://www.shermag.com/eng/shermag.html
Following that great find we went to Cube Gallery to view some artworks. Very nice and relaxing thing to do while the snow blew wildly about outside. We decided to stop at Thyme & Again for soup so I could pick up food to take to a potluck later that day.
After going home and resting a bit I headed out to the SCUBA meetup potluck. Bev hosted, again. Thank you Bev for inviting us into your home. Art had his photos and video of his last cave diving trip to Florida which was the premise for the gathering. After lots of great conversation and watching Art's video we got to talking about downhill skiing. There were a couple of avid skiers there including Andy who is with the Ski Patrol. As a "Crazy Canuck" style skier from long ago (more than 25 years past) I was delighted to hear all the details about the hills in the area and the changes that have taken place over the years. Not to mention the huge changes in the technology of skiing and ski equipment. I had noticed the gradual changes over the years while watching Canada's great ski teams compete at various televised meets. Then out of nowhere Art says "Gailene, let's go skiing tomorrow. Come on!" It is very hard to say no to Art. His youthful enthusiasm is infectious. So after another "Come on. Let's do it" I said yes, sure OK. It was at that point that I realized how late it was getting and that I needed to get home to bed. After brunch, Art would be picking me up at 11:00 to go to SkiVorlage for the afternoon. During the drive home I did what any woman of my age does when she has not skied in over 25 years... I questioned my own sanity. Several times. But the prospect was exciting.
Apologies to Bev for running out so suddenly. I would have stayed to help with the clean up but I really did need the sleep before going skiing. Next time clean up is my job!
I awoke early Sunday to prepare myself and my clothes. It was blistering cold and windy despite the bright sun. It had snowed lightly overnight. Yes, near perfect ski day. I was pumped. I raced off to Patty's for brunch arriving ahead of everyone else (a first - except for that time switch thing last autumn ;-). I ordered my food even before anyone else got there because I had to leave at 10:30 to go home and get changed. Several layers would be needed to keep me warm on the hills.
Skiing again was great. I did a couple of warm-up runs on the lowest of the bunny hills then a couple of runs on the bigger green hill. Art skied with me for those first few runs just to make sure I was comfortable on my skis. Wow what a difference. The skis (rental gear) were about a foot shorter than the last pair I had, the boots higher on the leg and hinged at the ankles with a definate angling forward to force you to stay bent at the knees. The poles too are so much shorter. Even more so since the last 20 years I've been X-country skiing and am used to very long poles. The skis are quite curvatious too. So I had to get used to the difference in the way they acted.
Well, Art was very encouraging and patient with me. Once I felt fairly comfortable I sent him off to ski the big hills while I practiced a bit more. This was actually his first ski day this year and he only skied twice last year. Art is a young athletic guy and, though he hasn't skied alot, he is a quick learner and was anxious to get onto the black diamond runs. Ah, I remember that feeling. It took me back to my own wild ski youth. We met up for a quick food and bathroom break then went up on the big hills together. Art had scoped out a few of the blue runs that he felt I could handle and he had planned out a 'route' of sorts. On the very first one, at the very top of the hill before even starting the main run, I ran into a snow bank and went ass-over-teakettle. We were both laughing so hard. I struggled to get up on my feet (still laughing) while Art took photos. Yes, there are photos in Art's camera and I hope to get them soon :-))
The rest of the day went without any more butt to snow contact. I was feeling really good and really enjoying the day so did a few blue runs. But about 4:00 I was getting tired and decided to stop before I really hurt myself... which happens when you are tired. Trust me, I know, I've learned the hard way. So I returned to the lodge while Art went off to play on the black diamond runs and the tougher blue runs. He even did the double-diamond run a couple of times. The hill closed at 5:00 and I think Art was the last off the hill. A great day and I thank Art for suggesting it. I had lots of fun. Not bad for an old-broad, eh?
Well I woke up Monday with a pain in the ribs. No doubt strained connective tissues of the ribcage. Sneezing is quite painful and coughing hurts along with taking deep breaths. So I am avoiding these things. The sore rib is keeping my mind off all the other sore muscles though. A visit to the chiropractor might be needed. But with the meds for my chest and the dentist visit to fix the tooth I have to watch my pennies this week. Not many left and the rent is due tomorrow!
Well that is enough for now. It is late and I'm off to bed. Good night all.
Posted by gailene at February 28, 2006 11:15 PM