April 25, 2009

"Outgrowing things we love is never a pleasant process"--Emily of New Moon

Dreamed of reflecting that the Maginot Line worked on its own terms but diverted money that would have been better spent on tanks; that despite all the frustrations of doing my Ph.D. thesis, I wish I could do another one.

Went with the Walking Meetup along Cedarvale Ravine.  Julie was pleased that I knew the area and all 15 people showed up. (The weather was excellent:  I wore my spring jacket for the first time, and ended up carrying it!) We were going to have ice cream at Dutch Dreams, but it isn't on summer hours yet and wasn't open.  A few of us went further, along the Nordheimer Ravine.

Dinner was lobster rolls.

Went to a DBE games night at a Pantages Tower recreation room.  First I played the trading game Pit for the first time, but I'm no good at it. (You have to think on your feet really quick.) Then I played Settlers of Catan for the first time.  Once you get into the strategizing, it's really captivating!  I didn't do that well in points, but I still feel proud that I built three of the five cities.

Finished Emily of New Moon.  I'm tempted to term it L.M. Montgomery's masterpiece.

April 24, 2009

Dreamed of a man and a woman fleeing a nuclear explosion by bicycle at the northern tip of Cape Breton; being in our old house in Sackville, N.B., as it slid off its foundation downhill into the nearby quarry; being backstage in a huge theatre.

Last night we saw the DVD of Henry Hathaway's Call Northside 777, a good film noir with Jimmy Stewart as an investigative reporter who uncovers a frame-up.

Patricia quit as organizer of the Brunch Club Meetup so I've taken over.

Saw the DVD Let's Get Together, highlights from the World Folk Music Association's 20th anniversary benefit concert.  I would have liked more of the older songs.

Dinner was quiche, which Moira made with the leftover ham.

My choir performed Cavalleria Rusticana.  This performance was largely for potential Columbus Centre patrons.

 

April 22, 2009

Dreamed of seeing actor brothers Jeff and Beau Bridges with a third brother I hadn't heard of.

Went shopping. (I also got a new pair of pants and slippers.)

Dinner was boiled ham.

We did the Cavalleria Rusticana dress rehearsal.

April 21, 2009

"Well..."

"A well's a hole in the ground,  Howard.  Be careful you don't fall in"

--Picnic

Dreamed of introducing Father to someone I'd known in London, England.

Saw the DVD of the first episode of the BBC school drama To Serve Them All My Days.  Wonderful.

Dinner was Indian butter chicken (with sauce from a jar).

At drama class we were given scenes to work on.  I have a scene from William Inge's Picnic as a guy holding out on marrying his desperate girlfriend.

Saw the DVD of the silent German fantasy The Golem.  Imaginative.

April 20, 2009

"Middle age is when you go to bed hoping you'll feel better in the morning.  Old age is when you go to bed hoping you'll wake up in the morning!"--Groucho Marx:  A Life in Review

On brother Chico: "He'd give you the shirt off his back, and it would be the one he borrowed from you last week!"--ibid.

Dreamed of being attacked on the street by a crazy woman; waking up really early in the morning and going out for a walk; an adventure series based on Scottish legend, involving a high-minded hero and his down-to-earth sidekick.

At huffingtonpost.com you can add an avatar to your profile now.  I've added a photo of early Canadian socialist leader J.S. Woodsworth.

At archive.org I found the educational film Holiday From Rules, which I remember seeing in school 40 years ago!

Dinner was roast chicken.

Saw a DVD of Groucho:  A Life in Revue, an entertaining play about Groucho Marx written by his son, with Frank Ferrante in the title role.

After choir practice I told John George about Moira and it turned out his daughter had also qualified for the Boston Marathon, but in her case she caught a cold.

Saw a DVD of Pixar's animated shorts.  Pretty clever computer animation.

April 18, 2009

"Do you love her?"

"It depends on what you mean by 'love'"

--Madama Butterfly

Dreamed of a puzzle contest involving a site called Fort Georgia.

Saw the cinemacast of the Met's Madama Butterfly.  The staging was imaginative. (This time I found a seat in the back.)

Dinner was steak.

Went to the DBE Meetup.  Didn't stay long.

Read almost 60 pages of Emily of New Moon!

April 17, 2009

Dreamed of helping to rebuild a railway bed in the hills of Nova Scotia; reflecting that summer was the most joyful of seasons; a new version of Goodfellas, with a more upbeat look and scenes on the brink of Niagara Falls; arriving in New York City by ship.

The warm spring weather is here, so I can open my windows for the first time.

Went shopping. (We got some cheap post-Easter chocolate.)

Since it was warm enough for open windows I cleaned the windows in my room.  I also opened the window on my balcony door, and the draft scattered my loose paper all over the room!

Went to a Karaoke Meetup at the Golden Griddle.  First we had a buffet dinner. (I didn't get any of the fish and chips because the others used it up before I could get to it.) I sang "Sway," "I Want a New Drug," "I I Were a Rich Man" (that brought down the house!) and "Against All Odds."

Headache.