I was reading a review today of the various films that are due out around Christmastime. I was amazed by how many looked really good: The History Boys, The Good German, Dreamgirls, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (great book!), Notes on a Scandal, The Painted Veil, Pan's Labyrinth, Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus. And then there's Eragon, of course.
There's no way I'm going to get to the cinema to see all of these - I think I'll be doing a lot of renting in the new year.
28 November 2006
25 November 2006
Neptune; Armview; Frocks
I've had a busy 24 hours or so. Last night we went to Neptune for the first show in the studio series, This Is How It Goes by Neil LaBute. LaBute's material is infamously uncomfortable and edgy, so we knew it wouldn't be a dull evening. This show had racism as one of its themes - the script maybe tried a little too hard to be shocking, but it was pretty good all the same. Nice performances too.
There was no intermission in the play, and we were out before 10 pm, so we decided to stop in at the Armview on the way home. It was the first time we'd been there on a Friday night - a few months ago, they started bringing in a DJ to play in the lounge there on Fridays. We really enjoyed it - very mellow, chilled-out stuff (the DJs have even produced a special mix for the Armview - you can download the MP3 from their website here). We sat in the restaurant as I was in the mood for dessert (what else is new?) and boozy coffees. The lounge was pretty full though, so it seems they're doing good business with a young, rather hip crowd. That place keeps going from strength to strength - and I love that it's right across the road from my house.
Beautiful day here today - up early this morning to go to the Farmers' Market with L. and M. (found some Christmas present options, and bought a fir wreath for outside also). Then L. and I went to Winchesters to look again at wedding dresses. Last time she was there with my mother-in-law, she'd picked out four dresses, and today we narrowed it down to two. Her favourite really is wonderful, but I'm trying to encourage her to check a few other shops and take a few more weeks to think it over, rather than be pressured by the sales staff to order something right away. The bridal industry is such a racket, though - I was reminded today how much it drives me crazy. How else do they manage to convince sensible women to spend hundreds (or more likely, thousands) of dollars on a dress they'll wear once? There was no question for me that I'd have mine made - though having a professional seamstress for a mother obviously helps. ;-)
There was no intermission in the play, and we were out before 10 pm, so we decided to stop in at the Armview on the way home. It was the first time we'd been there on a Friday night - a few months ago, they started bringing in a DJ to play in the lounge there on Fridays. We really enjoyed it - very mellow, chilled-out stuff (the DJs have even produced a special mix for the Armview - you can download the MP3 from their website here). We sat in the restaurant as I was in the mood for dessert (what else is new?) and boozy coffees. The lounge was pretty full though, so it seems they're doing good business with a young, rather hip crowd. That place keeps going from strength to strength - and I love that it's right across the road from my house.
Beautiful day here today - up early this morning to go to the Farmers' Market with L. and M. (found some Christmas present options, and bought a fir wreath for outside also). Then L. and I went to Winchesters to look again at wedding dresses. Last time she was there with my mother-in-law, she'd picked out four dresses, and today we narrowed it down to two. Her favourite really is wonderful, but I'm trying to encourage her to check a few other shops and take a few more weeks to think it over, rather than be pressured by the sales staff to order something right away. The bridal industry is such a racket, though - I was reminded today how much it drives me crazy. How else do they manage to convince sensible women to spend hundreds (or more likely, thousands) of dollars on a dress they'll wear once? There was no question for me that I'd have mine made - though having a professional seamstress for a mother obviously helps. ;-)
23 November 2006
Cheated!
Last night, I was really looking forward watching to Madonna's concert film, screened on NBC. Mainly because, when I saw the show in person in June, J. and I officially had the Worst Seats In The Bell Centre, and half of the stage wasn't visible to us.
So I settled in at 9 pm last night, and loved most of it. It was especially enjoyable because of the sound quality. Our terrible seats in Montreal also had really bad acoustics, so at the time we couldn't hear alot of the more subtle things going on during the performance.
So imagine my dismay when, at about 10.35 pm (with nearly half an hour still to go in the broadcast), the transmission just froze. It wasn't the TV, and it wasn't a general cable problem - obviously, there was some issue with NBC's transmission in our region (no doubt the fault of the cable company). An hour later, when I went to bed, there was still nothing but a frozen screen on NBC.
Bah...what a damp squib. I was quite annoyed. The transmission cut out right at the start of the big disco finale, too - probably the best part of the show.
Guess I'm just going to have to buy the DVD when it comes out, now.
So I settled in at 9 pm last night, and loved most of it. It was especially enjoyable because of the sound quality. Our terrible seats in Montreal also had really bad acoustics, so at the time we couldn't hear alot of the more subtle things going on during the performance.
So imagine my dismay when, at about 10.35 pm (with nearly half an hour still to go in the broadcast), the transmission just froze. It wasn't the TV, and it wasn't a general cable problem - obviously, there was some issue with NBC's transmission in our region (no doubt the fault of the cable company). An hour later, when I went to bed, there was still nothing but a frozen screen on NBC.
Bah...what a damp squib. I was quite annoyed. The transmission cut out right at the start of the big disco finale, too - probably the best part of the show.
Guess I'm just going to have to buy the DVD when it comes out, now.
18 November 2006
Final Fantasy
Went tonight to see Final Fantasy, i.e. Mr. Owen Pallett, his violin, and a tape recorder. We were first introduced to young Owen when we attended a live taping of the Vinyl Café about a year and a half ago. I thought he was great. Then, a few months ago, he won the first-ever Polaris Music Prize, which brought him to the attention of a much wider audience. He’s a bit of an acquired taste for some, to be sure.
Tonight’s show was held, weirdly, in a church downtown. This particular church seems to play host to quite a few concerts, CD launches, and similar events these days – guess it must be a good money-spinner for them. I figured we’d be in the church hall or something, but no – it was the church itself. The stage was set up in front of the pulpit, and the audience filled the pews!
Anyway, the place was packed tonight with scores of indie hippie freak children, bless them. Performance was very good (Owen’s voice is quite soporific) though not without a few glitches. His performance was accompanied by a pretentious “conceptual” slideshow projection, which I had a bit of a giggle over. But I still find myself fascinated by what he does with the violin and the tape recorder – amazing stuff, and very beautiful.
In the final estimation, there’s no escaping that his show is artsy-fartsy in the extreme. But I liked it a lot. :-)
Tonight’s show was held, weirdly, in a church downtown. This particular church seems to play host to quite a few concerts, CD launches, and similar events these days – guess it must be a good money-spinner for them. I figured we’d be in the church hall or something, but no – it was the church itself. The stage was set up in front of the pulpit, and the audience filled the pews!
Anyway, the place was packed tonight with scores of indie hippie freak children, bless them. Performance was very good (Owen’s voice is quite soporific) though not without a few glitches. His performance was accompanied by a pretentious “conceptual” slideshow projection, which I had a bit of a giggle over. But I still find myself fascinated by what he does with the violin and the tape recorder – amazing stuff, and very beautiful.
In the final estimation, there’s no escaping that his show is artsy-fartsy in the extreme. But I liked it a lot. :-)
November Garden
Took advantage of the (forecasted) last day of the mild spell we've been having to do a little tidying up in the garden today, getting things ready for winter. I cut back a lot of dead foliage and mulched a few beds. There's still a few green things - mostly plants I started from seed last winter, which were slow to get going (like poppies and delphinia). Amazingly, one of my little delphiniums is about to bloom! Well, if the frost doesn't get it first.
A. lifted the dahlias from the planters (those won't survive the winter otherwise) and we have a bunch of raking to do tomorrow, to clear up the last of the leaves that have fallen. While I was in Boston last weekend, A. planted a bunch of bulbs and seeds for me - snowdrops, irises, bluebells, foxgloves, hollyhocks, lupins and more poppies. We'll see how those do, next spring.
Also tomorrow, we'll put away the patio furniture, and in a few more weeks, we'll need to cover some of the larger shrubs and bushes, to protect them from the heavy weight of snow. Then we should be just about ready for winter.
Yesterday, I was looking at the outdoor Christmas lights, stored away at the back of the shed. Guess we'll need to get those out soon enough. *sigh*
A. lifted the dahlias from the planters (those won't survive the winter otherwise) and we have a bunch of raking to do tomorrow, to clear up the last of the leaves that have fallen. While I was in Boston last weekend, A. planted a bunch of bulbs and seeds for me - snowdrops, irises, bluebells, foxgloves, hollyhocks, lupins and more poppies. We'll see how those do, next spring.
Also tomorrow, we'll put away the patio furniture, and in a few more weeks, we'll need to cover some of the larger shrubs and bushes, to protect them from the heavy weight of snow. Then we should be just about ready for winter.
Yesterday, I was looking at the outdoor Christmas lights, stored away at the back of the shed. Guess we'll need to get those out soon enough. *sigh*
15 November 2006
The Notebook
That movie The Notebook was on TV last night. So I watched it, because I didn't feel like working on a lecture. It was wildly popular when it came out two years ago, but damned if I understand why. What a load of half-baked, oversentimentalised old balls.
It's insipid stuff like this that gives "chick flicks" such a bad name.
It's insipid stuff like this that gives "chick flicks" such a bad name.
Le week-end à Boston
Had a great couple of days down in Boston, for my extended birthday long weekend. I flew on my Aeroplan points and went down Thursday night after work (J. joined me and arrived from Montreal earlier that day). We rented a great little studio apartment in the North End for our stay - same cost as a hotel, but much larger and more comfortable, and with a kitchen so we could cater for ourselves a bit.
After a full day of shopping and primping on Friday, we gathered that evening at Radius for an epic meal that went on for hours. Joining J. and I were Jana's friends J. and C., my friend C., as well as C. and his girlfriend L. Of course, we all went for the four-course tasting menu, with wine pairings. It was fantastic - probably the best meal I have had this side of the Atlantic (tuna; salmon; celery (!) sorbet; venison; nutty caramel goodness with bergamot ice cream to finish). And the service was excellent too - very attentive, but not at all snobby or overbearing. Afterward, we planned to go to a nearby lounge for drinks and dancing - but got turned away at the door because J. and I had no ID on us! Given that I hardly ever go out, and J. lives in Montreal, it never even occurred to us to bring ID along. So that put an early end to the evening's festivities, but what can you do? Never thought I'd get carded on my 34th birthday, that's for sure.
On Saturday, we headed over to Cambridge for the afternoon. Both Friday and Saturday were unbelievably warm and sunny - we ate lunch outside that day, then had a stroll around the Harvard campus, which is pleasant enough. We spent a couple of hours in the Fogg Museum, which turned out to be amazing. We really had no idea how many important works are housed there - in particular, there were some fantastic Pre-Raphaelite and Impressionist paintings. The best thing about this museum is that it's fairly small and manageable - you can see the entire collection in about two hours, without suffering too much 'art fatigue' (which I am especially susceptible to nowadays, having been spoilt by too many years in Europe).
On Sunday, J. had to start a three-day medical conference, so I'd arranged to meet up with my friend C. for the day. He'd very kindly offered to take me sightseeing outside the city, so of course I jumped at the chance. We went down to Newport, RI, which was about an hour and a half away. We had a bit of a whirlwind tour (definitely a place I'd love to explore in more depth sometime), but it's a fabulous place - littered with stately holiday homes built at the turn of the twentieth century by some of America's wealthiest families. There's some beautiful walking and driving along the cliffs and seashore to be had, also. The town centre itself is very historic and charming, with a lot of colonial-era buildings. I can't imagine there are too many places in the US with such density of historical architecture - it was brilliant.
[ *ADDENDUM* I forgot the best part! We discovered many fascinating historical facts about Newport during our visit. The most colourful one was the story of an ordinary man and his sister, who (improbably) lived in a tumbledown shack on Bellevue Avenue, the poshest street in town. Needless to say, the well-heeled residents of the area were unimpressed with both the house and the junkyard surrounding it, and repeatedly tried to have the residents ejected, without success. But the best part of the story? The man in question was known locally as "Timmy the Woodhooker". ?!?!??! I have been trying ever since I returned home to find out exactly what a 'woodhooker' is, but thus far have failed. Obviously I'm going to have to dig a little deeper...I can only imagine it is some sort of very obscure (and frankly hilarious) Rhode Islandism. Heh!! ]
We got back to the city in the early evening, grabbed some supper, then headed out to the (apparently rather legendary) Paradise Club. We had tickets for...um...Scritti Politti, whom I'd last listened to in 1985 sometime. ;-) But his most recent album has had loads of critical praise and is really quite good. We met up with C.'s friend D. at the show (J. had hoped to come along, but was too wiped out from her day of conferencing), and joined what turned out to be a tiny crowd - maybe 150 at most. But it was cool, because it was very intimate. Great show.
Sooo tired Monday morning - up at 6 am to catch my water taxi back across the harbour to the airport. I got a morning flight so that I could be home by mid-day - needed the rest of Monday to unpack, unwind, do some laundry, etc. But all in all, a grand time in Boston. We like it an awful lot!
After a full day of shopping and primping on Friday, we gathered that evening at Radius for an epic meal that went on for hours. Joining J. and I were Jana's friends J. and C., my friend C., as well as C. and his girlfriend L. Of course, we all went for the four-course tasting menu, with wine pairings. It was fantastic - probably the best meal I have had this side of the Atlantic (tuna; salmon; celery (!) sorbet; venison; nutty caramel goodness with bergamot ice cream to finish). And the service was excellent too - very attentive, but not at all snobby or overbearing. Afterward, we planned to go to a nearby lounge for drinks and dancing - but got turned away at the door because J. and I had no ID on us! Given that I hardly ever go out, and J. lives in Montreal, it never even occurred to us to bring ID along. So that put an early end to the evening's festivities, but what can you do? Never thought I'd get carded on my 34th birthday, that's for sure.
On Saturday, we headed over to Cambridge for the afternoon. Both Friday and Saturday were unbelievably warm and sunny - we ate lunch outside that day, then had a stroll around the Harvard campus, which is pleasant enough. We spent a couple of hours in the Fogg Museum, which turned out to be amazing. We really had no idea how many important works are housed there - in particular, there were some fantastic Pre-Raphaelite and Impressionist paintings. The best thing about this museum is that it's fairly small and manageable - you can see the entire collection in about two hours, without suffering too much 'art fatigue' (which I am especially susceptible to nowadays, having been spoilt by too many years in Europe).
On Sunday, J. had to start a three-day medical conference, so I'd arranged to meet up with my friend C. for the day. He'd very kindly offered to take me sightseeing outside the city, so of course I jumped at the chance. We went down to Newport, RI, which was about an hour and a half away. We had a bit of a whirlwind tour (definitely a place I'd love to explore in more depth sometime), but it's a fabulous place - littered with stately holiday homes built at the turn of the twentieth century by some of America's wealthiest families. There's some beautiful walking and driving along the cliffs and seashore to be had, also. The town centre itself is very historic and charming, with a lot of colonial-era buildings. I can't imagine there are too many places in the US with such density of historical architecture - it was brilliant.
[ *ADDENDUM* I forgot the best part! We discovered many fascinating historical facts about Newport during our visit. The most colourful one was the story of an ordinary man and his sister, who (improbably) lived in a tumbledown shack on Bellevue Avenue, the poshest street in town. Needless to say, the well-heeled residents of the area were unimpressed with both the house and the junkyard surrounding it, and repeatedly tried to have the residents ejected, without success. But the best part of the story? The man in question was known locally as "Timmy the Woodhooker". ?!?!??! I have been trying ever since I returned home to find out exactly what a 'woodhooker' is, but thus far have failed. Obviously I'm going to have to dig a little deeper...I can only imagine it is some sort of very obscure (and frankly hilarious) Rhode Islandism. Heh!! ]
We got back to the city in the early evening, grabbed some supper, then headed out to the (apparently rather legendary) Paradise Club. We had tickets for...um...Scritti Politti, whom I'd last listened to in 1985 sometime. ;-) But his most recent album has had loads of critical praise and is really quite good. We met up with C.'s friend D. at the show (J. had hoped to come along, but was too wiped out from her day of conferencing), and joined what turned out to be a tiny crowd - maybe 150 at most. But it was cool, because it was very intimate. Great show.
Sooo tired Monday morning - up at 6 am to catch my water taxi back across the harbour to the airport. I got a morning flight so that I could be home by mid-day - needed the rest of Monday to unpack, unwind, do some laundry, etc. But all in all, a grand time in Boston. We like it an awful lot!
08 November 2006
Birthday
Turned thirty-four today. Gah. As a good friend of mine once remarked, I have now outlived Jesus. ;-)
Mixed bag of a day. Terrible morning at work - altercation with project colleague that was completely uncalled for (on his part). Supervisor has backed me up completely, but still, it's not really very nice to be basically told that you're inept - especially when it's your birthday and all. *grumble*
Rushed home from work to get to the manicurist - two-hour appointment stretched into three hours because she'd overbooked herself. Finally got home - bolted down some supper - ran out again for birthday dessert and coffee with A., L. and M. At least that was very nice.
On the plus side, I had lots of thoughtful birthday messages today, and some very nice presents: a quantity of good books (including a Victorian one from my parents - surely picked up at auction), some jewellery, bottles of wine, candles, etc.
Fortunately, the festivities will continue over the next few days. Off to Boston tomorrow for a long birthday weekend with J. (whose birthday is Saturday). We've rented a studio apt. in the North End, as she'll be there till Tuesday (I return home Monday morning). Looking forward to good eating, good shopping, cultural stuff and sightseeing, as well as visiting with wonderful friends. Very excited about that!
Mixed bag of a day. Terrible morning at work - altercation with project colleague that was completely uncalled for (on his part). Supervisor has backed me up completely, but still, it's not really very nice to be basically told that you're inept - especially when it's your birthday and all. *grumble*
Rushed home from work to get to the manicurist - two-hour appointment stretched into three hours because she'd overbooked herself. Finally got home - bolted down some supper - ran out again for birthday dessert and coffee with A., L. and M. At least that was very nice.
On the plus side, I had lots of thoughtful birthday messages today, and some very nice presents: a quantity of good books (including a Victorian one from my parents - surely picked up at auction), some jewellery, bottles of wine, candles, etc.
Fortunately, the festivities will continue over the next few days. Off to Boston tomorrow for a long birthday weekend with J. (whose birthday is Saturday). We've rented a studio apt. in the North End, as she'll be there till Tuesday (I return home Monday morning). Looking forward to good eating, good shopping, cultural stuff and sightseeing, as well as visiting with wonderful friends. Very excited about that!
05 November 2006
On The Sunday Edition
Wow, The Sunday Edition was on fire this morning. In the first two hours, they had stories on the impact of the Iraq War on the upcoming US elections, and a heart-wrenching piece on the killing of student protestors at Kent State University during the Vietnam War.
Later on, they had a story on women in science, which was especially interesting given the great play we just saw at Neptune last night, The Little Years (about a girl growing up in the 1950s whose life ends up rather blighted because her early talents in math and science aren't supported by her family or her school). Then the show finished with an interview of the wonderful Alberto Manguel, whose latest book, The Library at Night, is of course on my to-read list.
I love it when my Sunday gets off to such a great, thoughtful start.
Later on, they had a story on women in science, which was especially interesting given the great play we just saw at Neptune last night, The Little Years (about a girl growing up in the 1950s whose life ends up rather blighted because her early talents in math and science aren't supported by her family or her school). Then the show finished with an interview of the wonderful Alberto Manguel, whose latest book, The Library at Night, is of course on my to-read list.
I love it when my Sunday gets off to such a great, thoughtful start.
03 November 2006
Salt Contamination? Uh, OK.
The last few days, Halifax has been plagued by power cuts - ranging from a few seconds to 15-20 minutes. Last night, I was on the bus when all the traffic lights, and many of the street lights, went out through most of downtown. Kinda scary when it's the middle of rush hour and it's pitch black out.
Nova Scotia Power's explanation? "Salt contamination." Yeah, that's right - they say that the windstorm we had last weekend blew a lot of salt spray far inland, which settled on lines and equipment and is causing them to short-circuit. What the hell kind of an explanation is that? This is the east coast - salt spray and high winds are a fact of life!
It reminds me of "leaves on the line", the old chestnut that British Rail routinely trots out whenever trains are cancelled or delayed in the UK. Lame, to say the least.
Nova Scotia Power's explanation? "Salt contamination." Yeah, that's right - they say that the windstorm we had last weekend blew a lot of salt spray far inland, which settled on lines and equipment and is causing them to short-circuit. What the hell kind of an explanation is that? This is the east coast - salt spray and high winds are a fact of life!
It reminds me of "leaves on the line", the old chestnut that British Rail routinely trots out whenever trains are cancelled or delayed in the UK. Lame, to say the least.
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