Feb 10 - Feb 28, 2014 - Photo A Day Project

The long, icy winter continues to hang on here in Ottawa -- the news tells us it has been the coldest in 20 years. 

Canadians traditionally bond by complaining about the weather, but this year I think most of us are bored with that worn-out conversation. Everyone just seems to be peeking out between their toques or hoods and neck scarves while hustling from door to car, which we then start up, cranking up the defroster and heated seats, scraping and brushing down the windows yet again, and getting ourselves to the next warm indoor spot. Once inside again, we all whine briefly, but really... it's gotten to the point where we just sigh and use that energy to warm back up and get on with life. 
Spring is bound to come soon, right?

In the spirit of one thing coming to an end and something new blooming, I've decided, after an eight-month stretch, to once again end the photo-a-day project and change my focus to the restaurant reviews and my immigration story. Wonderfully, my friend, photographer Don Douglas, has begun fatmumslim's photo challenge, so the tradition continues within the family.

So here you are... my final installment of daily pictures... 
at least for this round!
[Thanks for your kind feedback during this project. I hope you enjoy -- and send your friends to peruse -- the upcoming reviews.] 

10 - I Am

... a soup-makin' mama!
First attempt at cream of broccoli and oh yum!!
(P.S. Notice that counter top? Prepare to see it GO.)

11 - Mistake

Working on the set-crew script and oops!
those pesky borders.

12 - Out and About

Such beautiful abundance.

13 - Perfect

OH the minute details required in training a crew!

14 - Heart

Our VD Exchange :)

15 - My Drink of Choice

A warming winter weekend whistle-wetter.

16 - Create

These folks truly make us believe they're
living in a nursing home.
Excellent actors!

17 - Vegetable

Green curry with shrimp & veggies
including lovely, delicious radishes.
(Not so pretty, but you must trust me about the taste!)

18 - Magic

Director Jim McNabb's vision
brought to life.

19 - Feet

Showing my Saudi student an online conversion site.

20 - Peace

Bought this pin in the mid-80's in San Francisco
and still love it and all it stands for.

21 - Funny (yes, that IS sarcasm)

Our neighbour clears a path so the melting
snow can reach the drain.

22 - An Act of Kindness

There were so many today, but this is the only one
I caught on camera. We were at the far reaches of the
Costco parking lot. It was freezing and windy.
This wonderful woman saved us from having to return
the cart to the store. It's the little things...

23 - This is Where I Relax

Chillin' after a delicious dinner with friends
and snugglin' with wild-man Kenji

24 - Half

Working the current play at the Ottawa Little Theatre

25 - Cut

Yummy spanakopita!

26 - Light

Or MANY lights!

27 - My View Today

New sink and counter tops get installed!

Panorama of the new look

28 - Reflection

Co-crew-chief Nadine in the backstage mirror
ready to carpool home.

Nov 25 - Dec 14, 2013 - Photo A Day Project

'Tis the season to be busy. Fa La La La Lahhh, La La La Lah!  :)

The past three weeks have been such fun! Although I was only one of a team of 12 awesome set-crew folks at Ottawa Little Theatre's production of Christmas Belles, my co-crew-chief status kept me engaged in some capacity each day of its three-week run. 

There were fill-ins and prayers for ill and injured teammates, worry over mystery lighting problems, and concern that the great cast may actually have meant it when they teased us about attempting to upstage them. There was pride as we watched the actors become their silly, Texan characters, and bewilderment as audiences laughed at and actually applauded our simple, frozen poses. But mostly, I felt the warm fulfillment of being a part of a creative production that brought a bit of lightness and cheer into what is often a stressful time of year. 

Last night was closing night, so -- at least for awhile -- it's back to "normal life." Bravo to old and new theatre friends! Hope to work / play with you all again soon.

Here, now, is my three-week catch-up of daily snaps. :)

Nov 25 - Quirky

My delightfully eccentric best GF!

 

26 - Message

"Brrr! Letting me in now would be good."

27 - No!

Poor White Pine couldn't handle the first heavy snow this year.

28 - I am Grateful for ... 

Home with my dear Pierre, Copper & Penny.
Snow. This glorious life. :)

29 - Black

Meeting my new friend, Marta, and her pups,
Monty & Mylo at the dog park.
At 8 + months pregnant, she was feeling
like a big, black wardrobe!

30 - All Done

Patrick, my stepson, finishes
U.S. Thanksgiving Chinese dinner.

December!

1 - Red

The front door gets festive.

2- Where I Stood

The motivational speakers at MoMonday Ottawa. We joined them
on stage at the end of the talks for a round of "All You Need Is Love."
Yep. I sang on stage. lol!

3 - Silver

Mary Beth / Rhonda Lynn sparkles onstage and off!

4 - Tiny

Christmas Village where Catzilla regularly naps

5 - In the Cupboard

Penny checking out the paper recycling

6 - Shadow

Wonder whether the neighbourhood Zellers will become a Target?

7 - Six O'Clock

We three crew chiefs carpool to the theatre

8 - Where I Shop

Picked up dinner after working the matinee
from our favourite Ethiopian Restaurant: The Blue Nile

9 - This is the Weather Today

Another layer of lovely snow!

10 - R is for ...

Roses ... dead and alive! (By the way, those mini-roses
flourish outside! They even over-winter in Ottawa.
Hearty little fellas!)

11 - Green

Our buddy, Grey, bundles up to head home after the show.

12 - Joy is ...

Building Christmas Traditions

13 - Composition

The sound and light boards and their designers and
operators who help create the magic.

14 - Drink

Cheers to closing night of Christmas Belles --
a toast to all with Peppermint Schnapps and Cocoa!

September 16 - 22, 2013 - Photo A Day Project

:) Is it really Friday? Aw, well. Days continue to flow along at an accelerated pace, each one full of interesting people, places, and activities. I consult FatMumSlim's Photo-a-Day list and sure enough, each day magically presents a scene that fits the day's word perfectly. 

Here are the things that showed up last week.

16 - Frame(s)

We and Our Families
adorn the hallway

17 - In Front of Me

Scripts for the upcoming November / December plays.
We'll be co-crew-chiefing: finding, scheduling, and directing crews;
choreographing and mapping set changes;
and helping schlep furniture on the OLT stage. Great Fun!

18 - Vintage

Ye six-year-olde PC. Practically ancient.

19 - What is This?

The most fabulous gum-massagers / toothpicks ever!

20 - In the Morning

Post-walk, picking up my yoga-buddy, Dana.

21 - Rule of Thirds

Lovelies at the Ottawa Gem Show

22 - Made Me Smile

Giant, serene inukshuks in Gatineau / Hull, Quebec.
If they could speak, it would be in beautiful, probably bass-toned French.

Pride & Prejudice - A Backstage Review

Last summer my partner, Pierre, and I were introduced to the delights of the theatre. Not that we hadn't enjoyed attending a number of plays over the years. We had indeed; however, both of us had avoided drama classes like a proverbial pandemic. Little did we know that joining the crew of Dangerous Liaisons at Ottawa Little Theatre would infect us with the "theatre rat" bug. (Admittedly, I have a worse case than Pierre.) A caution to our non-theatre friends: we may now be contagious.

Val, Mike, me, and Pierre

Fast forward a few months from that auspicious (perhaps fated) beginning....

We were thrilled to see that OLT's fabulous 100th Season lineup included a production of one of our favourite stories: Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice. Soon thereafter we learned that Geoff Gruson -- Dangerous Liaisons' director, and one of only two that we'd worked under -- was also directing P&P. We definitely wanted to work the show. (Besides, how could P&P resist doing P&P ?)

Lounging in our living room with dear friend Val Bogan (who's celebrating 25 years of volunteering at the OLT this month) after a big meal and a bottle of delicious Australian Shiraz, we found ourselves nodding Yeah. Sure. We can do that... to her suggestion that we were ready to take on the responsibility of Set Crew Chiefs.

(Caution #2: Val and our mutual friend, Mike Heffernan, were our original [dare I say intentional?] bug-carriers. Just so you know.)

OLT Stage Manager, Jim Hogan

Now we are nearly half-way through the run of this incredible production, and the hardest part of our role is finished. With the support of Val and Stage Manager, Jim Hogan, we gathered an amazing team of 16 volunteers. After rallying them to rehearsals, our "Star Crew Members" follow Pierre's five meticulously choreographed and coached set changes between beautifully acted scenes.

The sharply-clad set crew turns periactoids (three-sided towers depicting three different rooms), flies walls and curtains in and out, and moves furniture to subtly marked spots on the stage. They do this while three or four props people are also setting and removing vases, tea-sets, pillow, throws, and chotskies. With amazing grace and finesse, I might add. And last night, they even garnered unexpected audience applause.

Grey, Meghan, Don, Mihee, Nadine, Pierre

Paul and Sharon

Barb, Caroline, Chrisy, Don, Grey, Jennifer, Maha, Mihee, Mike, Meghan, Nadine, Patti, Paul, Rich, Sharon, and Val -- We are so proud of your contributions to this play, and look forward to the remaining ten performances!

Since Geoff's goal (and audiences' preference) was for our team to squeeze these graceful moves into the briefest time-periods possible, our little pieces of P&P soak up a little under four minutes of audience-watching time and five minutes of intermission behind-curtain time.

The remainder of the two hours is filled by a perfectly-chosen and unbelievably talented cast who bring the well-known characters of the Bennets, Lucases, and Bingleys, Mr. Collins, Col. Fitzwilliams, Lady Catherine De Bourg and Mr. Darcy to life. It has been a treat getting to know the actors and watching them evolve from reading their lines to becoming their characters.

Kim and Purni - props

Every nights' audience has laughed and applauded throughout the show, and reviews of all parts of it--including our scene changes!--have been glowing. Bravo to Geoff for envisioning such a delightful version of this play, and to each cast and crew member for bringing that vision to light.

Paul, Val, Meghan, and Chrisy

Performances run Feb 12 - Mar 2, Tuesday through Saturday -- curtain time at 8:00, and one matinee this Sunday, Feb 24 -- curtain time 2:00.

For tickets and information, visit Ottawa Little Theatre - Pride & Prejudice Hope to see you at the show!
P.S. While you're on the OLT's website, do check out the remaining five shows of the 100th Season. With one play from each of its 10 decades, there's sure to be at least one more that draws you to the theatre. And you never know... you may even catch the bug, and be tempted to join us in the wings. :-)