Red Letter Day: let this week be over!

It has been a tough week for Toronto residents. Our mayor was ousted and I allowed myself a brief moment of jubilation.  But what followed was a playpen of childish ranting, raving and legal punditry that had me turning off all media. I love my city. But I'm way past fed up with our municipal leaders.

Distractions, mercifully, are plentiful. Here are some good ones for the weekend:
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Besmirched, lacklustre and dauntless: Hurrah for words!

 If you ever have the chance to study with a master of your chosen craft, run headlong with no delay.
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Your Tuesday groove

   The Purple Master may be a recluse but when he emerges from his musical vault, he appears ageless.  Prince is back with a new hairdo and performance video, quietly released on YouTube over the weekend.

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Red Letter Day: Epic time

It is closing weekend for The Clock at the Power Plant Exhibit in Toronto.
Long line ups are expected for this sensational exhibit, a collage of sound and film that has been called a masterpiece by critics around the world.
Swiss-American artist Christian Marclay spent years compiling a 24 hour montage featuring thousands of classic film clips of time related scenes synchronised to real time. In doing so, he went from respectable artist to international celebrity. In an excellent essay explaining how it was done, The New Yorker says seeing The Clock on its global tour has become its own competitive sport. Only 50 are allowed in to see it at one time but visitors can stay as long as they like. Repeat visits are common ( and necessary if you ask our family art critic, Kate) but this is your last chance to see it in Toronto: it closes Sunday. 

If seeing The Clock makes you think about time while you waste your time in the most clever fashion then resist the urge to shop. Yes, I know about Black Friday but do we really have to import every American tradition? 
Winter is at the doorstep but can we all just pause?
The last days of November are, for me, one last sip of my coffee before the rush.
( See final days of Autumn 2012)
I can linger on the season's riches as we have settled into our pace.  First term report cards are in and everyone is on course. The first mark of 100 reached in this household's history has been noted with cheers and awe from this life long student. To use my children's parlance: WTF????
 The only 100 I've seen was on a credit card bill.  

My kids achievements are their own. But I will allow for a jolt of inspiration. It is better than caffeine.



Have a great weekend!

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Dark Controversy

Director Cynthia Mort has stepped in it.

 In casting Zoe Saldana, an Afro-Latina actor, to play singer Nina Simone, the filmmaker has caused a storm of fury from Simone's many fans. 

Courtesy Getty Images

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We were all children once.

An excerpt from my poetry collection"Holding Glass" in honour of today, Universal Children's Day.

Poetry, Alburnum Press, 2001

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Pink steals the show...again.

"There are no rules for artists. None that I can't break at least."

Could that be the mantra musician Pink intones every time she considers her next performance?

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Rave: Acadia

I am not a picky eater but time has allowed me some prudence as a patron. I am a city girl at heart and the abundant riches of culture in Toronto have pressured my pocketbook enough that a night out with my favourite date comes with careful selection.
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Red Letter Day: a big WOW for a Rookie and more

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Marilyn is dead but can she still influence?

He may have been their latest face but Brad Pitt ( as reported here) 
can hardly help Chanel in their latest battle. 
But maybe Marilyn can.

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Turning tricks

The last I checked, food poisoning does not affect cognitive functioning. But how else to explain my slip up in my last post, dear readers?
Yes, I have been ill in the past 48 hours and no, you don't need details. Suffice it to say I am better.
Or so I thought.
But as I wrote about the charming new production, Alligator Pie, I wrote this:

"I owe a great deal to this kind of poetry as a mom almost out of tricks at sunrise..."

What I meant to say was "at sundown"to indicate my fatigued state at end of day.

Now clearly, you are all too polite or just waiting for the perfect time to make discreet queries about my new occupation.

But it is only a matter of time before an observant reader finds me out. I could let it go unnoticed. We're not meant to point out our own mistakes. 

Subliminal slip?

You give me far too much credit.

Although it does make a good story....

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Don't give away my alligator soup!

It now seems to be settled science that the original notion of play, unfettered with schedules and structure, is disappearing. I choke a little on that dismal thought. How would I have survived without it?


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Red Letter Day: Black Bond and new Les Mis

Yesterday I used the work word a few too many times. But maybe I have to do it again after seeing this incredible video of what may be the best boss in the world. I never had one like this. Many of mine were uninspiring and certainly did their best to squash any creative instincts I had. But when Obama thanked his campaign workers this week, he began to cry. The man is exhausted and sincere as he tells a room full of devoted staffers that he is proud of them. For all you haters out there, I challenge you to watch this and tell me exactly what can you truly hate about this man?

And just in case that didn't inspire you, here's another uplifting video.

But a brief preface:

I detest Christmas creep and refuse to go all glitter and pine until the real gold on my trees has fallen to the ground. My garden is hanging on to the glory of fall and who needs Christmas music this early?

But there is one kind of music I will listen to but I have to wait along with everyone else.  As I wrote in September, the musical adaptation of Les Miz is opening Christmas Day and is expected to be epic.

This week Universal released a spectacular new international trailer. Have fun. But you will still have to wait until Christmas!
New 'Les Miserables' Trailer: One More Day For Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway & Russell Crowe (VIDEO)

You don't have to wait for the new Bond film. It is out in theatres in selected cities across North America today. But you might have to wait to see the first black Bond.  But it is coming.  Rumours are swirling about London actor Idris Elba to take over after Daniel Craig finishes out his contract for two more Bond films. I'm in no rush to see Craig go ( swim trunk scene, thank you!) but Elba can fill out 007's tux to be sure. Fans of The Wire will know this talented actor's work well.  Elba is also a hip hop artist so maybe his version of Bond will feature some crooning.

Have a great weekend!

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Take your kid to work and see what exactly?

 My daughter asked me to help her choose an outfit the other day. It was an important request because she was about to shadow her dad in the workplace for Take your Kid to Work Day.
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I LOVE LUCY..most of the time.

Four years ago today we were among friends toasting Obamaʼs election with some divine bubbly brought by our dear pal, Rocco.
Also on November 4th that year, our pup Lucy was born on a farm near Warkworth, Ontario. Six weeks later, we brought her home. Her breeder assured us that sharing a birthday with a presidential election meant this tiny creature was destined for greatness.

Destined for dysfunction is closer to the truth.

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Red Letter Day: Denzel, Will and Frozen Chocolate

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