New York (August 4 - 9, 2013)

I'm having a little bit of New York withdrawl. Since moving back to Canada, New York has become my Paris of Europe. When I lived in Europe, I would go to Paris a couple times each year...just because it's awesome. I'm having serious Paris-withdrawl, but maybe it's just Europe-withdrawl in general. Hopefully I'll have a chance to go back for a visit soon...we'll see. Until then, New York usually works in a pinch but it's been over a year since I've been. Wow - that's even longer than I had originally thought! (Also, gosh, I live such a fortunate and awesome life.)

Anyway, here are some memories from my last trip there...
 

There's something about New York that just re-energizes me. It's not like I take a trip there and do nothing and it's relaxing by any means, but I happily fill my days. I had actually planned this trip because I there was a conference that I wanted to attend and I met with a colleague in the city to discuss a possible collaboration/project. I was feeling guilty about my trips to New York and not really being able to justify these frivolous trips (even if they were an actual much needed repose from a busy schedule), so combining 'work' and a vacation made it a lot easier to book.
Anyway, a trip to the Shake Shack to sit until the lights and enjoy a burger, fries, and frozen custard was definitely on the agenda.

I thought it might be nice to catch a movie under the stars, and of course New York had a couple options. the one that worked with my schedule and interests was Norma Rae, screened in Bryant Park. I didn't stay for the entire film, but enjoyed sitting out on the lovely evening, being among the masses and watching Sally Field do her thing. Naturally, many folks brought bevvies and snacks or packed a picnic dinner and I thought that it was nice that there was a the option of sitting on the grass or on the chairs. There were so many people there! And there were also people hanging out in the surrounding area just enjoying the evening. New York is such a lovely place. I'd be interested to know the ratio of tourists to locals in the area that night. How many tourists would be as zany as me and look up events like this to take in on their vacations? I mean, I'm sure there were people who just stumbled upon the event, but those who planned it into their evening, I wonder.
The next day, I walked by Bryant Park again and noticed that the field was cordoned off. Good on the NY parks folks to know that the grass would need a little bit of TLC and time to breathe after an eventful night.

Another event that was on my schedule was to attend a taping of America's Got Talent. I have to admit, I don't watch the show (and never have), but in my pre-trip research I was looking into tapings of TV shows that I could attend and given the time of year of my trip, the options were limited.
I figured it didn't really matter if I didn't follow the show regularly, because I was essentially attending a talent show and I would probably enjoy a talent show of any kind. I thought there would be some interesting banter from the judges and I'd be interested to know how my judgement of the acts compared to them. Also, the taping was at Radio City Music Hall, which is such a beautiful venue. And of course, it was fun to see the 'production' part of it all. To see how they tried to get the crowd going, taped bonus 'audience cheering and clapping' scenes, did strategic placement of specific audience members and handed out signs for audience members to hold so that they would be caught on camera.

Of course, I also attended a couple broadway shows. Taking a look at the most recent Tony winners, I decided that I would attend Kinky Boots and Pippin. Since it was pretty soon after the Tonys were handed out, I had the pleasure of watching those winners and nominees perform. Both shows were fantastic. Billy Porter and Andrea Martin, I have no idea how they compared to their fellow nominees and if there's some sort of criteria assessed to be given the award, but based on my own criteria, they definitely deserved the Tony. They were sooooooo awesome.

Shakespeare in the park

On this super freezing night, I'm clearly trying to catch up on my blogging (I wonder if I will ever post about my trip to Stockholm), and thinking about warmer days. I was thinking about the summer and outings to High Park to watch Shakespeare. This past summer, I watched As You Like It, a Canadian Stage production, of course. This was the first time that I saw actors warming up on stage before the show. Some were practicing their combat scenes, while others seemed to be doing yoga. It was a lovely outing and show, of course all the more better with good company and a picnic dinner!
With Into the Woods having just come out, I flashed back to The Public Theatre's production of the show in Central Park. I misrecalled that it was Anna Kendrick in The Public Theatre's production (when it was Amy Adams) and thought that maybe because of how well-received the show was, that they made it a movie. A good story in my mind. And I still regret not having tried to get a ticket for the show. I had opted to take the day to do other things on my list, as I probably would have had to forfeit an entire day sitting in line and not even being sure that I could get a ticket. Maybe next time?
I did a quick search to see if there are similar summertime outdoor theatre here in Montreal, and came up with Repercussion Theatre. Maybe I'll check them out!

Fashion Art Toronto (April 23, 2014)

I've always wanted to attend a fashion show and this past year, I had the opportunity to attend Fashion Art Toronto. I didn't really know what to expect other than what you see through media outlets. I knew that FAT was more the 'alternative' fashion week, but what that really meant, I wasn't sure. I figured I probably wouldn't have heard of any of the designers, but that didn't really matter too much to me. Sure, I think it would be cool to attend a show for a fashion house/label that was more established or in the mainstream, but that would have to wait for another day.
I attended the show entitled Grit/Glamour (line-up here) which of course I also had no idea what that would entail. Looking back, I guess the designers showing that night did fall into one of the two descriptors, but I could argue that many (if not all) of them could have also shown at the other nights. But what do I know.
I had such a fun time. It was exactly what I expected. Cool music, interesting outfits, models strutting their stuff. Lots of flashes, phones, and people dressing to impress. It was a spectacle both on and off the runway.
I loved the bright lights, white catwalk, upbeat music. I loved seeing the hoard of photographers at the end. I was intrigued at how many people in the audience were taking notes, and of course multitasked watching the runway and watching their phones. I know that people were snapping pictures (myself included, but I did it old school with a camera), live-tweeting, messaging, and/or blogging.
Most of the fashion on the runway didn't appeal to me. I would say my favourite of the night was Zoff, by Michael Zoffranieri. His collection (and show) seemed more polished compared to the rest.
I was a little surprised by the models. Many of the shows didn't have the traditional, super-skinny model. I learned that this was more of a FAT thing, using models who were of course beautiful, but not just fitting one body type and appearance. A second point that I noticed was that many of the models didn't seem to have that traditional, stomperella, catwalk-walk. In fact, there were quite a few models who walked quite awkwardly. I'm not sure if it was a lack of experience, uncomfortable footwear, or perhaps some weird intentional sauntering...but whatever it was, I wasn't feeling it.
I spent a lot of the night people-watching. It was so amusing. I quickly realized that many people in the audience were in fact there to be watched. People were there to attract press/publicity. There were models hoping to get their names further out there, folks hoping to appear on street-style blogs, and social-scenesters who needed to make an appearance for whatever reason. I was happily and naively seated in the front row, loving my unobstructed view but at first, not fully realizing just how great of a seat I had. That not only my row placement, but the seat placement in said row was an indicator of status or something like that. Oh, to be a +1 of someone important. It was interesting watching people get shuffled around in their seats between shows depending who was showing, who left partway through the night, or who arrived late. It was so fun learning about the who's who in the 'scene'.
It was "Absolutely Fabulous" (get it?) and I hope I get to attend another show in the future!

It's a sign

Work is closed for a couple of weeks, but I still have access to the building. I came in to work today because, well, I have work to do.
So they turned the heating off. Even my bonus sweater and woollen socks that I keep at the office aren't doing anything for me. My fingers and toes are so cold that they hurt. And I think I'm getting a headache from the cold too.
I was planning to come in all this week. I'm not sure what I should do - pack a blanket, and wear my Moon Boots and parka?
Of course the logical thing would be to stay home and if I really need to work, do it at home, but I've tried really hard to separate the two. And work needs to be done.

Brise des vignerons

It's been a busy month or so, and only just this weekend was I able to head back to my cheese shop to make my next purchase. FYI, the 'outdoor' part of the market has been transformed to a Christmas tree, wreath and other lovely holidays-decor-items market.

Anyway, back to cheese. I told the young man who offered to help me out of my two previous purchases. I guess it means that I'm going through the store's bries first. In fact, I was thinking about how I might be able to transition into a different type of cheese, and when I will make that transition. For now, I'll still go with the, "This is what I had last time, and I liked it, so tell me what else I might like."

I ended trying two cheese and the second one was the definite winner. As written on the label, La brise des vignerons is a cheese made of lait pasteurise de vache. Coming from the Fromagerie des Cantons (Farnham, QC), it's a:"Fromage a pate molle et croute fleurie type coulommier. Affinage de 30-45 jours. Penicillium Camemberti. 1er service." (Translated by Google for those who need it.) And wine recommendations are: blanc ou rouge jeune et fruite.

My completely uneducated review? Nice and creamy...spreads well on bread. It's kind of like I'm eating butter on my bread. I'm still not completely sold on the taste of the rind of these cheeses though. The cheese guy said that this cheese was a little bit more acide, and I think I can kind of taste that. The funny thing about living your life in multiple languages (and maybe especially if you're not able to seamlessly transition between the two - I'd be interested to read more about it) is that now that I'm thinking and writing in English, I'm not sure that I'm able to capture was we discussed in the shop (which was in French). I did understand everything was going on at the time, but my fragile understanding gets lost if I need to recount later on. But I digress.

Just having a pre-bedtime snack right now. Cheese and baguette. Ah, the life. A good end to a relaxing day. It's been exactly one month since I've spent a day in Montreal without going in to work. But I've logged lots of hours, and earned a lot of air miles, and I probably wouldn't change a thing. Although, being able to not set an alarm clock and to sleep in my own bed sure was nice.

St. Hubert

I spent the day in St. Hubert. And for lunch, I had St. Hubert! I was excited about that. And then, someone told me that it's this St. Hubert. Oh.

So it begins

I guess this would count as the first big snowstorm of the season. It snowed a couple times before, but not too much. This one seems significant. It started snowing yesterday afternoon, and it's still snowing now. I need to get a pair of boots. And a hat too. I also need to find time to purchase said things.