50 Artsy Things in One Year

Since I like to copy Art Slade's actions I joined this facebook group for Canada Council for the Arts - where Cdns are challenged to participate in 50 artistic activities this year. Okay, let's be honest, I can't do it alone so I'm seeing what we as a family can come up with.

So far:
1. Went to that crazy tap-dancing play with the kids
2. Saw Corinne Bailey Rae & John Legend in concert
3. Saw Lemony Snicket perform at the Symphony
4. Wrote limericks with my sister-in-law at a wedding
5. Liam recently went to the McMichael gallery in Kleinburg
6. We went to the Marvel exhibit at the Science Centre
7. Liam & Duncan post photography on their flickr sites
8. Liam is participating next week in a lip-sync contest (does that count?)
9. I wrote some book reviews on http://www.wwhr.ca/
10. David took pretty pictures of mountains in Jasper

11. My co-workers & I did our best to interpret the bizarre paintings at the inn in Niagara-on-the-Lake

12. Janet & I photographed a lone hot-dog.

13. I made my family's photos into colouring book pages for David's 40th birthday.


Okay so there must be more....I'll think about it. Poetry? Pottery? Art? Home-made cards? Even Paris Hilton made her dad a home(prison)-made card for father's day! Yikes.

What makes us cringe...

After an entertaining conversation with some co-workers I've changed the name of my blog!

We were talking about our book pet peeves such as unrealistic dialogue: "Mom, can I invite my best friend Susan Jones for a sleep-over?" as well as words that just shouldn't be used. Especially "bum" in an erotica story. That totally cracks me up and laughing is not what I'm looking for if I'm reading erotica.

Someone I know really dislikes the new trend in children's books where the narrator talks to the reader too much (I thought this worked in Despereaux, but then was totally overdone by others). My brother is irritated when he's watching a movie & the title of the movie comes up in a line of dialogue. Funny what makes us cringe. See I just tried to do it there with the title of the blog...good thing he'll never read this!

Theatre Review - I Think I Can

Today, the Dudes, my mom & I went to Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People to see "I Think I Can" - a tap dance show about bullying. I wasn't sure what to expect but it was pretty entertaining. It certainly had me tapping my feet. The Dudes had mixed opinions - with one liking it better than the other. I think they both appreciated that the dancers were incredible and that it was an interesting way to tell a story.

I do wish that people would read the age recommendations for things like this. If it says 8 and up, please don't bring your 6 yr old, no matter how advanced you think they are. There were kids in theatre who clearly didn't understand what was going on so they kept talking to their parents.

I would definitely take my kids to another play at LKTYP. It was an inexpensive way to give us all a theatrical experience.

Subway Rage

I admit it, I'm guilty of subway rage. I get on at Bloor on my way home & by the time I get off, many stops later, I am ready to stomp on people's insteps, punch heads, etc. I think there should be constant messages on the intercom or whatever like: "If the pole is in your ass crack, you're standing too close", or "Guys, if you can't sit with your legs together, maybe you should stand", or " No nail-clipping allowed! And no french fries".

I love driving to work & luckily I do get to do that most days next week.

Newbery Challenge

I found a challenge on one of the many book websites that I visit - it was to read 6 (I think) Newbery books. So after perusing the list here are the 6 I am going to tackle in the next 2 months:

The Higher Power of Lucky (2007)

A Single Shard (2002)

Amos Fortune, Free Man (1951) - can't wait to see how this stands the test of time

Invisible Louisa (1934)

Kira-Kira (2005)

Criss Cross (2006)

I can't guarantee what order I'll read them in, but I'll start one tonight!

John Legend, Corinne Bailey Rae Concert Last Night

Maybe I'm getting too old for concerts. It's not like I was at some young top 40 concert but I felt like a curmudgeon & I hate that. I know some people are only interested in the headlining act but HELLO? some of us actually want to see the opener. I went to the concert mainly to see CBR and there were people sitting near us who talked through the whole thing! And the lateness - what's up with that? If your ticket says 8 pm, try getting there at 7:45 not 8:45. I find it difficult to enjoy live music when the people in front of me are standing up to let latecomers get to their seats. See, I am too old for concerts, I sound like a nag.

Great concert though. CBR was very low key, mellow, laid back. John Legend seemed like Liberace compared to her - all glitz and energy. It was fun

Music at Blue Jay's game

We went to the Jays game today & they showed this cool video on the big screen before the game began. Anyway the music was somewhat familiar - in a classical music/movie trailer sort of way. It is driving me crazy! It was the sort of music that would be on a trailer for a Lord of the Rings type movie. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe it's from some lame Cirque de Soleil commercial.