Sabbatical ending, and new beginnings, and continuing

Well, my son's last day of school is tomorrow, which is also my last day of daycare for him until he goes for full days starting in July, when I hit the office again. (Alert: Jen is returning to campus.) Between tomorrow and my start date at work, we have a little vacation time - at one point earmarked for a trip, but that has been unplanned (see previous post). Instead, some of that 'stay-cation' time is filling up with local fun things, like a trip to Mont Cascades and a farm vacation with my mom; and some of it is gloriously open and free. I anticipate lazy mornings, visits to the splash pad, many many games of let's pretend, music and stories. And I MAY even do a titch more simplifying and organizing in my mouse's nest of a home. I'm letting go of a lot of things lately, including my car. Anyone want to buy a 98 Toyota Corolla?

More skull imagery

Last week was busy... and fun... but busy!

Whoops, and I just realized that I overlooked my invitation to the Fringe Wine and Cheese where I could have got free tickets and blogged about the shows I saw - which would have been fun, so I feel some regret - but it would have made me more busy, and that's not what I need right now.

I like to say yes to everything - everything that I WANT to do - because I like doing things, I find it interesting to go places and see people. But I can't do everything I want to do.

A little while ago I ran into planning problems. I had a spell where all my attempts to plan just came to nothing, basically. So I thought, hey, universe, you trying to tell me something? I stopped planning, as much as possible. And things got a bit simpler. Not any less busy, but less stressful. It was like a de-cluttering of the mind.

For the first time I appreciated my brother's annoying habit of responding, "Let's play it fast and loose," to my attempts to make plans with him. He has a busy, planful job and he just doesn't want to plan in his 'free' time.

Then I got bold. My de-cluttered mind woke up and stretched and said: "You know what, not only can you refrain from planning, you can un-plan!" I cancelled two upcoming trips (they would have been super-fun, but busy... you get the idea) and heaved a big sigh of relief.

So that's my story - unplanning - what can you un-plan?

Experience Propeller Dance

{Lift}

a celebration and evening of performance works by Propeller Dance artists

Performances Live Music Silent Auction

Regular $26
Special Supporter $56
Box office 613-236-5196
Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre Mainstage

Friday June 19, 2009 at 7:00 pm

Silent Auction items:

http://propellerdance.blogspot.com/

Sally review, and more to do

ok, TONIGHT, people, check out the Elmdale - show starts at 8:30, it's Hoodlum with Red April. Hoodlum is Wakefield based and Eastern European rooted. Their music is fairly unique and wonderful. Red April, otherwise known as Michelle, is an incredibly talented roots musician and singer with performance chops coming out the wazoo. You. Must. See. Her.

and FRIDAY, for an out-of-and-back-into-your-body experience, you have a chance to see Propeller Dance perform at the new GCTC (aka Irving Greenberg, on Wellington). These performers are amazing, spirited dancers - another not-to-be-missed night.

What a week! ohhhhhhh man, I feel sorry for you if you missed Sally's show last night, that woman is demonically talented. Holy crap! You should see her play the piano. You can hear it, yes, but seeing her shake, shimmy, gyrate and even grimace while hearing her is like an out of body experience. The whole show was indescribably good. Her songs are witty and wonderful, just like the woman herself. And by being at the show, I got to hear songs that aren't on the cd - songs like Vacillating Boogie, and the one about Pete the sex doll. The place was packed and the atmosphere was intimate and warm. Memories.

Excitement - coming up...

On WEDNESDAY, Sally Robinson (a solo debut, after YEARS in the music biz!). Sally is an amazing player of pianos, clarinet, accordion - really just about any instrument, from what I have seen - and a wonderful singer with a voice that can make you think she's really sweet (don't believe it! well, she has her moments). Her humorous songs are the ones people usually remember the most (my favourite: Recycle Your Man - oh, yeah and a boogie she sings about procrastination, which is hilarious). The CD is The S files, and the songs range from silly to serious, hitting sassy, smart, seductive and sentimental along the way.

7:30, NAC 4th stage, go here to get tix.

On THURSDAY, another friend, Michelle April, is hitting the Elmdale House Tavern stage along with a cool-sounding Wakefield band known as Hoodlum. Michelle played for years as part of RedWood Central, and has taken a break from performing for a while, so I'm really excited to see and hear her on stage again. Her voice will rip the heart right out of your chest and leave it hanging - so bring tissues and gauze and the whole damn first aid kit. And she has a really unique style on the guitar, too. My understanding is that she will be playing some of her songs as an opener, then playing with the band for a few numbers as well.

Elmdale House Tavern, 8:30 pm, Thursday June 18, 7 bucks

On FRIDAY,at 7pm, the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre Mainstage is hosting LIFT - an evening of performance by Propeller Dance artists, including dancers from the youth, adult and children's programs. Propeller Dance is an Ottawa organization that offers mixed-ability, integrated dance classes for all ages.

Don't miss it - buy tickets at the box office: 613-236-5196

Sally Robinson NAC 4th stage June 17

Sally Robinson is releasing "The S Files" at the NAC 4th Stage on June 17th. It's gonna be a great show, with Sally vamping it up front and centre, doing her thing with keyboard and clarinet, and some excellent musicians backing her (Vince Halfhide,Kenny Kanwisher,Derek Loewen,Michael Ball,Ann Downey & Jody Benjamin) with guitar, cello, fiddle, double bass, drums.

$15.00 for adults, $10.00 for students... plus bring some money to buy her CD. Available through Box Office in advance, or by emailing robinsally@gmail.com.

The show's at 7:30. I'll be there, flogging CDs for Sally - ya gotta come!

Here she is: sexy Sally. What will the music be like? this is what Sally says: "Music ranges from jazz to blues, folk to country. They're all my original tunes - sad, silly, seductive, sincere, sentimental - it's the S Files!"

Sona si latine loqueris*

Sane ego te vocavi. forsitan capedictum tuum desit - I did call. Maybe your answering machine is broken

Semper idem - Always the same thing.

Amicule, deliciae, num is sum qui mentiar tibi? - Baby, sweetheart, would I lie to you?

Tum podem extulit horridulum - You are talking shit

Tintinnuntius meus sonat! - There goes my beeper!

Absum! - I'm outta here!

Spero nos familiares mansuros - I hope we'll still be friends

Ascendo tuum - Up yours

Te audire non possum. Musa sapientum fixa est in aure - I can't hear you. I have a banana in my ear

Tu, rattus turpis! - You dirty rat!

Vacca foeda - Stupid cow Utinam barbari spatium proprium tuum invadant! - May barbarians invade your personal space!

Utinam coniurati te in foro interficiant! - May conspirators assassinate you in the mall!

*I don't speak Latin, but I can look it up on the internet. I'm good at that.