Once upon a time, I used to look forward to changing our clocks back in the Fall. You got an extra hour of sleep on the day of the change, followed by several days when morning seemed to arrive just a little bit later.Unfortunately, a one-year old does not understand the concept of Daylight Savings Time. Despite my attempts to explain this phenomenon to Kieran, he refuses to accept that we changed the clocks a couple of nights ago. At 5:15 am this morning he was wide awake, rattling the gate at the top of the stairs and saying “Breakfast. Breakfast”.I have a feeling mornings for the next couple of weeks are going to be rough…
Monthly Archives: October 2006
Of Tutus and Bayonets
Bronwen and I went to see the Kirov Ballet last night at the NAC. It was the last of 6 sold-out performances, and it definitely had the “big-time event” feel to it. A few women were dressed in ballgowns, and there were lots of little girls in pretty dresses pretending to be ballerinas in the foyer.I’ve seen ballet before, but nothing like this. The corps de ballet work was incredible – 24 women in big white tutus, moving at exactly the same time, all the time. Not a foot, arm or hand out of place. In terms of precision, it reminded us of the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, although without the bayonet-tipped rifles.Even though I don’t understand the purpose of some of the movements, a lot of the principal dancers solos and pas de deux were astonishingly athletic. At one point, the jester spun around on one foot, going faster and faster until he was a complete blur – it didn’t seem humanly possible. The men can also jump really high, although this shouldn’t be surprising when you check out the muscular legs and butts (which they conveniently show off by wearing skin-tight pants)The sets were really cool, too. As the curtain rose for Act II, you could hear the audience gasp as a number of white swans (and their reflections) glided across the stage.The only disappointment was the orchestra. They were good for the most part, but there were definitely some ragged moments. Maybe they get bored doing the same score over and over. Or, maybe they were just jealous that many of their colleagues were in New York performing at Carnegie Hall instead.
The Blahs
We had a good plan for the morning. Head to IKEA, try to find a decent (cheap) couch to replace the one we already have, get the boys some meatballs, let them fall asleep in the car on the way home, and enjoy some quiet time in the afternoon.
Apparently half the city had the same bright idea. We got there 2 minutes before opening, and there was a mob of people waiting impatiently to get in. It was a bit like the start of a race as people manouevered their carts and tried to gain an edge on their neighbour.
It was a momentous day, because A was finally tall enough to go in the ball room. For the past year, he’s talked about going in, and each time he’s come up just a bit short. So today, he proudly walked in, passed the height test, and put on his numbered bib. He lasted 2 minutes – B didn’t even have time to finish completing the form before he wanted to leave. Years of anticipation gone in an instant.
In the end, we didn’t see any couches we (I) liked, so we headed for the restaurant. Big mistake. Dozens of people were lined up to get their 99 cent breakfast. A and K were already a little hyper, so the thought of waiting for 15 minutes to get some meatballs was more than I could take. I’m embarrassed to say we ended up at McDonald’s (although A couldn’t thank me enough).So now B’s asleep, K’s asleep, and it sounds like A is asleep on the couch. There are flurries in the air, it’s cold and windy, and it’s going to get dark in a little over an hour. I’d close my eyes too, but after a few years of parenting, I’m wise enough to know that the moment my eyes are closed, one of the boys will wake up. Did I mention I feel fat?
The Russians Are Coming!
Actually, the Russians are already here. The Kirov Ballet (and orchestra) arrived yesterday for a week of performances at the Centre. If you are interested in tall, thin, flexible young women (or tall, muscular, limber men) then the NAC backstage is the place for you.
I haven’t had a lot of exposure to ballet, but I’ve really enjoyed some of the productions I’ve seen in recent years. There are so many great ballet scores, and I’d really like to actually see something like The Rite of Spring.
B and I will be going to see the Kirov on Sunday night. I’m looking forward to seeing what one of the world’s great companies does with a classic like Swan Lake.
The First Snow
We had our first snow of the season today. Summer really isn’t coming back, is it…
We headed up to Maurizio and Jacinthe’s cottage this morning. It’s just a 45 minute drive up the highway in Quebec, but it seems like an entirely different world. You can feel the stress of the city fade away as you work your way up the twisty hilly roads.
So there we were, playing with the boys in front of an actual wood fire, when the first small flakes began falling. I thought that would be the extent of it, but it gradually began snowing harder. More frightening still, it stayed on the ground, and after an hour there was actually enough snow lying around to make a decent snowball (see picture above). By the time we left, we almost couldn’t make it up the driveway’s slight incline (I guess it’s time to bite the bullet and get snow tires).
Three weeks until the Quebec Tour – any bets on snow in Chicoutimi?
