Of cygnets and summer

To steal a line from Harper Lee - Summer is my most glorious season. It may not be officially summer, but I have that elated, glowing feeling that only happens when the temperatures start to soar and picnics followed by frozen yogurt are common occurrences.

So, I am a happy girl these days - mostly because my wandering minstrel has returned.

Here we are in style at ... Barney's...after his graduation and Eric being his regal self in the Festival's costume warehouse:

If you didn't know, he has been touring with Basia Bulat - you can buy the cd online now from overseas, but it'll be out here eventually I'm sure.

Ok....work is crazy like always, but being steeped in the theatre world brings rewards with the challenges. You may have seen some leaks about the 2008 season, and while of course I cannot comment it promises to be extremely exciting should they be true.

From the last show of opening week at the Avon theatre:

Eric and I have been exploring the river running paths of late, and I have to tell you it can be mighty hard not to slow down for this kind of scenery (photo by a patient Eric):

So I as enjoy my first two completely free days in some time (and my new Wii), I hope you enjoy yours.

Opening Week

Guess Who's Coming for Dinner

Hello dear readers - a special day in Stratford - Kalene, illustrious Humber PR prof, is here! She has a message for you:

Spring in Stratford.

It's about swans, mommy ducks, lush, green trees, shopping and Shakespeare. Even if you don't love Shakespeare, Stratford has something here for you.

I have visited Stratford for decades (really!) and the city's beauty always delights me.

Same with the shopping .. it's about the fudge and the fun lingerie!

Canadians .. if you haven't been here you are missing a bit of heaven ... my dear U.S. friends ..thank you for supporting this Eden; you already know how cool this is 'cause you're here having fun on every street corner and in every restaurant.

I hope you all listen to Kalene - it's beautiful here and has pretty lingerie, could you really want more in a destination?

The Opening Week Garden Party is tomorrow, I'm sure it will be flowery and maybe (Denise) even have some tea sandwiches. In true PR style Kalene and I have had a lovely chat over some delicious food and wine and now it's time to relax. Goodnight everyone.

Delicious

mmm I love warm weather. I also love leaving work at work. The hours can be long - and they're going to get longer - but the minute I leave that famous theatre and walk into golden light through the sweetest smelling gardens...well. It's pretty nice. Just having those evening hours to unwind I appreciate so much.

So I've been living and working in Stratford for a month now. I suppose it is a milestone of sorts, but all I can think of is how much more I have to learn. Overall it has been great so far. I love this city. First, because it is beautiful - bucolic and bright. It also has a wealth of things I adore - theatre, art, book stores, coffee shops, clothing stores, frozen yogurt and really friendly people. What Stratford has that is also high on my list of living must haves - really great food - from gourmet dining to takeout sandwiches (faves so far: York St. Kitchen, Pazzo and Down the Street).

The theatre is an amazing place too, full of passionate, creative and focused people in every department. It can be tough, but it is magical. Everyone is working hard because they believe in the Festival.

Opening week starts Monday! It'll be a crazy week full of plays, executives, media, requests, 15 hour days and running around the city - all in formal wear and heels no less! It'll be incredibly exciting! I'm booking my massage for afterwards now and stocking up on wine. Come and see me in June, it'll be fabulous.

If I was my heart / I'd rather be restless

So what do you do when your heart aches? Really I would love some suggestions - real ones now lovely readers.

This was my solution tonight: raspberries and cream and Amy Winehouse.

Work was madness today. You know those days? C2? Run off your feet and not having a break? Still love it but...even meeting zany, beautiful, wonderful actors going stir-crazy working a 12 hour rehearsal day can't always make all things good. Long weekend, I have never wanted you more. I guess.

Only one thing would make me feel level again, but until then, this hot girl is coming to visit:

Denise, we need some new sexy pictures. I think we should take them..this weekend.

All right, I so need to get off computers for the day. Happy Birthday Sarah! Have a great long weekend ya'll.

Tempest

Well, I do love a good storm. However...seeing tornado warnings just before my power goes off while I'm up in an attic...a little more ... well exciting, who am I kidding.

Wind, hail, the works - then I felt the house shake so I looked outside to this:

There actually were tornadoes in the area last night, but here mostly strong winds and lightening. My poor landlord's car is absolutely totalled. My car was missed by about half a foot. My landlord was ok, and everyone ran out to help her rescue things from the wreck.

I'm sure other streets had trees down, but ours was a magnet for people. Eventually I went outside again and met my lovely neighbours, who handed out wine while we chatted in the drizzle.

I woke up at my normal time despite being alarm-less - but I guess the chain saws would have done it. Clean-up is underway.

Time for work. Good morning everyone.

Nice work if you can get it

Well hello there. It is a beautiful day, and so a funny one to be indoors writing a letter such as this. However, it has been a while and Sundays are a sweet day when you work the rest of the week. Besides, after this I can step outside to read in the sun.

So today my family came down to my apartment where we enjoyed this brunch:



I love having the space to cook again. This is the best French Toast recipe (Barefoot Contessa) and it was complemented by fruit salad with lime juice and sugar, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, mimosas and fresh Elmvale maple syrup. Delicious.

To walk it off we went to visit the old Normal School and frolic by the river.

Then headed downtown to shop and get some iced coffee at Sputnik.

The theatre has continued to teach me and delight me each day. Our media day was truly successful and exciting - I met a lot of new media personalities and actors. I took Mr. Greene around to his interviews and that was a neat experience. I've seen a few plays so far - I'd recommend anything, if you want more details ask me. The acting is superb in everything, the costumes gorgeous and the stories engaging. My One and Only is the biggest tap show ever presented at Stratford and will be a very fun show, that I know for sure.






Well I'm off to read. Here is Mary meeting Honkers - they had a good chat.

Cheers to everyone working, singing, playing, living and enjoying life today. xo

My Love

So I had a call from my "slightly tipsy" man this evening - 1:30 a.m. Breda time. Sounds like the band is doing well...of course during the call I was up in my loft on the bench seat, where I am told I perch like a cat. I can't help if it's the best seat in the house.

Ah yes - don't think I get up so early, my blog clock is wrong (on a good day it's 7 that I'm up, I do go in early, but I live down the street from work).

More work news, Photocopier 1, Katie 0...until tomorrow that is. I also started the Merchant of Venice photo work, and from that at least it looks amazing. I see it tomorrow, so I'll give a report soon.

Because I am holding down my apartment alone until all of you lovely visitors start dropping by, this is how I spend my evenings, by the river:





Flowers in front of the theatre.








Yes, that's my dear Honkers and her honey. These geese are so great, I tell ya, those swans are overrated.










The king of the swans - seriously he's so big.




All right, it's getting late, for me...ah work. Goodnight to my dears in Canada, good morning to those abroad.

Hey Boo

Good morning.
Well it is feeling like Spring over here in Stratford. A little rainy perhaps, but the trees have a verdant veil on them, and the ducks are happily pairing off. Even my darling Honkers the white goose has found a partner to (loudly) serenade with. The most exciting development - the swans are nesting. Pictures to come when I have a moment.

The theatre is still as awe-inspiring as ever. It is quite the experience to run around such a place and get paid for it. I am still buried in work, but it's feeling a little more comfortable. The best part is meeting all the actors and directors while I do photo approvals. I love being called darling by an experienced British thespian.

In Basia news - the band is now is Europe! Right now! Good luck everyone, have a great show tonight, and all the other nights as well of course.
In play news - I recently saw a dress rehearsal of To Kill a Mockingbird with my dearest and it is incredible, really reallllly it's going to be quite the play-going experience if you're planning to come down. Well, I'm sure they all will be but I'll let you know more as I see them.

Off to work (early...ah paper reading and press clipping). Enjoy the Spring, and if you're working listen to Ashlene and wear comfortable shoes, and if you're being a rock star...have a beer? Ok, it's early. Look for pictures soon.

Duck, Swan, Goose

So it's not the children's game, but oh so close. This town is almost unbelievably lovely - flowers, bunnies, swans, a river - right near my house and all a 2 minute walk from work. I am feeling very lucky. Also a little tired after my first busy day at the Festival. Today I started work on Shakespeare's birthday. I already love being a media assistant, although I will probably have to be more organized than ever before. I will also get to see so many plays! It all works out. Check out the Stratford Festival website to look at the amazing line-up this year.

This is where I work, the Festival Theatre:










The old Normal School, where my great Aunt and Grandmother went to teacher's college (now a museum and Festival building):














Swans!

Duck!



The goose I love wasn't around today, ah maybe next time.

Have fun at Prom C2s, and good luck to everyone else finishing off the academic year.

OK Go

Well I'm now into my last week of school, and all I want to do is move. After getting settled in my lovely apartment this past weekend I'm anxious to get back. Of course I have a few more C2 moments to celebrate and...a few exams. See the place here - and make some plans to visit me, eh?

Welcome

Dear Internet,
Today I blog, what an adventure. As a new member of the public relations sphere, I suppose I may as well partake. Based in Toronto while completing my post-grad at Humber College, I'm ready to move into the 'the real world'. Cue my job in Stratford, as media assistant to the world-renowned Stratford Theatre Festival, beginning in 18 days. I suspect I'll love my job and the town, but miss my dear friends who will be around the world this summer. Hence this blog, so I'll try to keep it respectful and snappy at the same time. We'll see how it goes. Now back to homework (I will love not having homework).