Where you sleep

So. I had this king sized bed, in a fairly small bedroom which could barely contain it. Our old bed, a queen sized had been destroyed by our angry and leaky cat, and a generous friend had donated an extra king. It was damaged in the move somewhat but still serviceable, for a while. Eventually, for various reasons, it just got to seem too big. So I bought a queen sized bed on Ebay (which I now need to look in to borrowing a van/truck to get) and thought, what to do? Freecycle. It's just been picked up by an expanding family, couple and a two year old with another on the way who all like to sleep in a kitten pile. It was getting uncomfortable as of late in their wee double bed. I also gave them a set of sheets to start them off and they seemed very, very happy. The trade of old bed for new (to me, at least) is not quite as seamless as I like, and I'm about to assemble a garden hammock to sleep in for the foreseeable future. No matter. A whole family is happy and I'm happy about that.
And a hammock is a better place to sleep than a sunken city. There's a song from way back by the Tragically Hip, and I'm not a fan but there it is running through my head regardless. New Orleans, city I've build up in my mind as an escape route, as a destination, as a place of adventure I'd quite like to go. With the above ground cemeteries to keep the dead from floating...well, they're floating now. I think of Pompeii way way back when, when the sky must have been red with fire, a mirror to the passions of that great city. I wonder if they noticed it was coming, if they stayed and played oblivious or to spite it, to thank the gods or in the hopes of joining them? And the sunken ones now, building and breathing in a city below sea level, below consciousness, where true love and the blues may be have been locked in loving embrace with the mortal world (and just there I plagarized, but it's where those words lived to me) where writers and music were born...did they see it coming? Where they too lost to care? What kind of people build cities on rumbling volcanoes or under the ocean? Are we romantics or fools? Is there a difference? Is it that we're most alive when closest to death? Lots of questions. This much I know is true: the magical places we conceive and construct are no match for the weight of the world. They're no match for what we've done to the world - climate change, small because climates are small, right? Most certainly not. Anyway, I hope the city drains and some part of it remains to be visited, that the residents who got out find a magic place on higher ground, and the the dead may float in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with them tonight.
And also happily with a family sleeping kitten pile style on a new-to-them bed. That at least I can do.

Geekopalooza

Went to SFX yesterday with friend A, was OVERWHELMED by the number of grown adult humans, male and female, attractive and really not so much dressed as Japanese cartoon characters. A was able to name most of them, which frightened me somewhat. In fact, most of the day I was in awe of her seeminly endless knowledge of all things anime, trek, star wars and buffy. Until we got the the Toronto browncoats booth (people who love Firefly and Serenity with a vaulting passion usually reserved for divine worship), where my seeminly endless knowledge of all things Firefly was revealed. Actually managed to get through a couple of scenes with the booth attendant,thus frightening my friend. All in all, I had a great time out with a friend looking at stuff and taking pictures of strangers, but the event was more of an expo (come and buy our stuff) than a convention (where seeminly endless knowledge of non-existent stuff is traded). Likely won't go next year, but it was an interesting experience and I'm glad I went. Being broke, I did very little by way of shopping but did pick up a training DVD set on special effect make up. This Halloween should be interesting.

Pigeons and Laptops

Which is more exciting? I'm going to have to go with laptop. I'd posted a request on Freecycle, not really expecting anything. Ho hum...but wait! Remember that lady I'd gifted the violin to? Had one. Dropped it off tonight, bless her. It's old and tan and has very little by way of modern features but it has word and I can write on it. I can edit large files while away (which happens less and less, but still). Almost like a grown up or something. It is a compaq, with no working battery but a fully functioning extention cable. I hereby name thee Beatrice! All hail Beatrice the Compaq!
Knees still hurt. Doesn't matter I'm so happy happy happy happy!
And the pigeons? Weirdest thing. There's a house on Dundas with a new porch as the old one seemed to collapse under the weight of a flock of ever present pigeons. Found out for sure why they were always there today as a middle aged gentleman of generous proportions came out of his house with a bucket and called to the sky "Bobo! Bobo!". In response, literally hundreds of pigeons began circling the street before him, lighting on wire and branch, flying off in another circle and every last black eye was trained on the bucket he carried. He continued his call and they continued their response...ahead and around the path I had to walk to get home...very excited flying pigeons...making room for whatever food he had for them...shit flying everywhere, dropping like huge white disgusting rain...it was terrifying, I had a new hat and everything! Although I emerged unscathed I think I'll take a different route home at that hour....
Still.
All hail Beatrice the Compaq!!

another thing about yesterday

Went back to the florist for a massage. I really love Toronto...

Land of the free

My new marriage registrar came in the mail today - they, the official glorious they who have decided same sex marriage is a good idea - have also made some changes to form 12 of the marriage ceremony. No longer do Steve, Ray and Dave have to sign under "bride". No longer do Lucy, Margaret and Jennifer have to sign under "groom". No longer do I have to make light and playful about it to keep the bounce in the moment. Spouse and spouse, and only that. The government of Ontario, and indeed Canada has it down in their books that marriage is a loving partnership between two people, hand and hand and hear to heart but the gender? Not govt business.
Yay Canada!!

Massage

So I'm all tense. Stress, here is thy sting. My back and neck are frozen, which adds joy to the patellafemoral (whatever..) syndrome thing in my knees and has me walking like a rabid duck. What to do? Massage. Sounds like a real good idea. In theory. Then I start looking for one - one who is available right now - and the fun begins. Seven centres later I'm now sitting here typing - still ouching, still seized up - but now with the knowledge that a) massage therapist operating on their own don't seem to have receptionists, b) massage therapist operating out of chiro clinics don't seem to share their shedules with receptionists, c) massage therapist operating out of flower shops don't have seem to have anyone to answer the door and d) (my favorite) massage therapist operating out of warehouses sometimes have spooky porno music playing. Loud. I did not even knock for D, let me tell you. So I'm home with the ice, I've swapped volunteer nights with tomorrow, and am madly considering cleaning my house. I won't do it, but the thought is certainly there. And a friend I was talking to today said I couldn't have my now sadly evening port until after my massage, so I feel compelled to NOT drink on account of her. Perhaps if I switch to merlot I'll still be honouring the implied contract...

This past week

One volunteer shift, three planning meetings, one wedding, one dinner out with friends, one engagement ceremony, one junk pick up of renovation refuse (which of course I helped load) and one trip to farmers market this morning. Today - one wedding, one evening in with friends. Tomorrow - one day out and one elopement in the afternoon. No time, at any time, to learn the new computer program I have...gar. Perhaps if I give up sleep...
After this next sales conf, I think I shall take a week off. I can't afford to go anywhere (although you're right, Kate, Germany sounds lovely) but maybe I'll find a beach and have a sit...

Today's urge

There's an ad campaign for eggs going on in the TTC. At the base of a flight of stairs and an escalator going up, there's a cute cartoon egg smiling at you, and two more with arrows pointing to the stairs, says "had eggs today" and the escalator going up, says "didn't have eggs today. What I really want is a cut out of a cute pot plant leaf smiling at you, and two more with arrows pointing to the stairs, saying "didn't have pot today" and then an escalator coming down, saying "had pot today". Someone with more time should really do this, it would be funny...to me at least. Yes, the stoners out there might be offended if they're between buzz's but then again, if they're not, more humour for the rest of us. (says the woman who's the reason the local wine shop has doubled their port order...)

Time

There is none. All gets allotted before it happens...this week is working itself up to be a strange and unruly time, like last week, and in the distant past the week before.
Three weddings last week - Monday was at a restaurant. Not the one listed on the form from the office, but a new restaurant opened by the same owners of the listed restaurant (closed these last 6 months) in a different location under a different name. That was fun, took me 45 horrified minutes to find my brides *somewhere* in the down town core. Managed, was early even. Grand ceremony, lots of people there. One of the brides was prone to fainting and so they sat through the ceremony. Tues and Wed were planning meetings, Thurs was a wedding in the evening at Scarborough civic centre, a referral from a city hall wedding ages ago. It was small and intimate, lovely time. One guest wrote a song for the couple that was country hit list material, I hope she records it. Friday panic call from the service I'm with for a wedding on Sat - other officiant had been double booked and they just found out. The catch? Someone else was actually leading them through the ceremony, a friend. I was to watch and pronounce them married - got to sit next to the cellist throughout, it was truly beautiful and nice to see.
Last night friend Kelly came over for couch and slouch time, brought cookies, worked on some socks she was making. I got exceedling drunk on port (as self medications go, it's awesome) and may have tried to steal the socks. I also may have ordered more coffee from the delivery service we use...hopefully it was clear enough. Sort of hung over today. And today? I had a tentative wedding that was never confirmed nor denied...so I don't know if I'm marrying people today. Likely not but...maybe. My sister is coming over regardless so I'm off to clean the bathroom and pretend that civil people live here. Further bulletins as events warrant.

Fri, Sat, Sun

Friday, dinner at neighbor's. Was asked to make dessert and tried, opted for ice cream from the store. What I learned: cream brulle may be made without a double boiler if you have one pot that fits into another, but will need longer to set if you don't have those little ra ra dishes it's supposed to go in. If you use, say, coffee mugs not only do you have this quaint trailer park chic going on - and have to change the name to brooly cream or something like that - it takes forever to set and may in fact develop an unflattering skin. Also, our neighbours are delightful and seem to think we are too. Or they think we're an interesting case study but at least they didn't seem bored.
Saturday: Three weddings, involving a really strange referral. The first was for a couple of American woman, beautifully suited to each other, both agreeing it had never been easier to love someone than with each other. Set at my favorite B&B, owned by two lovely gents, one of whom was a good friend of the mother of the bride in wedding two. Wedding two had a bride and groom, and was the third in a set of weddings done in the same cirlce of friend this year (so I got to see the last two couples again as guests). Prior to booking it, the mother of the bride got a referral for me from her B&B owner friend; the bride saw me at the first wedding in the series and came home to say "never mind, I've found someone, her name is Roben." Mother of the bride: "Really, the one I was going to refer is named Roben too, isn't that odd?" Not sure if it scans in print but it made for a bit of hilarity and such day of the wedding. It was way in the north end of the city, next one was downtown. Grew to understand that while there wasn't enough time between the weddings to do anything else, there was enough to feel as though time is being wasted. Really need to have a very portable way to do work in between weddings... Went home and got mushy at husband.
Sunday: intended to stay home and (finally) study Flash as my progress is appalling, changed mind and went to the Renn Fair in Hamilton with husband and band. Had a nice day alternating listening to music and hanging out with my hat maker, doing tarot for her and her friends. Eating mutant genius popcorn. Falling asleep under a tree. Still appalled with progress, but I think the break was a good idea...and I have three new hats...which brings the total to nine...o to be a hydra of some sort...

Japanese vaudeville

Neat. As part of the Summerworks Theatre Festival (and our homage to anything that comes from Greg Robec) we went to a production of "Areguro", which is sort of a traditional Japanese form of vaudeville or story telling, except that our friend Greg played accordion. We laughed...well, we laughed some more, not really a crying sort of presentation. It was a completely different kind of theatre than I'd previously been exposed to, but highly enjoyable. Aro, the "sit down" comic central to the piece was jetlaged after having been rerouted and abandoned in New York, and arriving in Toronto only hours before the opening. This was explained, but not at all evident from his energetic and engaging performance. One thing perplexed me: I don't know if it was a traditional form or not but the end? Wasn't sure when it happened. Everything stopped, Greg and Aro waved and walked off stage...and then, we just kind of all sat there. Entire audience looking at each other - "what do you think we should do?" "I don't know, what do you think we should do?" and so forth. Can't just leave a bunch of Canadians in a theatre without letting them know it's okay to leave. I timed it - 4 min 34 seconds before the first person tentatively stood and began slowly walking to the door, casting a few backward glances at the stage. Actually, this part was pretty funny too...all in all, recommended. Go forth.
Check here for more info on the show: http://www.areguro.com/
And check here for festival details: http://www.summerworks.ca/