around the world in a week

Well, from paris to .... the pool? It may not be exactly exciting as the REAL one, but fiona got her first taste of france in Las Vegas thanks to a trip from her Gran and Grandad. Pam and Mike were celebrating their new life ... retirement and a new home to come back to.
so, all the woolleys headed to the hot sun (90+ degrees F) and enjoyed the sites. At Circus Circus, Fiona was part of the act and balanced a ball on the tip of her finger.
She didn't get too jet lagged coming home. we're all tanned and relaxed.

vancouver with C&C

We had a fine time in Vancouver visiting with Rob, Cath and Caroline as well as my pal Colette and her daughter Laidean (hubby Michael)
We saw the aquarium, stanley park, swam, played, saw a concert, played, shopped a bit, and did lots of quality visiting and eating.
thanks to all for your hospitality and we hope the cheezcakes were yummy!

This morning's rant...

What is with these people on the public transit?? The busses are packed in the mornings by 6:45: all standing room only. What REALLY annoys me are those people who walk to the middle doors of the bus, and just stand in the aisle. They're completely intimidated by the back half of the bus. Can't go up those last two steps, to make more room. Meanwhile, they're being packed in like sardines by the driver (which is double annoying, as they're not supposed to be ahead of the yellow line, but there's no choice, except to not let more people on. Speaking of More-on, the moron refuses to move further back.

I have to do the "excuse me, pardon me, excuse me..." Shuffle past several butts, but finally make it to comparative luxury of space at the back. I look to the front and can but laugh at the folks jammed together, if only they'd spread out. (hmm, "Jammed" and "Spread" in the same sentence)

Partly the driver's fault, for not asking them to move back. But I blame selfish, self absorbed riders who just don't care about anyone else.

We now return you to your mysterious and coveted private life.

dpb.

Three Film Monday

Early start to the day. Good walking weather, though. Met a neighbour near the beginning of the line, so got my favourite seat at Ryerson. "All the Kings' Men" was long and very intense, with fine performances by Jude Law, Anthony Hopkins and Sean Penn. I want to order the original version from 1949 with Broderick Crawford from the Library and compare. It was rated 4 stars in my Movie book. Ran to the Elgin where Josie was waiting to see her first Festival Film, "For Your Consideration" with some of the old cast from Waiting for Guffman, and Best in Show...Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy and others. An audience of fans enjoyed it very much, and many of the cast and director, Christopher Guest, were there for a funny Q&A. On to the next...the Paramount for the final film of the day "The Book of Revelation", a very intense Aussie film about a dancer and his abduction by 3 females. The producer, director and one actress were in attendance and tried to explain and offer commentary at the Q&A. More tomorrow.

Cool Sunday

Fall is apparently here. It was brisk on the early walk to the Ryerson but a sunny day. The lineup for "A Good Year" went right around the corner again, but it's a big theatre and if you have a ticket, you do get a seat. Russell Crowe was very good in this comedy, and there were wonderful views of Provence in a movie made from the Mayle novel. I'm not a Crowe fan, but it was a fun movie.
Exiting from this film, I was first in the Rush line for "Paris Je T'aime" which didn't start until 3 p.m. Good thing it was a sunny day, and an advantage that Ryerson has a small cement wall along the street....a place to sit. Only had to wait until 12:30 before a couple of tickets came up, so was able to move to the Ticket holders line. Lots of nice people to talk to in line, and even managed to adopt a French son, Francoise from Montreal....he had been in the rush line, and was looking to be included in the ticket holders line after he finally got his ticket. The movie was 21-5 minute or so films shot in paris by different directors, each with different themes and concepts, but with wonderful views of Paris. One vignette was shot at the corner in Pigalle where we stayed in Paris! The producer, two directors and an actress were on hand for the Q&A, and afterwards director Alexander Payne had his picture taken with me! A fun day.

Rain and stars

Saturday...started with sprinkles and continued with rain. Went to the Ryerson Theatre in hopes of getting a Rush ticket for Volver, with Penelope Cruz, but after an hour in the rain, they had filled the theatre. There were over 120 people patiently waiting, hoping to get in, and they let in about 20. Oh well.
After some window shopping and a Tim's coffee, I got to be 2nd in the ticket holders line, so had no problems with seat selection! Chatted with Americans who were having a fine time being at the Festival.
Penelope, the film for which I had a ticket was charming. Christina Ricci had the lead role in this fable. Members of the cast, and the director were there for the Q&A, and got a standing ovation.
Red Carpet was abuzz on the way out, so waited and saw Yoko Ono and Michael Moore.
That was my film day.
For Sunday I have one ticket for "A Good Year" with Russel Crowe, and will try to get a rush ticket for "Paris, je t'aime".

Link to best-of pix...Rimouski & More

(Sunsets - r- us, eh Dave! Well, we come by it honestly...) The title to this post is also a link to the best of the pictures from my travels to "Bas Quebec", including Rimouski, the road west to Riviere-du-Loup, old Montreal and the Jean Talon market. (apologies for messing up the Bradt.com index page in the process, and thanks to Lorne for fixing that...) Judy

Tobermory sunsets...

A couple of images of sunsets from the cottage in Tobermory. I have them at 2560 x 1024, perfect for dual monitor setup.

First Film of the Festival

Judy and I wait in line for entry to "The Magic Flute" at the Elgin Wintergarden. We were in the shade at the corner of Yonge, at the end of the block as it went around the corner at Massey Hall. The music was Mozart, the imagery very Kenneth Branagh. He set it at WWI, so it was a little strange. Costumes, staging, unusual camera angles, effects, and singing were fab. Branagh was in Venice, so he sent a video greeting from the Grand Canal.
Three movies tomorrow, so early to bed tonight.

Where does it go?

I loved the farm pictures and all the updates about home renovation in Calgary! We missed you all too.



After such a flurry of posts, I can' t bear not to post something, even quick. Since we got back from PSV, JJ is enjoying the start to his new job. I hosted a baby shower for someone who inherited a part of my work at the Embassy (no pix from that), and met her temporary replacement, whom I like a lot. I was then off to Rimouski and Riviere du Loup to teach in Quebec -- this is a picture from a sunset walk along the St Lawrence river in Rimouski -- and for a weekend visit with a friend in Montreal. I need to get the web gallery done so you can link to it. Wonderful pictures of the open market at Jean Talon in Montreal, among other things.

I had a bit of downtime on Monday, and charged right into one of those weeks that just evaporates. We had dinner last night with our friends Pam Heilman and Sam Jelinek, great ladies in town judging for the Business Achievement Award (which has grown magnificently). Met a bunch of the incoming officers at the Embassy -- sorry, they seem SOOO young! -- and reflected on how much has changed over the last three years...

This has so far been a very busy week trying to prepare for the National Publicity Summit in New York at the end of Sept. That includes Watching Television, something I don't do that much of, to better understand the shows I want to be on, for example, and preparing very brief "pitches" to media producers and writers. (Watch for my gig on Oprah...) All that is after a brief visit to Toronto, on 20-24th, which will include a visit to the Farm on 22-24th. I haven't figured out how I'm getting there yet; I think I will need to rent a car, but don't want to if I don't have to. I will email Lorne to ask about possible alternatives...

JJ will travel to Prescott in the last week of Sept, and I wish I could go with him, but I will be in New York then.

Anyway, I'm feeling like all of you do, that there are not enough hours in the day... but with so many good things on the go, I don't think I'll complain.

Love to all,
J3