Home and Away

Just a quick updatey sort of post (because I know there are SO many of you just dying to hear of updates on my super exciting life).

1. Don is home. It is lovely to have him home again and not have to walk around before bed and check all the doors before I can sleep soundly.

2. After two busy days(Yes, I'm counting one as busy before it even happens), we finally head out to Vancouver Island for a week, tomorrow.

3. I had lunch with my dad on their sun deck today while the rest of the lunchers decided to eat at the table. We just sat their each with our respective sandwich and section of the paper, not much talking. 

It was a good way to spend a bit of time on Father's Day.

That's it!

We are off! To have fun,relax and maybe...maybe, take a surfing lesson.

Hoorah!

Still Reeling

Oh. My. Goodness.

After years of longing I finally got to see one of my most favourite bands last night, Coldplay. I've loved coldplay long before they became megastars and their screaming fans filled massive halls. I thought I might be a little disappointed to be there among 10,000 or so other people who, I knew, didn't all appreciate/love them quite like I do.  ;P 

I. Was. So. Wrong.

I have been to a ton of big concerts. Some have been awesome, some have been so-so. One was so bad, we left! But none of them even come close to the incredible creativity of the concert last night. I know that the band probably doesn't plan the show themselves, but they must be behind making it an experience, not just a typical concert. 

Everything, every single thing, was incredibly well done.

Sound, visual effects, audience involvement, even the megatron video screens were uniquely different not to mention the crazy live filming styles and free cd they gave to all.

While sitting through the first two bands, I wondered if I maybe shouldn't have spent the $100 that I didn't really have, our seats weren't as good as we thought, I was amidst so many people, they wouldn't let me bring in my reusable water bottle (I snuck it in anyway!), we forgot the binoculars...but when the band  came out and played a few songs and you could see their happiness at being so lucky to do what they love to do, I was happy for them to be able to do what they were born to do and to realize that by making the night an experience few will forget and give me the realization that I would gladly pay even more to go to a show like that again!

Thanks Coldplay for not only not disappointing, 

but for fricken blowing my socks off.

Home Stretch Haiku

nights I miss you most

but soon the road brings you home

safe tired loved

Ahh...to be part of the world again...

This is the week I feel, I truly have learned my lesson that that doing

too much physically and emotionally is just no good for you.

Let's just say that running to the bathroom to unexpectedly vomit in a drugstore and then waking up on the bathroom floor 10 minutes later with an goose egg complimenting your already very hard and stubborn head followed by 3 days of drowsy in and out sickness

is not as much fun as it sounds.

However, it does amuse me that being that sick and.... "ugh",

causes quite a few people to ask if you're pregnant.

(Which, of course, I'm not...knock on wood.)

So, this lovely Monday

(I unlike the rest of the world have never 'hated' mondays,

but that's a whole other post...),

I'm happy to actually be able to do house cleaning,

make pancakes for supper for me and grandma and

thoroughly enjoy the tremendous thunderstorm that passed through.

Life feels fresh and clean and new today.

Pam's Movie Reviews

Sometimes I wish I was a film maker.
Sometimes I'm just happy to enjoy good films.
Here's three I've really enjoyed this past week:


Ce Qu'il Faut Pour Vivre
(The Necessities of Life)-

1952-Tivii is an 'Inuk' from Baffin Island, grandson of a great hunter and provider for his wife and two sweet girls. During the epidemic of TB in the 50's, Tivii is required to unexpectedly leave his family for a sanitorium in Montreal to recover. Facing language, cultural and health barriers, Tivii feels an approaching sense of hopelessness. Until he meets Kaki, an 11 year old boy from the north who speaks his language and understands the simplicity of his good life. I got a last minute chance to finally see this movie and wasn't disapointed. Natar Ungulaaq (Who you might recognize from 'The Fast Runner') does an incredible job being lost, lonely and far from home in uncertain circumstances. Not a totally warm, fuzzy movie but it will most likely move you to feel contented with your life. ***** out of 5

Henry Poole Is Here-

A heart-warming story of Henry Poole (obviously!), who moves into a house in the neighboorhood where he grew up while he deals with some issues in his life. When his chatty, friendly but religious mexican neighbour spots the face of Christ in a water stain on the stucco of his new house, she can't help but see it as a miracle and he can't help but wish it gone. While the poster and premise for the movie seems very light hearted and fun, I found the overall sense to be a little more on the serious, thought provoking side. With the combined elements of great actors (Luke Wilson's slow lazy drawl fits in perfectly to the hot summer setting of a quiet californian suburb), a good mix of dry comedy and not too over the top drama, great cinematography and unforseen poignant moments, this movie was a pleasant surprise.**** out of 5

Entre Les Murs (The Class)-

Teacher in a middle shcool in a tough neigbourhood of Paris, François (Monsieur Marin) has the arduous task of teaching grammer & literature to 13 year olds. Faced with a generation of ipod wearing, cell phone talking, disrespecting teenagers, his methods of frankness and challenging encouragment have, in the past, been able to grab their attention...at least a bit. This year, however, seems a bit tough when the students begin to challenge his methods. This movie was an incredible character study and an interesting aspect of modern france with it's vast cultural mix. And with my french obsession, fun to listen to/read along with as well! ***1/2 out of 5

Rainy Day

I know it's kinda cold and gloomy, but I am happy to see the rain. 

Making everything green and bringing that fresh smell to everything.

Washing away all the dirt and dust and smoke from the fields.

Today it reminds me of Sarah Harmers song, The Hideout, which I can't seem to stop listening to these past few weeks:

Look at that green

Out through the screen

After a quick rain came

So fast that

There wasn't time 

To roll up the windows

And pull the clothes down off the line

But I don't care

It was so dry

And the grass is happy

And I think 'so am I'

Cause I'm through thinking about you

(If you'd like to hear it, you can here it here.)

Sometimes it's just time for a rainy day.

 

Bachelor Girl

That's right.

I haven't done one lick of housework the last 3 busy busy days.

The house is an incredible mess.

Dirty dishes literally overflow the sink & cover the counter.

Movies are spread out all over the rumpled couch.

Glasses are left to dry out wherever I set them down.

The empty roll is still on the holder, new roll on the floor.

The bed is unmade and clothes lay where ever they fall.

I make no excuses.

I just don't care.

I'll get to it soon...maybe.

(It's a good thing I don't live alone all the time.)

Just please don't drop by unexpectedly.