The Royal Alex at 100

This Sunday we marked the 100th anniversary of the Royal Alexandra Theatre with a street party, an open house and all kinds of fun stuff. It was such a great day. I was so glad my sisters got to hang out and that the Robeau played piano for the VIP reception.

I photographed some of the great people I work with, some notable Canadians like Shirley Douglas (yes, she's Keifer's mom), ballet legend Veronica Tennant, comedian Sandra Shamas, the Police Cheif and my new boyfriend, The Right Honourable Lincoln Alexander. I've had a crush on him forever (I know, I know) and I got to have a wonderful chat with him on Sunday. It was one of those great moments that make my job so surreal.

I was really proud on Sunday. I was a proud Torontonian, theatre lover and Mirvish Employee.

Here's to another 100 years for the grand lady on King Street!

For those days when you're feeling like less than the smartest person in the room.

Finding the words.

The Robeau gets back this afternoon, thank goodness. I feel kind of guilty taking this small amount of travel that he's doing so hard. I mean, what about people that have to travel all the time? What about long distance relationships? I'm not doing the whole "living in someone else's shoes" thing very well.

Today, it brought to mind this quote from Annie Hall:

Annie: Sometimes I ask myself how I'd stand up under torture.

Alvy: You? You kiddin'? The Gestapo would take away your Bloomingdale's charge card and you'd tell 'em everything.

I can always find the words to articulate all of my guilt and neurosis in Woody Allen movies.

Cliché, C'est Moi.

This guy's been gigging out of town a lot lately.



Now, I'm a strong minded independent woman with a lot of work to do and friends to see. I can amuse myself. I shouldn't complain. But it's LONESOME without him at home. Somehow things always seem to end up with me painting my nails, eating a frozen dinner, drinking wine and watching sitcoms. My man goes out of town and I turn into a freakin' Lifetime Movie. Sad.

And, oh yeah, the cats are turning on me. Proof, as if I needed any more, that they like him better than me.

Visitor from the South!

My Uncle Mike from New Jersey came to visit this weekend and we got to have the whole family over for dinner. What a treat to hang out in the backyard, just us and that weird, possibly stray cat that keeps hanging out in said yard. I really just got to know Uncle Mike last year and it's one of those great situations where you realize that even if you weren't related you'd probably be friends anyway. I could talk Apple Computers and Jazz with this guy all night!


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One request: come visit more often, Uncle Mike!

The State of my Teeth.

Just cause that's the kind of week it's been.

I had my teeth cleaned yesterday which was not a pleasant experience. I don't care what anyone says. The Dentist was lovely and so was her staff but I do not like people messing around, with sharp implements in my MOUTH! I do not like it! And now, my teeth are cleaner than they've been since they first cut through my gums and yeah...I HATE it!

THEY'RE SO SHARP!!!!!!!!

I keep cutting my tongue on my clean, sharp teeth.

Sometimes, this hygiene thing sucks.

The State of my Throat.

For the past few days I have been working under the assumption that the dread tonsilitis was back after a five week break. This would have been the third recurrence this summer. Which would mean I would most likely have to get snipped. I'm not in a hurry to go under the knife here, even if it means all the ice cream I can eat. Somehow, when you're a grown up with an exercise bike in your basement ice cream doesn't make surgery (however minor) seem like a positive. The good news is that today every indication is that this is just a common cold. The fever I didn't realize I had broke this morning and standing up and walking across a room no longer feels like doing a triathlon. I'm stuffing myself with Advil, Cold FX, Vitamin C and Oil of Oregano. I might even be well in time for the weekend. Take that tonsils. Take that. Anyone out there have any cold remedies they can't live without? I'm trying anything and everything...

Happy Birthday Oscar.

Painting by Debra Hurd.

I'm gonna miss Scooter.

Phil Rizzuto died today. Former Yankee Shortstop, Hall of Fame Broadcaster and true New York character.

There's a really nice tribute on the Yankee webiste complete with pictures, audio, reactions and great Scooter stories. I urge you to check it out.

While you're at it, check out this commercial, it pretty much shows him how I remember him the best.

Nobody sounded like Scooter in the booth. He was just NUTS! But he was also smart and sweet and a true company man. I feel so lucky that we used to get some of the Yankee games on Buffalo TV when I was kid. He's a big part of why I love baseball today, I'm sure. In 1993 Tom Peyer and Hart Seely put out a book called "Oh Holy Cow: The Selected Verse of Phil Rizzuto". The book features portions of Scooter's stream of conscience broadcasts in the form of poetry. It is, quite possibly, the greatest thing on my bookshelf. Some of my favourites:

ALIENATION

I think my head shrinks a little
In this indoor stadium.

I am...

The mike is getting bigger.
And I have to tighten it.

- May 2, 1987
New York at Minnesota
Tommy John pitching to Al Newman
Third inning, two outs, two base runners
Yankees lead 3-2



TO BE ALONE

Hey White
You know where your loyalties are?

Right here.
The old pinstripes.

No.

You never wore them.
So you have a right to sing the blues.

- May 12, 1987
New York at Chicago
Bill Long pitching to Dan Pasqua
Second inning, no outs, bases empty
White Sox lead 1-0



THE INDELIBLE SMELL

What kind is it?
Ohhhhh!
Pepperoni!
Holy Cow!
What happened?
Base hit!
A little disconcerting,
Smelling that pizza,
And trying
To do a ball game.

- August 19, 1992
Oakland at New York
Mike Moore pitching to Charlie Hayes
Sixth inning, one out, bases empty
Yankees lead 4-1


THE MAN IN THE MOON

The Yankees have had a traumatic four days.
Actually five days.
That terrible crash with Thurman Munson.
To go through all that agony,
And then today,
You and I along with the rest of the team
Flew to Canton for the services,
And the family...
Very upset,

You know, it might,
It might sound a little corny.
But we have the most beautiful full moon tonight.
And the crowd,
Enjoying whatever is going on right now.
They say it might sound corny,
But to me it's some kind of a,
Like an omen.

Both the moon and Thurman Munson,
Both ascending up into heaven.
I just can't get that out of my mind.
I just saw that full moon,
And it just reminded me of Thurman.
And that's it.

- August 6, 1979
Baltimore at New York
Ron Guidry pitching to Lee May
Fifth inning, bases empty, no outs
Orioles lead 1-0

MC Rove has left the building

This whole thing leaves me wondering: why am I not more excited?

Probably because I know that "spending time with my family" is either code for "get out before I can get prosecuted" or "secretly run the campaign of the next Republican Candidate".

Blech.

Oakville Jazz Fest, 2007.

Just got back in from a great weekend at the Oakville Jazz Fest. The Robeau and I had a relaxing time staying at the Holiday Inn Select (there was a BUNNY in the parking lot!) and I had a great time tooling around town in my new jeans (I hate that shopping makes me happy. It's awful being a cliche, isn't it?).

The Robeau played with his trio at beautiful art gallery, Andy Scott headlined at an amazing tribute to Ed Bickert and there was all kinds of other good music and food on the streets. It was a perfect way to spend the weekend. Hope you all had a good one too.

What I did on my Summer Vacation by Tracey N.

Do you remember those papers you had to write when you went back to school? One year, I think it was 5th grade, our Principal came by and asked the kids what they did on summer vacation. One kid told him he went to Mimico. Mimico was the neighbourhood right next to ours. But this kid said it like he went to Florida or something. It was odd, but kind of cute. The Principal (I can't remember his name) must have been having a bad day. He actually told this kid not to talk to him again until he had something interesting to say. Awful, but hysterical. I know I'll never forget that. Or the day that very kid snorted a pen cap up his nose and had to be rushed to the hospital.

OK. So I haven't been on vacation. I've been working like a mad woman. I haven't even gone to Mimico. I have done a few fun things in the last couple of weeks though.

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We attended opening night for the new Second City show, Facebook of Revelations. It's always a great time with old friends at that place, this time with the added bonus of a truly magnificent show. It's the best show I've seen there in at least 6 years. Just stellar all around. The cast is on fire (I have such a hetero girl crush on Lauren Ash) and the writing is strong. If you are in Toronto do yourself a favour and check this show out. You won't be sorry!




The Robeau with the lovely Naomi Snieckus at the after party.


With two of my favourite funny men, Marty Adams and Jack Mosshammer. Marty made his mainstage debut in this show and something tells me I'll be saying I knew him when.

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My friend Kath from CSIS got married - and you know what happens before a wedding - drinking and foolishness!


Before things got really goofy with two lovely Sarahs, Hutch and Sisko. I adore these two!

We did one of those "bachelorette party scavenger hunt thingies". You know, get a phone number, kiss a stranger, etc. I opted to get change for the condom machine from a stranger. I was way too proud of myself.


That's right, I needed $5 worth of change. That's just how busy I was planning on getting.

There we are, the lovely bride, the coked up stripper and the grimacing party goer. When he made his way up to me all I could say was "Is this really what you do for a living?" His reply? "I %8& LOVE MY JOB!". I bet you do, stripper guy. Just tell me this - why do you have a body guard?!? That's right. The guy came with a body guard. Give me a break, right?


Eeeeewwww


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Now, for something completely different, The Robeau's 9 year old niece Jordan came for a visit last weekend. They spent Friday afternoon at Canada's Wonderland while I was at the office, fostering her budding Ski Ball addiction. The boa was one of the prizes. It suits him, don't you think?



Dig his ability to remain oblivious!

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Mostly though, it's been work. Check out the MTN Media Relations website if you want to see what I'm up to over there. It's been fun. This weekend sees the end of the run for Ron Fromstein's Summerworks hit "The Big Smoke" and Andrew Scott's guitar summitt tribute to Ed Bickert at the Oakville Jazz Fest. Sunday is Ed Mirvish Day in the city of Toronto, with a giant street party outside Honest Ed's. Expect more stories and lots of pictures next week!