How Cool is NYC? Very!

There is no place on earth like NYC. Really. The vibrant, creative energy pours out onto the streets! The New Yorkers are sincerely helpful, down to earth and friendly. There seems to be a high proportion of actors, dancers, models and photographers traipsing the streets.

Here are some pics of the Big Apple, away from the tourists.

Amidst the crazy Saint-Patrick's Parade festivities, a quiet spot was found in Bryant Park:

We took a guided tour of the NY Public Library and found some interesting animals...

We walked the High Line (awesome discovery) and saw interesting sculptures. What a great way to use space!

A view from our 6th floor hotel room in Greenwich village. A most fabulous location!

We saw the play Belleville at the off-Broadway famous New York Theatre Workshop. It was a full house on a Sunday matinée.

Yes, I bought yarn at Purl Soho.

Spring Cherry Blossoms on the High Line:

We ate lunch at a diner in the East Village:

Cool staircase:

Our final dinner was at Il Buco. We were seated in the wine cellar, which was (apparently) Poe's inspiration for The Cask of Amontillado.

A Theatrical Experience

It may sound silly and irresponsible that my exclusive  reason for going to NYC this weekend was to see the production Sleep No More by London's Punchdrunk theatre company, but I just had to experience it for myself. And what an INCREDIBLE experience it was!
Words cannot do it justice. You will need to talk/write/call me if you wish more details. Meanwhile, you can check this out:
about the theatre company:http://punchdrunk.com
about the show I saw: http://sleepnomorenyc.com

I went with Simon (who was very brave!) and we experienced two completely different plays. That is what is so awesome about this immersive theatre. No two experiences will be alike and it is impossible to see the play it its entity and in a linear way (i love that!)
As an audience member, you need to make decisions about where to go. A bit like life; you can only be present one moment at a time.
Curiosity, boldness, vitality (and good shoes!)  are all required to enjoy and partake in this highly atmospheric and physical theatre experience.

It made me fall in love with this art form again. How exciting theatre can be! It reminded me of why I loved theatre in the first place: for its daring, emotional, bold experience. Furthermore, how, during a performance it can grab you and swirl you on a personal journey, and when the lights come on at the end, you just want to discuss, express, decorticate your experience with others. Oh! How it brought excitement and youth to life!

To have sparkles in your eyes and not feel how tired your feet are after walking/running 2.5 hours during the production (plus another previous 6 hours exploring the city): that's the sign of something special.

February Book Review: Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

Have you ever had tears streaming down your face while reading a short story?
Jhumpa Lahiri has done it again! A few years ago, I read her latest collection of short stories, Unaccustomed Earth. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to read her debut collection and Pulitzer Prize winner, Interpreter of Maladies.
What an effect it had on me!

Here's a review from the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/06/books/books-of-the-times-liking-america-but-longing-for-india.html

As with all short stories, you have your favourites and I got into the habit of jotting down a one- sentence summary on the Contents page to refresh my memory in the on-chance that I pick up the book in the future. I also added a 3-star rating system.

A short story can take you on such an emotional journey! You get a glimpse into the lives of these oh-so-ordinary individuals and, in the course of only a few pages, you care for them and feel that you know them so well. You are a witness to their humanity, to their struggles, to their vulnerabilities.

Lahiri writes simply with such delicate and precise language. Beauty and humanity resonate in her characters!

Perhaps I really like her stories because they are character-driven and I can visualize them (and dramatize them in my head)  as one-act plays ;)

Found on a Downtown Ottawa Pole

Made me smile!

Pictures: Mer Bleue Boardwalk in February

There is such quietude on a Saturday morning walk in the fresh air!

Well... as long as you are far from Margot ;)

Snowflake Kingdom

It's Winterlude season in Ottawa!

This morning we checked out the Snowflake Kingdom at Jacques Cartier Park. My disheveled brother, Jason, and Margot's cousin/best friend/brother//hand-me downs provider, Noa, joined us.

The key is to arrive the minute Jacques-Cartier park opens. 9am on the dot. Not only do you get unlimited parking possibilities (in an area which can be quite difficult to find a free parking spot - except if you  live at 205 Laurier ) , but you also beat the crowds (too many kids and their parents!) who show up at around 10am.

As you can see, the sky was blue (i.e. the air was cold!), the snow was ample, and the snow pants were put to good use!

Margot enjoying her first beaver tail!

January Book Review: A Visit From The Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

While reading this "novel", I kept wondering "Where is this going?..."
Not only did it win the 2010 Pulitzer Prize and several awards, but it was also recommended by a dear friend and bibliophile.  I had to give it a chance and I knew there was something more to it.

Each chapter is a short story of its own and while some of them took me on an emotional journey, others left me indifferent and disengaged.

I wish I had read this before:
http://www.randomhouse.com/book/201020/a-visit-from-the-goon-squad-by-jennifer-egan/9780307592835/?view=reader'sguide#reader'sguide
(although the author does say that I was reading it perfectly!)

About half way through the book, I started to get into it and flip back to previous chapters (which is always a good sign). When done reading,  I put it down and pondered for awhile about the journey of the characters. I picked it up again and reread a few pages I had dog-eared.

My random thoughts about the book (I'm hesitant to call it a novel since each chapter is a story on its own): It's about life. It's about endings and forever. It's about dreams and lost hope. It's about youthful abandon and society's expectations. It's about growing up and growing old. It's sad and moving.
It makes you appreciate the moments and hug your loved ones.

Susan turned to him suddenly and said "Let's make sure it's always like this". And so entwined were their thoughts at that point that Ted knew exactly why she'd said it - because she's felt the passage of time. And then Ted felt it too (...) and he'd held Susan's hand and said , "Always. It will always be like this." (p.231)
(and just to burst the hope bubble: no it won't)

Yes, I will reread it.
Thank you Bex for sharing this journey with me.