The mitts may be on but people are still clapping. But not to I am the Walrus of course.
Yellow Submarine... Ringo finally gets to sing.
Yellow Submarine... Ringo finally gets to sing.
as per tradition there was a mini donut run.
These donuts are the definition of bite-size.
These donuts are the definition of bite-size.
Not seeing anyone looking too lonely tonight.
Once again the expert has come in handy.
5 minutes until intermission, enjoying the show too much to post anything. It's that entertaining.
Medley of favourites.
Did I mention that the expert is also a percussionist. He just gave a thumbs up for Ringo's recent eight stroke roll.
Yes, I get by with a little help from my friends.
5 minutes until intermission, enjoying the show too much to post anything. It's that entertaining.
Medley of favourites.
Did I mention that the expert is also a percussionist. He just gave a thumbs up for Ringo's recent eight stroke roll.
Yes, I get by with a little help from my friends.
lyrical inspiration
It's really working out to my benefit to sit next to a Beatles expert. Although he is nearly six months younger than me he has already told me all the song titles in the opening medley (just as I predicted) and pointed out that Jim Owen (John Lennon) bends his knees just like the real John.
The crowd is definitely enjoying the show so far. There is always the clap of recognition when the band begins to play songs that they recognize. Currently, McCartney (Tony Kishman) is singing Yesterday with full accompaniment from the orchestra. I don't know if it's just where I'm sitting but the crowd seems to be made up lots of couples. Sunday night is date night it would seem. And what better place to be than SSSUTS.
oh costume change.
The crowd is definitely enjoying the show so far. There is always the clap of recognition when the band begins to play songs that they recognize. Currently, McCartney (Tony Kishman) is singing Yesterday with full accompaniment from the orchestra. I don't know if it's just where I'm sitting but the crowd seems to be made up lots of couples. Sunday night is date night it would seem. And what better place to be than SSSUTS.
oh costume change.
Managed to time everything right this evening, arriving with enough time to take the shuttle from the university. Better seats than yesterday, closer to the stage with a view even with my eyesight. Tonight is the Classical Mystery Tour - A Tribute to the Beatles. Tonight I'm sitting next to a full fledged Beatles expert. No doubt he will be prompting me with lyrics and giving me little historical tidbits.
Impromptu Audience Quiz...
2 out of 5 patrons agree, George Harrison is their favourite Beatle.
1 is ambivalent
1 prefers Ringo, the Ringo who was the former narrator for the Thomas the Tank Engine series.
1 is in love with Lennon (typical)
and 1 hates them all equally, or was that likes them all equally.
I've been told that this will be the best show of the series. Since I spent so much time yesterday complaining about the weather I think it's fitting that I make some sort of comment, the weather is rather pleasant in comparison. I don't anticipate feeling the same degree of cold.
Show is about to begin in five minutes.
Impromptu Audience Quiz...
2 out of 5 patrons agree, George Harrison is their favourite Beatle.
1 is ambivalent
1 prefers Ringo, the Ringo who was the former narrator for the Thomas the Tank Engine series.
1 is in love with Lennon (typical)
and 1 hates them all equally, or was that likes them all equally.
I've been told that this will be the best show of the series. Since I spent so much time yesterday complaining about the weather I think it's fitting that I make some sort of comment, the weather is rather pleasant in comparison. I don't anticipate feeling the same degree of cold.
Show is about to begin in five minutes.
indication of what's to come tonight.
Written Sunday morning, back dated so it would appear in line with the other Saturday posts as I only show one days worth of posts on the front page.
I didn't get a chance to post my final thoughts from the Saturday performance of SSUTS, so I will now (I should have been using this acronym for the Sobeys Symphony Under the Sky yesterday, would have saved me some precious typing time). I had some grand ideas about what I would be posting about before I got to the park, but I realized during the show that I wanted to structure my posts to approximately one post per piece... and in the midst of trying to enjoy the music and take some photos of the event that did not violate any terms of agreement with the orchestra (although I did see many other photographers there taking pictures to their hearts content, but there was no formal announcement made instructing patrons(?) not to take photos), I had to sacrifice some of my wordier notions in order to get posts up in real time. However, I have collected my thoughts and I have plenty of time available to me now, so I will proceed with my review/overview/synposis/debrief of last night's performance. I will warn you, this may be long winded as I'm in the mood to document my entire experience. We'll see where this takes me.
For me, the experience of any sort of event begins on my way to the venue. Aryn and I are ardent pedestrians and we constantly face the challenge of figuring out how we will get anywhere. We don't mind this hassle, if we owned a car we would constantly be figuring out how we would park it, not to mention all the other responsibilities that owning a vehicle entails. I'm generally quite happy to walk everywhere (makes me feel a bit like a perpetual tourist, particularly since I'm often walking around with a camera) but time and distance plays a big part in my decision to rely solely on my feet. In planning the trek to Hawrelak, I soon discovered that ETS would be providing free shuttle service from the Park N' Ride at the university. There problem solved. All we needed to do was hop on the LRT to the University and we'd have no issues. However, the LRT was not running across the river as they are in the process of replacing the signal lights on the LRT bridge. Instead we would have to take the LRT shuttle from Corona to the University. This all seemed like a perfectly reasonable solution, and had we arrived at home with enough time to eat dinner all would have been well and good. In the end, we ate a rushed supper of rewarmed (but delicious) potato and leek soup, and then almost at the moment we lay our spoons down the taxi arrived to take us to the park.
You may wonder why I bore you all with this story of transportation, but for me getting to and from a place is half the battle (others might tell the story of trying to park their car) and I always appreciate any efforts by an event organizer to make getting there to be as easy as possible. Speaking of which, when we arrived at the park, our taxi had to let us off near the entrance of the closest parking lot. It's a bit of a distance from the amphitheatre and I was beginning to get worried that we were going to arrive late. However, one of the helpful volunteers who was driving the golf cart shuttle (provided mostly for seniors I presume) had no passengers and invited us to hop on. Aryn is a strapping twenty-something (as am I, although less strapping and more sturdy), so we generally don't get to experience this sort of convenience. I felt pampered by the service and I was definitely appreciative that the organizers include this feature for their guests. It certainly proved handy as our tickets were taken at the gate, we were handed a program, and we found a spot on the grass suspiciously near the mini donut stand.
Evenings like Night at the Movies are always some of the more accessible ESO performances. Since moving to Edmonton two years ago, I've had the benefit of attending SSUTS three times as well as numerous ESO performances at the Winspear. I am by no means a studied music critic, but I do have an appreciation for classical music. That sounds like a cliché, and it is, but sometimes clichés are the best way to express something. I grew up listening to a smattering of the classics and opera, and aside from Vivaldi's Four Seasons and other such popular works, I cannot distinguish one composer from another. That's not to say that I can't, or that anyone can't... but classical music can be intimidating to those who have never experienced before. If you are listening to a piece that you have never heard before, not everyone will be able to enjoy the intricate layers of sound that a symphony produces. However, I like to compare going to the symphony to discovering to a new band that you've never heard before. You need to be drawn in by a piece that you like... and that will lead you to explore other works by that artist. Sometimes you will find that you only like a certain style, while in other cases you may find yourself exploring a direction that is entirely unexpected. Yesterday's performance is sort of like this, as are almost any SSUTS performances. The venue at Hawrelak Park is casual and festive... there was even a Mexican food vendor this year, in addition to the ever so popular mini-donuts stand, which if you are reading any of the other SSUTS blogs you'll notice that the one recurring theme in our posts is mini-donuts. Particularly for yesterday evenings performance, the selection of music is also recognizable. Nearly every genre of film was represented... western, drama, romance, fantasy, musical, science fiction, even action. The music was easy to put in context. You could tell that throughout the crowd people were having their "a-ha" (a-ha, as in not the band, but eureka, as in not the tv show) moments, when a piece was played that they recognized the score. I always find it interesting to listen to film scores independently from a film, because it can be so easy to overlook (or should I say, overhear) this integral part of a film. The music contributes so much to the feeling of a film, and it is amazing how different music can effect the overall impact of a movie.
Aside: Reminded of the trend a couple years back to mash up old movie trailers with different editing and music to create something with an entirely different feel, check out this trailer
Losing steam here... I'll wrap it up. Performances like Night at the Movies are a good introduction to the ESO. The atmosphere is fun and the music is accessible. This is not to say that other performances by the ESO do not share these same qualities. I think they do. The conductors, particularly Bill Eddins, do a fantastic job at engaging the crowd with the context of the various pieces that the symphony performs. Even I, the non-musician, am able to enjoy the wide variety of music that the symphony plays. I certainly hope that more people begin to take advantage of having a symphony within this city, attending other shows throughout the season. I should put in a plug for the Puls8 Club (yes the 'club' at the ESO), where symphonic music fans from 18 - the strapping and sturdy ages of the late 20s (up to 29) can get tickets to ESO performances for $15 (plus agency fees). $15 for an ESO performance is a bloody steal.
Anyhow, I must prep for the concert this evening. My parents are in town and my siblings and I are taking them to the show. It looks like the weather is going to be a repeat of yesterday and I need to locate some of my winter wear.
I didn't get a chance to post my final thoughts from the Saturday performance of SSUTS, so I will now (I should have been using this acronym for the Sobeys Symphony Under the Sky yesterday, would have saved me some precious typing time). I had some grand ideas about what I would be posting about before I got to the park, but I realized during the show that I wanted to structure my posts to approximately one post per piece... and in the midst of trying to enjoy the music and take some photos of the event that did not violate any terms of agreement with the orchestra (although I did see many other photographers there taking pictures to their hearts content, but there was no formal announcement made instructing patrons(?) not to take photos), I had to sacrifice some of my wordier notions in order to get posts up in real time. However, I have collected my thoughts and I have plenty of time available to me now, so I will proceed with my review/overview/synposis/debrief of last night's performance. I will warn you, this may be long winded as I'm in the mood to document my entire experience. We'll see where this takes me.
For me, the experience of any sort of event begins on my way to the venue. Aryn and I are ardent pedestrians and we constantly face the challenge of figuring out how we will get anywhere. We don't mind this hassle, if we owned a car we would constantly be figuring out how we would park it, not to mention all the other responsibilities that owning a vehicle entails. I'm generally quite happy to walk everywhere (makes me feel a bit like a perpetual tourist, particularly since I'm often walking around with a camera) but time and distance plays a big part in my decision to rely solely on my feet. In planning the trek to Hawrelak, I soon discovered that ETS would be providing free shuttle service from the Park N' Ride at the university. There problem solved. All we needed to do was hop on the LRT to the University and we'd have no issues. However, the LRT was not running across the river as they are in the process of replacing the signal lights on the LRT bridge. Instead we would have to take the LRT shuttle from Corona to the University. This all seemed like a perfectly reasonable solution, and had we arrived at home with enough time to eat dinner all would have been well and good. In the end, we ate a rushed supper of rewarmed (but delicious) potato and leek soup, and then almost at the moment we lay our spoons down the taxi arrived to take us to the park.
You may wonder why I bore you all with this story of transportation, but for me getting to and from a place is half the battle (others might tell the story of trying to park their car) and I always appreciate any efforts by an event organizer to make getting there to be as easy as possible. Speaking of which, when we arrived at the park, our taxi had to let us off near the entrance of the closest parking lot. It's a bit of a distance from the amphitheatre and I was beginning to get worried that we were going to arrive late. However, one of the helpful volunteers who was driving the golf cart shuttle (provided mostly for seniors I presume) had no passengers and invited us to hop on. Aryn is a strapping twenty-something (as am I, although less strapping and more sturdy), so we generally don't get to experience this sort of convenience. I felt pampered by the service and I was definitely appreciative that the organizers include this feature for their guests. It certainly proved handy as our tickets were taken at the gate, we were handed a program, and we found a spot on the grass suspiciously near the mini donut stand.
Evenings like Night at the Movies are always some of the more accessible ESO performances. Since moving to Edmonton two years ago, I've had the benefit of attending SSUTS three times as well as numerous ESO performances at the Winspear. I am by no means a studied music critic, but I do have an appreciation for classical music. That sounds like a cliché, and it is, but sometimes clichés are the best way to express something. I grew up listening to a smattering of the classics and opera, and aside from Vivaldi's Four Seasons and other such popular works, I cannot distinguish one composer from another. That's not to say that I can't, or that anyone can't... but classical music can be intimidating to those who have never experienced before. If you are listening to a piece that you have never heard before, not everyone will be able to enjoy the intricate layers of sound that a symphony produces. However, I like to compare going to the symphony to discovering to a new band that you've never heard before. You need to be drawn in by a piece that you like... and that will lead you to explore other works by that artist. Sometimes you will find that you only like a certain style, while in other cases you may find yourself exploring a direction that is entirely unexpected. Yesterday's performance is sort of like this, as are almost any SSUTS performances. The venue at Hawrelak Park is casual and festive... there was even a Mexican food vendor this year, in addition to the ever so popular mini-donuts stand, which if you are reading any of the other SSUTS blogs you'll notice that the one recurring theme in our posts is mini-donuts. Particularly for yesterday evenings performance, the selection of music is also recognizable. Nearly every genre of film was represented... western, drama, romance, fantasy, musical, science fiction, even action. The music was easy to put in context. You could tell that throughout the crowd people were having their "a-ha" (a-ha, as in not the band, but eureka, as in not the tv show) moments, when a piece was played that they recognized the score. I always find it interesting to listen to film scores independently from a film, because it can be so easy to overlook (or should I say, overhear) this integral part of a film. The music contributes so much to the feeling of a film, and it is amazing how different music can effect the overall impact of a movie.
Aside: Reminded of the trend a couple years back to mash up old movie trailers with different editing and music to create something with an entirely different feel, check out this trailer
Losing steam here... I'll wrap it up. Performances like Night at the Movies are a good introduction to the ESO. The atmosphere is fun and the music is accessible. This is not to say that other performances by the ESO do not share these same qualities. I think they do. The conductors, particularly Bill Eddins, do a fantastic job at engaging the crowd with the context of the various pieces that the symphony performs. Even I, the non-musician, am able to enjoy the wide variety of music that the symphony plays. I certainly hope that more people begin to take advantage of having a symphony within this city, attending other shows throughout the season. I should put in a plug for the Puls8 Club (yes the 'club' at the ESO), where symphonic music fans from 18 - the strapping and sturdy ages of the late 20s (up to 29) can get tickets to ESO performances for $15 (plus agency fees). $15 for an ESO performance is a bloody steal.
Anyhow, I must prep for the concert this evening. My parents are in town and my siblings and I are taking them to the show. It looks like the weather is going to be a repeat of yesterday and I need to locate some of my winter wear.
We took the shuttle bus home, but first we stood for the encore performance... a piece from Jurassic Park by John Williams.
I'm looking forward to the Classical Mystery Tour tomorrow.
I'm looking forward to the Classical Mystery Tour tomorrow.
another with guest vocalist Tyler Hamilton... and what will it be?
Star Trek intro narration. Most entertaining.
Star Trek Through the Years
(various / arr. Custer)
TV Theme / Deep Space Nine / The Inner Light / Star Trek: Generations / Star Trek Voyager / Star Trek: The Motion Picture
I wish I could take more photos of the performance. For me much of the excitement of this event is not just the music but also the visuals. I love when the sun sets and the lights of the amphitheater turn on, creating a splash of colour of the tent above.
Finale complete. More again tomorrow.
Star Trek intro narration. Most entertaining.
Star Trek Through the Years
(various / arr. Custer)
TV Theme / Deep Space Nine / The Inner Light / Star Trek: Generations / Star Trek Voyager / Star Trek: The Motion Picture
I wish I could take more photos of the performance. For me much of the excitement of this event is not just the music but also the visuals. I love when the sun sets and the lights of the amphitheater turn on, creating a splash of colour of the tent above.
Finale complete. More again tomorrow.
Tyler Hamilton on stage again.... this time singing two songs from Oklahoma! (Bernhardt has dubbed Hamilton the Line King, hardy har har).
Oklahoma!: Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'
(Rodgers/Hammerstein / arr. Bennet)
We should all close our eyes for this one. Imagine corn as high as an elephant's eye, etc, etc, etc.
Apparently Hamilton sees the squirrels too. And he likes to kiss old ladies. Obviously much of the humour is lost in translation. I wish I had brought some mittens like Aryn. My fingers are ready to fall off.
Oklahoma! Surrey With a Fringe on Top
(Rodgers/Hammerstein / arr. Bennet)
Hamilton recently performed the role of Curly in an Ontario production of Oklahoma! (I wonder if the exclamation point is meant to differentiate the state from the musical?)
Surprise!
Theme from Oklahoma!
Yet another sing-along for the crowd. Now it's our turn... I don't think many people know the lyrics because I don't hear anyone.
Oklahoma!: Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'
(Rodgers/Hammerstein / arr. Bennet)
We should all close our eyes for this one. Imagine corn as high as an elephant's eye, etc, etc, etc.
Apparently Hamilton sees the squirrels too. And he likes to kiss old ladies. Obviously much of the humour is lost in translation. I wish I had brought some mittens like Aryn. My fingers are ready to fall off.
Oklahoma! Surrey With a Fringe on Top
(Rodgers/Hammerstein / arr. Bennet)
Hamilton recently performed the role of Curly in an Ontario production of Oklahoma! (I wonder if the exclamation point is meant to differentiate the state from the musical?)
Surprise!
Theme from Oklahoma!
Yet another sing-along for the crowd. Now it's our turn... I don't think many people know the lyrics because I don't hear anyone.
Great Western Suite (various / arr. Tyzik)
The Magnificent Seven / Dances with Wolves / How the West Was Won / Silverado
The gentleman next to me (not Aryn) has been looking forward to this one all evening. His daughter has just kindly informed us (and everyone within earshot) that hot chocolate is $2 at the main refreshment tent. If only we hadn't blown our spare change on the mini donuts.
Pause to enjoy the music.
(Apparently the concession is out of hot chocolate)
The Magnificent Seven / Dances with Wolves / How the West Was Won / Silverado
The gentleman next to me (not Aryn) has been looking forward to this one all evening. His daughter has just kindly informed us (and everyone within earshot) that hot chocolate is $2 at the main refreshment tent. If only we hadn't blown our spare change on the mini donuts.
Pause to enjoy the music.
(Apparently the concession is out of hot chocolate)
Aryn and I were out and about this afternoon. We had walked across the High Level Bridge and back again, arriving home at nearly six o'clock, which dashed our plans to take the LRT to the University and then take advantage of the free shuttle to the park. I am pleased that ETS was involved in this event and had there been the time I would have documented the process to get from downtown to the park. Perhaps tomorrow evening.
It is really starting to get cold outside. I see dozens of people carrying wrapping themselves in blankets of all descriptions. Aryn has donned his winter jacket as well as toque and gloves. If I weren't typing my fingers would probably have frozen off.
Aryn was successful in his snack gathering mission. Evidence below.
Observes Aryn. There are squirrels in the tree.
I see the orchestra assembling on stage. Announcement, the second half will begin in five minutes.
Ha.... People are running in place to keep warm.
It is really starting to get cold outside. I see dozens of people carrying wrapping themselves in blankets of all descriptions. Aryn has donned his winter jacket as well as toque and gloves. If I weren't typing my fingers would probably have frozen off.
Aryn was successful in his snack gathering mission. Evidence below.
Step One. Evenly distribute the sugar
Step Two. Eat and Enjoy
Observes Aryn. There are squirrels in the tree.
I see the orchestra assembling on stage. Announcement, the second half will begin in five minutes.
Ha.... People are running in place to keep warm.
Banter between vocalist and conductor. It is baritone Hamilton's third time with the ESO, second time at Symphony Under the Sky... and his parents are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. Apparently tonight is the birthing of his new cd.
and now...
The Lion King: Can You Feel the Love Tonight?
(music by Elton John / lyrics by Tim Rice / arranged by Gordon Goodwin)
Don't know if I care for this arrangement. Too quick... vocalist sounds a bit too country for my liking. But then, I am comparing with the original version. I should stop.
Wowsers, intermission already. Aryn's off to get mini donuts. Run Aryn Run!
and now...
The Lion King: Can You Feel the Love Tonight?
(music by Elton John / lyrics by Tim Rice / arranged by Gordon Goodwin)
Don't know if I care for this arrangement. Too quick... vocalist sounds a bit too country for my liking. But then, I am comparing with the original version. I should stop.
Wowsers, intermission already. Aryn's off to get mini donuts. Run Aryn Run!
The Sound of Music: Edelweiss
(Rodgers/Hammerstein / arr. Bennet)
Tyler Hamilton on stage.
Roger Bernhardt remembers to thank the sponsors. As Tyler waits, we learn that this festival has been "greened". ETS has hybrid shuttles, ESO staff are throwing frisbees from Bullfrog Power.
I forgot how much of a joker the conductor is.
Hamilton channels Captain Von Trapp. Does he have the same distinguished air as Christopher Plummer? I don't know, I can't really see that far. Crowd sing-along for the second verse. I don't hear Aryn singing. I think he's holding back. Doesn't want to drown out the soprano beside me.
mild applause
(Rodgers/Hammerstein / arr. Bennet)
Tyler Hamilton on stage.
Roger Bernhardt remembers to thank the sponsors. As Tyler waits, we learn that this festival has been "greened". ETS has hybrid shuttles, ESO staff are throwing frisbees from Bullfrog Power.
I forgot how much of a joker the conductor is.
Hamilton channels Captain Von Trapp. Does he have the same distinguished air as Christopher Plummer? I don't know, I can't really see that far. Crowd sing-along for the second verse. I don't hear Aryn singing. I think he's holding back. Doesn't want to drown out the soprano beside me.
mild applause
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: selections
(Gregson-Williams/arr. Bulla)
I'm regretting not bringing a blanket. The sun is going down and I'm beginning to get cold. The current selection, which is rather suspenseful is not helping.
Aryn is feeding me lines. I will indicate them with italicized text
Orchestra is illuminated by the setting sun.
Eight minutes was over faster than I could have ever imagined.
Bernhardt is discussing film scoring... inviting Tyler Hamilton on stage.
(Gregson-Williams/arr. Bulla)
I'm regretting not bringing a blanket. The sun is going down and I'm beginning to get cold. The current selection, which is rather suspenseful is not helping.
Aryn is feeding me lines. I will indicate them with italicized text
Orchestra is illuminated by the setting sun.
Eight minutes was over faster than I could have ever imagined.
Bernhardt is discussing film scoring... inviting Tyler Hamilton on stage.
The symphony is play a selection from The Pink Panther theme while a flock of Canada geese fly overhead. The geese are yet another indication that the summer is coming to an end.
Now an excerpt from The Way We Were... the lady next to me is channeling a little Babs mouthing the lyrics.
Oooh, the crowd pleaser. Rocky theme. I see heads bobbing and fingers tapping while people recall Sly Stallone in his famous grey tracksuit.
Round of applause... some guy yelling Adrian behind me. Oh and the whistles. And now conductor Robert Bernhardt hams it up with the crowd, yelling the same thing. Cracking jokes, letting the crowd know that the order of the program is going to change, and next up the orchestra will be playing Mahlers 9th Symphony. Polite laughter.
Factoid. The Way We Were was filmed at Bernhardt's alma mater in Skinectity, New York during his senior year of high school.
Now an excerpt from The Way We Were... the lady next to me is channeling a little Babs mouthing the lyrics.
Oooh, the crowd pleaser. Rocky theme. I see heads bobbing and fingers tapping while people recall Sly Stallone in his famous grey tracksuit.
Round of applause... some guy yelling Adrian behind me. Oh and the whistles. And now conductor Robert Bernhardt hams it up with the crowd, yelling the same thing. Cracking jokes, letting the crowd know that the order of the program is going to change, and next up the orchestra will be playing Mahlers 9th Symphony. Polite laughter.
Factoid. The Way We Were was filmed at Bernhardt's alma mater in Skinectity, New York during his senior year of high school.
Wireless is on at Hawrelak Park and I'm ready to start live blogging Sobey's Symphony Under the Sky. Almost didn't make it on time. Tonight is Night at the Movies which will no doubt be entertaining for me, especially considering that in the second half they will be playing a selection from Oklahoma!, which Aryn pointed out to me the instant we sat down.
Right now the symphony is playing the Big Movie Suite, with selections from Gone with the Wind, Ben Hur, Laura, Dr. Zhivago, Lawrence of Arabia, Rocky, The Pink Panther, and The Way We Were (IMDB links to come).
It's a rather chilly night for Symphony Under the Sky. I've gone for the last three summers that I've been in Edmonton and this is the only one where I've seen people snuggled under sleeping bags and wearing toques. I'm hoping that the vendors have some warm beverages, because it would be lovely to have a hot chocolate during the intermission.
I feel slightly ridiculous sitting here typing this post. As far as I can see I'm the only person live blogging this evening, unless there are some others who are surreptiously posting from their mobile devices. Aryn is hassling me to post this. And so I will.
Right now the symphony is playing the Big Movie Suite, with selections from Gone with the Wind, Ben Hur, Laura, Dr. Zhivago, Lawrence of Arabia, Rocky, The Pink Panther, and The Way We Were (IMDB links to come).
It's a rather chilly night for Symphony Under the Sky. I've gone for the last three summers that I've been in Edmonton and this is the only one where I've seen people snuggled under sleeping bags and wearing toques. I'm hoping that the vendors have some warm beverages, because it would be lovely to have a hot chocolate during the intermission.
I feel slightly ridiculous sitting here typing this post. As far as I can see I'm the only person live blogging this evening, unless there are some others who are surreptiously posting from their mobile devices. Aryn is hassling me to post this. And so I will.
I've been having a rough go with things lately. Things should be going well for me, I have good friends, a nice house, a job that pays reasonably well. But for whatever reason I'm not feeling all that great. Self censorship prevents me from delving into exactly what's been bothering me, but whether it be some circumstance under my control or some other deeper issue, I feel like a hopeless case. I have my good days, but then there are the days when all I want to do is close the blinds and hide under the covers, seeing no one, talking to no one, except my jail keeper who will come by every now and again with a metal plate with my dinner and water refills. I am definitely feeling that way now. I always joke about being a melancholic, but I'm really tired of feeling this way. Every so often I'll have bursts of a good mood. I took photos for work on Wednesday and there was a moment when I was on the rooftop of one of the university residences that I discovered a set of tennis courts on top of a parkade (as seen in the photo above). It was completely unexpected and absolutely delightful. For the brief minute that I looked out over the courts and the rest of the city I was truly happy. I live for moments like that. It relaxes me to be able to sit back and imagine what goes on in these scenes I come across. Perhaps it's just what I do to forget about my own problems... but I like to think of it as something more creative than that. However, tonight I'll be thinking about a story to match this scene so I can go to bed and not let my daily troubles keep me from sleeping.
Somehow we've reached the end of August and I am sad for it. The summer is definitely my favourite time of the year although I spend too much time complaining about the heat after the sun and I have had one of our annual run-ins. It's been a busy summer, there was a weekend on the coast, another weekend camping, and plenty of others filled with local festivals or just hanging out with friends late into the evening. I am looking forward to the next seasons though... in October I get to spend a couple days in Toronto (which reminds me, I should let my relatives know I'm coming down) for Nuit Blanche, Christmas is on the coast this year, and I have a stash of yarn that I need to get too. I want one last big summer hurrah though. Hopefully we'll have some warm weather in September, warm enough to warrant a weekend camping somewhere (not that I'm much of a camper, I like it because it is an excuse to lie down and read all day).
This weekend I'll be live blogging two performances of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra's Symphony Under the Sky event. My friend (who I will call philharmonica) works for the ESO and has kindly hooked me up with this volunteer gig. Unfortunately I won't be able to post any photos of the orchestra (fingers crossed that one day we'll get permission), but I will post some shots of the audience and the outdoor venue at Hawrelak Park. It should be a lot of fun. I always enjoy the symphony performances that I have been able to attend. I will do my best to provide a layperson's depiction of the event. It will be good to flex my writing muscles that have remained unused for quite some time.
I think I've written myself to sleep here. Tomorrow/today I will be spending the day with a highly practiced and very talented architectural photographer taking photographs of the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute. This is the greatest perk of my job. I've been able to shoot with this guy a couple times now and I'm really learning a lot. He's hilarious and so much fun to be around. It's amazing how different work can be when you're doing something you really love.
