recital, Christmas tree

Jeff and I went to Annie's very first piano recital. She was nervous and quiet as she waited for her turn, but she did wonderfully. I empathized way too much with the piano students, partly because of my own disastrous recital experience, but also because I taught piano for years so can understand the agonies some students go through in preparation for recitals.

As a piano teacher, I didn't even want to have recitals because I couldn't stand the idea of putting students through that mental torture. BUT when I asked my students whether they wanted to have a recital, each one of them said yes. Go figure.

Sadly, Sara couldn't participate in the recital because she was at home sick. Kaarel was sick, too. When we asked Sara for any tips re: what kind of Christmas tree she'd like, she replied with a grin, "Just make sure it's a perfect tree." In the afternoon, Jeff, Ruth, Annie and I went out to Hockley Valley to get a Christmas tree.

Annie knew it was likely going to be the only time she'd ever be able to choose a tree all by herself, without having to consult Sara for agreement, which is probably why she so selective. But also, I'm sure, because she knew what a great responsibility she bore on her small shoulders.

JEFF: "How about this one, Annie?"

ANNIE: "It's too short."

RUTH: "Oh, here's a nice one, Annie. How about this one?"

ANNIE: "It's too big."

ME: "Annie! Look at this one..."

ANNIE: "Too brown in the middle."

After carefully examining nearly twenty trees with a critical eye, Annie finally chose The Perfect Tree.





Links/News:

My sister-in-law Larkin is going to be induced today! Jeff and I are heading up to Orangeville, may stay there overnight.

Waiting For Frodo updated.

One year ago, we got a Christmas tree with Sara and Annie.

Three years ago, I went to a hockey game.

Four years ago, I like Grocery Gateway.





Today's Blatherpics:

	Annie playing a duet ("Jingle Bells") with her (highly photogenic) piano teacher.
	Ruth, Annie and Jeff.
	Annie tries to catch snowflakes in her mouth.

rand and adam

(Photo above by Jim Leonard. See photo credits at bottom of page for more info)

Had fun yesterday at Allison's place. Jodi, Allison and I hung out all afternoon, did our Christmas gift exchange, watched Lilo and Stitch. I'd never seen the movie before and LOVED it, was surprised to find Disney characters so entertaining. Maybe I'll go see Treasure Planet after all.

In late afternoon, Adam English and Rand Bellavia came to visit. It's been a very long time since all five of us have been able to hang out, so I'm very glad we were able to get together. Allison, Jodi and I met Rand and Adam back at a Astronomicon in '94 (Allison? is that right?), and were blown away by their music, chatted with them, became friends. Rand and I still get together for Sunday brunch at any conventions we're both attending, no matter how late we've stayed up in open filking the night before. Sadly, we haven't been attending many of the same conventions recently. :(

Rand and Adam played on our Myths and Urban Legends Album (with Luis Garcia, who had joined them by then), we played on their Less Than Art album. If you haven't ever heard Ookla The Mok's music, you should definitely listen to some of the sound clips on their Web site (click on any of the album name links on the left). And check out the theme music of the new Disney cartoon, Fillmore.

Lots of music and chatting. Adam told us "the funniest joke in the universe". Here's a photo of him a few seconds after he poured an entire envelope of pop rocks into his mouth:





One of things I enjoyed the most about their visit was seeing the interaction between them. Rand and Adam have known each other for so long that they've developed a sort of conversation shorthand between them without consciously realizing it. As Jodi pointed out last night, it's sometimes like watching a highly entertaining sitcom which has half the lines missing. Even if you don't always understand all the references, it's wonderfully fun to witness the rapport between them. :-)

I also greatly enjoyed the Lord of the Rings conversation between Adam and Allison. We all participated, but it was clear that Adam and Allison were the biggest Tolkien geeks (and I say that with affection and awe) as they passionately discussed the etymological differences between "Elven", "Elvish" and "Quenyan".

The five of us may not get together all that often anymore, but I still found myself marvelling last night at how easily we picked up the conversation again. Which was good and bad. Good, because there was no awkwardness, no realization of "well, we've had fun in the past but we've all changed and don't really have that much in common anymore". Bad, because of the "it's a shame we can't do this more often" factor.

It's likely we won't see Rand and Adam again until February at Ad Astra, where both our groups have concerts at the convention. Looking forward to that.

I got home near midnight, and found that Jeff's Lord of the Rings party was still going, so I got to chat briefly with Reid, Michael, John, Walter, Vartan, Julie, as well as see the MTV Council of Elrond spoof Easter egg on the LOTR Extended DVD that Rand had told us about. Those of you who didn't know about the two Easter eggs can find out more information here.





Links/News:

See Allison's Livejournal post about last night.

Four years ago, I shopped in crowds.

Five years ago, Luisa had embarrassing photos of me from university (sorry, none posted haha).

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Today's Blatherpics:

	Adam, a few seconds after pouring an entire envelope of pop rocks into his mouth.
	Rand and Adam in open filk at OVFF. Photo by Jim Leonard. Jim takes such great people shots.
	Christmas gathering at Allison's last night. Unfortunately Allison's leaning against the wall behind Jodi, so you can't see her.

tolkien gathering

I'm pleased to announce that Urban Tapestry has been invited to perform at the Gathering Of The Fellowship in Toronto, Dec. 15-17, 2003! The convention is a gathering of Tolkien fans from around the world to celebrate the domestic premiere of "The Return of the King". Apparently they're planning to have a showing of ALL THREE MOVIES at the convention. I'm assuming they're going to be showing the full versions, and I'm also assuming that there are going to be breaks between each showing (!). Can't wait. :-) We'll be performing during the Masquerade party at the Gathering banquet, before a jousting tournament. Glass Hammer will be performing later in the evening, during a ball. Allison, Jodi and I plan to dress up in medieval costume for the event. I'm hoping to check out a medieval fair or two during the summer to look for a costume, but if any of you have other suggestions about where to get medieval garb, please do let me know! Links/News: All Look Same: Pretty amusing/interesting. I have to confess that even though I have a Japanese family background, I can't tell other types of Asians apart.(Thanks to Ray VanKleef for the link!) One year ago, I finished my First Aid course. Four years ago, I reported on my first experience with Grocery Gateway. Today's Blatherpics: Top: Recently updated Waiting For Frodo. Thanks to Rand for his help with today's strip, and to Jill Cainey and Shane McEwan for help with Rosie's trip photos. Bottom: With my friend Craig last night.

oh baby!

No, Larkin's and Rick's baby hasn't been born yet. :-) The photo above is of Amanda Kaathlyn Bohnhoff, who was born at 5:45 am PST yesterday. Both Amanda and Maya are doing great, according to Jeff. Amanda weighed 7 lbs 13 oz (3550 grams) and is 19" (about 500cm) long. Congratulations, Maya and Jeff! Jeff (my Jeff, not JeffB) and I are going to the first of our holiday season parties tonight, a housewarming held by our friends Doug and Jen. Tomorrow, Jeff is hosting a gaming/Lord of the Rings get-together for a small group of friends, and I'll be going to Allison's place for a Christmas gathering with Allison, Jodi, Rand and Adam. Links/News: My sister was interviewed for a TVO show which will be aired in January. Blogcritics.org mentioned me, quoting from Solonor's Groovy Grove Of Mystical Wonders. This posting was from October, just came across it yesterday. A 30-second new trailer for Two Towers is online. Those in the U.S. may have already seen this trailer on Dec. 12th on tv. Click here to see what I consider to be an especially cute photo of Patrick Stewart. One year ago, I was taking Day 2 of my First Aid course. Photo: Sebastian with a plastic baby. Three years ago, I was interviewed by Andy Barrie for his Metro Morning show on CBC radio. Four years ago, I was trying out Grocery Gateway for the first time.

bedtime ritual

I've recently started listening to audiobooks while working out in the gym. The treadmill is so AWFULLY boring compared to running outdoors, and I sometimes find that occasionally even music isn't enough to keep me going.

I'm currently listening to William Shatner reading from his book, Get A Life! and am enjoying it more than I expected. I still find it hard to believe Shatner's claim that he had no idea that Star Trek fans would be offended by his "Get a life" sketch on Saturday Night Live, but still find him entertaining.

The experience of being read to is much different from reading a book myself. I prefer the latter, but have also found the former enjoyable for different reasons. I've always associated being read to with a feeling of comfort, of safety, of affection, probably because my father used to read to me and my siblings when we were kids. I've also always enjoyed the whole bedtime storytelling ritual as well. Some of my favourite memories of my mother are from when she used to tell me Japanese fairy tales at bedtime. I still find comfort in bedtime stories, even as an adult. :-)

Jeff read stories from Winnie the Pooh on the phone to me at night while I was living in Philadelphia and terribly homesick. With the lights off and under the covers with the phone receiver cradled up against my ear, I could almost pretend that he was right beside me. Almost. Sometimes I'd fall asleep and he'd have to yell through the phone to wake me up so I could hang up the receiver.

I'm curious about whether this is still a universal parenting habit. To you parents out there: Do you tell or read bedtime stories to your children? Or to non-parents: Do you like being read to? Do you and your friends/partner read to each other?

But back to audiobooks. I tend to buy audiobooks second-hand, simply because I can't justify the expense of a new audiobook when I know I'm only going to listen to it once. I've also been investigating the cost of audiobook MP3s online, but they don't tend to be much cheaper.

If anyone out there is in a similar position and is interested in doing an audiobook exchange by snailmail, please let me know! I've collected about a dozen over the past couple of years, and am gradually working my way through them. I'd also be interested in hearing of any inexpensive (but legal) sources of audiobooks online. I've already checked out Audible.com, Audiobooksonline and Audiobooks.com.

Links/News:

One year ago, I was taking a First Aid course.

Four years ago, we lined up for the new Star Trek movie with Luisa and Reid.

Five years ago, I discovered Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream, thanks to my friend Rand.

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Today's Blatherpics:

Jeff reading a bedtime story to Sara and Annie. I usually lie on the bed beside Jeff. Sara and Annie are highly amused when I doze off.