Fragmentertaining.doc

So it's time for another update but I'm spicing things up today with a new format. Rapid fire updates, musings, and observations. It may be inspired by a discussion of "post-modern fragmenting" that came up concerning theatre, but I think it's good to break patterns every once in a while.

1. Thanksgiving Sushi. I was wrong in assuming that my fellow Canadians would have better luck at the grocery than I. After considering a whole chicken as an option after not finding suitable turkey, the girls opted for something more "mod-ren" for our UK feast. Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, I introduce you to Thanksgiving Sushi:


I hope you recognize not only the turkey, but also the cranberries that were carefully rolled into the seaweed. The event brought together three Canadians, a Brit, a South-African, a Swiss, and an American who promised to hold the same event in November. More traditional items such as sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, and apple crisp were enjoyed alongside the sushi. I don't think it's necessarily what the pilgrims had in mind - well, maybe the ones in Seattle and Van.

2. My maid's name is Yolansa. I must apologize in advance for probably misspelling her name, but I didn't get a chance to ask how it was spelt. That's right, I have a maid. One of the perks of living at Heronbank, in addition to the en suite, is that we have our own "flat cleaner" who cleans our rooms and bathrooms once a week. In addition, Yolansa also cleans the kitchen - but thankfully is not commissioned to do the dishes. Now one would think that postgraduate students would be able to pick up after themselves, but for the 100£ I'm paying per week I'll gladly accept the bathroom clean (I told her I'd take care of my own room) I've already planned to get Yolansa a nice holiday gift in December.

3. Last evening I decided to stay up late and catch the Canadian election coverage (CBC is now announcing we are predicting a Conservative minority...) Why you might ask? Well, I've felt strangely disconnected from the campaign goings-on (is that an oxymoron in Canadian politics?) so I thought I'd stream some live CBC and watch the results. It's like I was watching right along side with you - you were all watching, I take it? For those concerned about the time difference, I went to bed at midnight, woke up at 3am and stayed up for an hour and a half and then went back to bed. Seeing Peter Mansbridge gave me an odd sense of comfort, even though the outcome was anything but comforting.

4. Overshadowing the election, and a welcomed overshadowing at that, was a conference 'ichat' call with Michael and Megan. The DSC triumvirate was reunited once again! We chatted about life goals, travel, politics, and possibly forming our own pimp-daddy house flipping business (patent pending). Megan did an undulation, Michael sported his DSC sweater, and I put on a funny costume - it was just like old times. In all seriousness it was like "chicken soup for the soul" to sit down for an hour and chat with old friends; they updated me as to how everyone was doing in the big city. I'm happy to hear about the new and exciting projects and hope to jump right alongside you upon my return.

5. I've reverted to saying "Where are the toilets?", "Mobile", "queue", and "quid" as opposed to "Where is the washroom", "cellphone", "line", and "pound". Not so much a matter of becoming "British-ized", as I can state right now that I'm certain I won't come back with an accent, but more just to assimilate to some of the common phrases. As much as the chuckle, head shake, and endearing "I love that you say washrooms!" is mean in all good faith, it gets tiring. There is something interesting about the use of the terms "washroom" or "bathroom" to describe the place where you are going to use the "toilet". Maybe it's the euphemistic quality of "washroom" and "bathroom" that North Americans find so appealing. "Where are the toilets?" is just so blunt.

6. The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plane. In England, it doesn't stay on the plane. We've been having fairly good weather for October so I am told - we've had some very sunny days. But it does rain quite often. The definition of "rain", however, is different from what I know to be rain. It seems that any wet type of precipitation is called rain. Whereas I might say it's "spitting" or "misting" out is unequivocally rain, or so Lotte says. Regardless, I've had yet to use my umbrella much (thanks Aunt Theresa and Uncle Ed) but look forward to many wet and soggy Oct/Nov treks to school.

7. Fashion observation. Not being in Toronto, I'm not sure if this trend has hit in North America yet. It probably was fashionable months ago, and I just now am jumping on the bandwagon with all the other latecomers while the true trendsetters are sporting the latest knick-knack-paddy-whack accessory. So, rolled up pant cuffs. I'm not talking the old, my jeans are too long so I'll fold the cuffs up. This is like a 1 -2" cuff roll up usually done with dark jeans. I'm looking to you for this one, Erin.

8. Tomorrow night I am seeing one of the UK's most innovative and cutting-edge theatre companies, Forced Entertainment. I would have trekked to London to see this group but luckily they are making a two night stop at the Warwick Arts Centre. We have also been told that they may even agree to do a workshop with us on Friday afternoon. For those who went to Queen's, Forced Entertaiment was the theatre company from which the texts for Variations on x and why we float were borrowed and "written back to". Needless to say I'm quite excited for the show and will provide an update later on (specially for all my x/why-ers that happen to follow the blog).

9. I'm heading to London this weekend! I am unable to go this Friday since we're having a residence party here so will depart Saturday morning and stay Saturday night and head back Sunday evening. Since it is not a proper visit, but merely just a chance to get off campus for the weekend, I don't think I'll stay with the family friend we have there, Andrew, but will save his offer to visit until I can have a proper Friday - Sunday weekend or sometime during my reading week. I plan on hitting up a few more landmarks.

10. Doc's Prescription for the Day: I think this has been a welcome change to the blogosphere format (just for today). Mix up old routines. And something I learned from my colleague Megan, an undulation a day...