Back to Life, Back to Reality.doc

To backtrack and ensure I don't miss an exciting event, I'm rewinding back to last Thursday night. It was the night before our final presentations and just so happened to be the class field trip to Stratford to see the RSC's production of Romeo and Juliet. Now, my mind was on the execution of the project the next day, but I managed to enjoy the visit to Stratford nonetheless. The theatre atmosphere is different here in the UK. It's hard to explain how exactly, but there's a different feeling in the air - the dress seems more formal, a lot of people check their coats, drinks can be taken into the venue, and the unwrapping of candies during performance is not a sin. Maybe it was that I was excited to be seeing Shakespeare's play performed in the city he once inhabited, but there was an electricity in the air I don't often feel at the theatre.

Obviously, since it's the RSC, the venue was gorgeous and the performance was impressive. When I say impressive I mean it looked and sounded really great. The actors were top calibre which made the dialogue incredibly clear. The set, music, and lighting were all executed well - for the final scenes, the walls raised and a tomb materialized out of no where. It was really cool to watch some money being spent. 

Where the production fell flat was in the placement of the play in an early 20th century gangster type setting . The Caps and the Monts tried to intimidate each other by brandishing small pocket knives. Asides were sometimes accomplished when a character snapped their fingers into a lighting change while everyone froze. Not so impressive. Also, the Juliet was a disappointment - she appeared extremely unqualified next to the RSC veterans. She made Juliet a more mature and thoughtful character. Having had a close friend play the part, she can attest that the 14 year old may be smart, but her choices are not motivated by reason. In summary, while the production may been a bit underwhelming, the atmosphere of Stratford certainly was not. There is a sold-out Hamlet on right now with Patrick Stewart as Claudius, but you have to line up overnight to snag one of the only ten tickets set aside. I plan to catch more productions when I return in the summer.

These past few days have been a bit of a rejuvenation (hence the all important post title). I feel like I've busted out of the school grind and can focus on catching up with people back home and getting ready for a nomadic month of December. I was pulling some late nights here on campus getting material ready for the exhibit, but now have a bit more time to sleep in and focus on the 'to-do' list.

When I say I've gotten out from under the grind it means that I've been able to approach the mountain of emails and messages I've received over the past week and do some justice getting back to people. Speaking of correspondence, I have to thank my friend Jess for sending me such thoughtful holiday items to brighten up the institutional Heronbank room. Don't worry Mom, thanks to Jess, I have my very own Christmas stocking, ornament, and bell. Ima be sure to stuff the stocking full of French baguettes and wine, place the ornament over our Parisian hotel mantle, and ring the bell so French angels can get their wings. Thank you Jess! I'm including a photo of my ever growing bulletin board where I happily display items from Canada. I've gotten more mail from CIBC than I ever did in Canada..and I'm not even a client.

On the subject of getting mail from home, while I always find it funny to get letter addressed with the Dr. prefix, I'm wondering what the repercussions of my nickname might be. The man who handed me the delivery from the post office today matched my name to my student card to that on the outside of the package: Dr. Keith Bennie. I'm sure he wouldn't have called me sir if there hadn't been the Dr. on the front. My hope is that I never actually find myself in a circumstance where I am mistaken for a doctor - I don't want it to seem like I have little appreciation for just how much work it takes to earn the title. Also, because I have no medical training whatsoever. OK, 1 CPR course, but that doesn't count. Love the nickname, but the potential a misunderstandings is very possible.

Yesterday we went out for a few pints to see some of the MAIPR students off for the holidays. Geography has really been the deciding factor in whether or not students are going home - all the Brits, Dev from India, the two Singaporeans, and Courtney from the States are off to their families. The rest of us are either sticking around here (not me) or traveling with friends in other parts of Europe. It appears that Bec, my Australian friend, will be in Paris for Christmas so hopefully she can join us for a coffee or a meal while we're there. With separate mobility periods we've had to say goodbye to half the group that's heading to Finland for six months. This includes Lotte who always makes me laugh - she's probably the one who reminds me of friends back home the most. It will be a shame to part ways, but we've got a really great crew going to Holland.

I spent today in Leamington Spa with a little light shopping and a Starbuck's Christmas Blend. When I say shopping it wasn't for gifts, which I'm ever thankful not to buy this year (because we all have everywhere we really need don't we?), but rather for trip essentials, to pickup some photos I had printed, and for a haircut. It was nice to get off campus and out from the library shackles to be among real people again. The girl that cut my hair had been born in Canada and moved back to England when she was three. Unlike some of the awkward haircut conversations I've had, admit it you've all been there (except you Emily), we had a delightful chat about the differences between our countries. She knew an awful lot about us. I decided to put the start of my essay off until tomorrow and instead I've rid myself of some the paperwork I've amassed this first term. Only six sleeps in Heronbank left between now and moving out - lots to gradually pack up. A bit of a Christmas shot:

Doc's Prescription of the Day: I referenced it two posts ago, but I've decided to make it an actual prescription that's being written as we speak: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. It's not too early. And it's the funniest holiday movie there is. Anyone challenge?