31 October 2008
30 October 2008
27 October 2008
Dinner and Dave
Last night, we went to see Dave Brubeck at Disney Hall.
Beforehand, we had dinner at Cafe Pinot, one of my favourite restaurants. They are having a Bordeaux festival, and we ordered some Chateau Haut Saint Martin, 2003 Saint-Emilion, which was a lovely golden colour, and though dry, had a bit of a honey flavour to it. It was lovely, and it went well with my entree, which was Ricotta gnocchi with roasted butternut squash, wild mushrooms and parmesan herb jus. I was excited because our server told me they made their own Ricotta there. The jus was wonderful, though it could have been served with some bread to mop up the wonderful flavours. The gnocchi were tender and tasty, but they were TINY, barely the size of my fingernail, and there were only about 8 or 10 in the dish. The plate was dominated by mushrooms (although some were just too musty-fungus-tasting for me) and squash, which was unevenly cooked, so that some pieces were crisp and some were wonderfully tender.
We finished with a cheese plate, consisting of the Idziabal, Petit Basque and Brie de Meaux, accompanied by grapes, apple slices, walnuts and honey, and some thinly sliced raisin bread that was toasted just-a-little too dark for my taste. I had another glass of the lovely wine, and Tod ordered a pot of the lavender Earl Grey tea.
Thus sated, we toddled over to Disney Hall for our evening with Dave Brubeck. He'll be 88 in December, but he sure doesn't play like it. He and his band, none of whom are youngsters, came out a little after 7:30 p.m., and played for about an hour, after which Dave stood up and said "intermission". They came back after about 20 minutes and played another 45. He probably played a whole lot of classics, but the jazz neophyte I am only recognized "Take Five". Then the saxophonist moved towards the flute, and I was hoping they'd play "Over the Rainbow", as they did when we saw them at the Hollywood Bowl in summer 2007. But Dave started playing the melody to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", and they closed with that.
He moved rather stiffly, and when the quartet returned after the intermission, I said to Tod that he was moving a little slowly. Then Brubeck started to play, and Tod said "No, he's not."
Beforehand, we had dinner at Cafe Pinot, one of my favourite restaurants. They are having a Bordeaux festival, and we ordered some Chateau Haut Saint Martin, 2003 Saint-Emilion, which was a lovely golden colour, and though dry, had a bit of a honey flavour to it. It was lovely, and it went well with my entree, which was Ricotta gnocchi with roasted butternut squash, wild mushrooms and parmesan herb jus. I was excited because our server told me they made their own Ricotta there. The jus was wonderful, though it could have been served with some bread to mop up the wonderful flavours. The gnocchi were tender and tasty, but they were TINY, barely the size of my fingernail, and there were only about 8 or 10 in the dish. The plate was dominated by mushrooms (although some were just too musty-fungus-tasting for me) and squash, which was unevenly cooked, so that some pieces were crisp and some were wonderfully tender.
We finished with a cheese plate, consisting of the Idziabal, Petit Basque and Brie de Meaux, accompanied by grapes, apple slices, walnuts and honey, and some thinly sliced raisin bread that was toasted just-a-little too dark for my taste. I had another glass of the lovely wine, and Tod ordered a pot of the lavender Earl Grey tea.
Thus sated, we toddled over to Disney Hall for our evening with Dave Brubeck. He'll be 88 in December, but he sure doesn't play like it. He and his band, none of whom are youngsters, came out a little after 7:30 p.m., and played for about an hour, after which Dave stood up and said "intermission". They came back after about 20 minutes and played another 45. He probably played a whole lot of classics, but the jazz neophyte I am only recognized "Take Five". Then the saxophonist moved towards the flute, and I was hoping they'd play "Over the Rainbow", as they did when we saw them at the Hollywood Bowl in summer 2007. But Dave started playing the melody to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", and they closed with that.
He moved rather stiffly, and when the quartet returned after the intermission, I said to Tod that he was moving a little slowly. Then Brubeck started to play, and Tod said "No, he's not."
23 October 2008
Just finished reading...
Free-Range Knitter by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.
I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of the Yarn Harlot's latest collection of essays from Library Thing.
What a charming little book. It contains things like a letter to the designer of a sweater pattern that just doesn't work, emails to a customer service representative from a yarn company, affectionate reminiscences of friends, relatives and acquatances who are knitters, and not-so-affectionate reminiscences of cheap acrylic yarn.
I love Pearl-McPhee's writing. She's really good at it, and I admire and envy her so much. Until I read her descriptions of what she goes through on book tours.
I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of the Yarn Harlot's latest collection of essays from Library Thing.
What a charming little book. It contains things like a letter to the designer of a sweater pattern that just doesn't work, emails to a customer service representative from a yarn company, affectionate reminiscences of friends, relatives and acquatances who are knitters, and not-so-affectionate reminiscences of cheap acrylic yarn.
I love Pearl-McPhee's writing. She's really good at it, and I admire and envy her so much. Until I read her descriptions of what she goes through on book tours.
21 October 2008
A weekend visitor
This past weekend, my friend Sylvia came to visit. She and I have known each other since I was 11 years old and we were next-door neighbours in Irma, Alberta. Although Sylvia and her husband got married in the San Francisco Bay area, she'd never been to Southern California before. Since Bob is away on assignment (he's a journalist) and Sylvia is trying to keep herself occupied, it was a good time for her to visit.
I wanted to give her a weekend that was completely different from Edmonton, where she and Bob now live. She arrived late Thursday evening. Friday, Sylvia and I went down to Seal Beach and actually saw a few dolphins playing a little way from shore, and Sylvia thanked me profusely for arranging the show just for her. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera!
Friday evening, we met Tod at The Magic Castle.
Saturday morning, after brunch, we went to King Harbor . Tod had discovered that the Lynx, which we'd sailed on in Hawai'i, was going to be in Redondo Beach, doing a battle sail with the Californian, which is California's official tall ship.
Sylvia and me
Wildlife
Captain and First Mate
Prepare for fire
FIRE!
I wanted to give her a weekend that was completely different from Edmonton, where she and Bob now live. She arrived late Thursday evening. Friday, Sylvia and I went down to Seal Beach and actually saw a few dolphins playing a little way from shore, and Sylvia thanked me profusely for arranging the show just for her. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera!
Friday evening, we met Tod at The Magic Castle.
Saturday morning, after brunch, we went to King Harbor . Tod had discovered that the Lynx, which we'd sailed on in Hawai'i, was going to be in Redondo Beach, doing a battle sail with the Californian, which is California's official tall ship.
Sylvia and me
Wildlife
Captain and First Mate
Prepare for fire
FIRE!
14 October 2008
Just finished reading...
The Likeness by Tana French.
This is the sequel to French's debut novel In the Woods, which won both the 2007 Edgar and the 2008 Anthony for Best First Novel.
I thought I'd posted a review of it last August, but apparently I did not, and I apologize.
While In the Woods was written from the point of view of Rob Ryan, The Likeness is in the words Cassie Maddox, who was his partner in the first book.
Cassie has transferred from Murder to Domestic Violence, and is involved in a relationship with Sam O'Neill, whom we also met before. The story begins when Cassie is summoned to a murder scene by Sam. The victim is one Lexie Madison, a character Cassie had created when she was working undercover in order to infiltrate a drug ring.
Cassie's boss from Undercover is also there, and he asks her to reassume the Lexie persona to try to flush out the killer.
French is an amazing writer. She gets readers so deeply into the mind of her protagonist that we almost become the character ourselves. Although the premise of the story is a little farfetched, we never question it, and like Cassie, we want to see the case to its solution.
Here's hoping we see another Dublin novel from Ms. French soon!
This is the sequel to French's debut novel In the Woods, which won both the 2007 Edgar and the 2008 Anthony for Best First Novel.
I thought I'd posted a review of it last August, but apparently I did not, and I apologize.
While In the Woods was written from the point of view of Rob Ryan, The Likeness is in the words Cassie Maddox, who was his partner in the first book.
Cassie has transferred from Murder to Domestic Violence, and is involved in a relationship with Sam O'Neill, whom we also met before. The story begins when Cassie is summoned to a murder scene by Sam. The victim is one Lexie Madison, a character Cassie had created when she was working undercover in order to infiltrate a drug ring.
Cassie's boss from Undercover is also there, and he asks her to reassume the Lexie persona to try to flush out the killer.
French is an amazing writer. She gets readers so deeply into the mind of her protagonist that we almost become the character ourselves. Although the premise of the story is a little farfetched, we never question it, and like Cassie, we want to see the case to its solution.
Here's hoping we see another Dublin novel from Ms. French soon!
08 October 2008
Just finished reading...
The Laughter of Dead Kings by Elizabeth Peters.
This is the sixth (and according to the jacket copy, the last) Vicky Bliss novel.
Life is back to "normal" for Vicky and John. They are visited at Vicky's home by an old friend from Egypt who informs them of the theft of a priceless antiquity, and begs their help in retrieving it. Of course, they agree.
If you've read any of the earlier Vicky Bliss novels, you will recognize the procedure. There's and extremely complicated plot with much gallivanting around the world and many encounters with old friends and nemeses, emphasizing the insular and cutthroat nature of the antiquities community.
Ms. Peters is an amazing writer, and I enjoyed reading this so much that I finished it in a single day. I do hope this isn't really the last Vicky Bliss book, but if it is, perhaps the author would consider another Jacqueline Kirby novel.
This is the sixth (and according to the jacket copy, the last) Vicky Bliss novel.
Life is back to "normal" for Vicky and John. They are visited at Vicky's home by an old friend from Egypt who informs them of the theft of a priceless antiquity, and begs their help in retrieving it. Of course, they agree.
If you've read any of the earlier Vicky Bliss novels, you will recognize the procedure. There's and extremely complicated plot with much gallivanting around the world and many encounters with old friends and nemeses, emphasizing the insular and cutthroat nature of the antiquities community.
Ms. Peters is an amazing writer, and I enjoyed reading this so much that I finished it in a single day. I do hope this isn't really the last Vicky Bliss book, but if it is, perhaps the author would consider another Jacqueline Kirby novel.
06 October 2008
Wow! What a weekend!
I had an insanely busy, exhausting but oh, so fun weekend.
Friday evening was the Great Big Sea concert. It was their first show here in a few years, and we were very excited. I met Tod at his office, and we had dinner at the House of Blues before the show. (Great food, by the way.) Since we had dinner there, we were able to "jump the line", so we were able to secure a spot right in front. The boys were energetic, as usual, and encouraged us all to sing along. The third-to-last song was Company of Fools, after which Alan credited his co-writer Russell Crowe.
Then:
Photo by Tod
Ayup, Russell came out. They sang Folsom Prison Blues and Cockles and Mussels together to end the show.
Saturday was the Oregon-USC football game. I had some trouble dragging myself out of bed, but managed to do it. We got there early enough to get a good parking spot, and then had brunch at the Galen Center. Unfortunately, towards the end of the first quarter, I started getting a migraine, and went back to the car to sleep it off. Leaving the stadium meant I couldn't get back in, which was a shame, as the Trojans won, 44-10. But I did have a great nap!
Sunday was the Stitch'n'Beach annual yarn swap at Susan's place. There were about 20 people there, some of whom don't come to weekly meetings that often, so it was an opportunity to connect with them. And Rhonda brought Sofie, who is now five weeks old and absolutely adorable!
Friday evening was the Great Big Sea concert. It was their first show here in a few years, and we were very excited. I met Tod at his office, and we had dinner at the House of Blues before the show. (Great food, by the way.) Since we had dinner there, we were able to "jump the line", so we were able to secure a spot right in front. The boys were energetic, as usual, and encouraged us all to sing along. The third-to-last song was Company of Fools, after which Alan credited his co-writer Russell Crowe.
Then:
Photo by Tod
Ayup, Russell came out. They sang Folsom Prison Blues and Cockles and Mussels together to end the show.
Saturday was the Oregon-USC football game. I had some trouble dragging myself out of bed, but managed to do it. We got there early enough to get a good parking spot, and then had brunch at the Galen Center. Unfortunately, towards the end of the first quarter, I started getting a migraine, and went back to the car to sleep it off. Leaving the stadium meant I couldn't get back in, which was a shame, as the Trojans won, 44-10. But I did have a great nap!
Sunday was the Stitch'n'Beach annual yarn swap at Susan's place. There were about 20 people there, some of whom don't come to weekly meetings that often, so it was an opportunity to connect with them. And Rhonda brought Sofie, who is now five weeks old and absolutely adorable!
02 October 2008
Getting in shape
A couple of weekends ago, we went to Edmonton to visit my family.
My mom has severe arthritis in her knees, and about a year ago, had arthroscopic surgery, but it didn't go very well. She still has a lot of pain, and despite physiotherapy, she is having a lot of trouble walking.
Since I also have arthritic knees, I decided to try to forestall the type of problems Mom is having by exercising. A little while ago, my rheumatologist said that I should stop walking for exercise, because of the stress on me knees. I've been doing Pilates, but feel like that's not enough.
So I joined a nearby fitness centre, intending to swim. Years ago (many years ago), when I lived in a high-rise apartment building with a pool, I swam every day, and enjoyed it.
Today was the first time I went to the pool. I intended to just do a few laps, to ease myself into it. Well, I could barely finish one. I was embarrassed, but decided not to push myself, since I've done that before with other exercise programs and ended up exhausted or ill and unable to continue.
I plan to go in again on Tuesday. Wish me luck!
My mom has severe arthritis in her knees, and about a year ago, had arthroscopic surgery, but it didn't go very well. She still has a lot of pain, and despite physiotherapy, she is having a lot of trouble walking.
Since I also have arthritic knees, I decided to try to forestall the type of problems Mom is having by exercising. A little while ago, my rheumatologist said that I should stop walking for exercise, because of the stress on me knees. I've been doing Pilates, but feel like that's not enough.
So I joined a nearby fitness centre, intending to swim. Years ago (many years ago), when I lived in a high-rise apartment building with a pool, I swam every day, and enjoyed it.
Today was the first time I went to the pool. I intended to just do a few laps, to ease myself into it. Well, I could barely finish one. I was embarrassed, but decided not to push myself, since I've done that before with other exercise programs and ended up exhausted or ill and unable to continue.
I plan to go in again on Tuesday. Wish me luck!
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