The Anthology

Why? Because mama wants more dirt on the opera. And, as everyone knows, you shouldn’t let down your fans. So ma, here you are:

The two female leads were incredible. Absolutely, positively, shivers-down-my-spine incredible. Kate Aldrich (Adalgisa) and Hasmik Papian (Norma) shone so bright they made me desperately wish I could sing. (Said my husband to me once: “Oh. I always thought you sang like that as a joke.”)

But I am a modern opera kind of gal. I love visual spectacle — outrageous costumes and conceptual sets. I would take the acrobatics and partial nudity of last season’s Rigoletto over a traditional interpretation any day.

I did love two things about about Oroveso’s costume (played by Alain Coulombe) — his cuffs and his overthrow (what do you call that? Technicolour dream coat?). Actually, his belt’s quite funky too.

Like the ballet, the opera has a soft spot in my heart. I’ve been a fan ever since Ms. F. took our class as part of our grade nine Humanities class. There is something about a big-budget, high-talent production that is so magical. Overwhelming almost. Plus — this time I actually got to go backstage.

Manga by Roy Husada, the first photo is by Tim Matheson. The last one is my own.

to look back on summer and laugh. Because it feels like it was forever ago, doesn’t it? I almost can’t remember a time it was light past 4:30 pm.

I found the shot of Grace Kelly here. Speaking of the Princess of Monaco, I just re-watched Rear Window and fell in love with her costumes all over again. Have you seen it? They’re incredible, aren’t they?

Opera season opens on Saturday (yippee!). And I’ll be there (in my finest) blogging as part of the Vancouver Opera‘s Bloggers at the Opera initiative.

I’m so excited and so honoured. Thank you very much, Vancouver Opera, for the invitation. Now I just have to figure out what to wear.

Manga image by Roy Husada.

That’s a big, cheesy Hollywood-style air kiss to each and every one of you. And a second mmmwah to those of you who love the Anthology so much you pass along these outrageous awards.

Like the entrepreneurial Niki of A Haute Mess, who gave me the Haute Mess Award, which I’d like to give to: Design.Love.Fest, Solo Lisa, and A Beautiful Life.

And the lovely Neira of Miss Niera gave me the Over the Top award, which I’d like to give to A Haute Mess, The Extrovert, and La Couturier.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! And a big thank you to those of you who follow the Anthology on Twitter and Facebook, too.

The Eastside Culture Crawl is like trick-or-treating with art. That you have to pay for. So actually it’s not like trick-or-treating at all. But still — meandering from artist’s studio to artist’s studio is such a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

It’s where I picked up this little portrait last year. I’ll be out of town this weekend so go for me, will you? And let me know how it is.

I just wanted to say ThankYouThankYouThankYou. First, the lovely Etrapar created a look for me to wear to the ballet, which I love.

Then the outrageously well travelled Haute World passed along the Divine award, which comes with a tag — to list five guilty pleasures. Only five?

All right:
5. Buying vintage clothes in bulk (you’re not surprised)
4. Watching the Hills and the City (trashy, low-classy heaven)
3. Listening to music from the early ’90s (helllooo C+C Music Factory)
2. Facebook
1. Dance parties (maybe I shouldn’t feel guilty about that one)

I’d like to pass it and the tag to We Were Damsels, Nubia’s Nonsense, shoes from around the globe, la flore et la faune, Oh La La, and The Swelle Life .

The beautiful Nubia of Nubia’s Nonsense passed along this award (thank you!), which I’d like to bestow upon A Beautiful Life, Option Eight, Senses and Style, Le Mode de Jour, Etrapar and Vancity Allie.

And La flore et la faune tagged me with the “Over the Top” award, which also comes with a tag — I have to answer these questions with only one word (I’ve cheated — don’t tell La Flore).

Where’s your cell phone: Here
Your hair: Un-blowdried
Your mother: Little (she’s going to kill me!)
Your father: Rad
Favorite Food: Spicy
Dream last night: Interrupted
Favorite drink: Caesars
What room are you: DiningRoom
Hobby: Blogging (could I get any nerdier?)
Fear: less
Where were you last night: WhyDoYouAsk?
Something that you aren’t: Chicken
Muffins: Meh
Wish list item: AllOfTheAbove
Where did you grow up: Vancouver
What are you wearing: Sweatpants
Your pets: Snuggly
Friends: Beautiful
Something you’re not wearing: Shoes
Favorite store: Cross
Favorite color: RubyRed
Last time you laughed: JustNow
Your best friend: MC
Place you go to over and over: DogPark
Person who emails you regularly: Larissa
Favorite place to eat: Zipang

All right, Extrovert, Urbane Bloc, Haus of Hybrid, Haute World, Dream Sequins, and Room 907 — take it away.

I’m off to the mountains, bear spray in hand. Happy weekend!

Photo of Whistler/Blackcomb from TrekEarth.