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Saturday, June 15, 2019

Revelation

Experiences of a lifetime
gauging the health of others
like the roughened bark of
an ever expanding tree trunk
breaking off,
peeling off.

Retirement leaves me as my only patient gauging my health with each twinge or ache trying to find where I came from.........

Retirement leaves 
my core open 
to elements of change
revealing beautiful vulnerability beneath.
A new journey for growth, exploration and happiness.

“What happens when people open their hearts? They get better.”
~ Haruki Murakami, Norwegian Wood

Friday, June 14, 2019

In Memory of David Glagau

Photo of David Glagau not available to me.
My memory of David is a slow south Saskatchewan drawl. He passed away June 12, 2019 and will be sorely missed by his loved ones. David’s smile, slow to come to his serious face, hid a very dry sense of humour. Previously my brother-in-law, I didn’t know David Glagau well. What I do know is that he was loved by many. When I think of him, I think of cattle, farm machinery, horses and the land. Rest in Peace David. The wide open spaces past this earthly life are now yours to roam.

“The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail.”
~ Louis L’Amour

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Only a Hop, Skip and. a Jump - On Skates

All the way to this fall. Am I talking about hockey too soon? Maybe, if it was only a hockey game. I have enjoyed hockey games from minor to major leagues. The cut of blades on ice. The whistle of the referee. The slap of hockey sticks against the boards. But I’ve never been a fan of the muscle that is unleashed on ice in the middle of a game. Helmets off and fists flying.

I’m also not a fan of active addiction, whether to alcohol, prescription drugs or illicit drugs, untreated or poorly managed mental health. Unfortunately, what is unleashed is not only muscle but much more serious and life threatening issues. Families shattered, depression, suicide……..I could go on, but you get the picture.

Last evening I attended the AGM for the Umbrella Society for Addictions and Mental Health. The Umbrella Society is dedicated to longterm housing in recovery homes, as well as supporting recovery from these dreadful conditions. Acceptance, encouragement, paramount for these relapsing conditions, is unconditionally offered to scores of those working towards good health and happiness. While still in my nursing career in detox I had many opportunities to work alongside the many frontline staff from Umbrella in their outreach programs. Each one was and has been dedicated to their clients in their recovery. Retirement has meant that I’ll no longer work with them in that capacity, however gaining membership in the Society last night changes all that for me.

My words are minuscule, compared to the ripples that The Umbrella Society on Addictions and Mental Health has made in this community. They have elevated a community of individuals suffering from their various health conditions, whether addictions or mental health, to communities of healthy individuals that live, work and play with clarity and sobriety. These journeys are long and arduous. Yet the Umbrella Society has continued to believe in these folks who have not felt belief from themselves or anyone else for a very long time.

On that note: Come to a Charity Hockey Game in October! The Boston Bruins against the Greater Victoria Firefighters. I’m not a huge fan of hockey, even though I was born, raised and live in Canada. I am definitely a fan of The Umbrella Society for Addictions and Mental Health.

“Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is 
that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love? 
What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!”
~ Anne Frank

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Books, Lunch and Summer

In my world, the second Tuesday of the month from September to June is Book club. That means for ten months, one book a month for come up for group discussion. Each of us have read all or at least part of the host's recommended book. A small group, some of us read far more than one book a month. But for myself, one book a month has often been enough, although my recent retirement has opened up space and time for journeying into the many lands and lives within the covers of books. Yes I still prefer solid, paper and ink books. My generation? Doesn’t matter. I will use e-books but only for the logistics of traveling ~ maybe.

So. No book review this month. June is the month to establish a new list of books for the next season. We go out to lunch, each one of bringing our suggested books. When someone has two possible books, the group make the difficult decision about which book sounds like a better fit for us. There is also a list of hosts for the months. It’s a very productive and fulfilling afternoon. Books and lunch ~ what a great combination!

Occasionally we discuss a book or books that qualify for a good summer read. There’s no time line or discussion with these reads. No pressure to even read those suggested! Not that any dedicated book readers need pressure. Did I mention I recently retired? 
For this summer, two books were suggested by one of our members:

Washington Black by Esi Edugyan

“George Washington Black, or “Wash,” an eleven-year-old field slave on a Barbados sugar plantation, is terrified to be chosen by his master’s brother as his manservant. To his surprise, the eccentric Christopher Wilde turns out to be a naturalist, explorer, inventor, and abolitionist. Soon Wash is initiated into a wold where a flying machine can carry a man across the sky, where even a boy born in chains may embrace a life of dignity and meaning - where two people, separated by an impossible divide, can begin to see each other as human……”. 
Partial summary from bookbrowse.com

Full Disclosure by Beverley Mclachlin

“From the former Chief Justice of Canada comes a riving thriller starring Jilly Truitt, a rising , young defense attorney faced with a case that hits close to home. A searing look at what justice means in the courts and on the streets, Full Disclosure is perfect for fans of Kathy Reichs, Louise Penny, and Lisa Scottoline.

When everyone has something to hide, the truth is the only defense.

There’s nothing Jilly Truitt likes more than winning a case, especially against her former mentor, prosecutor Cy Kenge. Jilly has baggage, the residue of a dark time in a series of foster homes, but that’s in the past. Now she’s building her own criminal defense firm and making a name for herself as a tough-as-nails lawyer willing to take risks in the courtroom……..”
Partial Synopsis from kobo.com 

“Books are mirrors: you only see in them what you already have inside you.”
~ Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Rocketman - Musical Movie Review directed by Dexter Fletcher

Rocketman is gritty, real and flamboyantly poignant. Rocketman, while not a musical biography, is definitely a musical about the emotional, drug and alcohol fuelled roller coaster that was Elton John’s life. The opening number is Elton John (Taron Egerton), dressed in an orange, winged Satan suit and wearing rose-coloured, heart-shaped glasses, bursting into a therapy session in a large, bare room. A counsellor and a circle of participants listen as the story unfolds. As a child, from age five, Reggie Dwight (Matthew Illesley) displayed his musical abilities at home, but was discouraged by oppressive *parents. His *Nana was his only support and ultimately encouraged him in entering the Royal Academy of Music, in London, England to study piano. A significant musical number was with each family member, in the family home, separately singing of their own longings and pain. Five year old Reggie Dwight took centre stage in his neat short pants, suit jacket and tie. He ‘became’ Elton John in the early stages of his musical career, leaving little Reggie behind until the final scenes. This movie does not sugar coat any sex scenes. Elton John came out as homosexual in his early career and embraced the LGBTQ community, He fell in love with music manager, John Reid (Richard Madden) who preyed on young Elton. Their affair was not to last and contributed to the pain of Elton John’s (Taron Egerton) life. However, Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell) who wrote lyrics with Elton John remained his one true and solid friend to this day. As I watched this powerful movie, with sex, drugs, alcohol and outrageous costumes, I noticed a certain cinematic darkness overshadowing the brilliant flamboyance. The end of the movie was in brilliant sunshine, on a beach with Elton John (Taron Egerton) singing ‘I’m Still Standing’ written in 1983 prior to this movie and Elton John’s now 28 years of sobriety. 

“At heart I’ve always been a music fan. That part of me has 
never changed since I was a little kid, sitting in a room 
watching a record go round, looking at the colour of the labels.”
~ Elton John

Director - Dexter Fletcher
Written by - Lee Hall
Executive Producers  - Elton John and Brian Oliver
Co-producers - David Furnish and Adam Bohling

Partial Cast
Sharon D. Clark - Counselor
Taron Egerton - adult Elton John/Reggie Dwight
Matthew Illesley - young Reggie 
Kit Connor - older Reggie
Jamie Bell - Bernie Taupin
Richard Madden - John Reid
*Bryce Dallas Howard - Sheila (Elton’s mother)
*Gemma Jones - Ivy (Elton’s nana)
*Steven Mackintosh - Stanley (Elton’s father)
Tate Donovan - Doug Weston (manager of the Troubadour nightclub, L.A.)

Songs from Rocketman - Music & lyrics by Elton John & Bernie Taupin
The Bitch is Back (1974)
I Want Love (2001)
Saturday Night’s Alright (1973
Thank You for All Your Loving (1968)
Border Song (1970)
Rock & Roll Madonna (1970)
Your Song (1970)
Amoreena (1971
Crocodile Rock (1972) 
Tiny Dancer (1971)
Take Me to the Pilot (1970)
Hercules (1972)
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (1976)
Honky Cat (1972)
Pinball Wizard (1975
Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time) (1972)
Bennie and the Jets (1973)
Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (1974)
Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word (1976
Goodby Yellow Brick Road (1973)
I’m Still Standing (1983)
(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again (2019) - written specifically for Rocketman

Monday, June 10, 2019

Mamma Mia! - Review of Musical/Play in Chemainus, B.C.

On this past Thursday, I and three friends took a journey to Greece via The Chemainus Theatre Festival season in Chemainus, B.C. Music and lyrics from ABBA hits written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (some songs with Stig Anderson). Stunning, colourful and glittering costumes with glittering thick soled shoes of the decade worn by three middle aged and retired (from music) members of Donna and the Dynamos (*Donna Sheridan, *Rosie, and *Tanya). Set on a Greek island with a white washed taverna in constant need of repair. Bougainvillea in full flower vines over the eaves. The beautiful iridescent Mediterranean Sea laps its shores. The energy and giddiness of an upcoming wedding. The bride (Sophie played by Alex Gullason) has a secret and a longing. She wants to know who her dad is but there are *three possible candidates - that she has invited to her wedding. She hasn’t shared this with her mother (Donna) or fiancé (Sky). The music of ABBA brilliantly adds effervescence and emotion to the dialogue.

If that weren’t enough in this two act musical, when it was over, and before our applause had ended, the entire cast blessed us with their energy, which seemed undiminished, for two more full ABBA songs. As an audience we were on our feet singing and dancing (sort of) along with the actors. There was an opportunity for a photo op with one of the actors (Bill Austin played by Kieran Martin Murphy) in full glitter following the musical. 

Besides just having a wonderful afternoon, what kind of critique could I provide? Donna (played by Stephanie Roth) had the strongest voice, but did not override her co-stars. Her portrayal of Donna was spot on. Tanya (played by Erin Ormond) portrayed a flirtatious older (she wouldn't like that adjective) woman in a very believable manner. The set was magnificent. The taverna itself was stationary, with two Mediterranean blue doors as part of the set allowing actors to come and go from the interior. A set of stairs was visible and height to the set for the actors. The set could be changed to a bedroom (pull out bed) or into a pier by the water (another pull out). If they were both tucked away, it became the taverna.The musicians also accessed their instruments via the stairs. They were purposely not clearly visible, but had good lighting and held the music and rhythm expertly. The actors in the ‘chorus’ scenes had dual, possibly triple roles that were distinct. Housekeepers and painters, guests eating in the Taverna, wedding guests. I was impressed by this set design. I was impressed with the whole performance!

“Mamma mia, here I go again. 
My, my, how can I resist you?”
ABBA, Mamma Mia

Partial Cast of Performing Artists
Sophie Sheridan (bride) - Alex Gullason
Ali (Sophie’s friend) - Ali Watson
Lisa (Sophie’s friend) - Vanessa Merenda
*Donna Sheridan - Stephanie Roth
*Tanya - Erin Ormond
*Rosie - Jennie Burke
Sky (Sophie’s fiancé) - Colin Sheen
*Harry Bright - Graham Coffering
*Bill Austin - Kieran Martin Murphy
*Sam Carmichael - Jonathan Winsby

Artistic Credits
Director:  Barbara Tomasic
Music Director: Meredith Zwicker
Choreographer: Nicole Spinola
Set/Costume Designer: Drew Facey
Lighting Designer: Craig Alfredson
Stage Manager: Angela Beaulieu
Asst Stage Manager: Liz King
Appr Stage Manger: Becca Jorgensen

Songs and Music Performed

Act One

I Have a Dream
Honey, Honey
Thank You for the Music
Mamma Mia!
Chiquitita
Dancing Queen
Lay All Your Love On Me
Super Trouper
Gimme, Gimme, Gimme
The Name of the Game
Voulez Vous

Act Two

Under Attack
One of Us
SOS
Does Your Mother Know?
Knowing Me, Knowing You
Our Last Summer
Slipping Through My Fingers
The Winner Takes It All
I Do, I Do, I Do
I have a Dream

Sunday, June 9, 2019

Suddenly Choices

Lynn Canyon Park, North Vancouver
from the centre of the foot bridge
Standing tall and taking a deep breath
     potential, 
      risk and 
       possibility surround me.
But which wins my heart and soul?
Or will it be all three?
Only the one
     in front of me
       planned with exploration the goal
         popping up out of the blue
With intriguing elements that 
     warm my heart
        bring smiles to my face
           expand my soul.
Always room for the challenges of
     Rocky roads
       Sudden detours 
          Stormy weather.
Standing tall and taking a deep breath, 
I choose.

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”
~ Nelson Mandela