More snow... and a smidge of ice

I know you've probably heard enough about the weather this week-end, but then maybe not, if you're in a part of the world that has little or no snow. Here was the situation on Saturday afternoon, when I got home from taiko practice. Just heavy snow and a bit of wind.

We've been dumped on many times this winter. Here in Montreal, it's been cycle after cycle of mild weather (just below freezing) bringing lots of snow, then a very cold snap of a few days, then unseasonably warm weather that melts all the snow really fast - lots of sludgy, messy slush.
This was a bit later in the afternoon; kind of hard to see, but the winds were picking up and the snow was turning a little icy...


With the howling wind and the sound of ice pellets, we kept peeking outside marvelling that there was no one out there... except for this brave soul trying to get home at a trot...

I think we must have gotten around a foot and a half of snow and ice, but with the crazy wind, it really piled up. This was our back door on Saturday night, snow piled right up to nose level. I'm only 5'2" though, so maybe this is chest level for most of you.

Sunday morning, a clear lovely day. Doesn't look so bad, quite pretty wouldn't you say? This is the view from my studio/workshop - we didn't even step foot outside the door!


And here's Chibi waiting for her breakfast on her ledge attached to the back door. We couldn't see a thing out that window!

Needless to say, everything is moving a little slowly on the roads today, Monday.

I had a good week-end in sales, with my special "Spring Forward" offer, so I've got lots to take to the post office. I'll see how long it takes me to walk there today, since I don't think the sidewalks have been cleaned at all!

My new designs that I posted here on Friday, Pouncing Neko and the Sakura Swing earrings both sold, so I now have this one up in my shop.

Gotta make more of these and more sushi platters since I'm running low... Will have my coffee when I get back from the post office!

I never did like the circus but...

I went to the circus last night.

The Cirque du Soleil's new show, Kooza, opened here in Montreal at the beginning of May. My sister took me to last night's show as a belated birthday gift. I went without expectations, since this was my first time seeing them live - yes, I admit to being a born and bred Montrealer who has NEVER see the Cirque LIVE even though all their shows are premiered here.

I loved it. All the acts were wonderful, although my two favourites were the contortionists, three rubbery girls who are as strong as they are bendable. Here they are in one of their more reserved poses: (photo: Jacques Grenier)



And the wheel of death, which featured two crazy men with red belly-buttons on a contraption similar to what you'd see in a hamster's cage - only a little more dangerous: (photo: Olivier Samson Arcand)



My palms were clammy throughout.

There were lots of clowns in this show, interacting with the audience, and they were actually funny in a very slapsticky, in-your-face, scratch-your-butt kinda way. The only other circus I've seen is the Shriners' Circus when I was around 6 and those clowns made me cry. Too much scary make-up.

What I found truly impressive was the "in-betweens." The minute one act is over something else immediately starts to distract the audience from the set-up for the next act. Everything is beautiful to watch, every moment and and movement is a show.

I'm sure everyone who see le Cirque feels this way, but I was inspired, I really was! By the physical beauty of the set and the characters. By the strength, grace and humour of the performers. By the non-stop rhythm and pace of the show. It gave me hope; makes me want to be a better taiko performer, makes me want to create more original pieces, makes me want to push my limits and better myself. Lofty goals.

If Kooza comes to your city, do your best to go and see it.

First, some ponderings: This is me...

Now that I have a blog, there's pressure to keep it going, right?

Right?

I need the pressure to make regular entries...

I'll tell you a bit about myself since I believe I do what I do, and make what I make because of who I am. I grew up in east-end Montreal, the youngest of six children. Here I am with my sisters:


In kindergarten I discovered the joy that a little bit of gold spray paint could inpire... I made this noodle-covered wreath, squirming in my boots the entire walk home, itching to give it to my mom and hang it up. I can remember standing very still (although I must have still been wiggling a bit since my face is blurry but the wreath is in focus) on the arm chair when my brother took this shot. I was actually impersonating Mr. Spock, except my bangs were crooked.


Serious fast-forward now since I do have to get some work done today...

I will be 40 in a week and a half, my first birthday without my mom, who died last June. Sigh...

Apart from moments of sadness missing her, I believe I am a contented person.

I am doing what I love to do, creating things that people seem to enjoy.

I have the best husband, family, friends and a cat who support me.

I get to play taiko (Japanese drums) every week and love every moment of it.

I enjoy my volunteer work.

I can honestly say I feel more like "me" than ever before.

This is a good life to be living. Je ne peux vraiment pas me plaindre...