Happy Canada Day!

Sloppy French Canadian Smooches,

Emme xoxo

You’ll have to forgive, but growing up a Leafs fan, this isn’t the first time I’ve had the Stanley Cup Playoffs at home.  I know how a Playoff for the Great Canadian Game should be celebrated and I have been watching on for that true Canadian spirit that really screams Canucks to the country as a whole and not just to this freaky temperate zone of Canada that’s never truly experienced a real Canadian winter, when you flood the backyard and strap on a pair of skates.

I’ve watched the green men and seen more than I particularly cared to see …

Photographed by Colby Vickers

My heart lept at the mention of fan parody songs on youtube, but this my friends is not the True White North, where one heads home from school to shovel the pond for a game of pick up … (I question whether these men have ever even played) …

So in my unapologetic Great White North Hockey snobbery, a glimmer Canadianna hope shone from of all places, one of my best friends, the Hockey Nut in Canada, otherwise known as Mark Leiren-Young.  Just please overlook his ill spent youth cheering for the Boston Bruins over the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was young and stupid, clearly some wisdom has come with age.

… and with this, there is hope … no, there is promise … that the Canucks will show the Bruins what it means to be Canadian and a true Canuck.  We showed you what we were made of in the War of 1812 and we will do so again this playoff season! GO CANUCKS GO!

• that we are a special lot that beat to our own drum,
• that we tend not to take life quite so seriously and harbour a bit of a rascally streak, and
• that we are forever (at least in our formative years) getting into trouble, usually for not conforming (oh hell, who am I kidding, I’m still getting in trouble).

It makes sense after all, as the middle child is often left to choose their own path, and when parents get busy, is often the one left to their own devices, as they are not the first one representing the clan, nor are they the baby that needs coddling.  For me this was certainly true, and despite it getting me into a lot of trouble as a kid (in my head I can still hear the *crash* followed by the inevitable “Emme”), being the middle child is a big part of what’s given me the confidence, independence and strength to follow my dreams and blaze my own path in life.

Tonight, I feel I am celebrating a victory for the middle child, as I was introduced to a childhood friend all over again through his music tonight:

To me Doug Paisley (or Douglas as I called him) was a fellow middle child comrade-in-arms growing up.  We were both somewhat mischievous dreamers that were not always understood and often in trouble . We were unique and walked to our own drums, no matter what anyone said.  I don’t know if I ever told Douglas this, but I loved him and respected him for it.  And because the boy had talent, gumption, and resilience, he’s now one QTV and singing with Feist!

Way to go Douglas!  I’m so proud of you!

Not only are these two men sexy, but they’re smart too.  No, not because they create witty lyrics and amusing videos, but because they knew they couldn’t create a Canadian music video without ME appearing somewhere in it.  I mean, come on, why other Canadian artists haven’t seen the error in their ways yet by leaving me out, I’ll never fathom. Clearly they are not as smart as these two men.  So here you have it, my first music video (oh yeah, and Mark and Kevin’s too), Oh Christmas Tree Oh 21st Century:

Yep, you guessed it!!!   That incredibly sexy shoulder that passed the camera in the street corner Santa scene was me!  And if you note, Mark’s wandering gaze, moments after, that’s him being a dirty old Santa and checking out my ass.  True story!  And yes, I will happily sign (kiss) you an autograph, but you’d better get in line fast, as with my new music video fame, I may have to start charging for them soon.

So aside from my obvious prowess in front of the camera, the kid (Emma Jordan Leiren Young) was pretty darn talent too.  I filmed a few exclusive interviews with her, you know on Pet Beauty Tips and the likes, that I promise to share over the next few weeks.

In the mean time, you can check out a few of the stills.  Sadly, I’m only in a few of them, as I was too busy being the genius behind the camera.

A Local Anxiety Christmas

*A deep curtsy to a slow, single clap that grows to thunderous applause.*

*Kisses*  I love you all!

Emme xoxo

Now I am decidedly not going to divulge much of what to expect from the story of Lillian Alling, as that is certainly some of the beauty of this Opera.  Just be told that this is a story of Canadian beginnings and one that rings true to so many of our ancestors that came to this new land looking for a fresh start.  It was actually this at first that I wasn’t quite so sure of. I am so used to being whipped away at the Opera to foreign lands and adventures and with this set I saw the familiar.  Whilst initially not quite sure about this, this grew on me, especially as I was taken from Coast to Coast and throughout history.  I liked the sense of familiarity and knowledge that I belonged to this story. It also occurred to me that Lillian Alling beautifully depicts Canada and our history for the World Stage.

Photo by Tim Matheson

The sense of familiarity is what makes this an excellent Opera for an Opera Virgin, which my date for the evening was.  It allowed him his first taste of the Opera in an environment that he could relate to and where every experience was not completely alien to him. It also meant the majority of the Opera was in a language he could understand – English – which certainly reduces the anxiety of someone new to this form of Art.  So guys – a really good one to take your gals to and impress them on how culturally adventuresome you are.  I know my date did just that by being such an eager participant in the experience (he even wore a tux).

So the highlights for me?  Well as far as the story is concerned, the true tear jerking beauty that is the story that many a Canadian can relate to (not giving away any spoilers here) comes in Act II. And wow, what a rich Act it is.  Act I establishes the scene, but as is often done in Canadian literature, when it comes to trekking across this great country of ours, they do seem to let the journey lag a little.  Yes, we get it, it is a big country and a tremendously long journey. That said, I do see how that is important to the story and illustrating Lillian Alling’s determination.

Photo by Tim Matheson

Story aside, two real stars shone out for me in this Opera – the beautifully haunting music and Judith Forst (as Irene).  Wow!  To still be singing in the Opera in her 70s and to have a voice far superior to her younger counterpart in the role of Lillian on the stage.  Must say it really was a gift to see the beauty of experience over that of youth (which is so often valued on the stage).  An absolutely outstanding performance Judith, thank you for that.  And having learnt that the music of Irene was specifically created for Judith Forst, I must say, I am very intrigued to see who is cast in this role in the future and how they carry the role.

Finally I would be remiss in not mentioning a few of the male performances that I very much enjoyed.  Specifically that of Aaron St. Clair Nicholson as Scotty McDonald, and Thomas Goerz, who made a most believable Jozef.  Brilliant casting here.

So it’s not too late.  Show starts at 7:30 pm. Tickets are half price at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre box office between 12 pm – 4 pm today.

Alas I learnt a few things from the slugs and plants, like interactivity is not always a good thing.  I am happy to state that no plants were harmed in any of the stunt roles they played.  I am mourning the loss of one slug, however (and I am still trying to remove all slug goo from between the toes).  I’d appreciate everyone taking a moment of silence in honour of the role the slug played.

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

And yes, I am the videographer.  I finally caught these beautiful gals live last weekend!! They are even lovelier in person. Just wish Dad could have been there to have enjoyed them with me.

Oh and thank you Steven for sending me something to lift up my spirits:

And yes, gentlemen, it is indeed true, Canadian gals snuggle up under the covers together. The only thing is that it’s so cold that we do it fully clothed.