As a kid, that is what I did all day.  I came up with different stories, in different ways and enticed my buds to act them out by turning them into games.  No scripts were handed out, as then they’d realize what I was up to, plus to be frank, as an actress I prefer improvising. So there was me and my little gang of boys and without them realizing that we were actually putting on a play, I’d get them making costumes or puppets, and building sets, props and puppet theatres and acting out the play itself, all unaware.

Walking on to the set of Nixon in China at the Vancouver Opera the other night took me right back there, to my childhood.  And that, my friends is a very, very good thing, as I had an absolutely grand childhood filled with stories and imagination.  In fact I think being taking back to my roots is exactly what I needed to refocus myself on what I truly love about storytelling as opposed to the confused spiral of not being sure which direction I’ve been heading in as of late.

On the Set of Nixon in China

Why did it take me back to the carefree days of my childhood?  Well, initially, it was the set.  The set of Nixon in China is in essence a giant puppet theatre – like the magnetic puppet theatres that you had as a kid.  You know the one that you could lower different cardboard cut out scenes into.  Well these were huge cardboard cut out scenes with high tech apparatus for getting them to dance into the scene at the click of a button – literally.  Can we say kid in a candy store?  My eyes were hungrily popping out of my head.

Nixon inChina Set - A life size puppet theatre!!!

And the performance itself, only excited my mind with storytelling bliss that much more!  The toys and storytelling elements they had to play with were awesome!  I was so completely jealous of the storytellers, and they did such a good job of marrying the elements together.  They had giant screens to project moving pictures and scenery on to, movable 3D scenery, an actual working and filming camera that was seamlessly worked into the story, and then, of course, the players themselves.

And players were wonderful!  Robert Orth painted such a believable Richard Nixon that it was almost comical and Thomas Hammons as Henry Kissinger kept making me giggle.  What great character actors!  And they did it all whilst delivering their dialog in what seemed like ease in an operatic voice. Wow! Perhaps my favourite part of the action though was the Chinese Ballet in Act II.  What an incredible treat! Not only Opera, but the ballet too!  And despite the rather gruesome story that Fei Guo was telling, she was absolutely entrancing to watch.  Brought tears to your eyes, it was so beautiful! And a laugh to my lips every time I saw the clash with Thomas Hammons’ antics in the ballet.

The Players of Nixon in China

Now at the end of the day, despite the quality of all the other elements, it really comes down to story. So was the story there for me?  Yes.  Granted it was a bit of a different story with no resolve in the end, but it made me think and it told a story of a time in history. I have always loved historical story.  But damn!  Now I have to read up on the politics of  China and the US in the early 70s. Finally, despite the fact that Act III was my least favourite and reminded me somewhat of the drunken elephant scene in Dumbo, it brought up a very real question, one that I have been struggling with as of late.  What is it all for?  What have we really accomplished?

I highly recommend catching a performance of Nixon in China. It will certainly make you think. You can catch it in Vancouver – tonight (the 16th), Thursday the 18th and Saturday the 20th.

For more reviews from my fellow bloggers at the Opening Night of Nixon in China, take a read at:

• Stacey Robinsmith Dot Com
• Gus Digital
• A View From the Isle
• Hummingbird604
• DarrenBarefoot.com

Stacey and I at the Canadian Premiere of Nixon in China

Much like the Paralympians, this cast and crew are everyday looking people capable of super human feats! Can’t wait!!!!

The engaging power of a unicycle

We decided to leave and never saw the big finish.  As we walked around, I started to think about all the things people are doing other than watching the games.  Myself included, they are spending hours standing in line.  The day before, I spent nearly 3 hours waiting to get into the Atlantic Canada House for their Kitchen Party.  It was well worth it and I did make some new friends whom I’ll never see again, but it was 3 hours spent waiting, rather than watching.

Standing in Line-The new Olympic sport

There were hundreds of people that unicycle night drinking hot chocolate and ice skating at Robson Square.  Even more were just sitting on the steps watching dancers perform.  There were crowds waiting for balloon animals and my favourite all time non-game watching activity….the rice cracker maker!  This machine would twirl around and shoot rice crackers out like fire works.

A delicious distraction

Wow

There were so many people just roaming the streets trying to be a part of the action.  As I’ve had a chance to reflect on this revelation, I’ve realized that I have watched less of the Olympic games than ever before in my life because I live in the city that is hosting them.  I have wanted to be with all the other excited people from Canada and all around the world and that has led me to downtown or surrounding areas where I have been nowhere near a television, but captivated by spirit.  I have to admit, that as thrilled as I am for the amount of medals Canada is winning, I am most proud of the fact that I got picked up while filling up with gas the other day and invited out to party with some out of town boys!  Of course, as a mom and wife I had to pretend I was unfortunately busy, but knowing you’ve still got what it takes is worth gold.  I do enjoy watching our athletes, but given the chance, I can see how some might  pick this alien dance party instead.

This is one of the many reasons why I am not an arm chair athlete and admittedly have not watched much of the Olympics on TV.  So what have been up to instead?  Well, competing, of course.

What?  You haven’t heard of me?  Which sport am I in?  No worries, I take absolutely no offence, as you see I’m in one of the experimental sports.  They are doing a soft launch of it this year with just two athletes – myself and hummingbird604.  And as we are all about inclusion are sporting events extends over both the Olympic and the Paralympic Games.

So what’s the sport?  Well, really its a long standing Olympic tradition played undercover. Yes, that’s right, the hummingbird and I are competing for whom can get the most Olympic dates. And NO, not, as others have suggested, the most Olympic shags. Neither, the hummingbird or I are tarts.  Simply, the most Olympic dates.

So far I am in the lead at 5 -3, despite twitter betting against me.  So whats the story on my dates?

• A Swede enjoyed over a glass of wine.
• A good, old American boy picked up our town’s latest meat market, the Canada Line.

Olympic Dates 2 & 3 (Yes, they happened at the same time. I'm not a girl that wastes time.)

• A lonely Swiss man eating a meal alone.
• Two drunken snowboarders, picked up in unison, at 4 AM on Grouse Mountain. (there is actually video on this one, I just need to find it for all of you voyeurs)

Olympic Date 4 wasted absolutely no time.

As for date number 6?  I am hoping it will be with this handsome Saxon.  Only problem is that he is currently MIA.

Have you seen my fella?

So my dear hummingbird?  Let’s hear the dirt on your 3 dates!

Loving the Outfits!

Our experience on the top was even better.  Spontaneous kisses for Emme, stories from unknown great athletes, Canadian flag cape-wearing skaters, and free expert snow tips for our own novice Mario were some of our most pleasant surprises. We even got our snowshoe guide to do ridiculous yoga poses on top of the mountain (Well, our ‘top’ was only half way since Emme kept slipping and giggling, my water bottle kept falling out of my pocket and rolling way back down, and Mario was just trying to breath.)  Everyone we met was more than willing to participate in our shenanigans and held back nothing in the quest for a good time.

An Unexpected Kiss

I’ve noticed this new Vancouver spirit spilling over to my regular daily interactions at the kids’ school, stores, banks and the lines I’ve been standing in to party at the different Olympic houses.  I’ve made more instant friends this week than in my entire time living here.  Perhaps  it’s the infectious attitudes of our international visitors, or maybe it’s because we all feel united as Canadians fired up to win, but whatever it is, I hope it lasts.  Please keep the love alive Vancouver, and don’t go back to sleep!

Namaste

Stealing a Kiss

Being me – he is, of course, a complex fellow, and not all that easy to get close to.  You see, he is somewhat of an International Celebrity. We stole a brief moment when no one was looking, but would I ever see him again?  Would we be able to share another tender touch?

As luck would have it, he was needed to entertain the crowds last Saturday and his handlers were preoccupied, so he reached for the only familiar face on these foreign soils – me!!!  I got to be on his arm all evening, to dance with him, to poise for photos with him and proudly introduce him (my future lover) to the world.

Me and My Fella

Celebrity or not, the time had come to seek out something a little more intimate, perhaps even a date!!!!  Not wanting to offend and to respect International relations, I decided it was best to formerly request an audience with this delightful fellow in a more formal hand written letter to his handlers, of course. And then I waited and I waited….

Had I misjudged our connection?  Were our cultures and customs just so different that I was so off on the typical signs of the mating dance?  I simply had to know, so I mustered up the courage to go and see him one last time last night at Saxony House.

I was met by my worst fears.  No, not that of unrequited love, but that of concern for the safety of this most gentle fellow. Saxel had been kidnapped.

My head is reeling in despair and disgust.  This gorgeous beast was handcrafted with love for the Canadian people, he had agreed to leave his most beloved woods of Saxony to grace us with his presence here in Vancouver, and he had even agreed to stay, to be auctioned off at the end of the Olympics to raise money for a children’s charity.  And how are these extensions of International friendship received?  Someone kidnapped this beautiful, trusting Saxon soul, right from under the noises of his handlers.  I ask, where were the police and motor security brigades, when this International travesty struck?  What are they doing now to find this missing International ambassador?

I urge, you the people, Canadians and Internationals-alike, to help find my fellow, Saxel, and return him to his rightful home.  Show him how good and kind we are as Canadians.  How we would protect his hairy ass, in an attempt to see him free once more.

Have you seen my fella?

Saxel was last seen on Wednesday night at the Irish House. Any tips you can provide on his current whereabouts or leading to his safe return would be most appreciated.  You can drop tips here or to my email at emme@emmerogers.com.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Emme

As I watched the crowd chant “Oh Canada” with huge smiles on their faces I felt a sense of false nationalism that has seemed to invade everyone here for the winter games. People dressed in black, yellow and red holding Germany’s flag were trying to follow the words, and everyone hugged each other as Ricker’s face zoomed in unto the screen. I have decided that every time Canada wins gold I’m going up to Robson Square and simply enjoy the happiness these people are having, as it is as real as it can get. An elderly woman came up to me as she saw I was taking a lot of photos and videos, and thinking I was still recording looked straight into my camera and yelled: “I love Canada!!”. I should have asked her to do it again but she just left yelling woos and yeahs towards the immense crowd. In total there were many chants for Canada and I participated in most of them, because even though I am not Canadian and know absolutely nothing about the rules of any winter sport (in particular Biathlon, I get lost every time I see it on the TV), I actually cheered on for Canada because I was proud to be on Canadian soil and surrounded by such great people. So from the bottom of my heart: Thank you for hosting the Olympics, they are amazing fun.

Now, of course my night didn’t end at 8. Afterwards we walked through Granville where we saw a man with an actual eagle head, a ton of jugglers although this one in particular impressed me with her skills, and my friends dragged me to Doolin’s “irish” bar where the tequila shots are cheaper than the Guinness and everyone was having a miserable time. Yet although my night was nothing short of fun (I ended up in Numero Uno Pizza being asked by a 70 year old woman what language Peru spoke and my whole life story leading up to UBC) my core memory of last night was of the following woman:

We were cheering Canada in the middle of the street when this woman dressed in something Bjork would wear came up chanting for Canada in a very thick accent. She looks younger in the picture above, but I thought she was 60. I asked her where she was from and she said Norway. When I asked her why she was cheering for Canada she said: “because I love Canada, and I am here, right?”. She took a picture and kept on walking, but I still remember her, not because of her weird clothing style, but because she was having fun by herself, minding no one’s business. She chanted on along with the drunk college boys, and was obviously having more fun than anyone on that block because she was doing it for her own sake. If you ever see her roaming the streets of this lovely city please tell her she has my respects. And she should have yours too.

Crowding in for Colbert

So the reason why I won’t be there this morning:

1. With such a large crowd it was difficult to see, hear or properly engage in what Colbert had to say.
2. It was standing room only.  This does not aid in people being able to see or hear, and quite frankly is not respectful of your audience. Colbert is not a musician.
3. It was standing room only on a very muddy, and getting progressively muddier, field.
4. Making it standing room only at a popular satirical show, opens the door for more protesting and a surge of people in the mud pit.

The Beginnings of the Deep Mud

So no, not going again this morning.  And my recommendation to the Colbert Nation: bigger is not always better, respect your fans with proper seating (even if that means that only the first 100 people get a seat), and think about your fans safety as well as your own (a standing room only mud pit with 100s of people and visible protesters in the crowd is not safe). All this said, a noble and well meaning attempt I am sure, just remember, bigger is not always better.

The crowd was filled way before 9:30 when the show was scheduled to begin (I was standing in the long line to get in at about 7:30 and waited about half an hour) at the LiveCity event in Yaletown.  By the time I was inside the Quebecois band Malajube began to play, and although they started off pretty slow, by the end they had the audiences attention and people were jumping up and out and pulled up into the crowds. By 9:30 I saw people of all ages around me: at my right I had a group of middle schoolers that must have been 14 tops (they still had braces and awkward looking haircuts… which is also the reason they don’t serve alcohol inside – be warned), and to my left I had an elderly woman with fake red colored hair, who eventually sang the lyrics of “Jerusalem” with all her heart. I don’t know how she followed him, as he sings differently in person and changes his tempo a lot. I didn’t like his performance that much, but by 10 pm I realized I wasn’t there to see Matisyahu, I was there because this was a once in a lifetime experience. I heard more than 10 languages that night, and by the end of the show, that was what is was all about. People from all over the globe came halfway across the world to see him sing about peace and unity, and although everyone cheered for either Canada or Poland or Belgium, everyone in the end was chanting with him the lyrics to the video above: stop with the violence/down with the hate/one day we’ll all be free/and proud to be/under the same sun. I think that’s what made the event worthwhile, that even if it was just for one hour, the event became a microcosm of what the Winter Games are about: World Unity.

Photo by Phillip Jeffrey

After “One Day” Matisyahu left and the fireworks and water show began, and I was blown away. If you haven’t seen them yet, please do, it’s worthwhile and technically impressive. The big screen shows clips from the events, and praises the extra-human achievement the athletes do everyday, but also emphasizes on people cheering on the streets. Seeing all those people genuinely happy can only make you love the Winter Games even more.  And even if we are not winning Gold Medals, we are still winning just by being in this great city. I recommend the show to everyone, as it is beautiful and simply heart-warming.

By the way, please follow me on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/mariofas.

Of course, there is always picking up the Olympic wear that I am sporting too.