So, I started writing this post last week, and got pretty far. I was on a role, inspired, and of course, the computer crashed on me. I was so frustrated, I didn’t even want to get back to it, until now.

Maybe this makes the excitement and busy-ness of our lives seem exaggerated, but I feel compelled to use categories. Makes for easier reading, and certainly for easier gathering of thoughts.

1. Our Vacation
Will had saved his last week of vacation until this month, to kind of celebrate our anniversary, so off we went, at the beginning of November. We spent the first 2 days at our cottage with 2 friends of mine. We showed them the tornado damage, which still fascinated us, played games, went for hikes, and stayed close to the ever-crackling fire. While eating pizza on our make-shift cardboard plates (so as to not have to wash them later), we were amazed to see over a dozen wood ducks out on the lake. We were also dazzled by the winter wonderland that greeted us into the next morning. Wow.

We then went to Cobourg, where those same friends live, for the next 2 days. We shared more laughs, played many more games, watched movies and enjoyed good conversation. Will and I went out to Presqu-il Park, just a 15 minute drive away, which is a conservation area and natural harbour. We walked 4.5 km’s of hiking trails, and saw woodpeckers (the Woody Woodpecker kind), which we had never seen before.

Then we were off for Kingston, where we went to the Penitentiary museum, Canada’s only one, which is located in the warden’s old residence, right across from Kingston Pen. Y’know how when you go to museums, you usually just look at the eye candy, and don’t always read the information? Well, I read praticly all the information provided, it was so fascinating. There were confiscated make-shift weapons, like crossbows made of toothbrushes and lighters, knives carved out of random materials, guns made of wood, etc. There were two stacks of cafeteria trays tied together, with a hole in the middle that an inmate made for an escape hideout. What was most amazing was seeing how resourceful people can be when they are desperate. We saw home brewing kits, toasters, lighters, made out of whatever objects they could find. We spent the night with some friends there, and watched MANY episodes of “The Office”. If you haven’t seen it already, DO. It’s very funny.

Last we went to Toronto to meet up with a bunch of our friends for supper. It was great to see them all again, and meet their new significant others. We spent hours catching up, and eating good food.

2. The Shadows of Grossmunster
Well, the final draft of the script is almost finished, which means we will soon be binding it, professional-like, and ready for distribution among cast members. We gained a violin player, which is very exciting for me, so I have been busily writing violin parts to all the songs. We now have a promoter, which will lighten our load in that department, significantly. We have a few more auditions lined up, but we still need a few more interested guys! So, if any of you readers know of anyone, please pass on our web address: www.grossmunster.com

We are also on the hunt for a stage manager and choreographer, and still for other musicians.

3. My birthday
Yes…..I am another year older, as November 14 declared. Sigh. Time goes by faster and faster as each new year passes, and I wonder where it all went. I have no regrets, but man! In four years I’ll be 30! Anyhoo, got some nice phone calls (including the “Happy Birthday” song at 11pm from some Toronto friends–Those rascals).

Some signs of my age:
a) Worsening vision (the glasses I bought in India 2 years ago are almost out of date now)
b) Achy joints (particularly my left knee)
c) Sensitive teeth (although I’ve always had that, it’s not doubt getting worse–and I’ve got quite a few dental appointments to show for it). Sigh.
d) Memory loss. Never mind, I’ve always had a bad memory.

4. Christmas Craziness.
Okay, we all know Christmas is a crazy time of year, but as a professional musician, ’tis the season for work. I am not only playing organ every Sunday (since the other organist is busy), I’m playing various Christmas concerts at both nursing homes I work at, doing the Christmas programs at Doon Heritage Crossroads again (for the fourth year), and putting on a Christmas choir concert with my choir of seniors at work. Phew! Oh…and…finishing off the score for the musical..hopefully.

People always told me I should go to school for music, and I always resisted for some reason. Looks like music found it’s way into my life, anyway. Big time.

5. MCC term
As of now, we still don’t know where are are going. All we know is that our 2 top choices, Belfast and El Salvador are not available anymore. So, we are waiting till the new placements are revealed next year. In the meantime, we anxiously await our time of service.

That’s all for now. Better publish this before the computer crashes on me again.