I met Gilby 12 years ago when the store I work at opened--he worked in the Computers department, and I was in Fiction. When his birthday came about he went dancing around the store telling everyone, which I found Veddy Amusing. So I stood at my computer and made him a birthday card. Which he found Veddy Amusing. And so we became friends.
He was this Ayn Rand loving, philosophy-arguin' type, so when he drove me home one night and sang "Stars" from Les Miz to me, I was shocked to see this whole other side to him--the musicals lover!
Gilby is one of my beSTest friends. I am in adoration of him. He's very easy to love. And thankfully my husband and his wife don't Take This the Wrong Way (it's totally non-sexual) so we're able to run away for a weekend together (and I stayed 10 days in London with him, when he was there on business a few years ago.) Giiiilbeeeee!
We've given each other a Christmahannukahbirthday present each year, but I (who am supposed to make something creative) am running out of ideas. So this year I proposed we go see a play, or go to Stratford together. I think this will be our tradition, though I don't think I can afford Stratford and 3 plays each year. But maybe a musical in Toronto, where I can stay with him and his wife.
On to... Day Two.
Here is Our Spot at the bar, where we usually ate cause the restaurant was always full. At least we tried to make it Our Spot. But after the first couple times, it was always taken. Basts.
Went souvenir shopping that day. I bought Fernando a shirt with a bear on it that says "Exit, pursued by a bear." And a pen. And a magnet for our fridge. And a water bottle. And my Oscar doll. And Gilby got his finger puppet, and I tossed in a collection of Oscar Wilde's works for him. I do not feel guilty for my materialism, since the money supports the festival--whose traditional supporters are dying-off-oldies. (One of the central plot points in Sling and Arrows.)
After I had to mail some cards. I asked where I could get stamps.
Lady - At Blowes, across the square.
Me - ... ... Blows?
Lady (suppressing giggle) - Yes, it's someone's name. Blowes.
On the way we saw Allen's Alley, which needed photographing. How many of us can claim to own an alley after all? Here I've got my arm around the boyz. (And might I add - everytime I buy slacks from Reitman's they shrink the first time I wash them, even though I use cold water and hang dry? Despicable.)
There was Much Wind. And chilliness. I was wearing 4 layers all weekend. But I have a Most Excellent poppy - the kind with a Canadian flag pin holding it in place. That's what you get when you buy early and donate well!
Blowes.
This is the Avon theatre by our hotel, where we saw Earnest the night before.
Our hotel.
That night we took a 20 minute walk down to the Festival theatre. There were mirrors in the lobby, so we didn't have to ask someone to photograph us! Oscar's a bit low, because we're seeing something he didn't write -- West Side Story.
I thought we'd get a shaming for placing our toys on the Weird Sisters, but no one noticed. And everyone who walked by laughed.
And instead I got a shaming for photographing the theatre interior.
West Side Story was great. Our friend, Mrs Alfonse, had had a bad performance earlier this summer. But everyone sang well, and the staging was great. Tony did a lot of leaping around on Maria's balcony, which really made them seem IN LURV. The songs were beautifully sung, the dancing was great. Gilby was meh'd by Riff, but I thought Action was great.
Here is Gilby watching Darth Vader at the canteen, again.
The Boyz regard New Oscar with suspicion.
And so ended Day 2.
