Tuesday 5 August 2008

Shakespeare in the Park

This morning the wind woke me up at 5:39 am. I would have rolled over and gone back to sleep, but registration for Calgary Recreation programs for the fall began at 5:30 am, and I took it as a sign that I'd better get Chloe registered in skating while I was awake just in case the course was full by 7am, my original game plan. I didn't stay up, though. I climbed back into bed and slept on for a couple of more hours.

Once I was up for real, I needed to get Carmen ready to go to an activity day - they were heading downtown to see Shakespeare in the Park. As I started packing Carmen's lunch I was thinking to myself that I couldn't believe I've never been to Shakespeare in the Park, it would be totally up my alley. I managed to make the mental leap that I could just go today, so I took Chloe with me and we called it a *transition* activity for her.



We caught a train downtown. I was hoping the train behind me would blur a little "faster" for this self portrait, but I was standing at the stop after all, and the train was slowing down to pick me (and the girls) up.



We watched a performance titled "The Complete Works" where they tried to perform all Shakespearean plays in an hour. The performers gave us varying degrees of abbreviation for each play; it was highly entertaining.



I'd heard that Shakespeare in the Park is always done with a twist, so I wasn't completely surprised when we had several outbursts of rap.

Now I really want to go to an evening performance of a play in its entirety. I wonder how badly football practises will interfere with this desire? It turns out that I'm a 6-day-a-week fool for approving football in this house. Steven's practising 6 days/15 hours a week for the rest of August. I shouldn't complain - I'm not the one developing bruises.



Jaclyn had trouble putting down my library book tonight as she did the dishes. Right after this picture she dropped a cup and conceded putting the book down, but then she dropped another cup so it wasn't the book's fault on the first one after all. Just general co-ordination issues? Mark and Jaclyn have developed a theory that if there is such thing as Applied Math classes in high school for students who are challenged in their math ability, then there should be applied Phys. Ed. for kids like Jaclyn with mild co-ordination and athletic challenges. We'll have to bring the idea up with the Phys. Ed. department-head in the fall . . .

18 comments:

Amy said...

I'm playing catch-up Barb, and now I have to comment quickly because the "Thanks Mark, and I'm so lazy" title has me hooked & ready to move on to your next post. I would so be the perfect candidate for applied Phys. Ed. I have no physical skills. And like to have books in hand. Didn't think about how developing the former might help the latter.

Unknown said...

loving the reading/dish-washing photo!! priceless.

Michelle Alley said...

So fun and funny! I remember something like this in London where they did all the works of Shakespeare in all these funny bits and skits! Sounds so hilarious! Jaclyn and I sound alike, as there isn't a day that goes by that I don't hurt myself, drop or break something. Sign me up for this class please! PS, I sent you an email about next week :) Love, MIchelle

Neighbor Jane Payne said...

Oh gee, Shakespeare in the park vs football and Jaclyn reading vs doing the dishes. The contrasts are great!

I think football just took over your life temporarily :)

Neighbor Jane Payne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
michelle said...

The complete works of Shakespeare in one hour! That sounds truly entertaining.

What a great photo of Jaclyn reading -- too funny to have captured that. I'd like to take Applied Phys. Ed. as well!

Laurie said...

What book is that??

I could have used an applied PE class. Great idea.

Cecilia said...

The last picture is way too funny!
Hey, at least she's reading right?!?!?

Shelly said...

great interpetation!

It made me laugh!

Marie said...

Applied Phys Ed? Now that would be a funny basketball game to watch!

Tiffany said...

I'm playing catch-up too! It sounds like you're having a busy summer. Shakespeare in the park sounds like a fun level to start with (especially for kids!)--what a great outing!

Amanda said...

The Shakespeare outing sounds divine!

Love your faster photo..I thought about doing one like that too, but I don't have a camera that can pull it off yet.

What book of yours is Jaclyn reading? It wouldn't be from the Twilight series now would it?

The Monkeys said...

I have always though of going to see Shakespear in the park, but never have done it. Maybe I just need to go for it, too.

Courtney said...

What fun, Shakespeare in the park! I love th faster photo...good one...so what is the library book? I am intrigued!

Windy said...

I love Shakespeare in the Park events! How fun! And I'm sure that listening to Shakespeare makes your brain stronger!

Katie A. said...

I thought the reading photo was great too. They just built a new baseball stadium/community event center in town and have started doing some Shakespear in the Park. Of course they are always done on nights I work...Good luck getting to an evening performance. I love Shakespear plays.

Anonymous said...

sounds like something I would enjoy going to.

Jill said...

That's mighty early to have to wake up to sign up for sports, I'm glad we don't have to do that or my kids would never get in!