To sleep ...

The combination of an active couple of weeks, pleasant reduction in heat and humidity, and first chemo in two weeks have conspired against me. It's 6pm and I'm just getting out of bed. A quick something to eat, a check of the email, and I'm already thinking of a reunion with my pillow. Think I'll take life a tad slower for the next while. At least Phil is still around to help care for Momzy.

A Jolly Holiday

Home again after a whirlwind tour of Vancouver, Toronto and New York. Felt good most of the time without needing a daily nap. In fact, I managed to spend walk 10,000 steps (some days considerably more) each day I was away.

My tour began with an event that has long been on my "bucket list", seeing a Cirque de Soleil performance. Joined Penny, Marcia, Roz, and Roz's sister Jan at Kooza, the latest Cirque offering to hit Vancouver. It was amazing! Swear the contortionist didn't have a bone in her body. Gasped at the acrobats as they did flips while walking on a rotating wheel that was spinning around while attached to another rotating wheel. Others did amazing high-wire stunts, managed to balance on a unicycle while flipping a fellow performer about like an ice dancer, or other amazing feats. Laughed at the slapstick antics of the clowns/buffoons. The only slow/less-than-slick performance came from the slight-of-hand comedian. Incredible sets. Even more incredible costumes. Well worth the expense. Has increased my interest in hitting Vegas to see Cirque's water-based spectacle, O.

The next day I hung out with Roz and her sister Jan as it was my only chance to see Jan before she returned home to Florida. A fun day on Granville Island.

 
Spent most of the next day resting in preparation for the events of the next few days - travels to Toronto and New York. Good thing I was well rested as the flurry of activity came with a backdrop of very hot and humid weather. The only rain came as a sudden monsoon in Toronto - I was wearing my gardening sandals at the time and had trouble keeping my footing thanks to the water turning the dirt-stained foot bed into a muddied slick. The unbearable humidity was a good reminder of why I moved back to the West Coast after grad school.

Donna's brother was getting married in TO, hence the reason for starting the adventure there. Had a great time reconnecting with Donna's relatives whom I have met over the years and also enjoyed the chance to meet her parents and other family members. (Donna's sister Diane also introduced me to three members of her weekly prayer group who pray for me each week! I had no idea they did this and was very touched by their kind action. They were as happy to finally have a face to attach to the name as they were to hear that their efforts were having the desired effect.) I stayed with Donna's and my mutual friend Yuri and enjoyed catching up with her, too. I also took the opportunity to explore Toronto a bit. Much has changed since I was there last (1994?). I was especially interested in the conversion of the old Gooderman & Worts distillery area into a hip and happening loft/artist studio/design district. Many of the old structures have been given a new lease on life while retaining much of their industrial architecture charm. Also made a pilgrimage to the Textile Museum, but wasn't particularly interested in the exhibits that were on display. Not overly enamoured with the Alsop's addition to the OCAD. Nothing much of interest at the AGO - although I hoped to return on the weekend when the Drama & Desire exhibit (which examined the relationship between artists and the theatre) would include a live performance. Other commitments took me elsewhere, however. Oh, and I did do a bit of retail therapy - picked up some fabulous Japanese-made ribbons at Mokuba, some unique clothes at Kaliyana, and some letter fittings for knitted handbags at Americo. Also checked out the offerings at the G&S Dye shop near the Textile Museum.

Following the wedding, Donna, Yuri and I headed to New York for a few days of fun and frivolity. We stayed at the Pod Hotel on E 51st between 2nd and 3rd. A fun little spot that is geared to a younger clientele although there were several guests older than ourselves. There wasn't a room available with three beds, so Donna and I shared a bunk-bed unit with shared bath. The compact layout was perfect for our needs (we didn't plan to spend a great deal of time in the hotel) and boasted a tiny in-room sink, clock radio/iPod docking station, and flat-screen TVs mounted to the wall beside each bunk. Ah, TV. Ah, cable. Nothing like watching Seinfeld re-runs in New York!

Here's a shot of Yuri and Donna at Rockefeller Centre.

The only disappointment of the trip came when Yuri developed a debilitating migraine and had to head back to Toronto after the first day in the Big Apple. The three of us did manage to do a few classic NY visitor must-dos, however, such as enjoying a pretzel from a street cart, enjoying time in Central Park, gawking at the high-end shops along Fifth Ave, and the like. I hadn't been to NY since 1990, so saw a lot of changes. Thankfully I managed to much of the touristy stuff on earlier visits - including taking in the view from the top of the World Trade Centre - so didn't feel any great need to rush around trying to fit a lot into a few short days. One very pleasant change since my last visit was the conversion of much of Times Square into a pedestrian-friendly area with lots of outdoor seating.

We also managed to take in a delightful Broadway show - for a mere $30/each.

A bit of personal trivia: Mary Poppins was the first movie I ever saw. The Sound of Music was the second. For quite some time I was convinced that Julie Andrews was the only actress in the world! A few years back, Donna and I attended the Sound of Music singalong dressed as brown-paper packages tied up with string (to be more accurate, our wrists were dressed as such). So it was fitting that Donna should be along when I reconnected with my inner Poppins. The musical was great fun. Lots of tunes not in the Disney movie. Fun sets, great effects, and good singing. I was especially impressed with the talents of the kids playing Jane and Michael Banks.

Since I had been to the Metropolitan Museum and the MOMA, I had little interest in repeating visits there especially since the exhibits were of any particular interest. We all managed to explore the Frick Collection before Yuri left. Donna and I also popped into the Guggenheim.

Did something of an architectural tour (on our own), taking time to view the Whitney, the Chrysler Bldg, Seagrams Bldg, Lever Bldg, and other notable structures. One day we met up with a landscape architect Donna knew. She took us to the Meatpacking District where an old elevated railway had been converted into a wonderful pedestrian walkway enhanced with extensive native planting that incorporated vestiges of the old railway structures. It's called the High Line.

One of the things the highlights of the trip for both Donna and me was spending several hours in Bryant Park. Much of the time was consumed with tackling the Thurs edition of the New York Times crossword puzzle, but we also did a lot of people watching and simply enjoying the park's vibe. There was a live music concert when we first arrived, followed by a massive outdoor yoga class. Folks nearby where we were sitting enjoyed an impromptu game of chess. It was a wonderful relaxing afternoon.

A stroll around Central Park was also very enjoyable.

Here's a lovely little bridge located near the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.

Also had great fun poking around the Garment District. Managed to locate Habu Yarns which was on the 8th floor of a rather obscure little office building. I arrived on Sat not expecting to find it opened (thinking it was an office only) but - voila! - it was! Some great deals on unusual yarns such as silk covered stainless steel, and linen paper. When in Toronto, I thought Mokuba was the most amazing ribbon shop I had ever been in, but it paled in comparison to the Zagat-rated Hyman Hendler & Sons. Wish I could have figured out a way to transport some amazing hat forms that were sold in the millinary supply shop down the block - they would make great hats even without added fabric and trim. Found some very cool buttons at M&J Trimming. Lots of clothing and textile art inspiration at Barney's and other high-end shops on Madison and Fifth Ave as well as the trendy and off-beat shops in Greenwich Village, Soho, and Tribeca. 

Of course, no trip to New York would be complete without some palate pleasers. Enter the amazing array of street vendors - Vancouver, take note. Also tucked into some authentic New York Cheesecake at Magnolia Bakery (the famous cupcakes were in very short supply when we arrived after 10pm - did I mention that there was a line-up outside the door at that hour? No wonder as the treats were more than yummy.) The heat had me eating a lot of fresh fruit, purchased from corner grocers and street carts. We didn't bother to hit a fancy restaurant as, after 8+ hours of walking in high humidity, we were both ready for a toes-up at the Pod.

A very fun trip. But it is nice to be back home. I have some sleeping to catch up on.

Encouragement From Unexpected Source

Back in the spring, when I first learned my cancer had spread, I felt it prudent to inform my birth family of the situation in case the info is of use to them down the road. On Friday I learned my information has been passed on. I also received some medical history of my maternal birth family (nothing is known of my paternal birth family). As it turns out, there is a history of cancer in the family. Of my birth mother and her four siblings, at least three have had cancer (kidney, lung, or colon). The encouraging thing is that all of them are alive years after the diagnosis and treatment. That information has filled me with great hope in terms of my own situation. I also learned there is a history of heart disease. This is good to know since Herceptin (a drug I took last time and one of the drugs I am currently on) is very hard on the ol' ticker. My medical team will now know to keep a close watch on any changes in my heart health. One cool detail about my birth father - he was a navy man. How cool is that? Guess I was destined to be raised by a seadog in any case.