Guide Dogs for the Blind 10K Fun Run

The first inaugural trip to the UK countryside kicked off last Saturday! Part of the reason we have been so delayed in exploring outside London is because there are just so many things to do in London. However, the second reason, which is no longer an obstacle, was that neither the Budman nor Hachie Gal was licensed to drive on the UK roads. Not anymore! With a little role reversal (Hachie Gal as pilot as the licensed driver to date; Budman as co-pilot and navigator), we set off for the West Midlands of the UK, namely Coventry and Warwick.

We just scratched the surface on this little weekend trip as we only had about a day in half. Our destination: Coventry and Warwick. First item on the agenda: the 10K Fun Run for Guide Dogs for the Blind. This charity is the one that offered me a secured spot in last April's London Marathon, and the one I will be running for again in next’s year London marathon (yes…I am warning you all now that the fundraising will kick off soon, so get prepared!). A great charity that does fabulous work!



The fun run was only one of many events throughout the day at the Guide Dog Experience. After the race, we explored the Guide Dogs’ facilities, watched Guide Dog training demonstrations, attended a whole host of other canine events, and just enjoyed “being with the dogs”. Dogs were definitely the center of attention, and the ratio of dogs to people must have been 1 dog for every 3 people!





The race course was in the Stoneleigh Abbey grounds, with the weather being picture perfect; sunny, cool and breezy, 65-70 degrees, and not a drop of rain. We both finished the course in reasonably good times.









In addition to the actual service dogs doing their bit on the day, a big part of the training is the socialization training. Invitations apparently had gone out to all in-training, current and retired guide dogs....come one, come all. What a great sight! One of many guide dogs in service on the day.



A few sights from the Guide Dog Experience! Besides the Guide Dog demonstrations, there were exhibits on every Guide Dog branch, as well as lots of other dog service and charity organizations...service dogs for police, fire, security...assist dogs for the blind, deaf, physically disabled, therapy, and children...agility and herding demonstrations...and of course, dog rescue charities. All dogs welcome at the Guide Dog Experience.











In the famous words of Dr. Seuss, "Go dog, go!" and GBP 20,000 raised on the day!
Woof-woof!

Theater reviews round 4

The spring and early summer have been BUSY from a theatre perspective….and I am happy to report a diversified field of shows have been attended. The end is not in sight yet as there are several mores shows still in the queue. Gotta love it!

So, in no particular order, a brief synopsis of our theatrical amusements of late…

(1) Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I

Review: My personal favourite in the R&H musical songbook, it took no convincing whatsoever for me to attend. Interestingly enough, this show was staged in the cavernous Royal Albert Hall for a 2 week limited engagement. Personally, I thought the sets and costuming were superb, even if the stage was a bit too large to traverse. I was a bit concerned during the March of the Royal Children that we would be there until Christmas because those little legs did not cover that huge stage too quickly…no worries in the end. All in all, a capable King, a fairly adequate Anna (her voice seemed tired and raspy), and s stupendous Tuptim! The scene depicting the Thai interpretation of Uncle Tom’s Cabin was the highpoint for me, and the song, We Kiss in a Shadow, was fantastic.

Verdict: A somewhat generous 3 out of 4 thumbs up because this is one of my top 3 all-time favorite musicals. OK, so I am a bit of a homer.



(2) Tom Kempinski’s Duet for One with Juliet Stevenson and Henry Goodman

Review: Duet For One, a two-actor play, centers on Stephanie Abrahams (Stevenson), a brilliant concert violinist who is forced to re-evaluate her life when struck down by an unforeseen tragedy. Faced with a truth too difficult to comprehend, Stephanie consults psychiatrist Dr Feldmann (Goodman), and through a series of highly-charged dramatic encounters is led to examine her deepest feelings and darkest emotions and finally to consider the possibility of a future without music. As an interesting sidenote, Stevenson is best known to US audiences as the mother of Kiera Knightley’s character in Bend It Like Beckham and Goodman is best known to US audiences as the front desk manager in Notting Hill. A very sobering look at the physical and emotional toll that this dreadful disease takes on those afflicted. A bit overacted in places, I still enjoyed it and felt the desolation that this disease brings.

Verdict: 2.5 out of 4 thumbs up.



(3) Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard

Review: A non-traditional staging by Craig Revel Horwood (the caustic judge on the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing (the US equivalent of Dancing with the Stars). Small theatre and stage, where the actors were also the musicians – so the instruments were always in plain view on the stage. Clever and compact staging made this show mesmerizing as if Webber’s music would not under normal circumstances. Having never seen Sunset Boulevard before, I can now say this musical is safely ensconced in position #2 behind Evita as my favourite of Lloyd Webber musicals.

Verdict: 3.5 out of 4 thumbs up in large part to the clever staging and set decoration.



(4) Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge with Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio

Review: A powerful treatment on the somewhat taboo of incest, I found ALL the actors compelling in their roles. A special round of applause for Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Ken Stott who play the aunt and uncle. The Brooklyn accents of the UK cast were spot in as well. And yes, I LOVE Arthur Miller plays.

Verdict: 3.5 out of 4 thumbs up.



(5) Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot with Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, and Simon Callow

Review: I will preface my remarks that I know this play is supposed to be a classic, but I just didn’t get it. A bunch of ranting nonsense. The most labored 2 ½ hours I have spent in a London theatre to date. We would have left at intermission if not for the three stars in this production (McKellan – where to begin but recently Lord of the Rings and X Men, Patrick Stewart – Star Trek-Next Generation, and Simon Callow, who I loved in Four Wedding and a Funeral). Call me a theatre illiterate but this was plain awful! An over-acted to boot!

Verdict of 0.5 out of 4 thumbs up…and only for its stellar cast.



(6) Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music

Review: Not being at all familiar with this musical and sorely lacking on my Sondheim music trivia, the only thing I knew about this musical was that the song Send in the Clowns is from A Little Night Music. Quite an entertaining little comical farce with great music (think a Noel Coward play set in Scandinavia). Lovely production, and the female lead was quite the comedienne. Highly recommend!

Verdict: 3 out of 4 thumbs up.



(7) Oliver with Rowan Atkinson

Review: Thoroughly charming! The kids were fabulous and it was money and time well spent! Great chorus numbers, a thoroughly lovable Oliver and Jack, and Rowan Atkinson (think Mr. Bean) was worth seeing, although he must be an acquired taste. One of the best musicals showing in the West End right now.

Verdict: 3.5 out of 4 thumbs up.



Upcoming shows include Regent Park’s Open Air Theatre production of Hello Dolly!, Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia, Jude Law in Hamlet, Old Vic Theatre’s production of Inherit the Wind with Kevin Spacey, Entertaining Angels with Penelope Keith, Mrs. Warren’s Profession with Felicity Kendall, and the all-black production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with James Earl Jones and Phyllicia Rashad.

I am ready for my close-up, Mr. de Mille

I think I have it now! The Iris scan has now worked three consecutive times for me when I have entered Heathrow Airport Immigration and Passport Control, so I guess “my” kinks in the system have now been resolved.

Let me explain. In late 2008, I finally took the extra 15 minutes required at Heathrow Airport to complete the paperwork for the retinal eye security scan. After giving the UK Immigration authorities every known conceivable shred of information on myself and putting both “eyes on file with big brother”, I thought I was good to go.

Here is how the process works: Upon return to the UK (which will nearly always be Heathrow Airport for me), rather than waiting in the same HUGE long line for immigration and passport control, I can easily reduce the queuing time from 45 minutes to about 5-7 minutes TOPS. Previously, the immigration line has consisted of 500+ people from either Indian Airlines, South Africa Airways, or any flying cattle car from Russia (which always seems to be the case when I am coming through immigration), With this handy-dandy tool, I should simply proceed to a specially designated line, enter a little booth, and have my retinas scanned….once the machine yes, “Yes, this is her!”, the doors of the booth open and I have officially cleared immigration and passport control.

Of course, those kinks that I mentioned earlier in the post only seemed to apply to me. Each time the Budman entered, he lined up his eyes on the little mirror in the booth on the first attempt and WHAM!, he’s cleared. For the Hachie Gal, I would enter the booth and get up to three chances to correctly line up my eyes for scanning. I could always tell I was in trouble when the robotic voice would pause for 10 seconds, and then the flurry of directions would be dictated. “Please move a little to the left”, “Please move closer”, “Please step back”….over and over. After three attempts you are booted back out of the booth the way you entered. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200. So for the first 5 months, this thing NEVER worked for me.

If the fact you failed to pass the iris scan isn’t embarrassing enough (akin to the multiple drivers test taken), the glaring stares of the people waiting behind you in line will certainly mortify you. These fellow travelers are also trying to get through immigration in the same 5-7 minutes timeframe you are and really aren’t taking kindly to waiting on the loser ahead of them who can’t make the iris scan work. The end result: you hang your head in shame and proceed to the immigration line with the rest of the world, including the Indian Airlines, South Africa Airways, and the Russian cattle car passengers. Excellent!

Question: So what is a girl to do? Answer: A return trip to the Iris scan office to find out “What gives?”. I will cut to the chase by reporting that after following this course of action, the UK Immigration and Passport Control promptly reported after 30 minutes of “who knows what kind” of troubleshooting, the “There are no problems – it should work fine”. Yea, right! Here is where the ever valiant Budman swings into action and politely inquires, “Can you please re-take her photo? Maybe a new photo would help.” Response from Immigration: “Good idea. She does have little beady eyes.” Thanks.

Fast forward to the last three trips taken and yes, that new picture must have done the trick as I cruised through Iris scan with no issue. Either that, or it was the fact (and here is the Sunset Boulevard reference connection) that once I exited the plane, almost immediately I resembled Norma Desmond. I must be practicing the “eyes wide open” face so intently as I pass through the jetbridge, the corridors of Heathrow, leading up to the iris scan booth that all that comes to mind is “I am ready for my close-up now, Mr. de Mille!”.



You are laughing but three times lucky.

it's confirmed....

...it has now rained today...so I guess we are looking forward to those 40 days of rain now.

St. Swithin's Day

How many people have heard of Saint Swithin?

According to legend, Saint Swithin was a Saxon bishop of Winchester, who on his deathbed wished to be buried outdoors. For the first nine years following his death, his grave was situated outside, but then his body was moved to an elaborate shrine inside the Winchester Cathedral. During this ceremony, a huge storm whipped up reflecting the bishop's despair of being re-buried indoors.

In later times, a myth developed around Saint Swithin that if rain falls on his memorial day, July 15h, then rain will continue to fall for the next 40 days. If the weather is fine on the 15th, the next 40 days will also be fine. There is even a rhyme to explain this:

St Swithin's Day, if it does rain
Full forty days, it will remain
St Swithin's Day, if it be fair
For forty days, t'will rain nae mare

Apparently, most of the Brits think this story is daft; all I can say is that it rained today in London, so will keep you posted on the 40 days of more rain. Although in retrospect, that prediction is not necessarily going out on a limb in London, now is it?

is it art?

A new art installation is taking London...for that matter, the entire UK...by storm. It's simply Antony Gormley's "One and Other" 4th plinth project in Trafalgar Square. Some people say it's art, others that it is a performance, and still others say it is nothing but a stunt. Whatever it is...I have to share the concept with you all.

As most of you who have been to London or who have ever seen a picture of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square will attest, there are 4 plinths surrounding the column. Three of these "bases" (another word for plinth in this example) have sculptures affixed to the tops of these plinths (more on those dudes later) but the fourth plinth is empty. Apparently, money for a 4th plinth was never successfully raised; although other public sculptures have temporarily graced the 4th plinth for limited periods of time over the last 10-15 yearrs. Hence, the idea for the biggest art project in London in decades....to fill this plinth with human sculptures.

Here's how it works: Antony Gormley, a world renowned (and UK) sculpturer conceived a project to fill this 4th plinth with a different human sculpture every hour for 100 days. That is a total of 2400 human sculptures. The idea is that these sculptures will answer the following questions: "What is Britain all about?", "What makes Britain great?" "Where do I fit in the world?" and "What is a living picture of life like in the UK?"

Before the project begun, the other 3 plinths had bronze sculptures placed there using public funds. All heroes of the day, the other three statues are of (a) King George IV, (b) Henry Hadlock, a UK soldier in India, and (3) Charles Napier, one of Wellington's men. (Yea, not names that roll off the tongue). To be pickedas a human sculpture, one must enter one of three random drawings, with the first one already being held. To date, over 25, 000 people have entered the lottery for one of the 2400 coveted spots. And before you ask...yes...I have entered, but I think it is a long shot! Still you got to be in it, to win it.

For those lucky enough to be picked, you will be hoisted by a crane onto the top of the 4th plinth at your appointed hour. The plinth itself is 7 meters high (about 24 feet), 1.5 meters wide (about the width of a public sidewalk), and 4.2 meters long. For those of you with vertigo, no need to apply. Health and safety codes being what we know they are in the UK, there is a giant net around the plinth (sorta looks like a giant trampoline in the air) so IF a sculpture topples off by accident...no harm, no foul :-).

The project formally kicked off with its first plinth sculpture on Monday, July 6th at 9 AM with Rachel Wardell, a UK housewife and mother of two, who wanted to raise awareness for the NSPCC (National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children). She simply donned a T-shirt, was hoisted onto the top of the plinth by a crane, and stood there for the entire time allottment holding a big lollipop with the NSPCC hotline phone number printed on it. To each their own..guess that is the concept!

Essentially, there are very few rules, and the selected "human sculptures" can do almost anything they want or then again, nothing at all. Come rain, shine, high winds, or boredom, these sculptures will be on display on the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square for 1 hour in a manner entirely of their choosing. Participants do not even have to float their sculpture idea past anyone to be selected. There are a few rules which are not in the least bit onerous and entirely understandable:

(1) selected sculpture winners must occupy plinths alone

(2) take only what you can can carry onto the plinth

(3) sorry, no pets!

(4) you must stay on the plinth for the entire 60 minutes

(5) keep "it" legal

That's it! For those of you living in the UK, consider it a lark and sign up for the lottery. For those of you coming to the UK, be sure to stop by for a personal view...you can't miss the 4th plinth as it is right outside, in front of the National Gallery. For those of you who want to participate virtually, the human sculptures are on display 24 x 7.

http://www.oneandother.co.uk/

Lookin' good!

For the Hachie Gal, the second annual run of the London JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge was definitely a PB for a 5.6K event: 36 minutes and 24 seconds. My time dropped a little less than 9 minutes from last year (woo-hoo) but I am in a bit better shape this year, having just come off the London Marathon. Of course, a 5.6K distance is not the norm in the US, so it is not far from the truth when I say it's a PB. Still, a good run, a perfect evening, and the best part....running with really good EDS friends!

Everyone is gearing up for the run.



"Oops, that race number is not quite on straight!"



PBs for both the Paulster and Cyn for the evening's run.



The EDS contingent looking good post-run!



Now...on to the Adidas Women Running Challenge in September....

Final BCN photos

Yea, this BCN photo retrospective is coming to an end. Now with a second trip to Barcelona under our belts, there are still so many places we have not seen or visited. If you have not yet been to this wonderful place, and an opportunity presents itself...RUN, don't walk. Pretty fantastic.

B&H in Parc del Ciutadella.



The arch in Parc del Ciutadella.



Bocce players in Parc del Ciutadella.



Spanish dancers outside the Barcelona Cathedral.





Spanish exterior, Picasso Museum.



Hachie Gal in teh courtyard of Palau de la Generalitat.



Barcelona street musician.




PS - did anyone see that stage 6 of La Tour de France ended in Barcelona? It was a soggy and slippery day as the riders raced into Barcelona. Cool aerial shots, though, of the city.

Land of Mr. Freeze

We can happily report that the upstairs floor of the London house is cooling quite nicely...it is actually downright COLD thanks to our nifty portable A/C purchase. Of course, we really have only needed it for one day since its arrival as the outside temperatures have fallen about 10 degrees. Isn't that the way it always works?

Still, we feel as if we are in the land of Mr. Freeze at night with our trusty "cold zone". YES! It feels rather glorious...

(Hint: for those who are not Batman afficionadas, Mr. Freeze was a super villian who had to stay in freezing conditinos or he would melt and die).

The Other Casa

Casa Mila, usually called the stone quarry, is Gaudi's greatest contribution to civic architecture and the last work he completed before devoting himself to Sagrada Familia.



Built between 1906-1910, it's constuction was ridiculed by the "intellectuals" of the day. Truly a masterpiece, we only viewed it from the outside....next trip will require an interior tour.





Casa Mila by night.

Dos Casas

Two Gaudi private residences are available for touring in BCN: Casa Batllo and Casa Mila. Since time was of the essence for us, the Budman and I opted to tour Casa Batllo. WOW! I still find it hard to imagine that this built in 1906 - he was quite ahead of his time.



Built as a block of flats commissioned by Senor Batllo, it involved a conversion of an existing building complete with stunning mosaics, fantastic carpentry, tiling, and chimneys and rooftop. The building has been said to symbolize the legend of St. George killing the dragon whose scaly back arches above the main facade. OK - what gives with St. George? He is apparently a favorite for artistic intrepration across all of Europe - a bit overused though?????



Salvador Dali saw the curving rails, walls, and windows as representative of waves on a stormy day!

Interior of Casa Battlo.





















The chimneys, usually unseen and functional, have become Gaudi's trademark. These are covered in mosaic tiles. Additional photos show pictures of the dragon's back.





The ceramic cross was made in Mallorca but was damaged in transit. Gaudi liked the cracked effect and used it anyway. The arms point to the cardinal points of the compass.



Night shots of the exterior of Casa Batlló.