“Barry Manilow: The Last Toronto Concert”, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON

A friend had tickets to Barry Manilow: The Last Toronto Concert … at the last minute she couldn't go so offered me the tickets. I was downtown volunteering so scampered to the concert ... I missed the opening act and maybe 10 minutes of Barry.

Manilow’s voice is surprisingly still fairly strong (he’s 81). He told stories and jokes and the packed arena loved him!

At the Copa ... Copa Cabana

Bye Barry!

Book ~ "A Perfect Shot" (2018) Robin Yocum

From Goodreads ~ Nicholas "Duke" Ducheski is the most important man in the eastern Ohio steel town of Mingo Junction. Nearly two decades after he made the winning shot in the state championship basketball game, he remains much adored and the focal point of community pride. Hardly a day passes when someone doesn't want to talk about "the game." Now approaching forty, Duke no longer wants to be defined solely by something he did when he was eighteen. So he decides to parlay his local popularity into a successful restaurant - "Duke's Place."

But no sooner does he get his restaurant up and running than disaster strikes. One day "Little Tony" DeMarco, his brother-in-law and a known mob enforcer, comes into the restaurant and murders Duke's oldest friend. Now Duke faces the hardest decision of his life. DeMarco thinks he's untouchable but Duke discovers a way to take him down, along with his mob superiors.

To do so, however, means leaving Mingo Junction and sacrificing his treasured identity as the town legend. And if he follows through, what will remain of his life?

Duke peaked in high school when he got the winning shot in a state championship basketball game. He was offered university scholarships but had to pass on them when Nina, his girl friend, got pregnant. They married and he ended up working in the mill. Timothy, their son, had medical issues when he was born and had been in an convalescent home all his life (20+ years). The marriage was now loveless but Nina refused to give Duke a divorce. So Duke's life sucked.

Duke has always wanted to be known for more than something he did decades ago and reinvented himself by opening a restaurant called "Duke's Place". Tony, Nina's brother, worked for the mob and forced himself into Duke's business, something Duke wasn't happy about but there's nothing he could do about it. Finally fed up and potentially fighting for his life, Duke knew he couldn't continue this way and was determined to do something about it.

I liked this story and was cheering for Duke. It starts with Mitch, Duke's cousin and a reporter, telling us that Duke and his car disappeared one day and was never seen again. It's written in third person perspective except in the first and last chapters when it's in first person perspective in Mitch's voice. As a head's up, there swearing and violence.

"I Shot an Albatross", The Theatre Centre, Toronto, ON

I spent this evening volunteering at I Shot the Albatross at The Theatre Centre (Queen Street W/Dovercourt Road).

Cary Shields, star of Broadway’s ‘Rent’ shines as he recounts his journey from his mother’s couch to Broadway and back again. Born with both a remarkable gift and a curse in equal measure, Cary tells (and sings) his story with frank humour and honesty. The result is a raw, heart-felt show with a tour de force performance by Cary Shields supported by a full band. 

 A story of hope, realizing dreams, fighting despair, losing it all, starting over, and ultimately, finding one’s place of belonging in the world.

What an excellent show! Cary Shields has a wicked voice! His stories are humorous yet honest. Friday is sold out (as was tonight) and there are some tickets left for tomorrow’s show. 

The Joneses, Toronto, ON

I had supper this evening with Rona and Liz, my pals of 30 years and former colleagues, at The Joneses (Yonge/Wellington E). It was so nice to catch up … it had been a while. 

Doors Open - The Second City, Toronto, ON

I spent the afternoon volunteering at Doors Open Toronto at The Second City (York Street/Harbour Street). 

Grizzly Bar, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had supper at Grizzly Bar, a Canadian-themed bar at Queen Street W/Niagara Street.

When you walk in the door, a giant bear plays “O Canada”!

It's not hard to tell it's a Canadian-themed bar!

Doors Open - Theatre Passe Muraille, Toronto, ON

I spent the day volunteering at Doors Open Toronto at Theatre Passe Muraille (Queen Street W/Bathurst Street). Built in 1902, it started out as a bakery and a stable. 

Theatre Passe Muraille is where Keanu Reeves began his career in 1984. 

Honeycomb (aka Newfie) knitted mittens

I just finished knitting a pair of Honeycomb (aka Newfie) mittens to donate ... the colours are cornflower and blue.

I used 4 ply yarn and 5mm double pointed needles.

Wrist

1. With A, cast on 42 sts
2. Knit 1, purl 1 for 18 rows
3. Purl
4. Purl, increasing 2 stitches on each needle for a total of 48 stitches

Pattern

1.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
2. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
3. Purl 2 rows with A
4. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
5. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
6. Purl 2 rows with A
7.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
8. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
9. Purl 2 rows with A
10. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
11. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
12. Purl 2 rows with A

Thumb

1. In step 12 above, purl 2, put 7 stitches on a stitch holder for the thumb and cast on 7 stitches, purl to the end.  Purl 1 row.

Mitten

1. Knit the pattern until long enough (I did 6)
2. Knit 1 row
3. *Knit 4, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
4. Knit 2 rows
5. *Knit 3, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
6. Knit 2 rows
7. *Knit 2, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
8. Knit 2 rows
9. *Knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
10. Thread the yarn through remaining the loops and pull tight
11. Weave end inside

Thumb

1. With A, pick up the 7 stitches from the holder
2. Pick up 7 stitches around the thumb hole for a total of 14 stitches
3. Knit to fit length of thumb
4. Knit 2 together all around
5. Thread the yarn through the remaining loops and pull tight
6. Weave end inside

BHC Chicken, Toronto, ON

I had lunch today at BHC Chicken in the Well (SpadinaAvenue/Front Street W). 

I ordered 8 chicken tenders (Classic Fried - BHC’s original Korean fried chicken) figuring I would take some home for supper … and I am. They were big and juicy with a bit of a kick in the batter. At $14 for 8, it’s a good deal considering the size and quality. Definitely my go-to when I eat at the Well.

Book ~ "Crow" (2019) Amy Spurway

From Goodreads ~ When Stacey Fortune is diagnosed with three highly unpredictable - and inoperable - brain tumours, she abandons the crumbling glamour of her life in Toronto for her mother Effie's scruffy trailer in rural Cape Breton. Back home, she's known as Crow and everybody suspects that her family is cursed.

With her future all but sealed, Crow decides to go down in a blaze of unforgettable glory by writing a memoir that will raise eyebrows and drop jaws. She'll dig up "the dirt" on her family tree, including the supposed curse, and uncover the truth about her mysterious father, who disappeared a month before she was born.

But first, Crow must contend with an eclectic assortment of characters, including her gossipy Aunt Peggy, hedonistic party-pal Char, homebound best friend Allie, and high-school flame Willy. She'll also have to figure out how to live with her mother and how to muddle through the unsettling visual disturbances that are becoming more and more vivid each day.

Stacey was almost 40, living in Toronto and working for a marketing firm when she discovered she had brain tumours. Having just broke up with her fiancé, she needed someone to take care of her as she was dying so she headed home to rural Cape Breton and moved in with her mom, Effie, in her trailer. Effie works long hard hours as a cleaning lady in a motel and outwardly doesn't have a lot of time or patience for Crow (as Stacey is known at home) feeling sorry for herself. But as we get to know Effie, we find out she really is a caring woman.

Crow doesn't have a lot of support around her. Allie, her best friend, has been living in Halifax taking care of her dying mother. Char, another good friend, has been traveling the world having wild adventures and arrives home with a baby whose father was a murdered Congolese criminal. Peggy, her mother's sister, is a gossip. Willy is an old flame from high school who has a garage and sells weeds on the side. Her father disappeared about a month before she was born and his well-to-do family has never acknowledged her so Effie raised her as a single mom.

This sounds like a dreary story but it was actually amusing and quirky for the most part. I wanted to like it more than I did but it fell apart for me around the 80% point when it took some some weird turns which was disappointing. It's written in first person perspective in Crow's voice. As a head's up, there is swearing.

I lived in Cape Breton in my teens so could relate to some of the places and expressions. For a time, I lived in the general area where Effie's trailer was (on the Bras d'Or Lake).  "Town Town", which was the nearby city is really Sydney (where I lived) and "Bayflower Mall" is really the Mayflower Mall in Sydney. There were references to the "Butterscotch Palace", which was a psychiatric hospital in Sydney and has since been demolished and not far from where I lived.

Honeycomb (aka Newfie) knitted mittens

I just finished knitting a pair of Honeycomb (aka Newfie) mittens to donate ... the colours are black and butter.

I used 4 ply yarn and 5mm double pointed needles.

Wrist

1. With A, cast on 42 sts
2. Knit 1, purl 1 for 18 rows
3. Purl
4. Purl, increasing 2 stitches on each needle for a total of 48 stitches

Pattern

1.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
2. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
3. Purl 2 rows with A
4. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
5. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
6. Purl 2 rows with A
7.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
8. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
9. Purl 2 rows with A
10. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
11. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
12. Purl 2 rows with A

Thumb

1. In step 12 above, purl 2, put 7 stitches on a stitch holder for the thumb and cast on 7 stitches, purl to the end.  Purl 1 row.

Mitten

1. Knit the pattern until long enough (I did 6)
2. Knit 1 row
3. *Knit 4, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
4. Knit 2 rows
5. *Knit 3, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
6. Knit 2 rows
7. *Knit 2, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
8. Knit 2 rows
9. *Knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
10. Thread the yarn through remaining the loops and pull tight
11. Weave end inside

Thumb

1. With A, pick up the 7 stitches from the holder
2. Pick up 7 stitches around the thumb hole for a total of 14 stitches
3. Knit to fit length of thumb
4. Knit 2 together all around
5. Thread the yarn through the remaining loops and pull tight
6. Weave end inside

Happy Victoria Day!

Victoria Day is a federal Canadian public holiday celebrated on the last Monday preceding May 25, initially in honour of Queen Victoria's birthday.

The holiday has been observed in Canada since at least 1845, originally falling on Victoria's actual birthday (May 24, 1819).

Book ~ "The Girls Weekend" (2020) Jody Gehrman

From Goodreads ~ Their reunion just became a crime scene ...

June Moody, a thirty-something English professor, just wants to get away from her recent breakup and reunite with girlfriends over summer break. Her old friend and longtime nemesis, Sadie MacTavish, a mega-successful author, invites June and her college friends to a baby shower at her sprawling estate in the San Juan Islands. June is less than thrilled to spend time with Sadie - and her husband, June's former crush - but agrees to go.

The party gets off to a shaky start when old grudges resurface but when they wake the next morning, they find something worse: Sadie is missing, the house is in shambles and bloodstains mar the staircase. None of them has any memory of the night before; they wonder if they were drugged. Everyone's a suspect. Since June had a secret rendezvous with Sadie's husband, she has plenty of reason to suspect herself. Apparently, so do the cops.

June, Em, Kimi, Sadie and Amy have been friends for about 20 years. Some are closer to each other than others. When Sadie invites them to get together for Amy's baby shower, June begrudgingly goes since she and Sadie have always been frenemies. Sadie is a famous author, is married to June's ex-boyfriend and seems to have everything. Sadie isn't a nice person so there is tension right away between the five of them once they arrive at Sadie's. After a wild night of partying that no one remembers the next day, they discover that Sadie has disappeared and there is a wall covered in blood. The police are called and June becomes a suspect of harming Sadie because of her past history with Sadie's husband.

I've been away for many girls weekends and I'm glad they were never like this! I thought this story was okay. I liked the writing style and thought it moved at a good pace. It is written in first person perspective in June's voice. There were lots of twists and many possibilities on who may have wished Sadie harm and I found the ending believable. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Book ~ "Friend Request" (2017) Laura Marshall

From Goodreads ~ Maria Weston wants to be friends. But Maria Weston is dead. Isn't she?

1989. When Louise first notices the new girl who has mysteriously transferred late into their senior year, Maria seems to be everything the girls Louise hangs out with aren't. Authentic. Funny. Brash. Within just a few days, Maria and Louise are on their way to becoming fast friends.

2016. Louise receives a heart-stopping email: Maria Weston wants to be friends on Facebook. Long-buried memories quickly rise to the surface: those first days of their budding friendship; cruel decisions made and dark secrets kept; the night that would change all their lives forever.

Louise has always known that if the truth ever came out, she could stand to lose everything. Her job. Her son. Her freedom. Maria's sudden reappearance threatens it all and forces Louise to reconnect with everyone she'd severed ties with to escape the past. But as she tries to piece together exactly what happened that night, Louise discovers there's more to the story than she ever knew. To keep her secret, Louise must first uncover the whole truth, before what's known to Maria - or whoever's pretending to be her - is known to all.

In 1989, Louise was in her last year of high school when Maria transferred to their school during the year. Louise and Maria got along great but Louise always wanted to be part of Sophie's crowd, who are "mean girls". Sophie made it clear Louise couldn't be friends with them both and had to choose and Louise chose the mean girls. On the night of their prom, Maria disappeared and was eventually presumed dead.

Twenty-seven years later, Louise is divorced with a young son and she has a successful interior design business. One day she gets a Facebook friend request from Maria ... but how can that be since Maria has been dead for a long time? She accepts and then starts touching base with some of the people she went to high school with to see if they had too. She discovers there is a high school reunion coming up and debates about going since she hasn't kept in touch with anyone but hopes it will solve the mystery of Maria.

I thought this book had an interesting premise since so many of us use Facebook. Who wouldn't be freaked out to receive a Facebook friend request and messages from a dead schoolmate? It started out okay but quickly went downhill but I kept going because I was curious to see how it was going to end.

It's written in first person perspective in Louise's voice. It jumps back and forth from 1989 to 2016 (the chapters are labeled). I found Louise unlikeable and annoying in both time periods. She was so desperate in high school to be Sophie's friend that she would do anything Sophie asked her to do, no matter how terrible it was. The Louise in present day didn't seemed to have moved on from her high school days and kept dwelling on and on and on how she let Maria down when she stopped being friends with her in high school and the part she may have played in Maria's disappearance. It took a long time for the author so long to reveal what happened. The book could have been tighter as I found it was draggy and repetitive. When the endings came, I thought they were ridiculous (one came out of nowhere) and wasn't buying them.

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", Stratford Festival, Stratford, ON

Gord and I saw Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (part of the Stratford Festival) this afternoon.

We took the Stratford Festival bus there and back … thanks, Doug!

It was at the Avon Theatre (downtown on Downie Street).

Gord and I

IT WAS JOY, IT WAS SUBLIME, A SPLENDID WAY TO EARN A DIME. 

 Lawrence Jameson is no stranger to the high life—he’s lived it for years by separating lonely rich ladies from their fortunes in a swanky Riviera town. When he and his chief competitor in the con business, Freddy Benson, make a bet to swindle an heiress out of $50,000, the professional scoundrels soon discover they may not always be the smartest people in the room. Inspired by the hit 1988 film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the musical comedy earned 11 Tony Award nominations for its hilarious hijinks and frivolity—beautifully reminiscent of an earlier age.

It was really good … funny and risqué. Similar but different from the movie, which I love.