Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Tuesday on my mind ...

Can you keep a secret?!


I was presented with another award this week, by Ingrid of Fashion is My Muse! This one is really cool - I love the text that comes with it - I love the graphic itself - and, of course, I love that it came from one of my favorite bloggers!
Being a huge fan of Jane Austen, especially Sense & Sensibility and Emma, I was delighted to receive the Excessively Diverting Blog Award from Ingrid at Fashion is My Muse.

The aim of the award is to acknowledge writing excellence in the spirit of Jane Austen's genius in amusing and delighting readers with her irony, humour, wit and talent for keen observation. Recipients will uphold the highest standards in the art of sparkling banter, witty repartee and gentle reprove.

Recipients please claim your award. You may post the badge, list the name of the person who nominated you and link to their blog. Then you many nominate others that you feel meet or exceed the standards set forth. But if you are award-weary or have already won this award before, please just enjoy the honour!!!



Congratulations to all of you!!! You deserve the award and the associated honours. I am addicted to your blogs!

Two years ago, we were privileged to see the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Midsummer Night's Dream. It was an amazing production on many levels. First, of course, was the acting: simply the best of any Shakespeare play I've ever seen. They had the very skillful - and unique - ability to make every single word sound like contemporary English. There was never a moment when the actors were not believable and accessible and right in the moment. Then there was the vision of the director and designers. This was the dirtiest Midsummer I've ever encountered! These faeries were not pretty and fanciful - they were dark and mysterious and downright creepy at times. Instead of the usual butterflies and birds around, the walls had enormous flies and moths and creepy insects of an unknown sort walking them. This was a very dangerous group of woodland sprites - and it was fascinating!

So, why write about it now? Well, we just watched the Royal Shakespeare Company's film version of Midsummer. What a difference! This production had the same wonderful acting - but the vision was completely different ... more traditional - but the most exquisite production ever!
It is very naive, in that it doesn't have the special effects that the (in my opinion, even if it's the only one!) very good 1999 film version with Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Everett and Kevin Kline had going for it. But the naive quality of the art direction simply made the "magic" more magical. If you love antique toys, toy theatres, dolls, etc., you will love the opening sequences! There is also a wonderful scene in which a young boy starts to play with his toy theatre, and the play that happens is the faery woods scenes. Charming! If you get a chance, take the two hours and enjoy!

In a total change of pace ... isn't this woodwork simply stunning?! I want to live with this room so badly! It has everything I love about interior design - dignity and history, colour and fancy, and a whimsical colour scheme that totally honors the historical architecture. Gorgeous!
Yesterday I was tossing my mail in a pile and realized that I had gorgeous colour-coordinated mail! My Somerset Publications "Marie" magazine arrived - and it was the perfect background for my blue and green Color Groupies March swap from Lenna! Lenna always has the best envelopes! And her cards are gorgeous. If you aren't familiar with her work, be sure to visit her at Creative Lenna. And, if you're a class/workshop person, she gives wonderful workshops both online and in her studio. Naturally, I realize this is a perfectly nonsensical issue to blog and hardly worth reading about ... but I just thought the colours were all so nice together! Somebody! Grab a crow bar and pry that camera out of my hands!

I still haven't read "Marie" yet ... Tuesday nights are too filled with American Idol and Law and Order:SVU to read! (If you're not an American Idol fan, just ignore this: GO ADAM!)

A somewhat better view of Lenna's ATC for me ... the beads kind of distort the image on the scanner. But it's pretty clear - isn't it pretty?! I just can't make fabric stuff that small!
Well, Dusty decided that I should be up, awake and out for a walk at six o'clock this morning, so I do think that I deserve a bit of a nap before I start doing whatever it is that I'm going to do today. And whatever it is, it must not be shopping on either eBay or Etsy; yesterday I was simply shameless about ordering things. I'm beginning to think I need a twelve step program.

Enjoy your day ... I know that after I take my nap ...

I'm going to make something wonderful and beautiful - why don't you do the same?!
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥

16 comments:

Deborah said...

YES go Adam. I thought what he did last night was pure genius...absolutely new age Led Zeppelin, and I should know, being an original flower child of the
late 1960's! Anywho...the little quilt arrived just this morning for my daughter!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE. You are THE man quilter!
Thank you ever so much.
**blows kisses** Deborah

Anonymous said...

Hi Ya' Tristan!!
Great post!!
You know what the Program is for buying too much?? You find a trusted friend just when you think you are about to buy too much & go get "tiddly"!
Have a great one!!!!!!
Love,
Marilyn
xxoo
p.s. Did I ever tell you how much I enjoy your music?? I Do, I Do Oh Yes, I DO!! :)

ceecee said...

I was just wondering, Tristan, do you ever sleep?! I have been down with the flu and I come back for a visit and it is as if I've been gone for a month instead of a week! Your enthusiasm, wit, and style burst through my computer screen! (Maybe that's what's wrong with my computer!) You ALWAYS leave me smiling!
All the best,
Catherine

Teresa aka Tess said...

I do so enjoy the photographs that always accompany your posts. You are so witty, humorous, whimsical, cute and sometimes down right silly. I love it!

mo.stoneskin said...

Well done with your award, I ain't been coming here long but you deserve it.

The Joy of Nesting said...

Hi Kiddo,

I would love to have seen the TRST's production!!! What a fresh approach, after so many pure and virginal productions of the play. I would think a truely dark, apacolyptic take could be really awesome!!

I'm off I've got a couple of project requests but I think I'll make a couple of Spring skirts for me first. Such a sameless selfish girl am I :)

Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx

Ingrid Mida said...

Hi there,
I was up at 6 am too! Wish I could fit in a nap today.
Was touched that you called me one of your favourite bloggers!
I too saw the production of Midsummer Night's Dream at the Globe Theatre. It was a dream. Thanks for the tip on the movie.

Shell said...

Congratulations on your award, Tristan. I am going to look for the Midsummer Night's Dream movie. I am quite Shakespeare mad and this is a must see.
I enjoyed the comments about your parents meeting Nat King Cole!! I understand about having his songs embedded in your head. My mom did the same with me Aretha Franklin songs.
I just started reading S&S over the weekend. It is a wonderful read so far.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your award! Marie magazine? Ooh that sounds so perfect!

HiHo said...

Saw Midsummer Night's Dream in NY's Central Park this past summer, a good friend was the dialect coach. Really wonderful outdoor theater production,on a perfect star lit night. It included suspending the faerie's queen from a tree while she climded like a circus act by rope and contiued to act. Even more magical was the surprizing apearance of racoons wandering across the stage(residents of the park)surprizing to the actors as well.
I will have to few the movie your recomending! Thanks for reminding me of the evening. I'm really enjoying your blog.
Heidi

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your award.Well earned I might say,well earned.you are indeed a very interesting writer...Ann

The Renaissance Chick said...

Go, Adam, Go, Adam, Go, Adam!

I would love to see the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Midsummer Night's Dream. However, I am petrified of moths and flying things! I would freak out, wouldn't I?

Malisa

Unknown said...

Hi Tristan! You rock! Your blog is so awesome! I can't wait to receive an altered poker chip from you!!! I can't believe I never stumbled upon your blog before?! I too am a real Jane Austen fan! Is any of your work in the Marie issue? I love the last line you wrote: I'm going to make something wonderful and beautiful - why don't you do the same?!

Keep in touch!
Sandy (sandbeech on flickr)

Donna @ Party Wishes said...

I love your Jane Austen inspired blog award. I hosted teas and Jane Austen movie showings for my friends last year.

I have not seen Midsummer yet. I will add it to my summer movie list! :)

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

May I just say that I am delighted to have found your beautiful blog! I love dear Jane Austen! She is my muse! Congratulations on such a fabulous award!

Hope you don't mind my hanging around! My charming Irish dancing daughter heard the Fairies song playing and insisted that we read your blog every day!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on winning that award! Keep up the good work! Ah, American Idol! I must say I'm a big fan of Adam too! I'm sure we'll see him in the competition for a few more weeks, maybe up until the finals? Who knows.