Notes From Montreal

I have been a visitor in Montreal for two days now, but everyone I meet treats me like an old friend. The first welcome I had was Olympic Stadium, which was litup as if it were expecting the flame to return at any moment. From the sky it was beautiful.

The city (what I have seen of it) is completely enchanting. There is an old-world elegance, combined with modern conveinences, the people are the well-documented and friendly Canadians with beautiful French ways.

I have taken the metro to the Palaise de Congress (Convention Center - sounds so much more beautiful in French) for the past two days..and today I navigated the underground world of the Metro while I was lost. I got off at the right station, but I took a wrong turn and ended up...I don't know where, but an underground mall. There is an entire city, and even culture underneath this city. Its easy to navigate (even for moi, directionally challenged and despite the last story) and I personally feel triumphant for venturing beyond the world of taxis. Speaking of taxis, I did take one from the airport..and anyone who has ever traveled with me knows, I delight in talking with the drivers..here...my driver, Costas, was Greek(not the usual eastern European, or Middle Eastern) and consistent with Canadian folklore, so friendly. He is a Raiders fan (like Jeff) and a former semi pro Soccer player (also like Jeff) who had me laughing all the way to the hotel, and already missing Jeff.

I digress...I stumbled upon this hip area tonight, I think its called St. Catherines...the closest comparison I can make is a hipper Mill Avenue. It was young and vibrant and diverse. There was everything from cool boutiques, to inexpensive cafes to strip joints. It felt very alive there. Whenever I am in a city alone, I imagine what I would be doing if I were with friends or family. If I had been here with the girls, we would eat and shop our way through St. Catherines. The city is alive with romance, I can imagine Jeff and I wandering...just to see what we found.

Tonight, my client canceled dinner at the last minute..so I found a small Thai restuarant, the girl who waited on me spoke French, Thai and more English than I speak of either. The place was empty when I walked in, save for a couple who was clearly visiting from the USA. Within only a couple of minutes though, several large groups from Malaysia walked in and the entire place jumped with thier excited chatter. (I know they were from Malaysia, because I saw them at the convention today - they almost robbed me of my entire stock of Debry Ducks). I felt better when I saw them come in, with a local guide no-less...and then, my food came and even though I had plenty..I am left wanting more.

The city is also VERY clean. Even the Metro (apparently the Metro boasts some beautiful stations: none of which are mine, but you should see some of them! Again..even the Metro is polite, in an elegant French-Canadian way. While its a big city and the people have that big-city stare, they don't run you down or shove, and when you say "excuse' moi" they smile and say "bon" as if they are thanking you for excusing yourself. I feel very safe as well. Safer than most cities I have been in. I think part of it is that it is definately a walking city. There really isn't any congestion on the streets, because everyone is walking. Its so totally different from Phoenix in another way too: its HUMID! Oh! I can feel the humidity everywhere, in in the Palais de Congress...and especially in the Metro and today in my hotel room when yesterday's snack (potato chips) were soft in the bag.

Also! This week is Jazz Festival (Etta James and BB King are playing) and Canada Day is Saturday, so the street where my hotel is will be closed for a parade!! Also, this city LOVES F1 racing, from what I can see, Ferrari is the local favorite (even though Jacque Villanueve races for BMW). Also - because the World Cup is going on, everyone is waving the flag of the country for whom they are fans. Its like being in Europe, without the 10 hour flight....

Unfortunately, I am here for work, alone. So there is MUCH of the city that I would like to see, but I know I won't. Although, after I breakdown the booth on Saturday, I have promised myself a walking tour of Old Montreal, which I am assured is beautiful if only for its architechture. I want to come back here one day, with people who would love seeing it and exploring it with me. It's a fabulous city full of friends.

Thought for the Day

GOT MILK?

Piper Marlee Ramsey Does.

Ode to Father's Day

Its been three years since I had a reason to celebrate Father's Day...but gratefully, the celebration of all things "Daddy" is still with me...for some reason or another this week caught me pulling down the box of items that contains all the cards I received from people when my Dad passed. I kept them because many of them contained amazing wisdom and I felt that by keeping that wisdom with me - it would somehow be contained within me (you decide) but all of the cards contained exceptional kindness. If you sent me a card during that time - its still with me...and I cried as I re-read it this week. Also in the box are the cards that I gave my Dad over the last couple of years (yes, rat-packness runs in the family) which HE kept. There were Father's Day cards, and "just because" cards and truly grateful "thank you" cards. They all said the same thing: I admire you, I love you. And, I still do.

Tonight I went past the house. The house where we were most a family - laughed the most, cried the most, celebrated the most...the house on Helena..its also the house my Dad passed away in. I sat there - I talked with my Dad-I asked him to be thankful for all the beautiful things in my life. I thanked him for his spirit which is still with me. I wished he were here to send me off on the next journey of my life: marriage with my soul mate.

I miss my Dad. Terribly. Everyday. I rejoice that I still miss him. I pick the scab once in awhile to remind myself of my incredible good fortune. My Dad would be proud of my life today. He would say " I never thought it would be any different." But that's the thing: he knew it even when I didn't. He would be proud and excited for me that my future Father-in-Law is a man who I am honored to call "Dad" and would have been thrilled to share that title with a man who so wonderfully deserved such an honorific title. And he would have loved Jeff. He would have known why I love Jeff.

My Dad would have reveled in being a Grandfather..and Piper would have followed in a line of "his ladies" in which his world revolved.

All things beautiful are remembered once a year: love. parents. life. If we are really fortunate, we remember them more than once a year...and we celebrate them when we have them. My good fate has allowed me so much joy in my life, how can I NOT celebrate Father's Day. I hope you will all have the same joy in your hearts on Sunday -whether you are celebrating your father, a father figure or your own fatherhood.

Love,
-T.

Madonna Review

So - tonight was the night! Let me first say that Madonna did not disappoint and our seats were pretty awesome. Madonna had the usual (hot, gorgeous) dancers, numerous disco balls, and of course, what would a Madonna concert be without a cross making an appearance? I have to say though that I would prefer that Madonna stay out of the trend of making political statements through live performances...I mean, when I went to see U2 - I knew I would be signing up for Bono's "ONE" showcase, and really - I wouldn't expect anything else. But MADONNA? I mean, she drops to the floor in a gigantic disco, rocks the stage with a song from "Confessions" drops straight into "Like a Virgin" while riding a horse saddle-ala-carousel in a manner that let's just say, doesn't suggest virginity. She is awesome to watch, that amazing athletic dance queen. All the more amazing that its clear she DOES actually sing her songs (thanks to the 82+degrees tempature that she insists on to save her voice.) This is the point in the show where she shows up on a cross...as I said...I expected something along those lines....Then she takes us all down a notch with songs I can't recall because I was too busy gaping at the 12' screens showcasing starving children in Africa, dead dolphins, world chaos ala volcanos all the while watching a count of soon-to-be parentless children (12 million for those who are counting along with Madonna) and then some web links to foundations she feels address these very important issues. And they ARE important issues, but the thing is - this is the show that was supposed to turn the world into one giant dance floor...are you on a downer yet? I was a little, I have to say...this montage was follow by a couple of mellow songs...immediately followed by a totally ironic and KICKING disco montage complete with white suit ala John Travolta and the entire Saturday Night Live disco dance ---I mean, it was HILARIOUS..and ironic and fun. At this point, as an audience we who have paid through the nose are admonished for not dancing enough. Huh? Give me a minute Madge, its 90 degrees in here and I have just come back from some pretty depressing 12' images. The rest of the show from there totally picked up and included "Lucky Star" complete with a lighted cape! Lots of tunes from Confessions....and then...no encore. Nope. I guess PHX didnt get down enough. I mean she has released 11 albums, it wasn't for lack of material. THAT was a bit of a bummer. The show was 2 hours...another 15 minutes in our now approaching 100 degree arena would have been nice touch.
Now - don't get me wrong - I'm glad I went. She's 47 for god's sake, she hasn't been here since "Like a Virgin" tour and I am getting harder and harder pressed to pay through the nose to drive out the Glendale "Hell Hole" arena. The show was a spectacular of sound and sight. She sounds AWESOME and I got to be 12 again for a few minutes. And indeed - I was 12 again. To the point of jumping up and down like a little girl when Jeff caught me a gold balloon dropped from the ceiling (this is a tradition for us, if it drops from the sky at a concert/show - Jeff catches it for his beloved). Not so sure thought that I would have BROUGHT my 12 y/o like many other did...it was quite an impact seeing her act it all out on stage while dropping the "F-bomb" at every turn...I wasn't offended, but I wouldn't want to explain it all to my daughter, I will tell you that!
Here's a couple of reviews for your reading pleasure:
Entertainment Weekly

Chicago Sun Times

Daily Mail (UK)

As for me - its another thing that was on my list of things to do before I'm 30. Now that I am 33, it was long over due. Glad I did it. I'm putting looking as good as Madonna on my list of things to do before I'm 40!!

YAH-HOO!!

Good news announced today: Kim is moving back to Phoenix from Boston! Her husband has completed dental school and they plan on staying here for a couple of years! AS A BONUS: that means that I will get to meet "Baby Griffiths" soon after "it" is born.

Kim is already packing and I am already getting her a "virgin" margarita!

SEE YOU SOON!

Bride-zilla Update

It was a wedding weekend. I mean, wedding planning weekend. No - we did not elope. Although it was discussed.

On Saturday - it was 112 (yes, degrees) and Jeff and I ran around town looking at potential reception sites..GOD it was hot. Jeff was a great sport...and we confirmed that there will NOT be a wedding in PHX in June. Anyway we are very close to a decision..and as soon as we set a date, everyone will get a "save the date" card. You will know the date ALMOST as soon as we do!

On Sunday - Mom and I went to a wedding tradeshow. YEP - Its NUTS that a former event planner, let alone one who has to attend FAR too many tradeshows as part of her job, WILLINGLY chose to attend this debacle. Stick with me here, because the description of this day is RICH. First of all, let me state: I could NOT be more excited to be marrying Jeff..I'm luckier than I deserve to be with this man...and I can't believe that he feels the same. You see, its getting married to Jeff, more than planning a wedding, that I am excited about. If I could just blink my eyes and have everyone I love there, standing witness while I promised my love to Jeff, that would be awesome. That is not to be - so wedding tradeshow I go.
WHAT A FREAK'N SCENE: Some attendees left their manners at the door..I was literally almost knocked on my feet twice by VERY determined attendees. I wonder if Emily Post has a book about attending wedding tradeshows? Meanwhile, I am trying to avoid further injury from a papercut from some flyer that is being shoved into your hand by an exhibitor who believes that is an acceptable marketing strategy. Then there were these women there who were literally STILL jumping up and down about being engaged..leaving me wondering, "Did they get engaged HERE?!". There is TONS of cake samples (like we need cake when a white dress is in our futures), although I have to say, someone DID have the grace to tell me that there was frosting on my face (he he)!! You could listen to a Frank Sinatra wanna be crooning at you while you walked by - he wasn't so good - it was a little embarrassing to witness the real-life version of the "Wedding Singer". I DID get a "future Mrs. Coomans" shirt made in Rhinestones..its a special order so it will here in a couple of weeks...Mom bought for me and Jeff nearly collapsed with joy when I told him. (Hey, I told you - if Madonna can do it, so can I.) Mom came with me...God Bless her, MOTB responsibilies this is not one...and she was a great sport about it.

So after being engaged for an entire 2 weeks this is what I have learned:
1) all men who get engaged are shocked to learn that planning a wedding happens immediately and that there is no rest for the weary.
2) all married women want to plan YOUR wedding (because they had so much fun planning thiers?!)
3) I swear to god, its OK to ask me about something other than the wedding.
4) I'm still not used to referring to Jeff as my fiance, I got some good advice: "boyfriend who I am going to marry."
5) everyone is as terrified as I am about Bride-zilla possibilities and has told me to watch the show on TV. Hm.