New Year's Eve at Robert's

We were at Robert Truszkowski's house party bringing in the new year. Met a few people we didn't know - a nice group overall. Much of their circle are connected to their kids.

Visiting cousin

My cousin Julia and her family were town for a short visit. Lori hosted a meal for everyone at her house. 

Art and theatre

Went to see Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale" at the Galaxy as a film of the stage play, directed and starring Kenneth Branagh. It played only a couple times this season and this looks like the last one. It was at 11 am and there was only one other person there. Fortunately the projection was done correctly (a previous time they had the aspect ratio wrong).

Drove around afterwards and ended up at the north Dunlop to see the exhibition there of work by Julie Oh of Saskatoon. The minimalist nature of it seemed more interesting online where the works I saw were isolated and provocative. I don't think it really worked in the space. 

Kicking back, painting over holiday

 Don't remember doing much except painting. Most people are out of town. William went to a friend's. I painted two cameras from this line, both borrowed from Richard and Gerda. This is the sketch then painting of the newer of these two. 

Painting

I painted this Dualflex II today (above) and earlier in the week had painted the Canon GL1 I borrowed from Chrystene (below).

Fearing it will disappear from Netlix soon, we watched Solo this evening. That is 10 Star Wars Movies since last Saturday. Binging is fun. Also rapidly working way through Rick and Morty. 

Frosty day for a visit to the tailor

 The weather didn't seem bad when William and I went out, with no frost on the car windows. However, there was an incredible amount of frost inside the car, not only thick on the windows but covered mirrors and my computer screen (the snow flakes are not part of the "Blink Before Christmas" cd, they are on the glass. William picked up jackets he had altered and they all look better.

Later we polished off all the leftovers and were going to finish the Star Wars cycle with Episode VIII on Netflix but discovered it has disappeared since I started watching it less than two weeks ago. As I didn't want to buy the Disney Channel today, I went to Sunrise Records and bought a copy (half price). Meanwhile William and Margaret began a game of Adventuretime Card Wars. 

Borrowing cameras on Boxing Day

Nice boxing day party at Gerda's. Great snacks and chili. I borrowed a pair of Kodak Dualflex cameras (one is a II the other is a IV). A casual glance at them would lead you to think they were the same, but standing together they are quite different. 

Christmas day

The girls left this morning. We'd planned to see them one last time for pancakes but time didn't allow it. In the end, while I was up preparing to potentially host them early in the morning, William slept until close to noon when I got him up for pancakes and to open some presents. I had a few interesting ones for him such as the soundtrack CD from the early Godzilla films, Rick and Morty seasons 1-3 on DVD, and an orange telephone headset for his cell phone. Margaret bought me the miniature forging set created by Frans Lotz from Slate. Amazing. 

Mike and Paul came over for the afternoon and it was nice to catch up. 

We suppered with my family at the Hotel Sask and then back to my parents' for some games after. At the hotel I spoke with Karen Staley whom I'd not spoken to in about 40 years (Steven's younger sister). Actually, I don't believe I've ever actually spoken to her, even back then, so I'm surprised that she recognized me. 

At mom's, Lori gave me a painting apron she'd had custom made for me, nice and long, and had one of my paintings printed onto the front of it. Wow. 

Played Mexican Train, which is basically a dominoes game, and then home to start Rick and Morty. 

Christmas Eve

As per tradition, we had Christmas Eve at Margaret's parent's house. This year was a big group with Simon and his mom and sister there as well. Overall it was probably one of the best celebrations we've had over there. Of course, try as we might, we can never arrive late enough to be actually late. In fact, as we walked in at 6:45 for the 6:00 meal, Margaret's dad un-ironically says "Oh, Margaret is here already!". We were actually able to leave again and go shopping to Superstore for one last gift and some mix before coming back and still being early. Nice evening though. Girls going back to Toronto tomorrow. 

George Bessai happy with gift from daughters

Mooky and Imax

 I met for coffee with Berny this morning. During that meeting, I discovered the Mooky hasn't left town yet but is leaving this afternoon. We attended the 6 minute trailer (on Imax film) for the forthcoming film by Christopher Nolan "Tenet". No intro or context but it was free and big and loud. After that we ran our card to Mooky and helped her run an errand and dropped her at the airport. Have a happy vacation with your family!

Painting

Whenever the table is clear of card writing or baking or games, I have been trying to do some paintings. Geremy lent me four of his cameras and I've borrowed a couple from Gerda. I don't want to keep other people's stuff too long. I figure if I return things on time, it creates good will to borrow more.

New Star Wars

 As part of our Christmas gift to the girls (and as a way to ensure that we do at least one social activity with them during their week in Regina) I booked Star Wars Rise of Skywalker tickets last week for us to all attend at 11 am today. We got perfect seats then had coffee afterwards. The rest of their day was naturally filled with activities George planned but the three of us went home and watched episodes 1 and 2. 

Thesis defense

Over the past couple of weeks I've been preparing notes and thoughts and questions as my first time in the role of being an external examiner on a master's thesis! I was asked my Science to be the external for a master's paper on a computer animation/graphics project by Tina Sturgeon. She did very well, having worked on this project for quite some time and knowing the material well. I was very thrilled and honoured to be a part of this process. 

Turntable fixed ..... no!

I picked up my turntable from Audio Warehouse. Kevin had discovered that a micro-sensor had become dirty and stopped it from turning on and he had it working for the past few days. However, when I got it home and connected it back up, it didn't work. I called  him to see if he'd locked something that I'd overlooked but he was baffled. I took it back and everything appeared in order, it just doesn't turn (which is an important attribute for a turntable). 

Baking

I'm not used to my new phone yet so I've not been clicking as many process pictures as I'd usually. I've been trying to bake a bit every day. Did some ginger snaps as well as peanut butter cookies. In total, I peak around 10 different cookies - when I hit that point, there are enough tins and it just gets confusing after that. 

Allan last supper of year

Allan is off visiting friends out of town later in the week so this is our last supper before January. Wanted to go to "Talkies" but supper ran late so we skipped it and played some vampire card game instead. Nice evening full of cookies and card drawing.

Margaret Bessai suggesting what sort of magic might be in that old silk hat...

Leesa's final day

I had some work at the office to take care of (more on that later) and was able to see Leesa one last time. She gave me this painting which I'll hang in the stairway. Leesa has vacated all he spaces and is getting in the car to leave Regina one last time today. Miss her. 

Digging pipes at Dave's

Our next door neighbour Dave is needing his pipes to the street dug out. Long term this is good, although no one needs this hassle and expense. In the spring I think we should re-do the flower bed that we share between properties as it has been full of weeks. I guess he'll finally get that new front step too...

Cat Cafe party

Carly Steele invited us to a fundraiser at the Cat Cafe this evening. The cats were quite amazing. I had a conversation with Brian Gladwell and didn't stay late.