Marathon Over

[taiko]

We've had a busy week and a half with the taiko group. Today, we did the last of the three performances (or four if you count the two sets we did at the Tulip Festival). Today we were at the Japanese ambassador's residence, to cap off an event they were hosting.

(And yesterday, just to add to the hectic schedule, a school staff strike forced us to cancel tonight's practice, and pushed up our move to our summer practice location. We rushed to complete the entire move yesterday; it was a minor feat.)

I tell you, I wish we could always be treated the way we were today at the ambassador's residence! We were served tea and a small meal, we had guest bedrooms in which to change into costume, and four or five people were helping us move our equipment around.

The expensive setting increased my nervousness but the performance went quite well.

Pooped

[taiko]

Our Taiko drumming group has a crazy three performances coming up in the next week (four if you count the fact that one of them consists of two sets). To keep things simple, we're actually going to play almost the same thing for all four sets. I hope we don't have too many people going to more than one of these performances, because they might be a bit disappointed.

So tonight was the last practice before the series of performances. We went through all three in just under two hours. I must confess I was hoping for a smoother rehearsal, but it was pretty good for this group. Sometimes leading practices with this group is like herding cats! (I say that with the greatest of affection, of course.)

Anyway, it was quite grueling, and now, I'm pooped. And hungry. I have to muster the energy to fix myself something. Urrgh.

Holy Guacamole

[politics]

Belinda Stronach crosses the floor! And into a cabinet post, no less. What the-??

On As It Happens, Stronach was asked whether the post was a condition for her allegiance. She deftly (or perhaps not-so-deftly) avoided the question, but there's little doubt in my mind that it was part of the deal. I mean, come on.

I'm quite certain there's other deal-making going on, too. Specifically, between the Conservatives and the Bloc. For this reason, I'm a little fearful of the probable Conservative government in the event the writ gets dropped after this Thursday's vote. Of course, they also have socially conservative leanings that I disagree with, too.

I think we need to put the Liberals on the other side of the house; they've been holding the reins (and the purse-strings) far too long. On the other hand, I don't want the Conservatives in power, either.

It's too bad Ed Broadbent is leaving.