Bright Blue Day

Determined not to miss out on another gorgeous Kitimat day, I packed the dog into the car and drove to Forest Avenue where we took a 40 minute stroll.  We detoured into this log holding yard which had piles and piles of absolutely perfect logs.  I dared to hope that maybe these weren't destined for China since I'm under the impression that those (completely raw) logs are trucked straight to Minette Bay and put on a self loading barge which then travels to the U.S. in some cases but more often to Japan and China. While driving on Highway 37 we've all come to cringe as every 5 or 10 minutes another truck races south to dump their load of our beautiful raw, raw logs. 
Taking our jobs with them.

Wizard of Oz

Drama teacher skiing in to the high school last weekend.  We take theatre very, very seriously here. 

(It's a condition that's being considered for the DSM-5)

It's opening night for Musical Theatre's extravaganza !  I've slogged through snow and, picked my way through more sawdust than I care to recall and navigated around and between dozens of cans of paint and tonight's the night.  Didn't get to polish every set piece or the Munchkin backdrop to the extent that I would have prefered but I do have a couple more examples for the old portfolio. 
The husband and I will take our seats there at 8 pm and then settle in to enjoy the show.  Sure glad my part is over!  Just hope that all the rigging performs smoothly.

Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Snow, Nor Dark of Night...Or More Snow

...will stop us from performing our musical theatre duties.  This little patch of bare ground - quite possibly the only one in existence in Kitimat this morning is rather deceiving.  I had to trudge through drifted snow that was 6 to 18 inches deep to get here since the parking lots were completely inaccessable.  Spent 20 minutes driving past the school and then around town before deciding that the only option was to park the car back at home and walk in.  Was like traversing the tundra.  At least 10 of us did so. 
Maniacs, all.

This was yesterday afternoon and about a foot of snow ago.  It's snowing and blowing harder than ever so I don't know how on earth I'll make it into the school tomorrow.  I might have to ask the Theatre manager with The Amazing Subaru to pick me up and drop me there, where I'll work like mad to get the final backdrop as close to completion as I can and then clean up the evidence.  It's all in the cafeteria for now so I have no option but to ensure it happens. May God have mercy on our souls.

Finsh the Yellow Brick Road...Finish The Yellow Brick Road...

On Thursday and Friday I happened to be working at the theatre during B block so I was assigned all non rehearsing students to be my painting crew.  Had to find the right colour and paint brush or roller for up to ten kids so although it did take me away from actively painting, we got a lot of base work done. 
Bottom photo is a section of the large backdrop that I figure I decently completed today.  It could be a heck of a lot better but it's acceptable.

The Very Last Rays Of The Very First Day of 2011

Our lovely Mount Elizabeth, as seen from the trailer court

The sun is just slipping down behind the nameless mountains that tower over the old Eurocan site at exactly 3:27 pm.  Actual sunset would be 4:something.  Me 'n the husband 'n the dog went for a rather vigourous hour long walk to the river and back to experience the perfect conditions we've had for SIX days now!.

Rockin' Out!

Bahaha!

The top story of the witch's castle which is roughly 28 square feet and since I painted it from black to that in about 7 hours...means I painted 4 square feet an hour.  Colour me happy!!
I'll have to line up the blocks once they're in place but that shouldn't take more than a few minutes.

Close up of the rocks and blocks o' stone.  I found a couple photos of old British castles that were this random and ramshackle which is nice because it means I don't have to paint well crafted, precisely laid brick or stone.  Cause this is waaaay more fun.

What We Don't Know...

Pen and Ink/coloured pencil illustration by TwinB

TwinB left a comment on a blog we both read; it explained the cause of death of one of her friends in the fall of '09 that I had not been aware of to that point.  What a waste...what a waste...

the stars have always been there for me in moments where the cold indifference of nihilism was a frigging relief. you go for years clinging to a life you just want to end, you come to some sacred, inexpressable conclusion about its inate value, and then your friend from back in the day chokes on her own vomit and dies on a camping trip because the guys who got her drunk couldn’t just turn her onto her side. abra-cadaver, two little boys don’t have a mom, the stellar atoms of amanda go into the ground, and you’re still here with your precious life.
the night sky smirks and whispers “life is fucked. you’re welcome.”