No Spring Kitten

Dear Madonna,

According to the chart in the vet's office, my cats are about my age - in cat years. But unlike me, they haven't made any age-appropriate lifestyle changes. Nor do they floss regularly.

Poor, toothless Zouk.

Julie

Pulling Up My Big Girl Panties

Dear Madonna,

I was at the Chicago Classic last weekend and actually made Finals in both the Advanced and Masters divisions of the Jack & Jill contests. Unfortunately I missed that one line in the Sunday schedule that said "All J&J Finalists must check in with the Head Judge (a.k.a. "God") between 9:00 am and 11:00 am." I showed up at 11:05 to the news that I had been "scratched" from both competitions.

In quick succession I went through several of the stages of grief: shock, pain, anger, depression -not to mention getting on my knees (literally) to "God", tearing up in front of one of the event directors, and pointing the finger of blame towards others - and the system - rather than accepting responsibility for my own oversight.

Thank you, Crystal, for your empathy and encouragement to "move on". It was indeed a learning opportunity - for me and hopefully others.

Until next time,

Julie

Narcimasochism

Dear Madonna,

My mother used to say that men had no idea how much money women spent to look as good as they do. She was pretty "low maintance" herself and would be shocked at my indulgence in professional blow-drys and regular mani-pedis.

Then there are the services and fashions that not only cost money, but involve some serious discomfort - or worse. History is full of examples: from Chinese foot-binding to Scarlett-O'Hara-esque corsettes synched to the point of "swooning". Even those SATC staples, Manolo Blahniks, must have some pretty painful repurcussions.

You know that feeling of getting your hair yanked through a rubber cap with a crochet hook? And don't we all look forward to those bikini-waxing appointments?

I'm happy to report the swelling is going down.

Julie

Linked Out

Dear Madonna,

Are you on the (popular social networking site) Linkedin?

I opened an account a couple of years ago with my ConferenceDirect email address. Since then CD has changed the format of our email addresses, replacing the "underscore" with a "dot" between first and last name: julie.epplett@conferencedirect.com

My bad: I neglected to make the change on Linkedin so am effectively locked out of my account, although I keep getting "updates". I've finally broken down and opened a *new* Linkedin account but am not convinced that my problems are over.

Julie

No Tutu, No Problem

Dear Madonna,

I started rehearsals at the National Ballet School today for a performance to take place at the Eaton Centre on International Dance Day: April 29th.

The National Ballet School! I'd never even been in the building before. Years ago I joined my friend Dianne and her daughter Holly at the old location, when Holly auditioned (unsuccessfully) to join the school. There were tears, and burgers at Toby's on Church Street afterwards as I recall. My own experience as a ballerina was even less glamourous. Due to my less-than-svelte physique I was regularly cast in the role of "The Prince". No tutu for you.

I couldn't help thinking how appropriate it was that we were in the Veronica Tennant Studio. The first professional ballet performance I ever saw was Swan Lake at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, with Veronica Tennant in the starring role. What I remember most about her dancing were her calves: they were as big and round as apples every time she was on pointe.

The instructor, Rachel, identified herself as a TTP - which I assume means "Teachers Training Program", or something like that. She's encouraged me to learn the entire piece, not just the chorus, even though I struggled a bit with the "rhythm part" at first. (My brain *was* a little foggy following Vinita's SATC birthday party last night). Rachel also teaches adult ballet at Joy of Dance - small (dance) world!

Gotta run...I have a bunch of stuff to do putting on my "True North Strong and Free" T-shirt and heading to the nearest bar to watch the final men's Olmpic hockey match: Canada versus the U.S. Our women's team already have taken Gold, and this is the last event of the games. A final win in "our game" will be such a great way to wrap up something that started out as the *Vancouver* Olympics but which really seemed to bring the entire country together.

I even got a Gold mani-pedi yesterday for luck!

Ciao for now,
Julie

Red Mitten Club

Dear Madonna,

Well, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games just opened in Vancouver and I think it's safe to say that most Canadians are feeling a bit patriotic these days. It might be my imagination, but there seems to be an ubiquitous display of the word "CANADA" (or our cherished maple leaf) everywhere you look.

And then there are the mittens.

I've always fancied myself as a bit of a non-conformist (I'm sure you can relate) so am surprised by the inordinate pleasure I get from sharing in this unlikely fashion statement. My red "torchbearer" mittens were a thoughtful gift from the Hotel Place d'Armes in Montreal*

Anyway, I LOVE seeing other people wearing their red mittens - with ski jackets or fur coats, in the grocery store, at the movies, in Starbucks, on the TTC, walking around Yorkville, at the Canadian Tire, going for Sushi, waiting for a bank machine, skating at Ramsden Park, buying a Globe and Mail...

I keep thinking we should be acknowledging each other in some way - with a special Red Mitten handshake or salute. At the very least a wave (the way boaters wave to each other or to people sitting on the dock watching as they pass).

But nada.

I don't know how many pairs of red mittens were sold. They were modelled after, but are not exactly like, the ones worn the the 12,000 torchbearers who covered 45,000 kilometres - from coast-to-coast-to-coast in Canada - the longest torch relay in Olympic history. I'd heard the mittens were so popular that they'd run out of stock, and indeed when I was in The Bay buying my "True North Strong and Free" T-shirt there were only kids sizes available.

This is only the third time Canada has hosted the Olympic games, and despite a marred opening (the tragic death of luger Nodor Kamaritashvili and a malfunction in the final lighting ceremony) we have great hopes of glory (i.e. medals) in the next few weeks.

GO CANADA!

Julie

*http://www.hotelplacedarmes.com/ - I know you stayed at the St. James last time you were there - an excellent choice! - but this is a lovely boutique property with surprisingly good meeting space.

Collective Joy

Dear Madonna,

I was listening Tapestry a few weeks ago (that's the the quasi-religious program on CBC radio) and they were discussing the the phenomenon of "Collective Joy" - a kind of shared, spiritual peak experience that happens in groups. It was surpising how many of the examples involved dance - either spontaneous or otherwise.

It got me thinking.

Often after we've been to a dance event - and we've gorged ourselves on great dances with multiple partners over the course of two or three days - there's kind of a post mortem discussion around who was your best dance of the weekend. I've always found that a difficult question to answer. My own experience is best described as getting "in the zone" - where I simply can't have a bad dance. I guess I'm kind of flattering myself, comparing my dancing to the skills of elite athletes, but what if something else is going on?

As I connect with my partner, and the music, and the floor - am I not also connecting with the overall energy in the room? And if that energy is a postitive one - joyful and passionate - why wouldn't it manifest itself in my dancing?

It was an especially joyful night last night, dancing in the New Year and it seems apt that we'll be dancing to Gospel music today.

Hope your New Year is filled with Joy!

Julie