What's My Line?

The prompter was sorely needed. However, despite the two lead characters not knowing a large portion of their lines, the small town Saskatchewan dinner theatre on March 9 was a big hit. With the use of various rural regional references in the dialogue, it was indeed a slice of life.

Although I am greatly biased in my assessment, my son-in-law and my daughter were easily the best performers in the drama, or were at least in the top three. My son-in-law was a striking visual presence, with his acquired black tonsorial and fu manchu. His character portrayal was very pleasing, from his jumping up and down tantrum as the spoiled rich kid character, to accidently knocking himself out, to mistakingly poisoning himself. A delightful performance.

My daughter was said to be out of character. She easily grasped the "clueless" nature of her character, much like the lead in the movie of the same name. It was ditz city on stage as she pranced, jumped and squealed, all with loud enthusiasm. She may have made some parents uncomfortable in the community where she is an elementary school teacher. Don't worry folks; she doesn't act that way most of the time.

I must applaud the community for the very satisfying evening of entertainment. The dinner meal was plentiful and scrumptious, and the "sex in a pan" dessert was wonderful. And the drama, despite some missed lines, was extremely funny. It brought back fond memories of my days in a small community where a bunch of us performed Arsenic and Old Lace, almost twenty years ago.

Attending this drama was a nifty experience, and was easily worth the six hour drive from Calgary.

Bye Bye Bowie

While I was growing up, Bowie Kuhn was the Commissioner of Major League Baseball. For most of that time, I highly admired the man, especially when he vetoed the Oakland A's firesale of three of its stars to the Yankees and Red Sox, because it was "not in the best interests of baseball." However, during my early adulthood onset of cynicism, I shared the critics' distaste for Bowie when he seemingly disappeared from the scene during the early '80s player strike.

For me, a more laughable moment in the Bowie culture was his reaction to Jim Bouton's bestseller Ball Four, wherein Bowie insisted that the incident where inebriated major league ballplayers kissed each other "didn't happen." Ah, the omnipresent, omniscient Bowie.

Nonetheless, Bowie was there. With the exception of the aforesaid baseball strike, he was always there for baseball and for this fan. Love him or not love him, Bowie will be missed.

Cassia's Wedding

Wow, what a beautiful day. No, not the weather. It was a chilly, mostly miserable day, the 4th of March. Wedding guests had encountered blizzard conditions and ice-packed roads in traveling to (or attempting to travel to) the Moose Jaw wedding. No, it was the wedding ceremony, reception and dance that were so beautiful and enjoyable. Why so? Because of the beautiful people involved.

I love my favourite single niece (single until after 4 PM on March 4). She is so vibrant, expressive and full of life. I always feel good about myself, and just feel great in general when she is around. I also share a bond with her, both of us having visited poor countries in Africa in 2006.

My new nephew is beautiful also. He has a great sense of humor and is so loving and supportive to his new bride. I enjoyed his public remarks about why my recent multiple rib fractures had prevented me from being the photographer at the ceremony and reception: "Uncle Marvin had something come up. You can check with him later for the details. It may or may not have had something to do with a toboggan."

The ceremony was lovely. The wedding party all glowed. The large group of pre-school age flower children, Cassia's and Jeremy's nieces and nephews, were crowd pleasers, and most of them made it down the aisle without incident. I was day dreaming somewhat during the worship songs when I noticed the bride with arms extended, singing her heart out. The whole ceremony was moving.

I was also moved to tears several times during the toasts at the reception. Both sets of parents joyfully lamented this watershed family occasion of the marriage of their youngest children. Family members and close friends gave tear-jerking tributes to each other. There was so much love in evidence.

I loved the African motif table centre pieces. Carved wooden giraffes, gazelles, elephants and birds. They were all for sale with the proceeds to go to the Ugandan orphanage where both Cassia and Jeremy worked last autumn.

To replace the practice of tinkling expensive glasses, guests were invited to perform their favourite song to encourage the wedding couple to kiss each other. There was rock and roll with You've Lost That Loving Feeling, nostalgia with Side by Side, a barbershop quartet and a modern rendition of We Are The Barn Crew." But, the most memorable for me was the performance of the William Tell Overture on a young man's cheeks (facial). Intriguing.

It was indeed an interesting and beautiful wedding. Cassia and Jeremy put on an enjoyable show, complete with delicious salads and fantastic desserts. But again, the big draw was the people.

I am so happy for Cassia and Jeremy. They will go far.