One weird week

May 1/12.

Mayday! Mayday!

Does that mean the first day of May? - or is it the emergency word used internationally as a distress signal in voice procedure radio communications? I don't have a clue! All I know is, voice-wise, today I have complete and total laryngitis! S.O.S! - Not fun. (Well, for about two hours, it actually WAS fun). Around midnight last night, I hit those two bewitching hours where my voice drops down into "sexy/low/throaty mode" and I could have auditioned for ANY hot commercial and scored it.


Click to hear how my voice sounded (but only temporarily!) ha ha!

Sadly, those hours don't last long before turning into a scratchy, broken record sound, (which is good for absolutely nothing!) Sort of a Demi Moore/Marlo Thomas/Brenda Vaccaro/Phyllis Diller hybrid of croaking.

While still in Velvet Fog mode, I recorded the deep voice on my new digital tape recorder, trying to sound like Peggy Graham from the old CKFM 99.9 radio days. (used to listen to her on overnights and wish I could steal that sultry voice. She was the best!)

Have skipped writing for a bunch of days. WAY behind! Will try to catch up.

Back to April 23 - Kate's 20th birthday! She's surrounded by admiring friends! How is it possible my daughter is 20??

Happy Birthday Sweet!

Somehow, the birthday brigade ended up with funny glasses, black moustaches and luscious red lips! Coolio!

Dessert delectables included strawberry shortcake from a bakery on the Danforth,

and tomato soup cupcakes, - yes, Henry, (centre), - they're REAL! - generously made and presented by Cadence (far right).

Pizza and dessert was followed by a selection of DVDs to choose from for the evening's entertainment. These were the rejects.

The winner? The Hot Chick starring Rob Schneider! He's hilarious. (Only my opinion, but he has the funniest facial reactions ever on screen! Always makes me laugh). Many would disagree, but I'm a lifelong fan of wacky expressions and overacting!

Altogether, this was a kinda strange day. Before the birthday bash, spent time at Women's College Hospital (where both my kids were born), to have a heart stress test, due to palpitations. (hence the loose clothing and running shoes I was instructed to wear). First you walk, then you walk faster, then, REALLY fast. Had to get my heart rate up to 165 beats per minute. Gak. I was pretty wiped after that.

Next? Over to the Hot Docs film festival headquarters at U of T's Victoria College (where my sister, Carrie used to attend as a teenager).

It was a gorgeous day on campus,

with students, (or Hot Docs employees?) out enjoying the sunshine, throwing a frisbee around.

It's been years since I've picked up accreditation for any festival!

Hot Docs media room. Fun to catch up with the reporting/critic gang again,

see the Hot Docs chalk board,

look at the old buildings and paintings,

including the portrait of the late literary critic/theorist Northrop Frye. (he taught at Victoria College for over 20 years and was also Chancellor there for 13 years.  Carrie was among his students and biggest fans).

I left the building, Hot Docs media pass in hand. Had to have it in order to get in to see the upcoming Rick Springfield movie An Affair of the Heart at the Bloor Cinema a few days later.

I parked at the Manulife Centre lot.

The flowers were in bloom!

The fancy Ashley's window display featured a photo of Downton Abbey to promote their classy china,

and the show (on Vision TV). Made me want to sit down on the sidewalk and pound out a freelance article, but didn't have a laptop, paper, pen, crayon or press notes handy, so, opted for a picture instead. (it'll last longer). The lack of proper materials had me hightailing it over to the lovely and elegant (?)

Gerrard Square. Since I'm finally attempting to relaunch my career - (this time, as a freelance entertainment writer, and possibly, a voice-over "artiste" - ha ha!),

I hit up The Source to buy my first digi-recorder, (a good friend of mine suggested SONY is the best),

and they had several,

but selected this one, because it was labelled "Easy Operation"! (Big selling point for me). Now, just have to read the instruction book and try to decipher it. (Easy? Hmmmmm, don't think so, at least, not for the technically-challenged)!

Next? Over to Metro. Yep, more groceries. I seem to LIVE in grocery stores, (which is strange, since I hate to cook).

(Would always much rather be playing with tape recorders than microwave ovens). - Also bought a recorder for phone interviews. I was SO happy on the way home, with not one, but TWO brand spanking new recorders. The last one I had finally broke down. I've been obsessed with recorders all my life.

Can you believe I bought my first one at the age of 11? It was a mini reel-to-reel that cost $20. Bought it at Em's Variety store on Mount Pleasant Avenue around Millwood. It was my favourite-ever possession. Still have it. (Just NEVER could part with the thing)! It's a Lloyds. (does that company even still exist?)

On Sunday April 29th,  in preparation for my interview with singer/songwriter/musician/actor/writer Rick Springfield, I'd read his revealing book,

then went to the premiere of his documentary film An Affair of the Heart at the Bloor Cinema,

The Rickaholic lineup snaked around the block.

Rick arrived at 8:15 p.m. along with cast & crew members, plus his film rep, Ryan Levey (right), who pushed hard to get me an interview with Rick. (thank you Ryan!) Thanks also to the Toronto team of VK & Associates!

I got to meet the man-of-the-evening just before the screening, (here with his extraordinary director, Sylvia Caminer, who has made a simply outstanding behind-the-scenes concert film),

and asked him a few questions at a mini-presser/scrum.

When I got home at midnight, transcribed the tape and wrote a little news story about the event for tribute.ca Filed it at 3 a.m. and a few hours later,

http://www.tribute.ca/news/index.php/connecting-with-rick-springfield/2012/04/30/

lo & behold, it showed up online, picture credits, byline and all. Sure felt good!

The next afternoon, I met Rick at the Sutton Place Hotel for a half hour, one-on-one, (my first personal interview in nine years since being unexpectedly sidelined by looking after my (now late) Mum during all her illnesses and challenges, and then my own year-long breast cancer journey). Had NO qualms at all about the interview. I knew he'd be great, (and he was), but worried about operating the new digi-recorder. Ended up DOUBLE recording it, just to be sure! All is well. As soon as I have a publishing date, will let you know where to see the interview. Rick is very honest about his "checkered past", as well as about his lifelong battle with depression. (and I can highly recommend the film).

Release date for An Affair of the Heart is still to be confirmed.

All of the above excitement was pulled off while working around some health issues concerning my amazing Mum-in-law who has been in and out of Sunnybrook Hospital. I was with her in emerg one afternoon and again today. Despite her own troubles, I was astounded when she asked about my interview with Rick and told me we all need to "Celebrate the GOOD times," (which brought tears to my eyes). Love you Mum.

James Franco - & a little nostalgia

April 12/12.

Went to a screening on Tuesday afternoon at the old Bloor Cinema across from Honest Ed's.

A small group of reporters/critics attended the Hot Docs festival preview of Francophrenia,

starring James Franco (as "Franco"), here with Steve Burton (as "Jason Morgan"). It's a kind of out-there experimental film about Franco's experience appearing on the daytime drama General Hospital. (As a a GH fan for over 30 years, I loved it).  Lots of fun listening to Franco's whispered internal thoughts about the scary General Hospital journey.

Also tons of behind-the-scenes footage on how the action came together (in between meeting fans during the shoot). Looks like I may get to interview Franco when he comes to town later this month! Hope so.

And will interview another GH star - Rick Springfield about HIS Hot Docs film, An Affair of the Heart. Should be great! I'll be writing a profile about him for a newspaper. Details soon.

While driving around later on, doing errands and running hither and thither, felt nostalgic about Mum, so made a brief stop in front of her old house, just to see how the place was looking. (blurry pic to match the blurred emotions I guess). I miss my Mum.

Also stopped by Carrie's place to check on the squirrel nest situation. Lots on the go, some of it sad. Will report on Stella and the her baby brood later.

While at Carrie's place, she showed me some photos on her computer. On Good Friday, she sang at a church in Mississauga which was very close to our old childhood home. She drove to the Port Credit house to see it. When we lived there as kids, it was a small family home. That's all been torn down and turned into a mansion! The area is SO upscale now. Whoda thunk it back then?

She also checked out our old public school, Kenollie. Those days were fun tymz.

Car keys, Passover, red hair, General Hospital and James Franco!

April 9/12.

The other day, I wrote about losing my car & house keys while at a screening of Titanic in 3D. Such a drag. Despite a thorough theatre search, Kate & I turned up nothing. Left my name and number with someone at the box office, but no call all weekend. I was SO mad at myself for somehow misplacing them, since the cost to replace the key and the electronic gadget thingy to open the doors was going to be about $150. Just what I need. (not)

Then, minutes before I was about to head to the car leasing dealership to order the key, I got a call on my new iPhone from the manager at The Beach theatre. The keys had been found!! YAY!! Thank you to Eric,  who returned the keys to me and took this pic! He doesn't know where or how they were found, only that someone turned them in. Just SO happy to have them back, and at no cost! And yep, that's my new jacket, made in Nepal.

Last week, I saw this jacket in the window of Alchemy on the Danforth. The store was closed. I went back on Easter Sunday to try it on, but the one in mauve was only available in extra large. They had one medium jacket in turquoise. The only one in small was red (not usually my colour), but I love the wild style, so, bought it! As an extra incentive, the owner gave me a deal - knocked a few bucks off the cost. Very nice of him, and now, I have a coat of many colours!

The second seder at my parents-in-law's place was every bit as good as the first one. Mum B really outdid herself again with another massive feast.

Here's a little story about my Dad-in-law, Ben Bornstein, which is kinda funny. It has to do with the Afikoman. I looked it up online so I could explain it properly.

At the beginning of the seder, the middle of three matzot (plural for matzah) is broken with the larger piece tucked away for later - this piece is called The Afikoman.

Children over the years have been kept awake during the seder by playing a game of hide-and-go-seek with this "dessert." The person leading the seder will hide the Afikoman and at the appropriate time ask all the kids to go find it. Since the seder cannot come to a conclusion without eating this Afikoman, children will get toys or other gifts as a reward for finding it.

Every year that I've been in the Bornstein fam, (almost 30 years), my Dad-in-law "hides" the Afikoman and one of the kids has to find it. Then he gives money to each grandchild. (a tradition they naturally love)!

This year, Ben didn't feel like looking for a good hiding place, so he stuck the piece of matzah in his shirt pocket. (Adore this pic. He still has the mischief in the eyes). All the grandkids knew where it was, so when it came time to try and "find" it, my son, Max (17) and his cousin, Justin, (16), cooked up a scheme together.

Max suddenly announced to his Zaidy that he was thinking of dyeing his hair bright red again. (this pic was taken back in June 2009).

This unexpected (but fake) revelation, distracted and shocked Ben long enough that Justin could sneakily swipe the Afikoman from his Zaidy's pocket! Hoo haw!

After that, all the grandkids (and their significant others) were able to collect their generous reward of 10 bucks each! (left to right - Robyn, Max, Kate, Damian & Justin). Thanks Zaidy!! You da man!

After dinner with Damian (who is not only brilliant and funny, but has been extremely helpful to me with all my current computer challenges, frustrations & woes - which are never-ending), and my beautiful daughter, Kate.

Cut, print, moving on!

On Tuesday afternoon, I'm all excited about finally rejoining "the land of the living" (i.e. - the START to getting back to some form of work!) I'm attending a media screening of the James Franco documentary Francophrenia - (part of the Hot Docs festival later this month). The film chronicles his experience as an actor on the soap opera General Hospital (my fave show for over 30 years!)

Here are some of his earliest scenes on GH.

 
He played the menacing & maniacal psychotic crime scene/graffiti artist, "Franco"! (who else?) He was fantastic on the show, (and even got to work with the great Tony Geary! ("Luke") - Loved their scenes together. ("Stand back Picasso!")  It's quite clear Tony was having a blast working with James - (especially 6:11 to 7:45). And to top it off, James also crossed paths with marvellous Maurice Benard (murderous mob man "Sonny Corinthos") - 8:23 to 9:15. Great material. Too damn bad they killed Franco off. (or DID they???????????)  Really hope I get to interview James when he's in town! - Once a soap fan, always a soap fan. (at least when it comes to GH). I KNOW as a GH addict, I'm the one to interview him! (too bad nobody else knows it)!