Lucky Canadian Girl: Golf...a lifelong sport...

Lucky Canadian Girl: Golf...a lifelong sport...: It happens every time I go to the driving range. It never fails. I am minding my own business, hating that my balls aren’t taking flight...

Golf...a lifelong sport...

It happens every time I go to the driving range.
It never fails.
I am minding my own business, hating that my balls aren’t taking flight when a sweet old man nears me...
“It’s okay sweetie, golf is a life long sport.”

Okay - does that mean I won’t get good until I’m 80 years old?
Kudos to me for being agile enough to play at 80...but really?
Will it really take another 50 odd years until I make it over the water features?

I played golf for the first time yesterday this season (sad I know) with my parents and their friends. It was an absolutely beautiful fall day. I think fall golf is the best. It’s sunny and warm, not too hot, and the trees are beautiful shades of red and orange.

I like golf but am not ready to be amazing at it. It takes practice...lifelong practice I’m told...I like the social aspects of golf, hanging out with people you like, enjoying the outdoors, and doing something active. (And it sure doesn’t hurt having a great meal after!)

Back to yesterday’s game. I was pretty horrible. But, I had fun!
AND...I’m told I have the prettiest swing.
It IS too - it just isn’t always effective.

Perhaps it is too late for me to improve this season, but next season, you’re on golf!
You and me!
Those pretty swings are going to make it across those great divides of brush and water!

For my next game this season though, I’m going to sit back and relax -
I’ll try and keep my head down and keep it all in the pretty swing.
I’ll walk the course with my “long fairway” wood and take joy in the simple things...afterall, it’s a lifelong sport and I’ve got nothing but time...

...and the sun sets on TIFF11

Several days after TIFF11 is over and I’m in a funk.

It's as if the city has emptied out.
Gone are George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Adam Brody, U2 and Pearl Jam...
Gone are the industry peeps...
Gone are the tourists...
and gone are my minimal sleep nights...

Can someone remind me what life was like before TIFF? And it’s not like this doesn’t happen every year...how is that year after year, the first week after TIFF is kinda like the end of Christmas?!

This year I closed TIFF by watching Lou Ye’s Love and Bruises. A Chinese director sets his “romance” in Paris...this I had to see! It was uncomfortable to watch. If you saw the film, you know exactly what I mean. The love story that unfolds between two very unlikely people is, in one word, aggressive. And at first, I’m not even sure I enjoyed the film...but as I walked away from it and the more I think about it, I really, really liked the film. A big plus, actress Corrine Yam’s français était incroyable!

Final TIFF thoughts -
11 days of living on adrenaline, trail mix, coffee, granola bars, talkative strangers, friends willing to trust your picks, more coffee...and naps on the subway...TIFF11 was sweet, gripping, aggressive, emotional, trying, educational and funny! Can’t wait to do it all over again in 2012!

And my FINAL rundown of TIFF11 films:

1. First Position - A ballet documentary makes you fall in love with 6 young aspiring ballet professionals.
2. Last Call at the Oasis - It’s not just about turning the taps off when you brush your teeth! 
3. The Oranges - a really funny look at the collapse of two middle america suburban families when it shouldn’t be (funny).
4. Hysteria - the invention of the vibrator inspired by true events in Victorian London.
5. 360 - Travel around the world, watching people making decisions that have ripple effects on the others in the film. Best line in the film “If there’s a fork in the road, take it.” Jude Law made this film REAL easy on the eyes. 
6. Beauty - An intensely power film about a middle-aged gay man living in a very straight world. Shot in South Africa. A couple of scenes were definitely NOT easy to watch. 
7. Girl Model - A documentary about the modeling industry from the point of view of an ex-model turned model scout. Scouting little girls from Siberia and landing them in Japan.
8. Las Acacias – Hate then love Ruben as he travels down the motorway with a woman and her very cute baby.
9. Damsels in Distress - a satirical look at privileged youth with high vocabularies and a ridiculous sense of reality.
10. Love and Bruises - A complicated, aggressive and uncomfortable love story set in Paris.
11. Last Days in Jerusalem - the dysfunctional story of a Palestinian couple period. Nothing more, nothing less. It just happens to unfold in Jerusalem.

At least 3 of the above 11 were picked up for distribution! Check it out!

A sight that will once again return in 2012...the seated line-up at Ryerson Theatre.

WATER! have you thought about it lately?

Last Call at the Oasis is a brilliant documentary on water. Ever think about your daily consumption of water? Or that perhaps one day we will have to physically fight for access to fresh water? The notion that wars will one day be fought over water was not new to me. I had taken a political economy course in the Middle East where water is scarce. Forget oil. Scarcity of water may be far more “fight worthy”.

But Last Call isn’t just about our consumption or waste of water. It also brought to light the problem of water contamination. Sure, I’m pretty careful about ensuring that vitamins and medicines are disposed of properly – but now there is news that these toxins are entering our water system through our simple bodily functions.

I never felt like I was being preached at, or that Director Jessica Yu was using scare tactics. She did a great job at keeping the bleary-eyed Sunday morning crowd interested. Even the real Erin Brockovich makes an appearance, in addition to Jack Black!

In North America we easily take our fresh water for granted. What this documentary did for me was open my eyes to things I can do today to help change the future of water. (Watching my water consumption, using earth friendly cleaning products, not buying bottled water, are just some thing that immediately come to mind.)

Oh and…the opening scene is one of water splashing around, drops of water dancing…it’s beautiful…and on a full bladder, will send you rushing to the restroom!

For more information check out takepart.com/lastcall 

Tiff Day9 - Opposites

“And what made you choose this film dear?” asked an older woman of my male friend.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Oh my goodness!
My friend had no idea what film we were seeing.
And why is was so funny to me?
Because the film we were about to see was about the invention of the vibrator!

Set in the Victorian London Hysteria is ridiculous amounts of fun. The director of the film, Tanya Wexler is funny herself, introducing the film with tons of one liners. These are just a couple I remembered:

• You’ll come again and again
• It's always a happy ending

Based on true events, Maggie Gyllenhall and Hugh Dancy bring the story of the vibrator to life. As of Friday, the film had yet to been “picked up” for the North American market (of course, it has already been purchased for European markets). Come on North America! Stop being so prudish!

TIFF person, Director Tanya Wexler and her Screen Writers

To see a great trailer - check this out!

In contrast to the hilarity of Friday morning, the afternoon brought me to Last Days in Jerusalem. I had to admit, what drew me to this film was Jerusalem. The title evoked a sense of nostalgia for me and I imagined the film to be scene upon scene of the beautiful places in Jerusalem that I had once enjoyed while studying there years ago.

Instead, Last Days was about a Palestinian couple and their dysfunctional relationship as they prepared to leave Jerusalem and emigrate to Paris. Director Tawfik Abu Wael was present at this third screening with his main actress Lana Haj Yahia. The crowd was tough on the Tawfik, expecting the film to about occupation and Middle Eastern upheaval. Last Days was nothing of the sort and those who were bothered by it, just needed to get over it!




An old pic of me at Masada, Israel...

Updated rundown of films:

1. First Position - A ballet documentary makes you fall in love with 6 young aspiring ballet professionals.
2. Hysteria - the invention of the vibrator inspired by true events in Victorian London.
3. The Oranges - a really funny look at the collapse of two middle america suburban families when it shouldn’t be (funny). 
4. Las Acacias – Hate then love Ruben as he travels down the motorway with a woman and her very cute baby.
5. 360 - Travel around the world, watching people making decisions that have ripple effects on the others in the film. Best line in the film “If there’s a fork in the road, take it.” Jude Law made this film REAL easy on the eyes. 
6. Beauty - An intensely power film about a middle-aged gay man living in a very straight world. Shot in South Africa. A couple of scenes were definitely NOT easy to watch. 
7. Girl Model - A documentary about the modeling industry from the point of view of an ex-model turned model scout. Scouting little girls from Siberia and landing them in Japan.
8. Damsels in Distress - a satirical look at privileged youth with high vocabularies and a ridiculous sense of reality.
9. Last Days in Jerusalem - the dysfunctional story of a Palestinian couple period. Nothing more, nothing less. It just happens to unfold in Jerusalem.

Making Friends in Line and Las Acacias

Waiting in line for Las Acaçias last night, the woman in front of me in line asked, “How many films are you going to see?” I responded with 11 and we began discussing our favourites. She had seen four up until then, and me, six. We had similar thoughts on Whit Stillman’s Damsels and the woman behind me in line chimed in with me on her favourite being First Position. How three strangers could find common ground so quickly is one of my favourite parts of TIFF.

On our first day of TIFF, my TIFF buddy Phil and I met a couple from Chicago while in line. They were friends of the director of the film we were about to see, Girl Model. They were interested in learning what made us choose the film and were very excited (for their friend) that the screening was actually sold out. Phil and I explained our convoluted short-listing of films system and I think their eyes glazed over…They were just pleased to be in at TIFF!

Back to Las Acaçias. It is the story of a truck driver who transports lumber from Ascunción, Paraguay to Buenos Aires, Argentina. I think I was expecting beautiful scenery and adventure…things you think would happen on a long driving trip. Instead the film was largely silent (and for those of you who know me, know that I would struggle with this). It was deeper than just a road trip. It was all character development. So while I shifted in my seat throughout the first half of the film, I was glued to it for the second half, emotionally invested in and rooting for the protagonist Rubén.

Updated rundown of films:

1. First Position - A ballet documentary makes you fall in love with 6 young aspiring ballet professionals.
2. Las Acacias – Hate then love Ruben as he travels down the motorway with a woman and her very cute baby.
3. 360 - Travel around the world, watching people making decisions that have ripple effects on the others in the film. Best line in the film “If there’s a fork in the road, take it.” Jude Law made this film REAL easy on the eyes.
4. The Oranges - a really funny look at the collapse of two middle america suburban families when it shouldn’t be (funny).
5. Beauty - An intensely power film about a middle-aged gay man living in a very straight world. Shot in South Africa. A couple of scenes were definitely NOT easy to watch.
6. Girl Model - A documentary about the modeling industry from the point of view of an ex-model turned model scout. Scouting little girls from Siberia and landing them in Japan.
7. Damsels in Distress - a satirical look at privileged youth with high vocabularies and a ridiculous sense of reality.

Mother-Daughter Day at TIFF...FUNNY films!

“Here, take your ticket and that way, if they let the line in while I’m at Starbucks, you can save me a seat.”

As I walked down Gerrard Street I looked down at my ticket. The film I rushed my mom to, the one I made her hustle down Yonge Street for, the one I told her we’d end up at the end of the line for began at 12pm, not 11am. It was 10:35am.

TIFF is about “hurrying up and waiting.”

There is a lot of lining up. A LOT.
It starts in July when you buy your ticket packages.
Then comes August when you pick up your vouchers.
There’s even a line up to drop off the vouchers you picked up 5 days earlier for the big lottery.
And of course a big line up for (finally) the pick up of your tickets...
AND Lord help you if you feel the need to exchange tickets on the first day...pack your patience, a good book, a good friend, and wear your depends. (I once waited in line for two hours to exchange tickets!)
And of course during TIFF you’ve got to wait in line at least a half hour before screenings.

Luckily Mom took the news that we were over an hour early for the second screening of The Oranges well. We opted to sit under the trees and enjoy the summer like weather, chatting, having snacks and me, sipping a coffee.

 The Oranges was absolutely hilarious. More hilarious than it should be considering it is about two families who had been friends forever before the husband of family A falls in love with daughter of family B. The cast is full of familiar faces and the Director Julian Farino was as funny as his film when answering audience questions.

We were pleased with the film...though perhaps not as pleased as the man who sat beside mom. He had one of those loud laughs and talked to the screen. Or maybe the older ladies who sat in front of us, who continued laughing long after the moment was over. Does it really matter though? Our fellow TIFFers added to our experience, making us laugh harder too.

We enjoyed a leisurely afternoon, strolling around the Yonge-Dundas area, even stopping to take a photo in the square among fountains. It was Mom’s first time at the square and I felt compelled to capture the moment.

Hold a gold, platinum or infinite visa card?! It’ll get you in the priority line at the Visa Screening Room where our second film of the day was. We saw Whit Stillman’s return as writer/director after a 13 year hiatus with Damsels in Distress. After the initial fun of seeing Jason Reitman sitting three rows in front of us...Adam Brody appears with a few of the “damsels” from the film.

While also funny, this film’s script was clearly written for people with a high IQ. (You know, MENSA types). The vocabulary was high and the characters spoke quickly. There was a particular cadence about their speech though that helped you follow along. Again, many, many laughs and an enjoyable Q&A with Mr. Stillman himself, Adam Brody, Analeigh Tipton, Greta Gerwig and Carrie MacLemore.

Updated rundown of films:

1. First Position - A ballet documentary makes you fall in love with 6 young aspiring ballet professionals.
2. 360 - Travel around the world, watching people making decisions that have ripple effects on the others in the film. Best line in the film “If there’s a fork in the road, take it.” Jude Law made this film REAL easy on the eyes.
3. The Oranges - a really funny look at the collapse of two middle america suburban families when it shouldn’t be (funny).
4. Beauty - An intensely power film about a middle-aged gay man living in a very straight world. Shot in South Africa. A couple of scenes were definitely NOT easy to watch.
5. Damsels in Distress - a satirical look at privileged youth with high vocabularies and a ridiculous sense of reality.
6. Girl Model - A documentary about the the modeling industry from the point of view of an ex-model turned model scout. Scouting little girls from Siberia and landing them in Japan.

TIFF Day 4 and Jimmy Hoffa’s in my purse...

My girlfriend May let out a huge laugh when I pulled out a granola bar out of my purse as we stood on the subway platform. “You are ready for ANYTHING!” she exclaimed.

“You never know where you’re going to be during TIFF,” I said.

This conversation was just one of a series today because of my TIFF survival purse. It is a gorgeous patent black Michael Kors purse, with tan straps. Beautiful and sturdy, it can hold everything you could possibly need for TIFF and more!

While standing in line outside my favourite TIFF theatre (Isabel Bader), Ayn picked up my purse and almost dropping it said, “Well, there’s no secret where Jimmy Hoffa is any more. He’s in your purse!”

And other than Jimmy Hoffa, also in my TIFF survival purse are: a vapur water bottle, a love quotes scarf, a super thin cardi, sunglasses, a makeup case, a couple of granola/protein bars, a camera, and of course, a copy of the TIFF schedule. You never know what you’re going to need or where your day may take you during TIFF. OH! And there is still room for a little shopping too!

Today’s film was a documentary by first time film maker Bess Kargman about 6 young aspiring ballet dancers. It was incredible. I instantly fell in love with the young professionals, rooting for them as they prepared for the Youth America Grand Prix. During the Q&A after the screening we met 4 of the young cuties. They were as charming and sweet off screen as they were on. First Position screens once more during TIFF - Saturday the 17th. Check TIFF’s website for details.

Updated rundown of films:

1. First Position - A ballet documentary makes you fall in love with 6 young aspiring ballet professionals.
2. 360 - Travel around the world, watching people making decisions that have ripple effects on the others in the film. Best line in the film “If there’s a fork in the road, take it.” Jude Law made this film REAL easy on the eyes.
3. Beauty - An intensely power film about a middle-aged gay man living in a very straight world. Shot in South Africa. A couple of scenes were definitely NOT easy to watch.
4. Girl Model - A documentary about the the modeling industry from the point of view of an ex-model turned model scout. Scouting little girls from Siberia and landing them in Japan.



The TIFF survival purse...

Part of the cast of First Position

TIFF Day 3

It’s the end of day 3 of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)...my most favourite time of the year. The city becomes electric. For 11 days the city becomes infested with film directors, producers and let’s not forget the stars! The list is seriously long this year - everyone from George Clooney to home-grown Ryan Gosling, Sarah Polley and even the President of the Maldives are in town.

TIFF can be quirky. Case in point: last night’s line-up at AMC. It was one of those lineups where you “sit” in line in a theatre. When they run out of space they “back you up” into a holding pen. When I say “back you up”, I literally mean that 20 of us walked backwards into a line that snaked into a roped off area. Not moments later - we all began to move forward again to get into another theatre to watch our film. Does it need to be this complicated?

The city also seems so much more friendly. While stuck on the subway last night (due to an unauthorized person at track level). We were without power and not moving for over 15 minutes. (I was entirely thankful that we had just exited Bloor Station so were outdoors so I had access to the net!) In that time, the entire train seemed to make friends out of strangers. And as these new friends starting exiting the subway, I heard (more than once), “It was really nice to meet you.”

See?! This is why TIFF makes us happier, friendlier and even more patient Torontonians...and it’s only the end of day 3.

So far I have seen 3 of 11 (perhaps 12) films and so far - this is how they stack up:

1. 360 - Travel around the world, watching people making decisions that have ripple effects on the others in the film. Best line in the film “If there’s a fork in the road, take it.” Jude Law made this film REAL easy on the eyes.
2. Beauty - An intensely power film about a middle-aged gay man living in a very straight world. Shot in South Africa. A couple of scenes were definitely NOT easy to watch.
3. Girl Model - A documentary about the the modeling industry from the point of view of an ex-model turned model scout. Scouting little girls from Siberia and landing them in Japan.