June 27, 2009 
London, ON

Dearest Everyone,

Many apologies for the serious absence of my blog over the past couple months. Untimely computer deaths and mysterious disappearing software led me to be unable to update my website from the road. But, being the good little writer that I am, I have recorded all the sordid details in my diary. They include: a baby lamb, a UFO landing pad, a very large black bear and an escaped poodle on a highway. Now that I'm home I will dedicate myself tirelessly to typing them up, and posting them for all you unsuspecting readers to see...

The Unmistakably Sweetlandish Spring Tour Tales are coming soon. But for now, feast your eyes upon some of my favourite photographs from the journey.

Love,

x

K

Home Sweetland Home on Lake Huron

February 2, 2009
Rappahannock Co., VA

Happy Groundhog Day from down in the holler! It's been far too long since I've visited my favourite county in America and I'm soaking in the sweet glory. My happiness at being in Virginia is diminished only by the sad cause for my trip. I came down for the memorial service of friend, teacher and brilliant writer/actor Julie Portman who left us far too soon. Her service was held in the breathtaking Theatre House in Castelton, VA. It was magical, beautiful and packed to the rafters with over six hundred people who will be ever-changed by the gifts Julie gave them. She will never be forgotten and we will miss her so.

I heard that up in Ontario little groundhog Wiarton Willie saw his shadow and we are doomed for 6 more weeks of winter ... It's hard to imagine on this glorious sunny day and yesterday we celebrated the fine weather with what I'm calling the Best Picnic Ever. Late afternoon we all hopped into the back of Chris' pick-up truck and drove up to the top of Red Oak Mountain. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life (perhaps it was the Champagne) and we were treated to the most magnificent sunset I've seen in ages. In many traditions Groundhog Day is actually a holiday. The Wiccans call it Imbolc and the Christians call it Candlemas, but either way it's a celebration of the returning of the light. Whatever Willie says, I can feel the spring coming. A frozen river darkness is melting deep inside of me and I simply cannot wait for the flood. x

The Best Picnic Ever ... more Virginia photos

January 29, 2009
New York, NY

Bonsoir from the stillness of my late-night chambers, or rather, good morning. Outside the sky is fading into that shade of blue that means you've been awake at least ten minutes too long. That is, if you plan on driving to Virginia today! I may have had the best last day in New York ever, or at least so far ... It started off with a double espresso, eggs and hollandaise and ended with me and my little green Fluevog pumps skipping home through Soho at the crack of dawn, apparently. 

After brunch bennys and a wee touch of suitcase-packing I had the incredibly entertaining experience of going to see The Daily Show with Jon Stewart live! OMG. It was even more fun that I thought it would be. And damn, is he ever even more handsome in person ... Twelve hours and a thousand adventures later I am ready for sleep, or something resembling it. (With many tales to tell, later skater.) Tomorrow I'll carry all my Sweetlandish belongings down far too many flights of stairs, say goodbye and drive into the night. Aurevoir big city. I will miss you so.

 

Taking out the garbage ... with Banksy?
More NYC photos here.

January 24, 2009
New York, NY

Happy Chinese New Year! I have to say, I don't remember ever celebrating this holiday so thoroughly before. Not since the year of my birth came around last ... Long live the Year of the Bunny! It may have to do with my current extreme proximity to Chinatown, or the seemingly eternal desire of my friends to eat Chinese food this week. Particularly adventurous was my trip to Fuleen, a famous seafood resto in the deep labyrynthian vortex of Chinatown Manhattan (where streets have no name ... and make no sense.) A fish in a tank fell in love with me. There is photographic evidence. Then I ate some of the most delicious seafood I've ever tasted. Deep fry it and put it in my mouth! Tonight, to celebrate even further I'll be heading over to DUMBO for the Shanghai Mermaid Chinese New Year party. But not before I have dinner with my new manager and hit the M83 show at the Fillmore. I have on my celebratory red = luck New Year's gown and hope I can wear these shoes for the next 12 hours ... I guess we'll find out. x
 

Happy Chinese New Year... at Shanghai Mermaid
More NYC photos here.

January 20, 2009
New York, NY

Just a quick note to say I had the most amazing night ... Finally did what I've been threatening to do for so long and went to the Opera! It was Orfeo ed Euridice at the Met and it was gorgeous. A little trip to the Underworld in the name of true love was just exactly what I needed. The set was brilliant, the costumes were amazing and next life can I come back as an Opera singer please? Tonight my Opera fantasy involved unbelievably hot shoes and a flask of whiskey ... My experience was made complete by Monsieur "Bravo" sitting in front of me. He had to stand up clapping passionately and cry it out after every song. Bravo!!!!! Can't wait to go back again. But next time I'm drinking Champagne like a good girl ...

 

Underworld, anyone?

January 18, 2009
New York, NY

I'm having a "Rear Window" moment. Remember that scene where Grace Kelly sneaks into Thorwald's apartment looking for the wedding ring? Just after her and Stella dug up the flower bed trying to find the dog? Thorwald comes home, Grace Kelly hides in the bedroom. James Stewart watches everything through binoculars from his apartment across the courtyard. Thorwald enters the bedroom ... oh silhouettes! It's a struggle. James Stewart is tragically imprisoned by the brokenness of his leg and can't do anything to help her. But I won't ruin it for you. And I confess, the only similarity between my current situation and that which I described is this: I'm lying in my tiny Manhattan room incapable of moving. And I seem not to be able to keep myself from staring out across the courtyard at all the lights from all the windows in all the worlds beyond that which I know. I think I have the flu. How fair is it that I'm in NYC and sick as a kitten? Hopefully with the judicious application of old movies and hot toddies I will be a warrior princess again in no time. Now, I'm about to have a Cary Grant moment ...with Deborah Kerr at the top of the Empire State Building.

102nd floor please.
 

At the top of the Empire State building ... more photos