Distractions, reflections

Distractions, reflections

David Ing, at large … Sometimes, my mind wanders

Monthly Archives February 2008

2008/02/24 A Nanking Winter, Factory Theatre

February 24, 2008
Our family (including girlfriends) went for live theatre: A Nanking Winter.
I don’t know as much about Chinese history as I should, so live theatre is a great opportunity (and excuse) to learn more. For both cultural and educational reasons, I was curious about A Nanking Winter. This production at Factory Theatre, based on Iris Chang‘s study of The Rape of Nanking, combined the stories of the obsession and personal problems of the author, with the atrocities commited during the Japanese occupation of the city.

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We make it a point to see Asian-Canadian / Asian-American theatre productions when we can. When we first moved back to Toronto, the community was fledgling. Now, it’s a normal part of the Toronto theatre scene.

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We made the play an occasion not only for our sons, but their girlfriends. After the performance, we went to Pho 88 Vietnamese restaurant — not the most obvious place for dessert — and had some unusual sweets while discussing the meaning of the play.

2008/02/19 David Occhipinti and Mike Murley at The Drake

February 19, 2008
Since Brian was in town, he came over for dinner with the family, and then we went to the Drake for music.
Brian was in town, visiting from California, so we invited him over for dinner with the family. As a change of pace, I suggested that we go over to The Drake Hotel to hear David Occhipinti (on guitar) and Mike Murley (on saxophone).

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Brian has a legacy as a professional jazz musician. Like most career-oriented friends my age, we don’t get out to hear live music as often as we used to. Brian enjoyed the duet, but they were performing the lounge area of The Drake, not in the performance space downstairs. The conversation level in the lounge was rather high, as most people get together to socialize. Brian and I sat up front to listen to the music.

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When said that he was a musician, this scenario was familiar to him. You could be the world’s greatest musician, but in the wrong setting, no one cares. From our front row seats, however, I think that we made it obvious that we did come for the music.

2008/02/15 On the farm, Fairfield, Iowa

February 15, 2008
Over at Jeff and Rachel’s farm, we saw the tractors and were hosted for a dinner of Iowa beef.
Over on Rachel and Jeff’s farm, Rafu and Rulle went into the barn to see the tractors.

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The boys were a bit shy about climbing up into the cab of the tractor.

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I went outside the barn to look at the cows … and be looked it. I moved slowly towards them, and a few cows were curious, but the herd as a whole was rather skittish. Continue reading “2008/02/15 On the farm, Fairfield, Iowa“

2008/02/15 Farms and town, Fairfield, Iowa

February 15, 2008
A driving tour of the Fairfield and Vedic City areas in Iowa gives us the opportunity to see the world differently.
While part of our research team’s learning was formal meetings at the University of Iowa, there was also much to see just in the rural setting. DLH took us for a drive around the farm. The terrain around Fairfield isn’t completely flat, and there are hills and streams.

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There are certainly lots of open fields with fences around them.

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In the area, there some Amish farms who continue to follow traditional methods of agriculture and living. This includes both high ground with a stream in the valley.

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We waved hi to the woman putting out her laundry. Continue reading “2008/02/15 Farms and town, Fairfield, Iowa“

2008/02/14 The rural perspective, Fairfield, Iowa

February 14, 2008
As part of the Rendez research project, DLH invited us out to Iowa, where he has been building a house over the frame of a Sears & Roebuck kit.
I spend most of my time in big cities. To give us a different perspective on our research project into innovation, DLH invited us out to his farm near Fairfield, Iowa.

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It’s a working farm. DLH’s career is in New Jersey, so he has been leasing the land to other family members on a long-term basis.

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The barns haven’t been a high priority for construction. They may become meeting rooms some day.

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Construction on the exterior of the house is complete. The building was done without plans, around a period house built from a Sears and Roebuck kit.

20080215_Fairfield165th_house.jpg Continue reading “2008/02/14 The rural perspective, Fairfield, Iowa“

2008/02/09 Chinese New Year dinner

February 9, 2008
For Chinese New Year, it’s become a tradition to go to Rosaline and Tom’s house.
It’s now becoming a tradition for us to go to Rosaline and Tom’s house for Chinese New Year. When we arrive, we always find Rosaline in the kitchen cooking.

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Since she always has the dinner well under control, we have time to socialize. Ariel is comfortable with her grandfather Tom.

20080209_WoodrowNewYear_TC.jpg Continue reading “2008/02/09 Chinese New Year dinner“

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