Sting! December 10, 2011

My husband and I went to see Sting last night. It was beyond awesome.

We were twenty-three rows back and a little to the left, and the view was excellent. Even though we were near the back of the orchestra section in the theatre, twenty-three rows is twenty-three rows, and if Sting had been playing in Rogers Arena our seats would have been worth a small fortune.

I love the lights on the ceiling in the theatre! The sparkled like stars, and made the room feel almost magical as we waited for the band to take the stage.

Speaking of waiting… Holy moly, but some people are slow! I was shocked at how many people took their seats after the 8:00 pm start time. Maybe they didn’t want to see the entire show, but those of us who were already in our seats certainly did, and we didn’t appreciate having our views blocked by people going up and down the aisles and squeezing into the rows. There were so many latecomers, the theatre held the start of the performance by over fifteen minutes.

I know it’s hard to see, but the figure in the centre wearing the white t-shirt is Sting. Oh, and the shadow along the right side is just one of the many, many late people annoying those of us who arrived before the show started.

I loved the show. I got to hear a whole bunch of songs I’d never heard before – I’m totally hunting them down on iTunes. Of course he played some of is super popular songs – and those were amazing. The band did two encores, and Sting came on stage and sang Message in a Bottle with only an accoustic guitar as a third encore.

All in all, it was a phenomenal night.

Anti-Bullying Video February 9, 2011

I have to post this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhYyAa0VnyY

Bullying is a huge issue in schools, and I love it when students themselves speak out against it.

You may be wondering why, out of all the anti-bullying videos out there, I chose to draw your attention to this one. Well, the answer is simple: Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School in Vancouver is my alma mater.

I’m proud of those students, proud of the teacher and administration sponsors, and proud to be a former Churchill student as well as a teacher working to end bullying in schools.

Kids are amazing. They are our future, and this video seems to suggest the future is in good hands.

Way to go, folks! Way to go!

C.

GO CANADA GO February 28, 2010

I know this is a blog about writing, but I have to acknowledge the amazing event that has taken place in my hometown of Vancouver. The 21st Olympic Winter Games drew to a close tonight, and I have to say that I am proud to be a Canadian. Not only did our athletes do well as a country (our best medal total ever, and the highest number of golds won by a single country – EVER), but we did an awesome job showcasing Canada to the world.

To think of the number of volunteers, and volunteer hours, needed to host an event of this magnitude is incredible. The positive spirit I witnessed during the past seventeen days has been amazing. Watching ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary things makes me want to get up and cheer them all on again.

Congratulations to all the athletes, organizers, and volunteers! You put on quite the show!

Waving from the stands,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com