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Dance, dance, dance

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Whenever I need to change my mood, I find putting on an up tempo dance song, changes my mood instantly. And it does not need to be a dance song from my “youth”! I continue to listen to current dance songs and love them!

Since I was a kid, I wanted to be a dancer more than anything else. However, I am terrible at organized dance. I did ballet when I was a kid with Miss Sandy and even as a 4 year old kid, I knew I was not good. As I got older, my parents made me do Bengali dance performances. Thankfully, no one taped those performances, but in the photographs taken, everyone’s right arm was up and my left arm was up – that bad.

Even though I could sing well, dancing for some reason captivated me. And it really hurt to know that I was no good at it. So I consoled myself growing up, dancing by myself and choreographing dances to perform just for myself.

As I got older, I got to attend school dances and although I am terrible at organized dancing, I discovered I was a good dancer on my own. I had a great sense of rhythm and I always danced with stronger dancers, who elevated my skills(good life lesson – always surround yourself with stronger skilled people than you!).

And the joy I had when I was dancing was indescribable. When I went to university, Thursday nights were typically Pub Nights with a DJ and I had a blast dancing! Then when I moved downtown and was working, whenever I had an opportunity to go dancing, I took it. Those times with colleagues and close friends made so many great memories!

But as I grew older, the opportunities for dancing decreased. And honestly, that has been sad for me. My husband was going to get me dance lessons for our anniversary but I did not pursue it because, again I knew, that organized dance was going to lead to disappointment and at this stage of my life, signing up for disappointment is not the most efficient use of my time.

One of my most favourite nights of dancing took place in Vegas. My husband, who was working out of province, met up with some friends and I in Vegas. The night we arrived, Michael Jackson died. We all loved his music and were saddened about his passing. That night, one of my friends and I decided we wanted to go dancing. We ended up at the Venetian and that night, the DJ did a mix dedicated to Michael Jackson. We had so much fun dancing – it was awesome. The music was great, and everyone wanted to pay homage to MJ. One of those nights that live on forever!

Fast forward, a couple of years ago, I went to Nashville with my friends I grew up with. We were all celebrating our milestone birthdays that year and wanted a chance to celebrate – just us. And since one of us lives in another Province, meeting up for an extended long week-end, was the perfect way to celebrate.

Nashville was a blast and we made so many great memories. But for me, our most fun night was when we went out dancing. We booked a dinner based on the recommendations of one of our Uber drivers and then walked around the district and ended up at this upscale hotel which had a DJ and dancing on the roof top. We were sold. Now – not to lie – the DJ was terrible, but we got to dance during the occasional good song that he played and at times, it started raining and it just made the experience more “twinkly”. We all stopped being responsible Moms, Wives, Colleagues and just had fun. We were silly and laughed and when we walked back to the hotel, we kept recalling our fun.

I keep trying to find opportunities to go out dancing again, but so far, it has not happened. Friends have sent me invites for dance parties for older adults, which start at 4pm and end at 10pm- I’m good.

Perhaps my memories will have to sustain me, but I hope that is not the case. I hope that I have a good dance night coming up soon in my future – it is definitely needed. An opportunity to dress up, enjoy some great music and be surrounded by good friends making fun memories – we all need that, don’t we?

But that just one Diva’s view.

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An Opportune Moment

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A few weeks ago, I was asked to speak at a Women’s Day event. It was on a Saturday and it was downtown. I love working with the organization who asked me to speak and I love being able to provide some insights, given my experience. Although I worked downtown from 1993- 2017, I rarely get an opportunity to go there during the day on a week-end, so all of the pieces were aligning. I am a planner, so when the opportunity came to attend a dinner later that day with an another organization I admire, I also took it.

So – I had a Saturday downtown and a small window between the events. When I finished speaking at the Women’s Day event, which was a fabulous event, even though I was offered an opportunity to go out with the other attendees, I already had a plan in place.

At my previous firm, one of the partners introduced me to this Japanese restaurant. It was very authentic, and the staff wore traditional Japanese clothing. The first thing that I ever ate there was the Miso Black Cod. It is simply delicious. The fish is buttery and light and it is a gorgeous morsel of food. It had been years since I had eaten my dish, so I was on a mission.

As I walked towards my destination on this rainy grey day, I noticed all of the changes. Many of the stores and restaurants I used to go to when I worked close by, were no longer. There was a lot of construction going on, so the route became a little different. And of course, my shoes were not appropriate for walking.

But I reached my destination – Nami with a wave in the name. Short obviously for Tsunami, there was an odd fold up sign in front of the building stating that after 40 years, Nami would be closing and they thanked their clients for the loyalty and the experience. That was disappointing to hear and I messaged my husband immediately. Nami is special to us because after my girls were born, it was the first restaurant my husband took me to for our first night out post babies. My husband immediately responded that we would need to attend before it closed.

So, I entered and it was moderately busy, but because I was on my own, I elected to sit by the sushi bar. The waitress handed me a menu and as I was browsing, I noticed that some of the dishes stated no longer available and I could not find my dish. I was about to become disappointed, when I saw my dish – available and quickly placed my order. As I waited, I watched the chefs preparing the hot and cold food and the dance of the staff picking up orders out front, in the back and providing them to the guests. I was a few seats down from a gentleman with a travel book of Toronto in hand, and determined he must be a tourist and how great that he had elected to eat at Nami. One of the dishes he had ordered was no longer available, so he pivoted and placed an order for some different food.

I was occupied just taking everything in and then my dish was brought out.

It was exactly as I remembered and I devoured it. As I had a dinner to attend afterwards, I just wanted to bite in between meals and it hit the spot. I realized that I needed to get ready for my next event, so requested the bill. As I was paying, I asked when their last day was going to be and the waiter advised that it was tonight.

This was their last night.

I was disappointed because my husband would not be able to enjoy one last experience, but relieved and delighted that I had been able to experience my restaurant’s last night. I shared with the server how this was my favourite restaurant and that I had had some great memories here. He thanked me and said he would share with the owners. And that was that. How fortuitous for me!

And honestly, as I left, to trek back in my uncomfortable shoes, I was happy for the experience, for the timing of the universe working out and for a tummy full of my favourite meal. It was an amazing experience.

But that’s just one Diva’s View.

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The Brit Awards and great performances

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Why are the Brit Awards such a magical experience, different from any other awards show? Why do I always discover a new artist, song or performance as a result? I have been a fan of the Brit Awards since the early 2000s. Back then, the broadcast was on MTV or even CBC and it was a couple of days afterwards. In advance of the broadcast, I would always purchase the compilation CD, because it was an amazing compilation of British music from that past year, many of which were songs which never received airtime here in Canada. The vibe at this awards show, even watching it televised, is different. Guests sit around round tables having drinks, possibly food, but having a lot of fun. It is a true celebration and does not seem contrived. Everyone is up on their feet, dancing and vibing and I want to be a part of that energy. It is on my bucket list. This year, Rosalia’s performance gave me chills. I had never heard this song before, but the entire performance was masterful and having Bjorn perform was just nostalgic for me. If you have not watched it, please do so: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fyufPkXLbs&list=RD7fyufPkXLbs&start_radio=1

I have seen such great performances on the Brit Stage – Florence and the Machine, Duffy, tributes to Tom Jones and Robbie Williams, performances by Amy Winehouse, Adele, Duffy, the Arctic Monkeys – all just really amazing and memorable performances. Different from what we see at North American awards shows. Honestly, I look forward to these performances every year and they always deliver.

I love watching musical performance and true musical talent. NPR and their Tiny Desk concerts have been a particular favourite. Last night, I watched Buddy Guy and Miles Canton perform with some top notch jazz musicians and it was fun and electrifying. The soundtrack from Sinners was one of my favourites.

Yesterday, I was in the mood for great music and I ended up watching Chris Stapleton perform with his wife on Austin City Limits. As I told my husband yesterday, their harmonies and the musicality are just next level and I am transformed. The other night, I was feeling nostalgic and I watched George Michael perform, Everything She Wants, from the concert tour that I attended. Watching the audience sing along with him – even when I was experiencing it, there were no words. I cannot imagine the high that the performers must experience from this level of audience participation and love.

Honestly, great live musical performances are transformative for me, and they are soothing for me. Watching someone express themselves through music, and connect with a live and televised audience – one of the blessings we have. I have so many concerts that I want to see. Right up there for me are Stevie Wonder, Sade and Radiohead. I heard someone speaking about seeing Radiohead in a small concert venue – 200 people and I cannot imagine how magical that must have been.

But that’s just one Diva’s view.

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I like what I like and not going to change mentality – Music version

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If you have read my previous posts, you will know that I love music and that it has been a big part of my life because of my father and remains to this day. My husband loves live music and we have been fortunate to see some amazing concerts together. I have always loved a variety of music. Growing up, we had Bengali and Hindi playing on rotation and even though I did not always understand what was being said, it never tempered my appreciation for the music. When I was in high school exploring operatic music, I had the opportunity to sing in German, French and Italian and again, felt fortunate for those experiences.

I think that is why I have been open to listening to music in general. Global music has always been a part of my musical consciousness and I have enjoyed expanding my musical ear with different influences. And as I get older, my appreciation for music, especially current music, has grown with me. To my kids’ chagrin, I love K Pop. Bad Bunny is on rotation for my playlist. I don’t understand what they are always saying, but the melody, the beats, the emotion – they come through loud and clear and I love it. Even with Indian music, I listen to Punjabi, South Indian, folk….I enjoy it all.

But I juxtapose that with my contemporaries. At our firm’s holiday dinner, I was parking at the same time one of my colleagues was exiting his car and he waited for me. As I got it, he commented in disbelief, “Were you listening to house music?” to which I cheerily responded, “Yes I was” and that was the end of the conversation. The inference was that being in my early 50s and older than him, that house music for me was no longer appropriate. I know that his vehicle was full of classical music, which I adore, but when I am arriving for a holiday event, I need something a little more upbeat – so judge elsewhere.

Post Super Bowl and Bad Bunny’s performance, I have been hearing about my contemporaries’ comments on his half time show. Again for colleagues my age or slightly younger. Comments such as

I did not understand what Bad Bunny was saying, but the year previous with Kendrick Lamar, I did not understand what he was saying, because I don’t listen to rap, so the half time shows are really not for me. But I appreciate their production value!

Or my favorite, I don’t listen to Rihanna, so again, I did not really care for her show. Let that one stew!

And yes – everyone is entitled to their opinion, but the point that I am trying to make is have we really reached that point in our life, that we cannot just appreciate the performance or music, even if we do not listen to it? Perhaps, it will result in listening to more of that artist’s music and embracing some new music. But the reality is, that is not the case.

For my contemporaries, we are at a point where the mentality is, I like what I like and I am not going to change. And the problem with that mentality is that you become closed off, not just to music, but experiences in general. It does not allow an expansion of new inspiration, influences, viewpoints or connections. And that mentality seeps into meetings and business decisions and that conclusion is not a jump but a reality. When you close yourself to allowing new experiences and influences in, you stay stuck or seeped in the past. We all are comforted by music of our past. It transports us to a time, memory or era, that gives us comfort and embraces us. But life and music, cannot always be about comfort. Sometimes you need to shake things up to grow and find new appreciation. I think that can only be a good thing. Without that mentality, I would not have discovered Doechii, Brandi Carlisle, The Marias and others. And without the mentality, I would not be embracing the new as it comes, because it is coming everyday.

But that’s just one Diva’s view.

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Christmas Carols

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Before my Dad moved to Canada, he lived in Germany for a period of time. Christmas in Germany during the 60’s was very traditional and Christian. My Mom, growing up in Trinidad, which was a British colony, went to a British School and she grew up singing Christmas carols.

As a result, when we were kids, Christmas Carols were a staple part of the Christmas season not just at school, but at home. We had a Carol book, and I learned the piano and organ parts, to accompany us singing.

I was attending Bengali school at the time, and my Dad, translated Silent Night into Bengali, which is quite challenging, to find Bengali words with the right syllables to fit in the English melody. But he did an amazing job and our Bengali class performed this for many Christmas seasons.

Christmas concerts were a large part of my school life and I often had a solo during a choral performance of Christmas music. I honestly came to love them all. I loved the melodies, the stories they told and my favourite; the harmonies. It was all such beautiful music.

Although I have some favourite modern Christmas renditions, my favourites are the choral interpretations. I will often listen to them on my way home from work, with the night skies surrounding me, remembering the melodies and joining in. It honestly has provided peace during what has been a very hectic and challenging end of the year.

Coventry Carol and Oh Holy Night remain on the top of my list. They soothe and uplift and it is a nice way to surround myself with vocal warmth.

I hope that you find the perfect Christmas score for the Holiday season!

But that’s just one Diva’s view!

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Favourite Watchable Movies etc..

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Recently, there was an event where actors, producers, directors in Hollywood were asked to provide their list of their top 4 movies. Many of them struggled with their answer. Especially for those in the industry, movies are surrounding them and to narrow the selection to the top 4 can be very challenging. I know I have already listed my favourite movies on a different post, but I realized that this list can change.

At an industry even recently, I asked a colleague this question and before answering, he said that what he defines his favourite movies to be are movies that if they are on television, he will watch them over and over again.

Because I am always considering various criteria – ensuring my selection represents diversity, has a drama, comedy, older movie, new movie….I can get steeped down and if I were asked on the spot, I would answer, but I don’t know that my list would be accurate because there are so many great movies that sometimes get forgotten.

For instance, the other night, my husband and I came upon The Road to Perdition, which we both had not seen in a while and even though it was 1/3rd through, we watched and just admired what a great movie it is. First of all, the direction by Sam Mendes is brilliant, the cinematography is on point for the era it depicts, the soundtrack is haunting and the acting and group of actors is simply compelling. Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Daniel Craig, Stanley Tucci, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jude Law….. magnificent. And the boy playing the son, Tyler Hoechlin – just scene stealing. That movie is just riveting and it gets missed from my favourites consistently.

My list of watchable movies, where no matter if I had just watched it, will watch again, is quite long. It includes movies such as a Few Good Men, Legally Blonde, Casino Royale, Skyfall, Heat, Rocky Aur Rani, Pathaan, Gone With the Wind, Any Equalizer movie with Denzel, Gladiator, Funny Girl, Any Star Wars movie, most MCU movies, but especially Thor Ragnarok, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Black Panther and End Game, The Fugitive, Patriot Games, The Bourne Identity (only with Matt Damon), The Ya Ya Sisterhood, How to Marry a Millionaire, Breakfast at Tiffanys, The Ocean 11 movies, especially the Oceans 9 movie, the original West Side Story, The Philadelphia Story, 10 Commandments, Rear Window, Vertigo, In the Line of Fire, Mission Impossible 4, the John Wick franchise, Elf, Anchorman, Zoolander, Beverly Hills Cop, Hidden Figues, Trading Places, Get Out, Daddy’s Home 2, Goodfellas, The Godfather movies (1 and 2), Hilary and Jackie ……honestly, I could probably provide a never ending list because I adore movies.

These past couple of years, I have not seen many movies that I adored, but there were a few – Sinners was amazing and I love great horror movies. I thought Conclave was brilliant and provided great insights into the selection of a Pope, which was on point. I really enjoyed Materialists and am a big Celine Song fan, and lastly, I really liked the Wild Robot, which I watched with my son and thought it was very innovative and touching. Although formulaic, I did enjoy F1 also, just because I like a good blockbuster.

I look forward to discovering old and new movies, never watched and always knowing that I have the comfort of previously watched movies, like a warm blanket, or catching up with an old friend.

But that’s just one Diva’s view.

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Bengali Roots

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Learning about my Bengali heritage was a big part of my childhood. I went to Bengali school every Saturday morning for years, learning how to speak and write in Bengali.

I loved writing the letters and learning the sounds, but hated speaking in Bengali. I grew up in a house where we spoke English and therefore, I was always uneasy speaking in Bengali – I did not have that environment to feel comfortable to try and fail.

And when I sang in Bengali, I worked really hard on my pronunciation, but there was always a critic. But we had Bengali music playing in our house a lot. My Dad worshipped the songs of Tagore and we grew up learning the genius of Rabindranath Tagore. Not only was I expected to know his music and songs, but I was required to recite the English translation before I sang, so that I understood what I was singing. When I was younger, I was focused more on hitting the right notes and pronouncing the songs properly, than truly understanding the lyrics.

The first Bengali song I performed when I was 4 or 5 years of age was Alo Amar Alo Ogo. Now when I look at the lyrics – I truly understand them and am in awe, but it did not have the same impact on me when I was younger:

Light, my light, the world-filling light, the eye-kissing light, heart-sweetening light!
Ah, the light dances, my darling, at the centre of my life; the light strikes, my darling, the chords of my love; the sky opens, the wind runs wild, laughter passes over the earth.
The butterflies spread their sails on the sea of light. Lilies and jasmines surge up on the crest of the waves of light. 
The light is shattered into gold on every cloud, my darling, and it scatters gems in profusion.
Mirth spreads from leaf to leaf, my darling, and gladness without measure. The heaven's river has drowned its banks and the flood of joy is abroad.

Tagore was like another God in our house. We proudly sang the Indian National Anthem at the beginning of every Bengali class, knowing it was written by Tagore. We learned that he was the first Asian and non European to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature for Gitanjali, which translates to Song Offering and again, was an important book in our house. In 1919, he refused the knighthood from the British Crown to protest the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, where many unarmed Indian Civilians were killed. There was a reverence for his University, Shantiniketan, where my Aunts studied. Tagore could do no wrong in our house.

I am nostalgic for my Bengali roots at this time, as Durga Puja passed, which was always a significant time in our house. My parents would buy us new clothes, like they did for my Dad when he was growing up in Calcutta and we would attend a week long attendance for various Pujas throughout the GTA. When I was very young, the festivities were held at Harbourfront and it was really magical to see the Bengali displays of Ma Durga throughout that space. When my brother was born, we would run around and dance and have fun. It was truly memorable. My Mother always wore the most beautiful saris and had gorgeous blouses that she would make herself, always distinct and stylish. She brought the dazzle to this special time of the year.

My Father kept all of the Durga greeting cards we received throughout the years, and that art has stayed with me. It is very distinctive. When I was growing up, we had a framed Batik print of Ma Durga and recently for my birthday, my husband had it professionally framed. That depiction of Ma Durga, for me, is very special to me. Ma Durga has always remained my comfort and the temple that we take our kids is the Vaishno Devi Mandir always provides me with peace. I always regret that we were not able to get married there (logistics) because it has always been very special to me.

And so now, when I become nostalgic for all things Bengali, I turn on my Spotify Bengali playlist and sing along with songs that I learned as a kid and over 35 years later, still remember the words and melodies. They truly put my soul at peace with their beauty.

But that’s just one Diva’s view.

Memories

Fresh Harvest

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We are at that magical time, where we are getting a lot of locally harvested foods and I absolutely love it simply because of the memories it invokes.

My Mom always had a robust vegetable garden. She grew so many of our vegetables throughout the summer season. Forgive me for listing them, but we always had tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, zucchini, lettuce, spinach, hot peppers and I know that I am missing so many others. She would then alternate with corn (the squirrels would devour them) and other herbs. And the dreaded Rhubarb (Yuck – still do not like it!)

From a young age, I learned how to pick the vegetables properly so to yield more. There is something of the smell of fresh produce, the sun and soil, which until this day, is so pleasing to me.

Unfortunately, I do not have my Mom’s green thumb and unless we get a mini greenhouse, our backyard’s creatures would destroy any attempts that I could make.

And the best part of having a fresh garden, is eating the produce fresh. Lunch on the week-ends would be spinach, cooked with onions, garlic, and lemon juice wrapped in a piping hot West Indian Roti smothered in butter. No words for how tasty that was.

Or eating tomato choka, which is a West Indian savoury chutney, again with fresh hot roti. The freshness and tastes live on and honestly, have never been recreated for me just because of how fresh the food was.

I wish my kids could have experienced that type of cooking and tastes. Which leads me to my dream one day of learning to grow produce in that manner, so that perhaps, one day, I can share an abbreviated version of those tastes with my kids.

For now, we are enjoying the beautiful apples and the end days of corn. And looking forward to the Fall and Thanksgiving.

But that’s just one Diva’s view.

Musings

Feeling Valued

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There is a line in the movie, The Materialists, where Pedro Pascal’s character, the male love interest to Dakota Johnson’s character asks why she is with him, and she responds simply, “You make me feel valuable”.

I took a moment to savour that answer because it was so on point. It is not just applicable to romantic relationships, but friendships, the workplace; so many dynamics.

People want to be seen. They want to feel appreciated for who they are and what they bring into any of the above relationships. It is a simple sentiment.

I think that this is an issue that we are encountering right now, in many relationship dynamics. The feeling of being taken for granted or not being acknowledged for being excellent; why is that?

Is that a generational issue?

Many of my colleagues, when awards are given, trivialize it and make it seem like it is nothing. Comments like, “I win the award for being the best in my cubicle must have missed me,” are bandied around. Why is that necessary?

An award often recognizes a person’s hard work in an industry or their involvement in a cause that is important to them and that is a nice thing. Why down play the value of it?

Feeling valued in any sphere, should be encouraged, because if you feel valued, you will want to do more and be more involved, and that cannot be a bad thing.

However, we have lost the art of recognizing the value that someone brings. That can have a variety of adverse effects. It can cause one to stop trying, to not aim for excellence, and to be disinterested and disengaged; none of which are good things.

Feeling valued comes sometimes in the smallest ways. A thank you for a job well done. An acknowledgement of a great result, an appreciation for providing support ….it’s pretty simple.

However, there seems to be this pervasive sentiment that thanking someone for their hard work or effort, minimizes the requirements expected of that individual. I am paying you for your work, aren’t I? We are friends, aren’t we?

But does saying thank you and acknowledging efforts, come with a hefty price tag? Because you said thank you, is the feeling that I will now expect a raise, or a promotion; is that the resistance? I would welcome clarity on this.

I am not sure how we reached the extremes, but like everyday life things – it is really quite simple.

Make me feel valuable and you will have my best.

But that’s just one Diva’s view.

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Summer night in Toronto and nostalgia

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A client of mine was leaving her company and so I was invited for drinks at her goodbye party in downtown Toronto last night. Just for context, we live in a suburb outside of Toronto. On a good traffic day, the commute into Toronto can be anywhere from 30-40 minutes. On a bad day, well over an hour.

So, it can sometimes be agonizing about deciding going into the City. But I decided to go and as expected, given the time of day, it took me well over an hour. But I worked in downtown Toronto for almost 25 years and once I get into the City, I am always at ease.

I had a lovely time at the goodbye party, catching up with clients and colleagues in the industry. It was at The Keg on York Street. I used to work in the building adjacent to The Keg and was there at its soft and grand opening, where their drink prices were reflective of the year The Keg first opened (1971). I have had many great get togethers there, first dates (it was close to where I worked) and I was remembering all of that throughout the night.

After the event ended, I decided to take a walk and refamiliarize myself with the downtown core. I am in Toronto a lot, but typically for work and events and I never get a chance to amble, so I did. And it was the perfect summer’s night. Not too hot, the bustle of people leaving work had trickled out and there were other strollers, just enjoying the night.

The patios were full to the brim, because of course, it was a Thursday night and was lovely people watching. I walked by restaurants with new names, where once upon a time, I used to meet like clockwork every week, to catch up over drinks with my fellow crew of young lawyers. We talked about everything under the sun, and tried new martinis and drinks, still figuring out our favourites.

New buildings, where old familiar buildings once had been. When I made partner at my previous firm, right after the partnership meeting, a group of partners took me out to celebrate at Hy’s, a highly regarded steakhouse. Its location has since moved and as I walked by its former and new locations, I remembered the celebratory feeling of that night and the support for those who attended. It was a special night.

I ran across King Street Carrie Bradshaw style, to see if my favourite doughnut store was still open, and it was. I picked up a dozen for the family and then returned to my stroll. I decided to walk up to Old City Hall, because I had seen that there was an art show, and I wanted to see if it was still ongoing.

When I first moved to Toronto, I lived just up the street from Old City Hall, and it always had something going on in the summer. I moved from London, Ontario, to downtown Toronto, with the help of 2 great friends in the summer of 2000. I had next to no money, because I had to pay for a month of a bar admission’s course, before I started my articling year and had no sources of income during that time. So, it was super hard that first month in Toronto being surrounded by great restaurants, and people going out for drinks. For the first time in my life, I lived on my credit card and it was not a nice feeling.

So when I wanted to do something fun without spending money, I would end up walking through Old City Hall, to see what performance or exhibit they had and this remains to date. There would be farmer’s markets, art exhibits, cultural shows and exhibits – always something going on. But current day, unfortunately, as I arrived, the art exhibit was closing up and I missed it.

So I drove home, again, passing through a different part of Toronto. John Street was always the life of the party and it has not changed. I drove by the building where I threw my 30th birthday party and remembered the great time I had that night. By that point, I could afford to throw a party and invite my friends to celebrate in style. Another great memory.

And when I got home, the house was empty. My husband had taken the kids out and I had the place to myself, which is an odd occurrence. I decided to take advantage, and after cleaning up, I changed into comfy clothes, got a speaker and moved to the deck, where I turned out the deck lights and sat, page turning magazines, sipping on some ginger ale and enjoying the beautiful summer night from a different perspective. When the family returned, one daughter stayed out with me, while the other found the doughnuts, and she and I listened to music and talked.

We watched this fun video of a group of musicians performing Star Gazing by Myles Smith (https://www.tiktok.com/@juliencohen_piano/video/7525204753165454614) and we looked up to find the first star of the night.

The perfect moment on a perfect night.

But that’s just one Diva’s view!