And now the hangover...

Yes, the Panto show is over and already the masses want another for next year. But she who must be obeyed has said "No" to 2009 but "Yes" to January 2010. Seems so long away, doesn't it. Laurie wrote in her blog yesterday that there are no ants out there in her future which will become elephants when they get closer. Hunh? Another panto is a potentially huge elephant. But she knows best. Anyway it gives me another 2 years to hone my acting skills (look and speak to audience, mime, speak loudly, with pauses, etc.), all taught to me by coach Krys Grudniewicz. Thanks Krys although I am still hopeless.    In pic, Laurie taking bow; I with top hat and assorted rats and kittens.

Forgot to mention that the principal boy (Judith Asher, aka Jack Whittington) took ill day before opening. An emergencty call to Rosie Forbes Butler, soprano extraordinaire, did the trick: 3 perfect performances on 40 hours notice. Learned the script, did the job. Don't you like professionals? Brava Rosie!

Went to Dublin to visit Conor, now in his sixth week, should be shaving soon. Needless to say a handsome boy, but there will be no proud granddad pics of the lad on this blog. My idea is that I am not terribly interested in other people's kid photos so why would other people be interested in mine? It's a bore, isn't it?

Venice frustrations: Have been trying to phone the Accademia Gallery to prebook a large group. Also visited the Accademia and got blank stares there. The line has been busy for the past 48 hours. And it ain't due to the number of people calling to pre-book. There is no calling queue, no nothing except in-the-customer's-face-bad-business. And their office is in the deep bosom of the city buried to paraphrase Richard III. Therefore, no personal visit by me is possible. In case there was anyone there.  They will never learn here about customer service. Never. I'll bet service is better in Moldova which is reckoned to be the most backward of EU members. But Moldova is still run by Commies, so it has an excuse!

Still at the Accademia, the good news is that half of the Giovanni Bellini paintings that have been in storage for 18 mos are back on view. These are the best paintings in Venice.

And to those of you who wish to see Venice at its best...this is the time. Very few tourists, streets and boats empty. Hurry up though, you do not want to be here for Carnival. We are away for carnival and return from holiday on Ash Wednesday, heaven, the revelers have departed. Goodbye! 

To the Statsopera in Vienna for Die Miestersinger Tuesday...will review.

Finally, heard today that a friend here had an American visitor who referred to the Nigerian bag sellers on the street here as "African-Americans". It say it all about politically motivated morons who are ruining our language and its relationsip to reality. So says this European-American.