Christmas 1999
Dear Family and Friends;
The year just passed has been as close to "normal" as any we've experienced in the last decade. It began quietly and will, we hope, end that way, Y2K eventualities notwithstanding.
It actually began New Year's Eve with a delightful surprise, a photo of Sarah on the front page of the newspaper recorded as one of the newsmakers of 1998. But since she was only just taking up her new post it seems an appropriate starting place for us as well, basking in her reflected glory. In this happy mood we enjoyed winter weekend walks, exploring the countryside and contemplating retirement.
Spring arrived, and with it, wheels. For the first time in 20 years we have new bicycles. For the first time in 46 years Di owns her own bike! Add some tennis and a bit of swimming, plus good food and homemade wine, and voila - an ordinary life.
Bob's work took him to Jamaica in the summer - it looks as if a contract with the Jamaican government may soon be in place, occasioning more Caribbean visits. AMA, "the firm", (the attribute may finally be merited) celebrated the launch of an Oracle upgrade to G/MAX, its Financial Management System.
Di spent the summer in the GVYO office, assisted by her student staff, making preparations for the orchestra's millennial project, Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand, scheduled for April 2000. They also organized the visit and concert of the Asian Youth Orchestra, 120 players from 11 Asian countries. The AYO performance was attended by at least one Asian visitor who had arrived on one of the rusty vessels that were so much a feature of summer newscasts. Food for thought there…
Among musical highlights this year were GVYO's workshop and concert with Simon Streatfeild - new insight into Schumann's symphonies. Hot on its heels was the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, whose founders included Streatfeild as well as our GVYO musical advisor Michael Bowie. In April GVYO gave a rip-roaring performance of Carmina Burana. The present season has brought us the joy of hearing the Beethoven quartets in their entirety, the millennial project of the Lafayette Quartet, in residence here at UVIC.
As for the family …
Sarah and Marcus are in their element in Cambridge. Marcus is pursuing a doctorate in computer voice recognition. They live in a restored Edwardian row house resplendent with a solarium and floodlit well. Sarah has been invited to take her choir on tour to Israel next September and sing at St. George's Cathedral, Jerusalem.
Jeremy is not pleased that his work has become unionized. He is looking at options for some courses of study, but for the moment he is staying put.
Simon has been playing with the Winnipeg Symphony this fall. National auditions for the chair, in the First Violin section, have just taken place, and we are thrilled that he has won the post. Like his sister, he has lucked into refined living in an elegant district in the city.
James has been back in Victoria since last January, and has lived at home (or has made home his base - he needs many places to lay his head) since April. He had a job at a local restaurant for 7 weeks, something of a miracle. And he has kept out of jail for that time, also a miracle. We are trying to help him get set up on his own but it is a tricky business.
We are feeling the lack of a holiday this year. We wanted to visit New Orleans while Simon was there, but couldn't manage the time. We debated travelling to England, but instead, Sarah and Marcus came home for ten delightful days in early September. We had plans to visit "our" villa in Turkey and spend Christmas day at the Turgutreis market, but have decided, like the rest of cautious civilization, to stay put while the nine's roll over into zero's.
A day or two ago we were rudely awakened by several seconds' worth of rumbling earth and rattling windows. An apocalyptic portent, an unsubtle admonition to Be Prepared? It certainly reminded us that we are creatures of a day, especially following in the wake (forgive the pun) of 4 funerals (and a wedding, ma senza Hugh Grant). Having grown accustomed to living on the verge, we interpret the signs not as gloomy foreboding, but as a directive to get busy living.
So…we are hoping to travel again in the spring - where exactly remains under discussion … Italy… England… North Africa (the research continues!)… When is likely April, due allowance being made for Jamaican demands… or… next year, in Jerusalem…
And…we are hoping to welcome you when you travel our way.