I think I was in work overload because I found it extra hard to get back into the swing of the film after a well-deserved holiday break.
I originally started this blog solely to write about my journey to make a documentary, thinking "wow, finally something in my life worth blogging that other people might be interested in reading!" But since my work IS my life and I don't even see a defining line between one and the other and they are constantly intertwined, I suppose it's alright to let people in on my life outside of BUTTS....
With a lot of my close friends far, far away this holiday season, I decided it would be great to get out of Toronto for NYE. You know, on the kind of trip that would be a nightmare to coordinate if there were a large group of people involved...
So my oldest friend, my sister and I decided to splurge on an overpriced hotel room and party ticket and head to Niagara Falls, ON.
We'd been to the new nightclub there - Dragonfly -- in the Fallsview Casino for Halloween and really love the vibe. Basically, a slightly-older-than-the-usual crowd in Toronto, with lots of people from all over the GTA looking to dress classy and have a good time. Also a nice mix of nationalities, which I always appreciate. I'm sure there are no strangers to NYE's price markups, but let's just say our room at the Hilton on Niagara Falls had jumped from somewhere around $150 to about $500... :) So we found a great spot on Clifton Hill (I'll divulge the spot if you email me directly because I want to be able to book there the next time I head out) for a smaller fortune and braved the rain (which wreaked havoc on our carefully styled hairdos) and the gridlock (no cabs in site and too yucky to walk) to get to the club.
(the rain couldn't keep away the famous Niagara fireworks show... we could see em from our window!!)
Fortunately, we made it there well before 12 and enjoyed an amazing nite out. I think Halloween and New Year's are a tie for my most favourite party nites of the year. EVERYONE has their guard down and is chatty and celebratory. The attitude disappears and I find myself chatting and meeting with people I probably wouldn't approach or be approached by any other day of the year.
With everyone going more and more casual it seems, seeing women in dresses and **especially** men in suits and ties is so glamorous and almost retro. Really wish we could bring back the '30s glamour (maybe this is why I love burlesque so much). I know this is probably overly-optimistic but I would LOVE the excuse to do a nice roller set and not be mistaken for a performer on her way to a gig!!
(some wonky camera setting that created this extra-trippy pic of the NYE party)
Passing out at around 5:30am, I felt blessed to have have a wonderful 2006. Things are starting to looking great for 2007 with a few new ideas and projects brewing....
Best wishes to All!
Tatyana
