Musings, Videos and Goodbyes

Brianne and I stopped by The British Museum last week. She'd popped in before and advised me that since it's free and it's always crowded, you don't have to try to see it all in one go. So we made our way through the sculpture of the Greeks, complete with friezes from the Parthenon. One made me snicker, and I feel childish for doing so, but it really did look like the centaur was kicking the Greek warrior in the groin. It really did! Don't judge me! The colossal statuary from Egypt was incredible. The Rosetta Stone had a gaggle around it to rival the Mona Lisa, gawkers and picture-snappers. What stood out from the trip was the constant illicit touching of the artifacts by the patrons! Scads of signs saying DON'T TOUCH and children and parents are still constantly "looking with their hands." Brianne called a mother and two children on it, and the mom gasped in shock and embarassment when the DON'T TOUCH sign was pointed out. I was honestly surprised at how . . . honestly surprised she was! Who goes into a history museum - and at that, one run by the British - and expect the type of hands-on experience you get in one of those toddler books with the fuzzy bunny on one page and the rough lizard on the next?

The DON'T TOUCH signs actually reminded me that we're closing in on the time of the CNE in Toronto, where Vintage Video has it's vending stall, chock full of movies and memoribilia of the '30's to '60's, and DON'T TOUCH signs as far as the eye can see! For any who don't know, Vintage Video is a store in Toronto next to Honest Ed's specializing in old movies and collectibles where Brianne has worked almost as long as she's been in T.O. Every year they have a stall at the Ex grounds in addition to their store. I've helped out a little bit the last few years at the Ex, mostly set-up and tear-down. Once in a while I'd help out during a day of sales, and I swear that I have actually witnessed a mother look directly at the DON'T TOUCH sign atop a very expensive and delicate themed cookie jar, then move the sign in order to open the jar and show it to her brood of brats. I leapt into action to ask her as politely but directly as I can PLEASE DON'T TOUCH, and then she copped me a pissy attitude and shepherded her rugrats along to "take her business elsewhere." Grrrrr. Sigh. The world would be such a nice place if it weren't for all these people. By contrast, store owner John and manager Maryse are two of the most pleasant people ever. If you ever get a chance to see their store or their stall at the Ex, go for it.

On Saturday, Brianne and I went out for one last lunch date with our pal Bryce from Nashville. We'd met and got to know him while working with AYS, spending a good deal of travel time together during the days of the Ascot. We shared a meal at an Italian restaurant near Leicester Square and remenisced on time spent in London. He's flown hack home today, and we shall miss him greatly.