Any
events listed happened. The names have not been
changed as we have no innocents or innocence to protect.
The chronology has been re-constructed from
photodocumentation, police reports and our hazy
recollections.
Thursday, August 5, 1999
Joy discovers the Busker's Festival is a way bigger deal than she thought
and there isn't a room to be had and only one rental car in the entire city
which she snags for Bettina and Robin starting Saturday.
First PrivateTear sighted!
Greg Jungheim rolled into town in the afternoon and joined Joy, Eric
and Zoe for dinner.
Friday, August 6, 1999
Robin and Bettina are heard, not
sighted, when they call after checking
into the Lord Nelson.
Karla arrives at Joy and Eric's
but was not actually sighted until later in
the morning because she got in really early.
Brunch 10:30 am-2:30pm
At Joy's house, consisting of Rhubarb
Kuchen, various muffins and
fresh ground coffee courtesy of Karla. Greg gallantly chauffeured Robin
and Bettina over from their hotel. The first miracle of the picnic happens
when Stephanie, the lovely young lady at City Rentals, calls to say that
Bettina and Robin can get their car a day early if they'd like. They liked.
Ruswa arrives and checks into his
spartan digs at O'Brien Hall after
spending the night in various airports. We meet him for coffee and a
nosh at the Second Cup. We also picked up Eric from work, as well as
two digital cameras, a slide projector and a screen.
Dinner at the Soho Kitchen
Zoe, Eric and Wanda join the crew for dinner at the Soho Kitchen.
Great atmosphere, seafood pastas, and live jazz by Rogue's Roost,
Eric's Dad Murray's jazz group.
PrivateTears on the Pier!
We strolled around to check out the Busker's and found an actual
Cabana. Were we butt naked? Guess you should have been there. :P
Stopped in at LaCave for cheesecake.
BareIt's
Non-event
Bettina did not run Joy over with the car. She also didn't lock the
keys in the rental car. Glad we cleared that rumour up.
Saturday, August 7, 1999
The PrivateTears visited the
historic Farmer's Market for coffee, breakfast
snacks, blueberries and shopping. We learn why it is not a good idea to
insult a man's cheese. Evidently Stilton inspires a loyalty in Brits on
par with Manchester United.
Back at Joy's, having ascertained
the designated psycho for the picnic,
we try to discover the formula for combating the group inertia of RAP poets
and realize we are poets, not physicists. Get a call from Mr. Nice himself,
jr sherman, which Eric captures on mpeg.
BareIt's PrivateTears Picnic
at Point Pleasant Park
After stopping at Subway for provisions (good idea, Ruby), we picnicked
by the sea at Point Pleasant Park. Unexpected background music was
supplied by a First Nations drumming group. After, we did our first
reading on a hill overlooking Halifax Harbour and Georges Island.
BareIt's
Non-event
Bettina didn't run over Joy again with the
rental car.
It just didn't happen.
Nope. Nope. Nope.
Party 'cause It IS 1999 Barebeque and Poetry Reading
Ryan's House featuring the backyard to die for and Greg and Zoe nearly
did. We had a wondrously prepared whole salmon, barbequed chicken
breasts, red potatoes and roast yellow zucchini. Wine and Gin flow freely
and an authentic Gin-soaked bitch joined us just in time for another poetry
reading. The entire Lost Boys cycle was read, as was Ruswa and Karla's
Waterfall series. Robin and Bettina wowed us all with their amazing from
memory recitations. The party broke up sometimes around 1 am.
Sunday, August 8, 1999
BareIt's PrivateTears
Breakfast
Eric made us perfect pancakes, Robin improvised a coffee filter and we said
goodbye to Greg who drove three days to be with us. Group photos were
taken in the backyard and we experienced instant gratification when Eric
produced one for each PrivateTear using a Polaroid 4x5 film back. Email
was checked by everyone who could access from here but no updates were
done as we were having too much fun talking days and Joy was too tired at
night. An official BareIt's PrivateTears commemorative photographic poster
was designed and PrivateTear signatures were gathered for use in the
fine art photographic quality poster.
Herring Cove
The remaining PrivateTears head out to Herring Cove to sit on rocks by the
ocean and, yes, you guessed it, talk and read poetry.
BareIt's
Non-event
Ruswa did not poison Ryan with noxious Wintergreen lollipops.
Ryan Sings!
After Eric gifted us with a quick but delicious spaghetti supper, we attended
a mass at St Peter's Church in Darkmyth (Zoe's name for Dartmouth). Wanda
is right; he does have a voice like an angel but the highlight was the Polka
hymn he sang afterwards. Who knew choirs did requests?
Eric's Slide Show
At the request of the PrivateTears, Eric did a slide show presentation
on his fine art work. There was also popcorn with real butter.
BareIt's Non-event
Ryan did NOT miss the slide show because he had to hurry off to lead
a pagan ritual in the woods behind his house. There aren't even woods
near his house. Geez.
Monday, August 9, 1999
Robin and Joy drive Bettina and Bramwell to the Halifax Airport to get an
8am flight. This involved rolling out of bed before 6am. Luckily we found a
24 hour Tim Horton's (Dutchies and Caffeine), a full service gas station
and there was coffee again at the Airport.
BareIt's
Non-event
We did not cry when we had to say goodbye to Bettina. Bramwell went to
pieces but Ebb is used to that. We just missed them both terribly
immediately.
Monday Morning on
Spring Garden Road
Ruswa, Robin, Karla and Joy hit Spring Garden for coffee and treats at
Grabbajabba. We then start on a tour of local bookstores in the downtown
area. We visit four, including a used bookshop around the corner from
Atlantic Photo before we pick up Eric for lunch at Maxwell's Plum (Thanks
for lunch, Mom). You haven't lived until you go bookstore hopping with
RAP poets. Nobody tells you you're taking too long, you get lots of
recommendations for writers you will love, there are impromptu readings
as you share your finds, and you come home with even more books
for your overflowing shelves.
Note from Joy: next to hearing
people read, this was my favorite
part of BareIt's PrivateTears. We'd have gone to even more used
book stores but we had to get Zoe from day camp and Robin
to the airport.
Ruswa stayed with Eric in the
darkroom where they did some male bonding
stuff while Karla, Zoe and I saw Mom on her way.
Multiplexing
Karla, Ruswa, Eric and Joy went to see Phantom Menace after
the
divine goddess friend and model Victoria agreed to baby-sit for us. After losing
the car in the parking lot, we were sucked into Chapters, a Borders like
bookstore where birthday presents were purchased for Eric and
Joy's assorted offspring, all of whom have August birthdays.
The Great Debate and the Return
of Ryan
Victoria, an International Development major, stayed to discuss economics
and poetry with Ruswa. Ryan called and came over with chips and pop to say
goodbye. While Eric designed the poster, a spirited discussion took place that
only ended around 2am when Karla and I realised we had to get up at
4:30am to get her to the airport. Imagine, a bunch of poets with
vigorously expressed opinions.
Tuesday, August 10, 1998
The Next to the Last PrivateTear Leaves
Karla, the world's greatest houseguest, had to catch a 6am flight back
home.
I drove her. I don't remember much more though I know I made it home just
fine and Ruswa was at the house when I got back from taking Zoe to day
camp. I also remember making Tuna Noodle Casserole for him and Eric and
Victoria stopping by and joining us for lunch but it was getting pretty hazy.
BareIt's
Non-event
Karla did NOT almost get on her flight with the keys to the rental car.
After Bettina DIDN'T lock the keys in the car, we were very careful about
stuff like that so anyone who says they saw Joy doing her OJ Simpson
imitation through the Halifax International Airport is delusional.
Last to Arrive, Last to Leave
I made my fourth trip to the Airport so the last PrivateTear could catch
a flight to Toronto to visit family. The rental car got returned and
I crashed hard.
So Ryan and my nefarious plot to lure RAPpers to come to us was a great
success. The weather co-operated, the company was excellent and you all
should have been there. Next year the East Coast picnic will be Mass Carnage
and we are hoping to entice Gary Gamble, Neil Kennedy or Chris Keelan
into holding a Canadian one.
