Montreal is Far from NoCal

We left the sunny NoCal climate and came to Montreal where it was cold and raining. At first, I was excited. REAL weather and REAL cold. But soon, the thrill wore off. Mark and I were here to attend Dylan's final recital. He graduates from McGill this June with a degree in Early Music. His specialty is harpsichord. The concert was held in Redpath Hall on the McGill campus. The lovely granite building built in the 1890's used to be the library. We sat in a vast hall surrounded by lead-paned windows, dark wood trim and a spectacular German-built organ towering in front of us. The first half of the recital included solo pieces.

In the second half, Dylan played a piece for two harpsichords that he arranged and a Bach concerto with a Baroque orchestra. The entire evening was a real treat. As I sat listening to the beautiful music in the beautiful space, I was taken back to Dylan's early musical career. He began by sitting next to our church organist watching eagerly as Jon adjusted manuals and pedals and played two keyboards. But to play the organ, he had to start on the piano - not his idea of a fair deal. So he banged and wished for time on the organ. As that memory faded, I watched Dylan's fingers fly over the two keyboards making music that was tender and soulful and lively and sparkly. And full of his love for the sound and the instrument. He has come such a long way. And we, his family, are so proud of all he has achieved. And we look forward to all he has before him. And more concerts too!

Montreal is not NoCal for sure. First, it's a big-city city....meaning that is has lots of tall buildings and streets full of cars. I know that San Jose has tall buildings in the downtown. But it is a small part of downtown. And I never feel overwhelmed by the size or amount. Montreal has a great metro system. Unlike San Jose, Montreal's metro is underground. And surrounding many of the stops is the Underground shopping experience. This is really amazing. It goes on and on for many miles and many layers. This is because in the winter, no Montrealer in his/her right mind would spend a spare second OUTSIDE shopping. The only reason to be outside in the winter is to play hockey. And whether you are 7 or 70, you played, play, know someone who plays or played, wish you could play, or just hope someday to play. the Montrealers all love their team - Canadiens or Les Habitants (the Home Boys). Or, if you are a local, the Habs. And this is Stanley Cup playoff time. So EVERY NIGHT there is SOME team playing some other team. And all Montrealers are watching or talking about the last game played or the next game to be played. Makes for exciting dinner conversation. It will be good to get back to reality in San Jose. Where all they talk about is...... the Sharks and hockey. Oh well.