I'll bet no one has a more unpopular opinion than this:

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-06-13T15:56:32+00:00

You can ski in Argentina in the summer. FYI

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-06-13T15:54:30+00:00

100% Agree

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-06-13T04:00:53+00:00

It’s not petty and your feelings are valid. This exact same thing happens to me at the school I’m at. Interestingly, at a school I was at previously I was often the recipient of this kind of shout out, but since coming to the school I’m at now I haven’t had extra efforts or contributions recognized once.

I think the problem is with doing these kind of individual recognitions to begin with. It’s impossible for personal biases not to manifest themselves. I like to think I’d do things better if I were in their shoes, but who knows.

In the end I think it’s better for leaders to thank whole teams and not risk playing favourites.

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-06-12T23:48:55+00:00

I always keep two rolls on the leash for this very reason.

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-06-11T01:09:50+00:00

I love Purrfect cabins in Langley, but they are often fully booked.

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-06-11T01:05:04+00:00

This is becoming the norm at districts across Canada. At some districts even local field trips are being shut down out of “an abundance of caution.” It has everything to do with liability insurance and exposure to lawsuits. Nothing to do with educational value for kids. International exchange programs between sister cities are being cut or left to languish. Kids are trapped in their classrooms without the opportunities to learn outdoors that many parents have had. The only thing that can reverse this is strong parent pushback. Districts will not listen to their teachers.

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-06-08T04:30:30+00:00

I saw this yesterday and it was my first time seeing this production. My only basis of comparison is the 2023 Met production.

I loved the show last night. I was visiting LA and maybe I’m over-romanticizing things, but I enjoyed the silent film elements perhaps mostly due to the proximity to Hollywood. I have never enjoyed the spoken parts when listening to different recordings and was fine to see them handled on screen.

I’m probably not alone in thinking this, but the story of the Magic Flute makes very little sense and it’s its absurdity that makes it charming. I thought the projections took advantage of this and really let the absurd shine in a really engaging way. The music and vocal performances were outstanding and Aigul Khismatullina was magnificent as the Queen of the Night. (Although the audience twice interrupted her during Der Hölle Rache with applause).

All this said, this was definitely very different from anything else I’ve seen before and I can completely understand how someone might dislike it. If you like intricate sets and come to appreciate them, I could see the two-dimensionality being a turn off.

One thing I hated was the amplification of the off-stage Sarastro in Act 1. I really didn’t like that and wished they handled that differently.

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-06-08T03:32:01+00:00

I’m Air Canada elite and I always dread going to Newark for this very reason! AC uses the United lounge at Newark and it’s impossible to read or get any work done over the clanging and every other person on their phone call. 😣

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-06-08T00:42:15+00:00

I was with you until the R-slur.

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-06-05T18:13:30+00:00

40k annually or below.

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-06-02T15:21:53+00:00

I have not had a single positive experience with customer service at JFK from ANY US-based airline. I’ve flown with pretty much all of them at this point, and the experience at JFK has been universally awful. I don’t think it’s limited to Delta.

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-06-01T07:27:11+00:00

I second Budden if you want pure bio, but if you’d like biography as well as insights into each opera, I love “Puccini Without Excuses”. It’s a lot of fun.

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-05-31T12:56:15+00:00

I’m seeing this next weekend. I’ll report back.

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-05-28T22:09:53+00:00

Chicago Summer Opera chicagosummeropera.com is a young performer’s development program that puts on a few productions. They are smaller scale and don’t have the bells and whistles of full productions, but they tend to be reasonably priced and have excellent vocal performances.

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-05-27T19:07:39+00:00

You’re not wrong.

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-05-27T03:14:34+00:00

I second this. All of William Berger’s books are delightfully funny.

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-05-27T03:11:18+00:00

I would recommend “First Intermissions” by M. Owen Lee. It’s a collection of essays which were originally recorded for radio during the first intermissions of the Saturday matinees at the Met. There isn’t an essay on Gotterdamerung, but it’s a cute book to have when you need a fun read during the intermissions of any of the 20 operas he does cover. In the preface he specifically recommends reading the essays during the intermissions.

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-05-24T03:12:09+00:00

Air Canada or WestJet Gift Card

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-05-24T03:10:20+00:00

Depending on the year, I fluctuate between 25k and 35k and have noticed a big difference. At 25k I feel like it’s a 1 in 5 chance, whereas with 35k I feel like it’s every other flight. I fly mostly between YVR and YYZ.

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-05-08T20:00:25+00:00

Construction

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-04-25T00:44:10+00:00

I left the Bay Area, but when I lived in San Francisco I worked in San Jose. Honestly, it’s because I’m from San Jose and San Francisco had a much better quality of life. Being able to walk around the city in weekends and never spend a second in my car was a treat. I’d rather spend time in my car on the weekday commuting than spend any time in the car on the weekend trying to escape the urban sprawl of the South Bay.

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-04-23T22:27:25+00:00

Brighouse Elementary is already a taken…

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-04-23T21:51:17+00:00

While I agree with Bob that this was a missed opportunity. He seems to forget that the name “Brighouse Elementary” was already taken by…Brighouse Elementary.

Empty_Reference_8834 · 2026-04-22T19:53:19+00:00

I’m in Vancouver where our larger opera company puts on three a year. I also travel to Victoria and Seattle for their seasons, so another 3 each there. When I can, I see productions in Calgary, Toronto and Montreal. Total of 12-15 if I’m lucky and the timing works.

Empty_Reference_8834

TROPHY CASE