The last two weekends, we've seen a couple of fun performances.
Last weekend, we attended half of the New Works festival at our local community theater. From about 300 new plays, the group selected 20 and we saw 10, each about 8-12 minutes long. They were actually really good and well-acted too. One of my favorites involved a geeky guy who returns to his home town after he's invented something that's made him a lot of money. He runs into a woman he knew in high school, whom he dreamed about, actually, whom he's been googling obsessively, who's now a prostitute.
Another one concerns a man who has heroically saved a woman from a near-fatal car accident, one in which her children have died. He has looked after her in the hospital and has brought him home to live wth him when she's released. He is, in a way, her guardian angel. Except that through his own carelessness and uncaring, he caused the accident. Rather than undergoing arrest and imprisonment, he is sentenced to living with himself (and her). The whole play consists of their thoughts spoken aloud; they never speak to each other.
On Saturday, we went to a contra dance with live music, always a treat.
And on Sunday, we went to a concert of BSO principals playing in chamber format. We had been unable to attend the first concert of the year, so we got two extra tickets to Sunday's concert and invited two friends to join us. It was such a pleasure to share the experience.
This past Friday night, we attended another special night at a favorite local theater, one in which the regular actors get to choose scenes to perform. We saw a little Shakespeare, David Mamet, Lillian Hellman, Edward Albee, and Tom Stoppard. Some of the scenes made us laugh; others made us squirm. Good stuff.
And last night, we drove to a nearby town to see a friend appear in Harvey, one of those plays where the top-billed star never quite makes an appearance but you know he's on stage much of the time. Our friend did great credit to the role of Dr. Chumley, owner of Chumley's Rest, that terrifying prison of a mental institution that everyone is checking in and out of at an alarming rate. The theater company is small with almost no budget, but they did a great job. My friend reported his relief at hearing me laugh during the funniest moments and introduced us all around to the cast after the performance.
Today, we were supposed to see a friend but we had a snow storm instead. Much as I would have liked to socialize, it was very pleasant having at least some restful moments as we gazed out at the falling snow.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
safe and sound (human); car, not so much
This week, a friend's car spontaneously burst into flames in his driveway. When he heard a loud noise, he got out to inspect, which meant that he wasn't trapped in the car when the automatic door locks engaged. Thanks to quick thinking by his neighbor, the firetrucks arrived quickly. Score one for the humans, not so much for the car. BTW, this is one of those GM truck combo things that my brother once presciently dubbed "Human Fecal Matter."
Right now, I'm just grateful that my friend was completely unhurt in the entire incident.
Friday, January 16, 2009
"service" people -- feh
I recently heard a good review about an online optical shop, a place for buying prescription eyeglasses over the internet. The price is so low that it rivals "cheaters" -- the magnifiers you buy at the drug store. So after I left my glasses at home again and had to wear an old pair at work all day one day this week, I thought it might be worthwhile to order a pair and see how well they work.
I selected a decent-looking frame (purple, of course), and took out my scrip from my last eye exam so I could fill out the online form. I got to a measurement not even listed on the scrip and saw that it is mandatory for the online experience. I read the online explanation of the measurement and was a little surprised by how firm they were. Then I found out why.
I called the optical shop where I've been getting glasses for years. No answer. I called the front desk. They promised that someone would return my call. The call came back fairly quickly. I asked for the measurement.
She: You have to come in.
Me: I've been buying my glasses at your shop for years and I know you have the measurement.
She: It might have changed.
Me: I've read that it doesn't change.
She: Well, you'd have to buy your glasses here.
Me: I've been doing that for years. I know you have it in your records.
She: I'd have to get management permission to give you that information.
Me: You are federally mandated to give it to me.
She: We can't be responsible if you buy your glasses somewhere else and they don't fit.
Me: I understand. You can only be responsible if I buy my glasses at your shop.
She: Oh, ok, the number is 53.
Sheesh. First she pretended not to know that I was a long-standing customer there, then she acted like she couldn't help me. And this is supposed to *encourage* me to be a repeat client?
I selected a decent-looking frame (purple, of course), and took out my scrip from my last eye exam so I could fill out the online form. I got to a measurement not even listed on the scrip and saw that it is mandatory for the online experience. I read the online explanation of the measurement and was a little surprised by how firm they were. Then I found out why.
I called the optical shop where I've been getting glasses for years. No answer. I called the front desk. They promised that someone would return my call. The call came back fairly quickly. I asked for the measurement.
She: You have to come in.
Me: I've been buying my glasses at your shop for years and I know you have the measurement.
She: It might have changed.
Me: I've read that it doesn't change.
She: Well, you'd have to buy your glasses here.
Me: I've been doing that for years. I know you have it in your records.
She: I'd have to get management permission to give you that information.
Me: You are federally mandated to give it to me.
She: We can't be responsible if you buy your glasses somewhere else and they don't fit.
Me: I understand. You can only be responsible if I buy my glasses at your shop.
She: Oh, ok, the number is 53.
Sheesh. First she pretended not to know that I was a long-standing customer there, then she acted like she couldn't help me. And this is supposed to *encourage* me to be a repeat client?
Friday, January 09, 2009
street legal
The brakes in Robert's car were going, and I told him we could get along with just one car if he had the repairs done on a day when I was going to work. Unfortunately, the first available appointment was for today, one of my days off, when I thought I'd need my car. So Robert decided to rent a car to get himself to work.
This morning, he left the house fairly early to drop the car off. A while later, there was some kerfuffle in the house, and there was Robert, with no rental car, and not on his way to work after all. Turns out that when he went to rent the car, they took one look at his license and told him it had expired. Today turned out to be a "work from home" day.
So, this afternoon, I drove Robert to the nearest Registry of Motor Vehicles (which we affectionately call "the Registry" or the RMV). Going there has been a painful experience in the past. The RMV workers are known for their inefficiencies, for making you stand in line for 45 minutes only to tell you that you're in the wrong line and that you need to start all over.
This time was a little different. You walk in and stand in one line to speak to a "greeter". You are then assigned a number and told the approximate wait time. You sit on uncomfortable benches (at least there's a place to sit) until about three or four times the expected time has passed. When your number is called, you speak to the clerk. It's fairly efficient, fairly fair (although we did see someone "expedited" into line ahead of everyone else) and then you get a temporary license.
When it was all over, we celebrated by having lunch at one of our favorite vegetarian Indian restaurants before coming home so that Robert could finish out his work day. And when he picked up his car, he actually got to drive home legally. Phew.
This morning, he left the house fairly early to drop the car off. A while later, there was some kerfuffle in the house, and there was Robert, with no rental car, and not on his way to work after all. Turns out that when he went to rent the car, they took one look at his license and told him it had expired. Today turned out to be a "work from home" day.
So, this afternoon, I drove Robert to the nearest Registry of Motor Vehicles (which we affectionately call "the Registry" or the RMV). Going there has been a painful experience in the past. The RMV workers are known for their inefficiencies, for making you stand in line for 45 minutes only to tell you that you're in the wrong line and that you need to start all over.
This time was a little different. You walk in and stand in one line to speak to a "greeter". You are then assigned a number and told the approximate wait time. You sit on uncomfortable benches (at least there's a place to sit) until about three or four times the expected time has passed. When your number is called, you speak to the clerk. It's fairly efficient, fairly fair (although we did see someone "expedited" into line ahead of everyone else) and then you get a temporary license.
When it was all over, we celebrated by having lunch at one of our favorite vegetarian Indian restaurants before coming home so that Robert could finish out his work day. And when he picked up his car, he actually got to drive home legally. Phew.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
why we create our own families
Today I spent a vacation day so that I could take a dear friend to day-surgery, wait for him, and take him back home. Turns out to have been some of the most non-invasive surgery imaginable (it's all done with lasers). Half-way through waiting, the nurse came out and said "He did great!" A while later my friend appeared from around the corner, a little the worse for wear, but I think only because of the pain and other meds they gave him, not because of the procedure itself. I'm hoping they got what they were after and that he feels a lot better.
We talked a lot on the way in, while waiting, and on the way home. One of the stories he told me sends chills up my spine. My friend M has three brothers, most, if not all of whom have spawned. He often tells me about how proud he is of his nieces and nephews -- of their education, their accomplishments, their weddings, and their children.
Apparently, a few years ago, he was invited to a niece's house in Vermont for some big family holiday, perhaps Thanksgiving. He made arrangements to bring his dog, stay in an inn, and was very much looking forward to seeing this niece, one of his favorite family members. I've met her, and she seemed so sweet, so lovely, so gracious.
About a week before he was to leave, he got a call from his brother who hemmed and hawed and basically disinvited him. M's heart broke because he knew that his brother's heart was breaking -- apparently this is the nicest brother and the most sensitive. M knew that the brother had been put in the position of choosing between his own brother and the rest of the family.
And what was the issue? That M has AIDS and the niece, her husband, and his family were afraid that M could somehow transmit it to the children.
M said that he perceives his niece, with all her education and world experience, to be a spoiled unpleasant little brat. With his typical grace, he said that he doesn't particularly want an apology from her, but he does feel that one is owed to his brother, the niece's father. This is one part of the family that has lost a faithfully loving and devoted uncle. And this is why we have to create our own families.
----
From my own perspective, I feel white rage about this stupid girl. I know about the New Year's resolution to practice unnecessary kindness. Can I target the kindness to people who really deserve it? Can I make some exceptions? Do I have to suffer fools gladly?
I'm sure I will be dealing with this girl again, most likely at various family events, most likely at funerals. I'm sure I can be polite and correct. I'm not sure, at least from where I stand today, that I can be very warm to either her or her husband.
We talked a lot on the way in, while waiting, and on the way home. One of the stories he told me sends chills up my spine. My friend M has three brothers, most, if not all of whom have spawned. He often tells me about how proud he is of his nieces and nephews -- of their education, their accomplishments, their weddings, and their children.
Apparently, a few years ago, he was invited to a niece's house in Vermont for some big family holiday, perhaps Thanksgiving. He made arrangements to bring his dog, stay in an inn, and was very much looking forward to seeing this niece, one of his favorite family members. I've met her, and she seemed so sweet, so lovely, so gracious.
About a week before he was to leave, he got a call from his brother who hemmed and hawed and basically disinvited him. M's heart broke because he knew that his brother's heart was breaking -- apparently this is the nicest brother and the most sensitive. M knew that the brother had been put in the position of choosing between his own brother and the rest of the family.
And what was the issue? That M has AIDS and the niece, her husband, and his family were afraid that M could somehow transmit it to the children.
M said that he perceives his niece, with all her education and world experience, to be a spoiled unpleasant little brat. With his typical grace, he said that he doesn't particularly want an apology from her, but he does feel that one is owed to his brother, the niece's father. This is one part of the family that has lost a faithfully loving and devoted uncle. And this is why we have to create our own families.
----
From my own perspective, I feel white rage about this stupid girl. I know about the New Year's resolution to practice unnecessary kindness. Can I target the kindness to people who really deserve it? Can I make some exceptions? Do I have to suffer fools gladly?
I'm sure I will be dealing with this girl again, most likely at various family events, most likely at funerals. I'm sure I can be polite and correct. I'm not sure, at least from where I stand today, that I can be very warm to either her or her husband.
Friday, January 02, 2009
second day
On the second day of this year, I looked out the window and saw crows -- perhaps seven of them -- plus a robin and a blue jay and a bunch of smaller birds. The crows were having their usual party out by the compost heap, taking turns standing guard in the trees and swooping down from some trashy delight. Crows are the tricksters of the universe, smart, wiley, resourceful. It's somehow reassuring to have them nearby and to know they like to visit.
An odd phone call from my father, whom I hear from rarely. It was brief -- he seems befuddled by the phone, always happy to hear my voice, and quick to ring off regardless of who called whom. He was really looking for my unfortunate brother's snail-dress but seemed happy with the e-dress, which is all I have. He told me that he's a grandfather, which makes me an aunt (a half-aunt?) to a baby whose father I've never met. My father has not met his granddaughter; there's apparently an odd story about the relationship that produced this precious child, who is now being raised by her mother's relatives.
I'm sure the year will get weirder before it's out; the adventures and stories never really do stop.
An odd phone call from my father, whom I hear from rarely. It was brief -- he seems befuddled by the phone, always happy to hear my voice, and quick to ring off regardless of who called whom. He was really looking for my unfortunate brother's snail-dress but seemed happy with the e-dress, which is all I have. He told me that he's a grandfather, which makes me an aunt (a half-aunt?) to a baby whose father I've never met. My father has not met his granddaughter; there's apparently an odd story about the relationship that produced this precious child, who is now being raised by her mother's relatives.
I'm sure the year will get weirder before it's out; the adventures and stories never really do stop.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
First day sighting
When we awoke this morning, we noticed that some small animal had had a romp through the snow this morning, perhaps a rabbit, with its precise little footprints.
Later, on this first day of the year, two humans and a cat were gazing into the back yard when an adolescent male deer came wandering through. Under the careful gaze of one grey tabby, he munched on a bush for a while, was startled by something towards the front of the house (wind? a neighbor?), melted into the background for a moment, then emerged and slowly, and with great dignity, meandered back into the woods, stooping to nibble random snacks.
I'm sure it means something good to see such a noble animal on the first day of the year; perhaps I should start my own tradition. Our visitor looked healthy enough; I hope he manages to survive the winter intact.
Later, on this first day of the year, two humans and a cat were gazing into the back yard when an adolescent male deer came wandering through. Under the careful gaze of one grey tabby, he munched on a bush for a while, was startled by something towards the front of the house (wind? a neighbor?), melted into the background for a moment, then emerged and slowly, and with great dignity, meandered back into the woods, stooping to nibble random snacks.
I'm sure it means something good to see such a noble animal on the first day of the year; perhaps I should start my own tradition. Our visitor looked healthy enough; I hope he manages to survive the winter intact.
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