14 September 1955

He knows my name!

Tom Riddle touched my arm today! We were all in line outside Professor Dumbledore's classroom, waiting to go in for Transfiguration class, and Tom came out, he was in the class before ours, and brushed my arm, I don't think accidentally, and then he smiled right at me and said: "Pardon me, Myrtle." He has the most AMAZING smile. Eileen doesn't like him, though, she says he's strange, but I told her, he's top in his class and the teachers all love him, doesn't that mean he's worth it? Plus, he's a really good prefect, he got Madeline out of detention when Professor Dippet thought she had been writing those nasty messages about me in the girls' bathroom. Everyone knows it was that jerk Desmond Lowe who was writing those things. He's such an awful, weird boy. I only wish he'd gotten detention instead.

Myrtle

location: 5433 mood: creative music: BASEBALL tags: creative writing, fan fiction, harry potter, moaning myrtle

Chicago est divisi in partes, duo. [On the South Side, Obama-ites, on the North, "Go, Cubbies!"]

Hi omnes inter se differunt, kiddos:

1) The bike path is for bikers. The BIKE PATH is for BIKERS.
2) I'm entitled to run on the paved lakeshore path if I want to. That's right, entitled.
3) Northwestern is that way. UofC is this way.

Got it?

Christus est dominus sanctus. Etc. etc. etc.

location: 5433 mood: busy music: Indigo Girls tags: chicago, summer

I've been eating cake for almost two weeks straight. Not to mention intervals of Memorial Day BBQ, Sunday brunch, fast-food and chain-restaurants fare as well as a couple of evenings of fine dining, including a lovely dinner at Maya del Sol in Oak Park, IL and the Crystal Barn in my native Roch-cha-cha, my diet has consisted primarily of chocolate cake since 17 May. What, you may well ask, did I do to incur the wrath of the French Queen? The answer: I no longer qualify for Joan d'Arc's band of Jesuit and Marian devotees. I've reached the age limit, and by both medieval and age of enlightenment standards have attained a fine season: thus, I am no longer a crisp riesling, but am at best, a full-bodied merlot. The cake(s), no doubt will contribute to my flavah.

Dinner at Maya del Sol last Sunday is worth describing. The food was good, the company great. My main course was half an acorn squash filled with rice and veggies. Doused in butter, it pleased my peasant tongue. Dessert, a fresh red pear with berry sauce was decadent. Follow that up with a chocolate turtle milkshake from Oberweiss, *borrowed* heavily from his_regard, and you have one very happy ladysophis2k8.

Our visit to the Crystal Barn nearly two weeks ago is also noteworthy. Their wine list is deep, and our table enjoyed a few bottles. My dinner, a basic gnocchi with tomato sauce was simple, but delicious. For dessert, I shared a chocolate-raspberry torte with my intended. A sweet ending to a nice meal.

luckymarty knows I've been trying to convert to veganism, not without difficulty, and thus gave me a vegan chocolate mousse cake from Whole Foods to celebrate my birthday this week. The best part of the three layer giant, surprisingly, was the frosting(s). Not too rich, and not too sweet, but flavorful and smooth, and this from a woman who will always prefer butter-cream to whipped-cream frosting. It didn't hold up so well in my fridge, though. I think it's best served at once.

To all those who sent wishes and good tidings, and who encouraged, sustained and forbore this gluttonous celebration, cheers!

location: 5433 mood: amused music: lawn mower tags: birthday, cake, chocolate, food

Creative Form to Support Evolution.

Headline:
Byline:

Body:

Sig.


Amen

location: home mood: numb music: leaf blower tags: poetry

Den Haag, den tod eerst una conglomerate classickal et du theatre ergunt shopping fur le bebe.

Trans. = "That's hot." or "Oh YEAH."

location: 5433 mood: tired music: Fifth Dimension

Dear Senators Obama, Clinton and McCain:

Thank you for speaking out last evening on 'Idol Gives Back.' Your support of this non-partisan charity event was uplifting. Thank you.

Best regards,

location: home mood: crappy tags: american idol, politics

Dear Senator Obama:

Did you watch Idol last night? Weren't the contestants amazing. I really liked Alicia Keyes' interview and the fact that she is working so hard to save innocent lives. Didn't you?

I hope they save those children in Africa and New Orleans.

I also liked it when Fergie did a one-handed cartwheel.

LYLAS,

CRF

location: l'apartment mood: nostalgic music: sorry tags: american idol, public charities

Who says the Swiss are neutral?

location: 5433 mood: lethargic tags: globalism, pharmaceutical industry

The Buffalo Bills being the football equivalent of the Chicago Cubs, my transition from Upstate New York to Chicago, IL was less earth-shattering than one could have predicted. I am sure it throws those pesky life-coaches a curveball anyway.

Anyhoo - all I wanted to say was how AWESOME it was to be in my hometown for a weekend, where the Bills are LOVED, and where the Yankees RULE. To the three gents I drank down my Guinness with at ye Olde Toade in the old Town, all I have to say is this: "Go CUBBIES!!!" and go Blackhawks!!!!

location: 5433 music: Barenaked Ladies tags: baseball, chicago, football, rochester, the game

"For the LORD God Om-NI-PO-TENT REIGNETH!" It never gets old. Never.

Tonight luckymarty and I went to hear a lecture: "The Story Behind the Masterpiece: Handel's Messiah" given by Apollo Chorus of Chicago director Steven Alltop at Fourth Presbyterian Church downtown. Alltop's fervor and delight in the music was apparent as he led us through a brief biographical sketch of the composer, the incipience of the English Oratorio from 17th century Italian opera and German church music, the initial performance of the masterwork at St. Patrick's in Dublin, and ultimately through the music itself. The live recorded version of the Apollo Chorus' Messiah was the feature of his exploration, and I cannot believe that we got out of there without purchasing a copy of the CD.

We learned that author Jonathan Swift was the Doctor on site at St. Patrick's in 1742 when Handel premiered his masterwork, and that he was none too pleased with the idea of the composer bringing his to Dublin. We learned that the original alto soloist was an abused actress and trollop whose notoreity as an adultress drew audience members to the cathedral. Maestro Alltop emphasized Handel's interest and connection to the theatre, although to the opera would be more correct, and highlighted the composer's sense of the dramatic not only in his personality, but also in his work. Alltop also ran through the list of all 53 verses (?)/ movements of the Messiah. As he noted, most choirs do not perform the work in its entirety, but give the audience a parsed version. Since 2000, the Apollo Chorus has performed the masterwork from start to finish, although their performance tradition of Handel's Messiah dates back to 1879 when British conductor William Thomas led the choir. Alltop seems committed to the Apollo Chorus' annual performance of the Messiah, from the timpani to the oboes, from the basses to the sparse melodies Handel borrowed from the Lutheran Chorales.

Mister Alltop is clearly a seasoned professional: he is not only responsible for the directorship of the Apollo Chorus, but he leads orchestras in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and another orchestra on the west coast I didn't catch the name of. His presentation tonight revealed a practice of music in workshop and lecture - he teaches at Northwestern University and does a similar spiel about 'the Messiah' for school-age children.

Community and fellowship groups of Fourth Pres donated homemade cookies and goodies for a post-lecture reception. It was very nice. Many thanks to all who worked to put such a lovely event together.

location: 5433 mood: hot music: Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me/The Grateful Dead, Rolling Stones tags: chicago, choral music, fourth presbyterian church, handel's messiah

True peace stems from faith and respect.

" ~ ... Deep peace of the running wave to you ... ~ "

location: 5433 mood: irritated music: Menotti

"..Why should a dog, a horse, a rat have life, and thou no breath at all?" Thus laments King Lear in his last gasp of life and breath, the untimely death of his most adoring, most innocent daughter Cordelia. So we today have lost a noble mind and excellent friend of liberty, for rumor, that swiftest and most potent of evils, has it that journalist and conservative stalwart William F. Buckley, Jr. is dead.

When I was younger, I eagerly awaited the arrival of the National Review to my family's house. Upon its receipt I would gobble up WFBs personal letters, 'On the Right,' and Florence King's 'Misanthrope's Corner.' High school classmates mocked my devotion to this magazine - I daresay the girls wondered why I didn't prefer 'Seventeen.' Buckley's wit had strands of Lewis Carroll and George Burns, rolled neatly into a fine Cuban cigar, and when smoked could sear even the coldest of liberals.

More recently, I had the pleasure to hear Mr. Buckley speak on conservatism and social politics at Kent State University. Shaking his hand that night sent me over the moon. He was eloquent and his ferocious wit sparkled, and the warning he issued young conservatives echoed the princely Edgar in those last lines of Lear:

"The weight of this sad time we must obey,
Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.
The oldest have borne most. We that are young
Shall never see so much . . ."

Rest in peace, Bill. Vos salutamus ~ may our debt to you and your noble work be as transparent, as brilliant as you shall remain to us: stellar in your eternal repose.

location: l'apartment mood: blah tags: bill buckley, journalism, politics

Center on Halsted kicks off WOW, World of Women on March 5 to celebrate Women's History Month. The celebration will include performances of female commediennes in 'The Stand Up Vagina Show,' presented by Jessica Halem, 'The Pocketbook Monologues' by local news radio personality Sharon McGee, 'Sex O!' presented by Teatro Luno, and finally Eve Ensler's 'The Vagina Monologues.'

This celebration includes activists from the LGBTQ community, cultural and performance artists, corporate and entrepreneur businesswomen, grassroots organizers and, yours truly. I am very excited about this event - which also includes a collaboration with The Goodman Theatre, titled "OUTFront and Center: Theatre Series."

For more information on this celebration check out the Center's website:
Here.

location: the apartment mood: determined music: Gilmore Girls tags: chicago, feminism, theatre, vday, violence against women, women's studies

One of the first dates we had here in Chicago was at a wee theatre on the far North side: Caffeine Theatre was in residence at the Side Project Theatre to produce "The Cure at Troy," Seamus Heaney's adaptation of Sophocles' Philoctetes. Too small to be considered a black box, the space held room for approximately 40 audience members on folding chairs, and actors paraded in an oblong rectangle immediately in front of us. Meagre technical elements included a few gels and a properties-based scenic design. It was an excellent production. Director Jennifer Shook whose 1999 staging of 'The Collector' remains one of the more impressive productions I have ever seen, has a detailed eye towards the script and definite command of the stage. Her actors never move without intention, her lights cast shadows only dreams can illuminate, and sets in even the humblest of places create whole worlds. Heaney's writing ain't bad either.

So, when the advert for the DePaul Theatre School's production of Heaney's "The Burial at Thebes" fell into my hands, there was no doubt we had to go. 'Thebes' is an adaptation of Sophocles' Antigone. His adaptation is good, if wholly contemporary. Politically charged even in ancient Greece, this play has touched audiences the world over for millennia. The cursed line of Oedipus culminates with the death of its youngest and most innocent member. A twentieth-century adaptation by French playwright Jean Anouilh was produced in Vichy France during World War II, and the tragic heroine so celebrated she became an icon of patriotism for French nationalists during the war. Heaney makes some bold omissions in his script; its structure is such that Antigone remains heroic, but the anti-hero, Creon becomes wholly evil, and Antigone's husband-to-be, the tragic Haemon, reclaims honor that in the original Greek and French versions would not have been accessible to him alone. Heaney adds a rock-n-roll chorus which adds to the contemporary flavor, and these students realize this vision well.

It is a shame that the Reskin Theatre, which must be a playground for Technical Director Chris Hofmann and his students, has lights strung across the box seats and both balconies, and an overly large proscenium. I felt growing pains as I sat in the orchestra staring up at the exquisite early artwork and architecture of the theatre, listening to amateurs belting out Heaney's rock chorus. If I am right in thinking that Director Barry Brunetti hoped to achieve a cinematic interpretation of this script, I may say that he stumbled. He didn't have the actors for it, and the technical design was incomplete for such a sweeping effort. This was quite obviously a student production, although there were some excellent moments both onstage and off - Coral Gable's costume design was simple and evocative; the actors' make-up was also done very well. Courtney Payne grew into Antigone as the play progressed, but I wish her early scene with Ismene was less frantic and more measured. Jared Dennis was spot on as the tyrant Creon, and Tori Ayres Oman is both stunning and moving as the prophet Tiresias. As I have already said, the chorus was the best part, both technically speaking and artistically speaking. These three actors (Joshua M. Rowe, Dustin Valenta, and Zachary Kenney) moved, sang and played with a brilliant physical and vocal harmony. Their scenes represented unity in the play which evoked the tradition of the ancient theatre, was reminiscent of early Irish and Celtic poesy and religion, and finally, which highlighted the contemporary setting of Heaney's script. Cheers.

We missed Loyola's production of the same script (also played this past weekend) - please let me know if you saw that one.

location: the apartment mood: sick music: nope tags: chicago, chicago theatre, classics, seamus heaney, sophocles, theatre

Consciousness has returned to approximately 67 percent, post Super Tuesday/Mardi Gras BLITZ of Blue and Red. I should know better than to mix. Alas, where are those simple days of yore gone? On the plus side, I retained enough pre-coma takeaway to fill this journal for months to come.

So now, Mitt has dropped out, with a wink toward the VP spot, or maybe Secretary (perish the thought) of State.
So now, Obama brags he can win Hillary's voters if he were to take the nomination.
So now, Mike Huckabee fills the airtime with words words words.

And unfortunately, Suzanne Elder lost the primary race for the 7th District's seat in the Illinois State Senate.

S.P.Q.R.!

location: 5433 tags: illinois politics, politics, presidential election, super tuesday

"Longbottom, come with me please." Snape's icy tone cut the air. Goyle lowered his wand and Lavender slid out of her chair, advancing toward the Headmaster. But before she could open her mouth, the centaur had cut her off, and turned toward Snape.

"Mr. Goyle and Mr. Crabbe were just about to make their exit from this class, were you not?" Firenze directed these last words to the boys themselves in a soft, dignified tone, his long eyelashes fluttering beneath his lofty brow. Goyle mumbled something under his breath that was indistinguishable from monkey sounds, and Snape's eyes narrowed as he glowered at Firenze.

"Whatever it is, Goyle, Crabbe, you may report to me in the common room tonight. At the moment, it is Longbottom's unworthy presence I have the unhappy task of seeking." His keen gaze surveyed the classroom, and upon discovering his query, he repeated: "Mr. Longbottom. Now." He held the wide door to the tower agape.

Neville looked Snape directly in the eyes: "No," he said simply. "This class is important to me." Firenze spoke up: "Surely this meeting may wait until after class has finished."

"You have already dismissed two students, it seems hardly unreasonable to absent one more. I don't have to justify myself to you, Firenze. Consider it grace that your teaching days at Hogwarts have not yet been numbered. Longbottom, you seem to forget that I am the Headmaster at this school and my authority determines your attendance in this or any class. Detention. And 50 points from Gryffindor for your cheek."

Crabbe sniggered and sent sparks from the tip of his wand, scalding Firenze who was standing closest. Out of the blue, a silent stunning spell hit Crabbe who fell to the floor with a loud thud. Goyle laughed dumbly, but Snape turned on his heel letting the door slam shut and faced the class. With a level, menacing hand, he raised his wand.

"Gryffindors will follow me. The remainder of your house points are revoked, and no points may be added for your house for the rest of the school year. Everyone else, class dismissed. Goyle, if you think you can manage a simple levitation spell, get Crabbe back to the Slytherin common room. NOW." He gesticulated toward the door with his wand, and the figure of Crabbe became upright and mobile.

location: 5433 mood: cold music: Norah Jones tags: centaurs, fan fiction, harry potter

The door to the tower shut with banal finality, and Firenze began his lecture.

"The aspect of Uranus reveals a subtle truth when confronted by Saturn. Can anyone discover this truth for us?"

Crabbe sniggered and nudged Goyle who was sitting next to him, "Yer anus is truly gross, you big ugly horse." Goyle snorted loudly and a booger dropped from his nose onto the wood-paneled floor. Parvati shot him a scathing look of disgust, then returned to her pose of adoring worship of the centaur who paced broadly before the blackboard.

"Mister Goyle?" Firenze turned a placid eye on Goyle's rotund physique.

"Yes, Professor Firenze?"

"You think Saturn is funny?"

"N-no, sir."

"Then perhaps you might illuminate the mystery he presents us with?"

"I thought you were asking us about Uranus," Crabbe interjected, emphasizing 'Uranus' with a labored effort.

"Indeed", said Firenze, "To ask about one is to ask about the other."

Crabbe appeared dumb and confused, his large face forced hard into concentration. "Sir?"

"Saturn is trying to reveal something to us, but in order to do so he needs the help of Uranus." Goyle burst into sniggers, and another booger came out of his nose as he jostled a Crabbe who was laughing so hard he had tears streaming down his face.

"Out. Right now. Out of my class. Please do not feel the need to come back. I cannot forbid you from taking your NEWTs in this subject, but I do not see how you can achieve them when you are too immature to discuss the subject matter."

Goyle grabbed his knapsack, and said "C'mon, Crabbe. Bet Alecto and Amycus will wanna know we've been kicked out of class."

"Don't you mean, 'kicked out of class' again, you worthless sacks of filth?" retorted Lavender Brown whose reverent admiration for Firenze was not quite as intense as Parvati's. Goyle snarled at her and raised his wand, but before he could say 'Crucio', the tower door swung open and Headmaster Snape crossed the threshold.

location: 5433 mood: accomplished tags: fan fiction, harry potter

Cressida: If I be false or swerve a hair from truth
When time is old and hath forgot itself
When waterdrops have worn the stones of Troy
And blind oblivion swallowed cities up
And mighty states characterless are grated
To dusty nothing yet let memory
From false to false among false maids in love
Upbraid my falsehood! When they've said 'As false
As air as water wind or sandy earth
As fox to lamb or wolf to heifer's calf
Pard to the hind or stepdame to her son'
Yea, let them say to stick the heart of falsehood
'As false as Cressid'.

Troilus and Cressida; III.ii.

Oh, Cressida, victim of self-defeating, self-fulfulling prophesy, I salute you.
Let not history forget Helen's alter ego and Troy's dear loss.

location: 5433 mood: drained tags: cressida, shakespeare, women's studies

Black, bitter, soft - that most eloquent of liquids. That champion of the sleep-deprived and travelers the world over. Dangerous the drug.
With cream, especially whipped, is decadent.
With honey (!) who would've thunk it? Exceeds ambrosia.

location: 5433 mood: content music: Into the Woods tags: coffee, poetry

[The dog ate me. I just escaped his belly courtesy the woodsman, etc. etc. That's why all this is late.]

1) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
I don't know how many times I have read this book. And I am not certain that I *love* it. But, it does gratify my need for fantasy in a way nothing else does. I know a review is moot for this audience, preaching to the choir as it were, but I am an OBSESSED fan and so think my opinions and valuations, late though they may be, - I am writing my review post-facto Amazon's purchase of the original 'Tales of Beedle the Bard' (done by hand by Rowling herself!!!) from Sotheby's - can contribute to the fire.

It's too long.
It rambles.
It diverges.
It swims. Literally.

However, I think it would be impossible to cut almost anything from this text, although I have never liked her articles for 'The Daily Prophet.' Further to this point, I anticipated additional plotlines, like say with the Centaurs (where DID they disappear to?), life at Hogwarts under Snape, intrigue at the Ministry. She could have developed parallel plotlines without losing the focus on Harry. Also, she ignores Voldemort for way too long.

That said, I'm still obsessed with Harry. And of course, I'm happy with the heroic/romantic outcome of the series. I am curious HOW they will achieve a film from this one, and how nit-picky I will feel in the wake of such a Blockbuster.


2) Ravinia One Score, One Chicago: Alexander Zemlinsky's 'The Mermaid'
I had the pleasure of attending this performance for free. Gratis. And, I received a copy, like anyone else who picked up a copy of the One Score, One Chicago advertisement of the compact disc, also for free. So I can listen to it whenever I want. How COOL-Kool-kewel is that.

It's a brilliant score. with delicate, intricate, fine, subtle moments. It cascades. It traipses. It caresses. It swoons. If you missed this concert, or didn't receive a copy of this CD, then you paid too much property tax and I feel sorry for you.

The bulk of the CSO concerts at Ravinia last year were planned around this score, and included performances of Handel's Water Music, other shorter works by Zemlinsky, and to enhance the melodrama of the tragic romance which 'The Mermaid' so poignantly reveals, a performance of Gustav Mahler's 6th Symphony. I am glad I had the chance to hear Mahler's piece (also for free!) as well as this lovely work by Mr. Zemlinsky.


3) DC Comics, Batman Confidential or The Batman Strikes?
Number 37. Number 38. BC or tBS?? I still don't know which I should put back in the plastic for posterity.

4) Health Care Coverage in Illinois
I don't know anything about Health Care Coverage in Illinois. I can give you an earful about private, state and federal insurance, the laws there-appertaining, prescription coverage, and various services available in the great state of New York. You have questions or feel a pressing need to be snarky, persnickety or otherwise, call your Senator(s):

Barack Obama (D)
(202) 224-2854

Dick Durbin (D)
(202) 224-2152

Better yet, do your own &^%$ research or PAY ME to do it for you.

5) Healthy Choices at Mickey D's or 'No, I Don't Want Fries With That.'

I can't say enough good things about McDonald's Fruit and Walnut Salad. Cheap, nutritious, and acceptable to most diets, including Atkins (Stage 3) and Weight Watchers. You can't lose! As well as the Yogurt Parfait, which I recommend having NO LATER than 11:30 AM for anybody who exists on a 'normal' 9 to 5 workday type of schedule, the Grilled Chicken Snack Wraps and the Menu Salads are decent midday fare for the corporate, on-the-go health-conscious individual who needs something easy and fast. Bear in mind though, that ZERO GRAMS of Trans-Fats, does not mean ZERO trans-fats: it's still important to READ LABELS.
Love it.
I am.

location: 5433 mood: busy music: Party Shuffle/Zemlinsky's 'The Mermaid' tags: batman, children's literature, classical music, comics, cso, fast food, harry potter, health care, nutrition, politics, ravinia

State Senator Carol Ronen (D) resigned from office late 2007, leaving a vacant spot in Illinois' 7th District. It is regrettably predictable that there is no Republican or Independent candidate in this race: there are two Democratic candidates in the race for this seat, so the primary next week is of utmost importance. I am encouraging registered voters to support University of Chicago graduate and legislative advocate, Suzanne Elder rather than local favorite and philanthropist Heather Steans.

Ms. Elder has experience as a small business owner and policy analyst. She also holds an MS from the Harris School of Public Policy. While her opponent donated millions to Governor Blagojevich's campaign, and served community organizations on the West Side of Chicago in support of corporate interest, Suzanne was collecting data and performing research on Diabetes and Abortion for policy-making organizations, and she also spent considerable time in Springfield as a legislative advocate. She is truly the voice of the people in this election.

Her top three, near-term initiatives are:
1) Ending the corrupt, big money culture in Illinois politics
2) Funding and reforming transit
3) Reforming TIFs and tax policy throughout Illinois

Check out Suzanne's Web Page at: <http://www.suzanneelder.org/>
Also check out: <http://www.prairiestateblue.com/showdiary.do?diaryid=3908>

location: 5433 mood: cranky music: IDES Mix tags: democratic party, illinois politics, vote

During the course of the last two years, I have seen more than my fair share of theatre here in Chicago, including a season's worth of Shakespeare at CST, an overproduced but fabulous 'King Lear' at the Goodman, and two productions/adaptations at City Lit Theatre here on the North side. Of the Shakespeare productions I have seen, City Lit Theatre's production of 'Twelfth Night' stands out because of its talented cast and simple elegance. Tiffany Joy Ross sports a soft, captivating charm as Viola, and Frank Nall inspires a genteel nobility in Sir Toby's drunken shoes. Vanessa Greenway is perfect as Olivia, and both Robert McClean (Malvolio) and Matt Rudy (Fabian) shine in their respective parts, lighting the stage with unique solo moments and strong supporting performances. Julian Martinez is wonderful as Feste, playing a lively mandolin and turning a scene with opaque dexterity.

Director Jay Paul Skelton has assembled a savvy design team which complements his performers and production well. Branimira Ivanova's late Victorian style costumes evoke a necessary British-ness and establish class structure for the characters, props by Hazel Marie are Spartan, but thoughtful. Marcus Stephen's set relied on sea-foam colored walls, and the frame of the lost ship - beautiful. Sound design by Robert Steel was inconsistent, but I appreciated his settings for Shakespeare's songs.

The preview this past Friday evening was truly delightful, and I think we can expect a good run from this talented cast. City Lit Theatre's production of Twelfth Night opens tomorrow night.

location: 5433 mood: relaxed tags: chicago, shakespeare, theatre

Today is the 551st anniversary of the ascension of Elizabeth I to the throne, one of the least bloodiest reigns in English history, and the last beginning of intellectual artistic and political rebirth on the continent.

location: 5433 mood: touched music: gratis Starbucks Coffee Company tags: elizabethan england

Last night we went to hear the Brentano Quartet with soprano Susan Narucki perform at the University of Chicago Presents at Mendal Hall. It was a delightful performance; they played quartets by Bach, Schoenberg and Beethoven. Each piece was well presented and played with skill. Their true colors danced in their performance of Schoenberg, and they loved the bejeezus out of the Beethoven. Their deft interpretation captured the divine essence of his work. I thought the Bach lacked spirit, although they managed instrumental mastery throughout.

On the flip side, and in the wide world of baseball, Cleveland is getting their cute tight pants beaten off. As I write, Manny Ramirez is up to bat, with one out in the bottom of the sixth. Boston is up 10 to 1 in this game, but down 3-2 in the series. They are playing in Boston 2nite and will close out the ALCS in Beantown 2nite or 2morrow. At least Pedro Martinez is no longer in the ballclub - little consolation for a disfranchised, displaced Yankee fan in Chi-town.

location: 5433 mood: complacent tags: baseball, classical music, hyde park

A bunch of us went apple picking out at All Seasons Orchard in McHenry County this weekend. The impetus for this field trip was my entrance in an apple-pie baking contest held at Holstein Park today. We picked a couple Jonagolds, Golden Delicious, Cortlands, for baking, and by accident, a couple of *forbidden* Honeycrisps. Most tantalizing were the Red Delicious apples: we came upon a grove of trees studded with ruby colored gems that I swear were singing. They were hard to resist.

I wound up using store-bought apples for my pie, due to the recipe I divined. I used tart granny smiths for "Hawaiian Apple Pie." It was an ok pie, but not really a contender. We tried four apple pies at the contest, including one titled "Maple Leaf Apple Pie" with maple cream, Toffee Apple pie with toffee and chocolate in the crust, and one called "Candy Apple Pie," which had artificial flavoring. Of the pies we tried, we liked the maple flavored one best. Bobtail's Vanilla Bean ice cream complemented the pies nicely. We were charmed by a 'Samurai Pie' decorated with pastry in the shape of Japanese characters. Particularly memorable was a pork-bacon-beef and apple pie. Nine finalists were more traditional in their offerings - with traditional butter crust and cinnamon-apple fillings. A father-daughter duo submitted a lovely pie with an apple tree branch made of pastry on top. It was a gorgeous pie. We did not stay to find out who won.

The contest was well-run and fun: the band, Tangleweed provided fiddle and banjo ditties apropro to the occasion, and decorations included homemade quilts and patches hung from an apple-mobile. I appreciated the simple charm of the event, and the good tasting pie!

location: 5433 mood: content tags: apple picking, apple pie, bucktown apple pie contest

So today 4 of us made it to see The Midnight Circus in Welles Park - it was fun! These are the same performers who do stunt work and magic at Daley Plaza come Halloween time. They are limber and flaunt some neat stunts, revealing training in dance, hula, gymnastics and tumbling. Joined by the Chicago Boyz, a tumbling, jump-roping outfit from the city, who put on a good show.

And yesterday, the mister and I volunteered with my alma mater out at the Greater Chicago Foods Depository, setting a record number of boxes packed in a roughly 3-hour shift. I'd forgotten how satisfying good, honest hard work can be. Last evening, we attended Cymbeline at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. It was a good show - Gaines' style can be somewhat redundant, but she tells a good story and there are some admirable performances. Definitely worth the big ticket if you have the chump change.

mood: recumbent tags: chicago, chicago shakespeare theater, family outings, parks, shakespeare, theatre

Last night's forum absented frontrunners Rudy Guliani and John McCain, but the Republican fleet was out in full-force, and on a debate focused on mostly leftist issues, each of the candidates did quite well.

I won't be surprised if pundits like Mike Huckabee, his no nonsense approach, affable style and record as a governor make him an attractive choice for conservatives especially. Ron Paul is outspoken and effective, and has potential as a VP candidate as does Duncan Hunter. Former Ambassador Alan Keyes held his own last night, speaking out especially on Iraq and immigration issues. The audience was introduced to Vernice Armour, the first African-American female to serve as a combat pilot in the line of duty - her presence helped Keyes and Hunter make strong points about the ongoing war in Iraq and conflicts in Darfur.


Since I'm not a card-carrying member of the club, all I can say is:

"Bully for the Bill of Rights," and HURRAH for the First Amendment.

location: 5433 mood: content music: 98.7 WFMT tags: politics, republican politics

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr2zl-qerx8> This trailer is creepy. Thought I might like it as a fan of Jan Svenkmeier's Alice, but my skin is still crawling.

In other news, the Chicago Book Festival approacheth: <http://chicagopubliclibrary.org/pdf/cbf_2008.pdf>
Here's my short list for those interested:

10/3 Glenn Stout & Richard Johnson The Cubs: The Complete Story of Chicago Cubs Baseball (Mike, Glenn is appearing at BN DePaul Ctr on 10/4)
10/4 Cynthia Rowley Slim: A Fantasy Memoir
10/7 Sara Paretsky, Barbara D'Amato & Libby Fischer Hellman
10/8 Jeffrey Toobin "The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court."
10/10 Eboo Patel "Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the struggle for the soul of a generation."


10/10 Susan Faludi "Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women."
10/14 AE Stallings "De Rerum Natura"
10/16 John Prendergast "Not on Our Watch: The Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond."
10/16 The Literary Gangs of Chicago
10/18 Nikki Giovanni
10/18 Richard Baer
10/20 Illinois Woman's Press Association Annual Book Fair
10/22 Robert Vare & Studs Terkel
10/23 Jordan Stempleman & Lauren Levato (poetry)
10/27 The Shakespeare Project of Chicago presents Henry VI
***10/29*** Frank Rich in coversation with John Callaway for One Book, One Chicago "The Crucible."

Steppenwolf Theatre is partnering with CPL & One Book/One Chicago for 4 public readings and performances from The Crucible, and DePaul is offering a class on the text. And that's heavy, baby. Yeah!

location: 5433 mood: contemplative tags: literature, special events, theatre