I put up a brief "I don't feel like writing" note on the front page of this journal and then realized that what I really didn't feel like doing was finding a quote, listing what I'm reading and listening to and describing my efforts to declutter my life. How simple to solve! The header stuff was feeling like a burden so it's gone for now. Not that I am super enthusiastic about writing all of a sudden, but it doesn't feel like a major effort.
Anyway, last week was most hectic at work, including a meeting with a man who has been described as being "as soothing as sandpaper on a chalkboard" and a trip to the land of fire and rain, namely Los Angeles. One of my meetings was useful and the other was interesting, but depressing. I made up for the hassle by using upgrades on the flights both ways. On the way home, oddly, they had claimed the front cabin was full and I was all settled into my cattle class cell, when the flight attendant brought me a new seating assignment in business class.
I got home in time to greet at least some trick or treaters. Picking up on the wonderful idea my brother has used for several years now, I've been collecting cheap children's books and gave them out. I'm pleased to note that Charlotte's Web tops the popularity list amongst girls in my neighborhood. I had two copies and they went right away. I only had about a dozen kids, so it was all quite manageable, and I did have candy, also. One little girl was so excited and ran away screaming, "my Mom is never going to believe I got a book for Trick or Treat!" All in all, most successful and I will continue the project in future years.
My other big event of the weekend was going to the Kennedy Center to see Bounce again. As you may recall, I'd seen the premiere at the Goodman in Chicago, and I wondered what changes Sondheim had made. The first act was tightened up some, but is still a bit too long. I'm not entirely convinced that the sibling rivalry aspect that Sondheim plays up (Mom likes Wilson best) is accurate. And it certainly is not effective. The other obvious change was a much more explicit homosexual relationship between Addison Mizner and Hollis Besemer in the second act. That worked, for the most part, though I'm not sure it's to the point. There's still a question as to what the show is actually about. It's about the Mizner brothers, yes, but is it about art or about money or about relationships or what? Enjoyable for the most part, but not entirely satisfying because of that muddle. I am glad that it is going to be recorded, though, as the music is certainly enjoyable. And, for those who would criticize Sondheim for his musical complexity, at least a few people walked out whistling or humming the title song.
I went shopping when I got home, so missed a call from Robert. Enjoying the miracle of overseas telephone calls, I called him and we're trying to work out when we can see each other. Which brings me to the title of this entry. I realized that what I really want is a consort. I miss having someone to drape on my arm at the theatre, to take to the boring work-related parties, and so on. There's no real reason why one's consort should also be one's lover, of course, though it might be more conventional and more convenient.
I suspect that's a harder problem to solve than my boredom with quotations and reading lists.
Copyright 2003 Miriam H. Nadel