The celebrity death of the week was Kitty Carlisle Hart. Like many other people, my major mental association for her is with "To Tell the Truth." But she did a lot of theatre. She must have been working right up to the end as I had gotten a postcard advertising a show by her in March.
While I am on the subject of death, I feel obliged to say something about the Virginia Tech massacre. The really shocking thing is that I'm no longer shocked by events like this. I am annoyed at the political opportunists on all sides who want to exploit the tragedy. Surely even the most ardent foes of gun control should understand why somebody with Cho's mental health history should not have been able to acquire two guns legally. And, yes, I suspect that had he been unable to get the guns, he'd have done something else just as destructive. The real tragedy is that we don't have a way to get the right help to people who are seriously mentally ill. I only wish I had answers.
On another "hard for me to believe" note, is the advertisement for an upcoming National Symphony Orchestra concert called "Video Games Live." I have little interest in video games, partly because I fear their addictive potential. So I am entirely puzzled by the notion that Mario, Zelda, Final Fantasy, Myst, Warcraft, etc. actually have music considered concert-worthy. Obviously, I am old and out of touch.
Also regarding music, I went to see Pierre Bensusan play at Jammin Java on Wednesday night. I realized that I first heard him perform live over 20 years ago. What's changed is that he's clearly more comfortable speaking English now, so he talks more to the audience. What hasn't changed is the energy and power he brings to his guitar playing. When I listen to a piece like "Demain, des l'Aube" all I can think about is how amazing it is that the vibration of strings (and, in that case, of vocal chords) and the resulting compression of the air can be so beautiful.
Moving on to the weekend, I did a used bookstore run on Saturday morning. One guy who was waiting for McKay to open was amused by the regulars knowing one another. I got rid of 28 books and picked up just six, most notably a recent one about how to watch baseball more intelligently. I haven't read it yet, so it was emotions, not intelligence, that let me enjoy watching the Red Sox trounce the Source of All Evil in the Universe later in the afternoon. Alas, I couldn't watch until the very end of the game, as I had a story swap to go to at Penelope's house in Alexandria. From the later news story, it looks like I didn't miss anything.
I was back in Alexandria today. I stopped by Springwater to pick up a ticket to Stich and Pitch. I'm not sure if the notion of encouraging women to go to a baseball game by having needlework stores sponsor an event (complete with demos and free goody bags) is horribly sexist. But I like both needlework and baseball and it's only ten bucks, so why not? While I was there, I also picked up some lovely yarn. More stash is the last thing I need - particularly with the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival just two weeks away - but I can't resist an exotic and interesting fiber, namely bamboo.
Then I drove a bit further south and did a Volksmarch in southern Alexandria. The route was largely along the Potomac (hence, the title of this entry) and included a 2K optional trail into Dyke Marsh, as well as a long stretch along the Mouth Vernon trail. It was pleasant enough, though a bit hotter out than I'd expected. I'm not sure that the new walking shoes I have are going to work out well, alas.
Finally, am I a bad person for being amused to see an ad for a silent auction to benefit the Tourrette Syndrome Association?
Copyright 2007 Miriam H. Nadel