Early February Entertainments -- and today's plan
Books: Yesterday I finally finished reading The Life of Elizabeth I by Alison Weir, a detailed, almost novelistic biography of Henry VIII's daughter. The depth and breadth of Weir's research is remarkable (as has been true of all of her work that I've read), and the narrative very engaging. I was impressed by the day-to-day minutiae, the political analysis, and the effective way that Weir conveyed the personalities of all the historical figures she discusses. Her portraits of Elizabeth, Leicester, and Essex are vivid and make these people and their concerns feel immediate and contemporary. It's a wonderful portrait and a really remarkable read.
Theater: Went to ACT last night to see The Flying Karamazov Brothers. I've seen them several times over the years and they never fail to entertain. I've seen them enough that some of their bits were familiar. There were the classics: The Challenge, The Terror Trick, the table bounce, and the peculiar dance. And there were things I'd never seen before, like their pulling someone from the audience and juggling flaming torches around them. Some (but not all) of their musical bits were new. There's always some moment in the show when I find myself laughing so hard that I cry; no disappointments last night on that score. I laughed--a lot. I had a wonderful time. At the same time, because I've seen them so much that I pretty much knew what I'd be seeing, I don't know if I'll be seeing them again. I know the bits already. I'd still recommend their shows to anyone who has a chance to see them--they're marvelous. But it may be my last FKB show.
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Today, I need to prepare for this afternoon's interview, try to get some writing done, and then go out for dinner. It seems like a light to-do list, but there's a lot of stuff packed into those three tasks. I want to write here more about what's been going on with the writing. I am . . . feeling frustrated about it. But now's not the time. Must get rolling on the day's activities. More anon.
Theater: Went to ACT last night to see The Flying Karamazov Brothers. I've seen them several times over the years and they never fail to entertain. I've seen them enough that some of their bits were familiar. There were the classics: The Challenge, The Terror Trick, the table bounce, and the peculiar dance. And there were things I'd never seen before, like their pulling someone from the audience and juggling flaming torches around them. Some (but not all) of their musical bits were new. There's always some moment in the show when I find myself laughing so hard that I cry; no disappointments last night on that score. I laughed--a lot. I had a wonderful time. At the same time, because I've seen them so much that I pretty much knew what I'd be seeing, I don't know if I'll be seeing them again. I know the bits already. I'd still recommend their shows to anyone who has a chance to see them--they're marvelous. But it may be my last FKB show.
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Today, I need to prepare for this afternoon's interview, try to get some writing done, and then go out for dinner. It seems like a light to-do list, but there's a lot of stuff packed into those three tasks. I want to write here more about what's been going on with the writing. I am . . . feeling frustrated about it. But now's not the time. Must get rolling on the day's activities. More anon.