I don't even know where to begin with this event at Politics and Prose. Taleb and his book require little introduction at this point and I am looking forward to finally reading it. My impression of the man himself is that he is truly brilliant, quite witty, and while I try to hold back from describing people thus as it is an overused term, there is no other way of saying it: he is extremely arrogant. I suppose he has some right as one of the people who essentially predicted the global financial meltdown. Nevertheless he is completely dismissive of mainstream and progressive economists who do not see the world exactly as he does today.
His talk, and the additional chapter of the Black Swan updated for the second edition, was about attribute of national economies and systems that make them more fragile or more robust. Fragility is caused by specialization, optimization, globalization, basically all the buzzwords we have been engrained to think of as good things. Robustness (safety) is identified by redundancy basically. I have not read his book yet so I am not sure whether he means to apply these categoies only at the macro level or at the micro level as well. At the macro level, he is certainly correct. At the micro level, I think it is fair to say that while these concepts are in tension, and that operating at one extreme may indeed cause fragility, it does not mean we should not encourage people and companies to operate at those extremes. After all, it is specialization that has led to many of the comforts of the modern economy. I think the case for a social safety net for individuals that fail in this high risk/high reward micro economy is reinforced though.
I am skeptical Taleb would agree with that though as his own prescription national economic actors is fiscal austerity in the face of this recession. He seems to have pivoted from identifying the root cause as the absurd risks and fragility of the global financial system to identifying the solution as the elimination of debt. The world is complicated so I won't go so far as to say these things are not related, but it does not appear to be a direct causal link. And he seems to ignore a lot of other relevant research. This is also where his arrogance comes into play. He would probably be a fascinating person to have an open intellectual conversation with about different ideas, but he seems to have very little respect for the theories of very prominent thinkers such as Keynes and Paul Krugman, even belittling the Nobel committee's math skills for rewarding Krugman with the award.
The question and answer period was enlightening and comic as someone standing on the sidelines as he verbally sparred with several questioners, cutting people off, and insulting them to their face. The civility was somewhat lacking on both sides but his reputation precedes him as someone who will act this way so it is hard to say he does not bring this on himself. Anyway, interesting evening.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Pizzeria Paradiso & B-Days
Sam's birthday, and while we had reservations at the highly recommended Nora's around the corner, we opted for the local Pizzeria Paradiso and beer as a low prep break from the unpacking routine. It was as always excellent. The special this week was Hawaiian with prosciutto and we also got one with veggies and pesto. Yum
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Eli Kintisch - Hack The Planet
Politics and Prose for a Sunday afternoon unpacking break. This book is from a science journalist covering the various forms of geoengineering. I have always found this topic fascinating, maybe from playing Sid Meier's Civilization once too many times. There are two major classes of geoengineering: taking carbon out of the atmosphere and preventing heat from entering the atmosphere. Examples of the former include inducing massive algae blooms in the arctic ocean. Examples of the latter include spraying particulates on clouds to reflect more sunlight and hence heat.
I think there is enormous potential in the private sphere for absorbing carbon dioxide through algae or other fast growing plant pulp. I say that because the CO2 should be pretty measurable and hence could fit into a global carbon pricing scheme. I actually asked the author about whether the current international laws accounted for geoengineering but he was unsure.
His book explains some of the known approaches and then talks about the politics and whether it is a good idea. This has been a fairly taboo subject among the serious set for quite some time, but some of those barriers are eroding because of the seriousness of the problem. Basically, people are opposed to it because it provides an excuse to those opposed to addressing climate change not to act, because if you have to stop whatever solution you come up with for some reason, the carbon problem would have been exacerbated in the interim, and because there is always the potential for something going wrong on a truly global scale. All that said, if we do nothing about climate change which looks more and more likely, the need for a drastic solution will be more critical. I look forward to reading this.
I think there is enormous potential in the private sphere for absorbing carbon dioxide through algae or other fast growing plant pulp. I say that because the CO2 should be pretty measurable and hence could fit into a global carbon pricing scheme. I actually asked the author about whether the current international laws accounted for geoengineering but he was unsure.
His book explains some of the known approaches and then talks about the politics and whether it is a good idea. This has been a fairly taboo subject among the serious set for quite some time, but some of those barriers are eroding because of the seriousness of the problem. Basically, people are opposed to it because it provides an excuse to those opposed to addressing climate change not to act, because if you have to stop whatever solution you come up with for some reason, the carbon problem would have been exacerbated in the interim, and because there is always the potential for something going wrong on a truly global scale. All that said, if we do nothing about climate change which looks more and more likely, the need for a drastic solution will be more critical. I look forward to reading this.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Base Camp Moves
Georgetown has been fun... a bit of a pain with the busses. Nevertheless, we move into our new place on Dupont Circle, so light posting until done.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Taking Economics Seriously
Dean Baker spoke at Politics & Prose about his new book. I have not dug into it but this book looks like it could be read in a day's commuting, sitting at about 80 pages. The point of the book as Baker explained it was to really use economics in the public sphere to make better policy. Essentially if the collective we talked about the world of economics and actually prioritized issues according to their economic consequence, we would all be better off.
Baker knows his material but is not a naturally gifted public speaker. I generally agree with everything he said but I do not think he is someone that would easily convince the uninitiated, which is too bad, because he has some really good ideas.
The interesting light bulb moment for me was illustrating the causal link between the excessive, patent protected monopoly profits of pharmaceuticals, and their overwhelming incentives to sell more drugs. This has some fairly obvious impacts, which while I had always been aware of them, failed to grasp this causality. Namely, of course drug companies are going to bribe doctos into prescribing their remedies, and of course drug companies are going to try to invent new conditions for which their drugs are needed, and of course, the fact that many drugs barely exceed placebo will be carefully hidden. When you are making hundred of percent if not thousands of percent of profit on a monopoly protected prescription, the cost of all these things (both actual and in goodwill) are all worth it.
Baker knows his material but is not a naturally gifted public speaker. I generally agree with everything he said but I do not think he is someone that would easily convince the uninitiated, which is too bad, because he has some really good ideas.
The interesting light bulb moment for me was illustrating the causal link between the excessive, patent protected monopoly profits of pharmaceuticals, and their overwhelming incentives to sell more drugs. This has some fairly obvious impacts, which while I had always been aware of them, failed to grasp this causality. Namely, of course drug companies are going to bribe doctos into prescribing their remedies, and of course drug companies are going to try to invent new conditions for which their drugs are needed, and of course, the fact that many drugs barely exceed placebo will be carefully hidden. When you are making hundred of percent if not thousands of percent of profit on a monopoly protected prescription, the cost of all these things (both actual and in goodwill) are all worth it.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
CAP Debate - Debating Our Judiciary
The Center for American Progress, Politico, and American Action Forum sponsored this debate at George Washington University between former Clinton administration acting Solicitor General Walter Delinger and former Bush administration Assistant Attorney General Rachel Brand. There was a cocktail reception beforehand with some pass arounds that was cool.
Debate was excellent. Delinger really expresses himself well, in my mind making a mockery of the idea that judges should be selected on principles divorced from their ideology. Essentially saying it is not possible, and even if it was, the point of leaving many passages of the constitution open to interpretation was so that modern judges could actually apply modern standards. Brand's attempt to discredit this approach did not really make any sense.
I was pretty tired when I was heading over to this event, but it was engaging and humorous. Delinger has a great zonger comparing a line in a Chief Justice John Robert's brief to an inability to learn the first lesson of Sesame Street, an inability to distinguish that one of these things is not like another.
Debate was excellent. Delinger really expresses himself well, in my mind making a mockery of the idea that judges should be selected on principles divorced from their ideology. Essentially saying it is not possible, and even if it was, the point of leaving many passages of the constitution open to interpretation was so that modern judges could actually apply modern standards. Brand's attempt to discredit this approach did not really make any sense.
I was pretty tired when I was heading over to this event, but it was engaging and humorous. Delinger has a great zonger comparing a line in a Chief Justice John Robert's brief to an inability to learn the first lesson of Sesame Street, an inability to distinguish that one of these things is not like another.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Ballet Across America @ The Kennedy Center
Returned to the Kennedy Center on Saturday to see this eclectic Ballet revue. Each night involved a different set of companies from across the country, mostly the south and south west. Ours started out with Ballet Memphis. WOW. What a show. There were five dancers on stage most of the time keeping our eyes very focus on their movements. They were dressed in vaguely country western attire and dancing to the music of Roy Orbison. This performance was just amazing. Standing O.
The next act was Ballet Arizona . This was a much larger company and a longer performance. There were frequently many routines occuring simultaneously on stage, one flowing into the next. The music was more traditional classical. While it had it's moments (times when it seemed like one male dancer after another was simply floating they had such air in their jumps), there was so much going on we both found it hard to concentrate.
The last act was the Pacific Northwest Ballet, which we had seen while in Seattle on vacation last year. They also used a slightly larger set of dancers, though not as large as Arizona's. The music was frenetic, and could easily have been pulled from a Hitchcock film. The costumes were ultra mod, med in tight fitting button downs and slacks in neutral colors, women in simple skirts and dresses in the same neutral colors. This performance was also excellent, nearly comparable to the first. I did find though that by the time this one came on, I was a bot too tired to concentrate fully.
The next act was Ballet Arizona . This was a much larger company and a longer performance. There were frequently many routines occuring simultaneously on stage, one flowing into the next. The music was more traditional classical. While it had it's moments (times when it seemed like one male dancer after another was simply floating they had such air in their jumps), there was so much going on we both found it hard to concentrate.
The last act was the Pacific Northwest Ballet, which we had seen while in Seattle on vacation last year. They also used a slightly larger set of dancers, though not as large as Arizona's. The music was frenetic, and could easily have been pulled from a Hitchcock film. The costumes were ultra mod, med in tight fitting button downs and slacks in neutral colors, women in simple skirts and dresses in the same neutral colors. This performance was also excellent, nearly comparable to the first. I did find though that by the time this one came on, I was a bot too tired to concentrate fully.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
There are Little Kingdons @ Church Street
This was my first show at the Church Street theatre, put on by the Keegan Theatre company. I love the street this little theatre is on, very quiet and tree lined. The theatre's name comes from it occupying an old church. I also loved this intimate venue, with it's exposed brick walls and stained glass skylight. The seats are comfortable, looking straight onto the stage with no bad seats in the house.
The show itself reminded me of an Dark Our Town set in modern day Ireland. There is a narrator, also a resident of this small Irish town, who roams it describing the daily goings on. The plot is a day in the life in a large cast of characters, all played by just a handful of actors with much overlap. The quality of the acting was erratic, but with praise going to the narrator. Oftentimes, the accents were so strong I really could not understand the dialogue at all. I don't think there was any intent to say anything profound with this play, which can sometimes work ok, as in Our Town. But some of the plot lines did not even make any sense to me at all.
I only left at the intermission, but stuck it out. The second act did not really reard my decision.
The show itself reminded me of an Dark Our Town set in modern day Ireland. There is a narrator, also a resident of this small Irish town, who roams it describing the daily goings on. The plot is a day in the life in a large cast of characters, all played by just a handful of actors with much overlap. The quality of the acting was erratic, but with praise going to the narrator. Oftentimes, the accents were so strong I really could not understand the dialogue at all. I don't think there was any intent to say anything profound with this play, which can sometimes work ok, as in Our Town. But some of the plot lines did not even make any sense to me at all.
I only left at the intermission, but stuck it out. The second act did not really reard my decision.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Reel Journalism with Nick Clooney @ The Newseum
This was an event put on by the Newseum on Monday night that Sam got us tickets to through her "insider" connections. I really had no idea what to expect going in as I had not even looked it up online. I thought it was perhaps more of an insider networking event or seminar for newsy types. Luckily, it was not. The event started with Nick Clooney (yes, father of George) on stage in a laid back interview format with Betsy Fischer and David Gregory, both from Meet the Press. The discussion, open to Q&A, touched on a myriad of topics in a short amount of time about the different forms of media, new vs mainstream, how the next generation will reinvent journalism, and some of the tensions between journalists and the sources they cover as their social lives become intertwined.
They then showed the movie State of Play with Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams and Ben Afflect about a massive corporate conspiracy, a handful of murders, and the shoe leather reporting of an old school investigative reporter, and a new media blogger learning the ropes, and coming to appreciate, how the old guy does it. Writing this, it all seems even more cliche then when I watched it. This was an enjoyable film for what it was, well acted, decent story. It would have been a better story but the writer, instead of just ending it around a fairly plausible conspiracy that is not too far from what probably happens regularly on the hill, makes it into a far fetched whodunit. Oh well.
As a statement about the media, and about glorifying the golden era of journalism, I think this movie fails on many fronts. First, the simplification of the blogger as a young out of college novice who does not check facts and only interested in the lurid, with the shoe leather old schooler as the professional veteran, is a straw man which we really need to move beyond. Most importantly, the headline at the end of the movie gets it totally wrong, placing the lurid details of the congressman involved in a murder above the tampering of corporation undermining an elected official to secure the outsourcing of a $40 billion domestic security industry and undermining our democracy. Not that this is not what would happen in real life, but that is just the point. In real life, newspapers have the ability to drive the lead and they typically choose what sells copy over what is more important to our lives. The movie tries many times through the character of Crowe to critisize this dynamic as a product of blogging and corporate consolidation, but it sure makes it seem like the final story is what he would have desired, and if so, seems to really miss the point.
Another unfortuneate aspect: the story that was developing though much of the movie that someone like Ben Afflects character, while obviously flawed can still be a virtuous player in the process, was completely undermined, as we are basically told that we cannot trust this person at all. Once immoral, always immoral.
They then showed the movie State of Play with Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams and Ben Afflect about a massive corporate conspiracy, a handful of murders, and the shoe leather reporting of an old school investigative reporter, and a new media blogger learning the ropes, and coming to appreciate, how the old guy does it. Writing this, it all seems even more cliche then when I watched it. This was an enjoyable film for what it was, well acted, decent story. It would have been a better story but the writer, instead of just ending it around a fairly plausible conspiracy that is not too far from what probably happens regularly on the hill, makes it into a far fetched whodunit. Oh well.
As a statement about the media, and about glorifying the golden era of journalism, I think this movie fails on many fronts. First, the simplification of the blogger as a young out of college novice who does not check facts and only interested in the lurid, with the shoe leather old schooler as the professional veteran, is a straw man which we really need to move beyond. Most importantly, the headline at the end of the movie gets it totally wrong, placing the lurid details of the congressman involved in a murder above the tampering of corporation undermining an elected official to secure the outsourcing of a $40 billion domestic security industry and undermining our democracy. Not that this is not what would happen in real life, but that is just the point. In real life, newspapers have the ability to drive the lead and they typically choose what sells copy over what is more important to our lives. The movie tries many times through the character of Crowe to critisize this dynamic as a product of blogging and corporate consolidation, but it sure makes it seem like the final story is what he would have desired, and if so, seems to really miss the point.
Another unfortuneate aspect: the story that was developing though much of the movie that someone like Ben Afflects character, while obviously flawed can still be a virtuous player in the process, was completely undermined, as we are basically told that we cannot trust this person at all. Once immoral, always immoral.
Mrs. Warrens Profession @ Sidney Harmon Hall
This was a show put on by the Shakespeare Theatre Company at Sidney Harmon Hall across from the Verizon Center. This was our first time at this large and apparently new venue, as our last show was around the corner at the Lansdowne Theatre. Our seats, purchased on tuesday under the $10 plan for 35 and under theatre goers were excellent, in the second row though on the far end of the aisle.
Elizabeth Ashley starred in the production along with several regulars of the company. Reading the resume's of these performers is pretty impressive as a who's who of Actors and shows through the end of the 20th century. We could see in watching this show the germ of the idea of the plot of Mama Mia, though the focus of George Bernard Shaw was definately in another direction. Shaw created an interesting snapshot of the tension between living a "proper" life and what it takes to build the wealth to do so. His particular vice was the sex trade but his point is to equivocate it with all other degradations of the worker's lot in life. Also present is the irony of raising a child to appreciate a life without these degradations necessarily predisposes her to be ashamed of the degradations of the mother that made that life possible.
While Shaw can sometimes be preachy in his dialogue, his own opinions on these issues quite evident, he nevertheless illustrates this theme well, leaving no real easy pat answers. Once again, this company puts on an excellent performance.
Elizabeth Ashley starred in the production along with several regulars of the company. Reading the resume's of these performers is pretty impressive as a who's who of Actors and shows through the end of the 20th century. We could see in watching this show the germ of the idea of the plot of Mama Mia, though the focus of George Bernard Shaw was definately in another direction. Shaw created an interesting snapshot of the tension between living a "proper" life and what it takes to build the wealth to do so. His particular vice was the sex trade but his point is to equivocate it with all other degradations of the worker's lot in life. Also present is the irony of raising a child to appreciate a life without these degradations necessarily predisposes her to be ashamed of the degradations of the mother that made that life possible.
While Shaw can sometimes be preachy in his dialogue, his own opinions on these issues quite evident, he nevertheless illustrates this theme well, leaving no real easy pat answers. Once again, this company puts on an excellent performance.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Fireflies
Been feeling a bit under the weather recently and had no events planned this week but last night, we saw our first fireflies of the season. This was Sam's first sighting while living in the Northeast (or at least on its periphery). As she said, one of the great things about living here is the constant barage of new experiences, both from our own event planning but also that the changing seasons bring us.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Vivaldi's Four Seasons @ Rosslyn Spectrum
No plans for Satturday night so checked out Ticketplace, one of my go to sites for events and picket up a ticket for Synectic Theatre's production of Othello. Wait you say, the post title says Vivaldi. Well a funny thing happened on the way to the Rosslyn Spectrum, where Ticketplace listed as the venue. They were playing Vivaldi and had no record of my ticket purchase. I shoudl probably but those things in the reverse order as I did not realize it was not my show until I sat down (they were flustered by a long line and everything running late so just gave me a ticket rather than digging into the details of my email confirmation). A very nice usher who I asked about the mixup told me she knew nothing about Othello but suggested I stay and watch the show and perhaps would enjoy it.
Chamber music has not been on my short list of events when moving to DC so this was probably about the only way I was going to see it. I must say, I am glad it worked out though. The production was excellent. Between each Season, the first violin explained how Vivaldi was attempting to mimic the sounds and emotions of each season and then they would play just a small piece, isolating just the relevant sounds so we could judge for ourselves their similarity. Vivaldi apparently also wrote poetry describing the scenes he was emoting and this was read as well. Finally the music for the season was played, bringing it all together. I have heard excerpts from the Four Seasons many times over the years but it really is beatiful heard live. I have always loved string instruments, especially the violin (more musicians should incorporate electric violins and their ilk into rock, I think) so this was probably the perfect piece for me to see live.
Chamber music has not been on my short list of events when moving to DC so this was probably about the only way I was going to see it. I must say, I am glad it worked out though. The production was excellent. Between each Season, the first violin explained how Vivaldi was attempting to mimic the sounds and emotions of each season and then they would play just a small piece, isolating just the relevant sounds so we could judge for ourselves their similarity. Vivaldi apparently also wrote poetry describing the scenes he was emoting and this was read as well. Finally the music for the season was played, bringing it all together. I have heard excerpts from the Four Seasons many times over the years but it really is beatiful heard live. I have always loved string instruments, especially the violin (more musicians should incorporate electric violins and their ilk into rock, I think) so this was probably the perfect piece for me to see live.
Dumbarton House and Rock Creek Park
On Saturday, nine museums in the Dupont circle area opened their doors for free. I decided to head over to the Dumbarton House, right here in Georgetown, so I can see it before I move out of the neighborhood. I knew I would probably not go out of my way to visit this museum, a sort of period piece, showing a home as it would be decorated in the Federal era. In fact, after having seen it, I wish I had saved myself the trouble. Not my thing I guess.
So I walked behind the museum and saw an absolutely amazing cemetery, which I figured out later is Oak Hill Cemetery. There was a path leading down along a chain link fence bordering the cemetery which I decided to follow, hoping to gain access. No luck getting in, but the path lead me down to the exercise trail along Rock Creek Park. So I walked along it for a bout a mile before crossing a pedestrian bridge over Rock Creek, and turning back to walk along a parallel path on the opposite side. This path was completely wooded and rose slowly into the park, before finally emptying out into Montrose Park. It was a beautiful walk and made me think it would be nice to kayak down Rock Creek on sunday when the road is closed to vehicle traffic and the noise level would be more natural. Would do this latter hal
So I walked behind the museum and saw an absolutely amazing cemetery, which I figured out later is Oak Hill Cemetery. There was a path leading down along a chain link fence bordering the cemetery which I decided to follow, hoping to gain access. No luck getting in, but the path lead me down to the exercise trail along Rock Creek Park. So I walked along it for a bout a mile before crossing a pedestrian bridge over Rock Creek, and turning back to walk along a parallel path on the opposite side. This path was completely wooded and rose slowly into the park, before finally emptying out into Montrose Park. It was a beautiful walk and made me think it would be nice to kayak down Rock Creek on sunday when the road is closed to vehicle traffic and the noise level would be more natural. Would do this latter hal
Hamlet @ Kennedy Center Opera House
I imagine the Kennedy Center as the "National" theatre. So when it comes to a show in the US (not musical theatre for which I imagine broadway still rates numero uno), there is a certain prestige in attending it at the Kennedy Center. We made our first trip there Friday night to see the operatic version of Hamlet. The playbill informed us that this was a French opera written in the late 19th century and admits right off the bat that English audiences have had difficulty accepting it. I can understand the sentiment as what makes Shakespeare such an experience is the language, especially realizing it was written 500 years ago yet still resonates with wit and meaning today. With an operatic version, and especially one done in French, you really get none of that. So the piece is reduced to the story and the artistic quality of the musical experience. That is to say you need to actually like opera. And I am not sure that I do. I find opera in general to technical. It always seems that the vocalists, especially baritones and sopranos, are kind of faking it. I mean it is not natural to sing in those keys consistently so when they do, it just seems like they are trying too hard.
I should say something about the production more broadly. The set was cool. I liked the use of a very large cast, providing real depth to some of the crowd scenes. I liked the interpretation of the theft of the crown by using the usurping of power in the post WWII era. Loved the final scene that merged the funeral of Ophelia with the dual and used guns to be consistent with the era.
As for the characters, I thought Hamlet was pretty strong. I enjoyed the queen, whose matronly figure fit right into my idea of an operatic star. Ophelia is given a much more starring role in this production, making it much more of a romance, and I was ot thrilled with this approach.
Overall, I think going to the opera is an experience that mixes well with our nightlife repertoire... just so long as we only go every couple of years.
I should say something about the production more broadly. The set was cool. I liked the use of a very large cast, providing real depth to some of the crowd scenes. I liked the interpretation of the theft of the crown by using the usurping of power in the post WWII era. Loved the final scene that merged the funeral of Ophelia with the dual and used guns to be consistent with the era.
As for the characters, I thought Hamlet was pretty strong. I enjoyed the queen, whose matronly figure fit right into my idea of an operatic star. Ophelia is given a much more starring role in this production, making it much more of a romance, and I was ot thrilled with this approach.
Overall, I think going to the opera is an experience that mixes well with our nightlife repertoire... just so long as we only go every couple of years.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Gruesome Playground Injuries @ Wooly Mammoth
This week is apparently theatre week. Thursday was day 2, the venue was the Wooly Mammoth on D & 7th NW, the play was Gruesome Playground Injuries. Once again, I have to say the sets are very well done. They completely reconfigured the set from their last play to make this production in the round, the stage, the rounded rectangle of an old hockey rink.
The two actors did all their costume changes just off the stage at make shift lockers and a sink set up within the round, accompanied by scene shifting rock music, and occasional dancing and emotional outbursts. Each scene was introduced on the scoreboard over the rink with the age of the characters as this play jumps around in time. I thought the characters were pretty well acted, each having a chance to play themselves across a thirty year horizon starting in early childhood. These are definately extreme personalities, not really meant to be taken as realistic in that they hopefully will not remind you of your friend or neighbor. That said, I thought that I could identify with them so for me, it worked.
The story itself was a very uncharacteristic romantic dramedy where all cliches are thrown out the window. No spoilers here, but I think it is fair to say that the story here is about two people who are much healthier together, but are continuously challenged by the self-imposed obstacles of getting together. I think this is another winner from this company, fast becoming my favorite for their irreverence and originality.
The two actors did all their costume changes just off the stage at make shift lockers and a sink set up within the round, accompanied by scene shifting rock music, and occasional dancing and emotional outbursts. Each scene was introduced on the scoreboard over the rink with the age of the characters as this play jumps around in time. I thought the characters were pretty well acted, each having a chance to play themselves across a thirty year horizon starting in early childhood. These are definately extreme personalities, not really meant to be taken as realistic in that they hopefully will not remind you of your friend or neighbor. That said, I thought that I could identify with them so for me, it worked.
The story itself was a very uncharacteristic romantic dramedy where all cliches are thrown out the window. No spoilers here, but I think it is fair to say that the story here is about two people who are much healthier together, but are continuously challenged by the self-imposed obstacles of getting together. I think this is another winner from this company, fast becoming my favorite for their irreverence and originality.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Ramayana @ Source
I went to see this play at the Source Theatre, a fairly intimate theatre, over near U St. It is performed by the Constellation Theatre company. The theatre is small enough that the general admission seating pretty much gives you a good seat from anywhere.
As to the play itself, it is hard for me to rate. There is not a lot in the way of characterization as the characters are purposefully one dimensional. I understand that there is a theme and meaning to the text but I would not say that this comes across in a particularly poignant way. I would say that this is mostly a plot driven play attempting to convey as much of the story as possible in a short time. I suppose that it does this well, but even not knowing the original text, I would say that the use of the actors playing the animals borders on and crosses over into the annoying. But like I said, maybe it is like that in the text as well. I know a lot of bible stories when read are sort of silly, simlifying the actions and speech of a character to the point of stupidity. The animals characters REALLY want to convey to the audience that they are rather simple-minded. Ok. Message received. But I don't think I can completely hold the director harmless, as I think it is his job to modernize a dramatic rendering for a more sophisticated audience. Of course then he would receive criticism from the other side claiming he veered from simplistic single truth of the text (I have already read some comments to this affect on one website).
Oh well. I am not sure that I would give Constellation another shot, but we will see. At best, I will be a bit skeptical before purchasing a ticket.
As to the play itself, it is hard for me to rate. There is not a lot in the way of characterization as the characters are purposefully one dimensional. I understand that there is a theme and meaning to the text but I would not say that this comes across in a particularly poignant way. I would say that this is mostly a plot driven play attempting to convey as much of the story as possible in a short time. I suppose that it does this well, but even not knowing the original text, I would say that the use of the actors playing the animals borders on and crosses over into the annoying. But like I said, maybe it is like that in the text as well. I know a lot of bible stories when read are sort of silly, simlifying the actions and speech of a character to the point of stupidity. The animals characters REALLY want to convey to the audience that they are rather simple-minded. Ok. Message received. But I don't think I can completely hold the director harmless, as I think it is his job to modernize a dramatic rendering for a more sophisticated audience. Of course then he would receive criticism from the other side claiming he veered from simplistic single truth of the text (I have already read some comments to this affect on one website).
Oh well. I am not sure that I would give Constellation another shot, but we will see. At best, I will be a bit skeptical before purchasing a ticket.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Marrakesh
Holly's birthday was last week so in celebration I joined the girls night out at Marrakesh. This was our second time here, but we had not moved to town the first time around so this is my first opportunity to write about it. We went to the New York Ave location. I walk by the P street location regularly but there always seems to be a highschool prom waiting in line outside the door there. Phenomenal food, especially B'Stella, but here is the full fixed price menu:
Yummy.
The Three-Salad Platter
Cooked Eggplants in Tomato Sauce
Cucumbers and Bell Peppers in Mediterranean Seasoning
Oasis Carrots with Coriander
The B'Stella
Layered Pie with Chicken, assorted nuts, almonds, eggs, parsley, and onionsTopped with Confectioners sugar and traced with Cinnamon
First Main Course Choices
Chicken with Lemon and Olives
Spicy Chicken in Cumin Sauce
Chicken with Eggs and Parsley Sauce
Chicken with Dates
Second Course Choices
Marinated Berber Beef Shish Kebab
Tajine of Lamb with Almonds and Honey
Lamb with Chick Peas and Onions
Third Main Course
Couscous Grand Atlas Topped with Vegetables, Chick Peas, and Raisins
Desserts
Basket of Fresh Fruits
Hot Mint Tea with Moroccan Pastries
Yummy.
Theodore Roosevelt Island
First of all, getting there is not exactly painless. We drove to Rosslyn, parked and walked along trail heading south from Gateway park to GW Parkway parking lot, across walking bridge. The Google maps directions have you drive across the Route 66 bridge. I suppose it looks so convoluted because as the crow flies, we appear to be pretty close from Georgetown but in fact... we are not.
Anyway, park is heavily wooded, so if you are looking to sun yourself on a lawn, head elsewhere. There is basically just a circular hiking/biking trail around the interior of the island. For biking this might be interesting, but I was not fond of walking it. But then I don't really enjoy hiking in the wilderness.
The monument is interesting though I don't quite get why the large reflecting pool areas are drained of water. And besides, my recent reading makes me a bit more skeptical of Roosevelt, the man. I should add that Roosevelt, the president, still gets high marks.
Anyway, park is heavily wooded, so if you are looking to sun yourself on a lawn, head elsewhere. There is basically just a circular hiking/biking trail around the interior of the island. For biking this might be interesting, but I was not fond of walking it. But then I don't really enjoy hiking in the wilderness.
The monument is interesting though I don't quite get why the large reflecting pool areas are drained of water. And besides, my recent reading makes me a bit more skeptical of Roosevelt, the man. I should add that Roosevelt, the president, still gets high marks.
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