g56whiz

I got a new aortic valve last fall at a hospital in San Antonio, TX. The orderly shaving me was a retired Air Force medic. There's lots of retired military in San Antonio. As he shaved it became apparent that he was from Laredo TX which is my home. While dithering with my nether regions we discussed Mexican dives in Laredo and which serves the best chorizo tacos. It was quite a surreal experience. ps. I feel 20 years younger - due to the surgery that is.

Well I recognize that towel. But is it from the Chicago, Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto, or Berkeley tub?

If Only! I just not that versatile. Well maybe if so inspired . . . .

Fortunately, these stripes are less opaque.

I guess it’s not true what they claim about Irish men.

I hope it’s not too late for my Ho! Ho! Ho!!

OMG. I may have to switch sides.

Some men never grow up - thankfully.

I recognize him. Ray Donavan on Showtime.

Asian and muscles. My two favorite fantasies fulfilled in one!!!

Oh my!!! Too much of a good thing is not enough!! Be still my libido. [swoooon]

Wholly agree.

Thank you. I sit corrected (and abased).

I’m not a big Puccini fan and Butterfly is my least favorite. I sorta like puppets: it’s the human interaction with puppets I don’t get. I just can’t suspend my disbelief that much. But I agree: Taymore’s use of the puppet in Butterfly was brilliant and much better than a kid in a sailor suit doing nothing.

It’s rather ironic. I suspect I’d have appreciated the overall performance more with a weaker cast. Mattei and van der Heever are spectacular (as is the rest of the cast) and while the camera work more often focuses on the unit set as a whole, there are enough close ups to convey the intensity of their acting. At the rebroadcast you can always close your eyes when Kentridge’s production becomes overwhelming. Although experiencing it with 4,000 other captives could be interesting. One other thing about the broadcast: Because Wozzeck is presented without intermission, they postponed those microphone down your throat interviews until the end. Eric Owens was the host. Of the three leads, Mattei, van der Heever and Seguin, Seguin ended up next to Owens where you could readily see that he’s half his height and about a third of his volume.

Carmen Machi has to be one of the best comedic actresses working today. This flic had me howling with laughter both times I watched even though I’m not bilingual and was relying on subtitles. It involves four African dancers in native costume who are lost in the high, snow covered Pyrenees and are found by the aging inhabitants of a picaresque but dying village. How the two groups see each other and learn to interact is both heartwarming and hilarious. Oh and it’s available now on Netflix. Enjoy!!

And now back to the OP’s topic. I attended the Live In HD performance on Saturday. The music and acting were thrilling. The production was stunning as well. But hectic nature of that stunning production with multiple images piling one upon another in an endless succession stole the focus away from the performance. I quickly OD’d on the complexity. I felt like I’d been forced wo watch a 2 MTV music video on speed. Why should Kentridge’s constant video barrage, fascinating though it was, blot out attention on a magnificent, gut wrenching performance by the principals? And the orchestra!! All the complexities of Berg’s score were tamed by Seguin’s tight conducting. For me the problem with Kentridge’s concept of Wozzeck was made crystal clear at the end. How is it that a puppet can replace the poignancy of a live child circling a darkened bare stage on his hobby horse singing “Hippity hop” when we know he’s an orphan?

????[SWOON]

And we’re JEALOUS!!!

And often I suspect.

Surely you jest. A successful hiring experience involves a fair degree of fantasy. Why would you consider doing anything that would diminish that spell?

I was in a group touring Prague among other places in Eastern Europe. I enjoyed the above ground trolley but one of my colleagues on that trip was mugged in broad daylight on a trolley, knocked unconscious and then the muggers screamed at him because he carried almost no cash. It’s a reality rather than racial slur to note that the muggers were Gypsies.

Government bailout? They could axe The Maxi business (already “halted”) tomorrow and there’d still be enough Boeing left to keep it out of bankruptcy. Of course daring investors (like me from time to time) won’t be too pleased.

Hmmmm. A 22 year old coach! An I thought I was presumptuous!!!

And she keen LBJ warts libido and all.