Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Reflections on the Summer's Culture
My poor neglected blog, hasn't seen me since spring. I blame it all on Facebook ;)
Anyway, seeing as the summer of 2009 is about to wrap up (*sob*), I thought it was a good time to look back on its cultural highlights:
The Reader - MOVIE
A Girl of the Limberlost - NOVEL (a favorite of my grandmother's, I recently learned!)
Herkimer 4th of July Fireworks at Wal-Mart - UPSTATE NY CULTURE :)
Philadelphia Orchestra - CLASSICAL MUSIC @ SPAC
Paul Taylor - MODERN DANCE @ SPAC
La Traviata - OPERA @ Glimmerglass
In several of these I was struck by some unexpected instances of kindness. Perhaps "unexpected" because so much of today's entertainment is brutal on a regular basis. How sad.
- In "The Reader," I was moved by the young boy's thoughtfulness toward his older lover (Kate Winslet), when the waitress on their "cycling holiday" thought she was his mother. He proved differently by kissing her passionately in public as they left, yay for him!
- At the Paul Taylor Dance show, one number featured a little "boy" sleeping and dreaming guided by a father-type figure. When the boy slipped on his pajamas and fell, the father tenderly picked him up and looked at him with such love to make sure he was not hurt. The boy limped in pain but the father-figure was there to comfort and help him.
- And lastly, at the fireworks, a REAL LIFE act of kindness. As night fell over the Wal-Mart parking lot I spied and was touched to see an ARC staff member hold the hand of a disabled older adult waiting for the show to begin. The staffer seemed completely content to keep his client/friend happy and didn't act like it was a "job" or a "duty."
How satisfying to have kindness so intertwined with my delightful summer experiences.
Anyway, seeing as the summer of 2009 is about to wrap up (*sob*), I thought it was a good time to look back on its cultural highlights:
The Reader - MOVIE
A Girl of the Limberlost - NOVEL (a favorite of my grandmother's, I recently learned!)
Herkimer 4th of July Fireworks at Wal-Mart - UPSTATE NY CULTURE :)
Philadelphia Orchestra - CLASSICAL MUSIC @ SPAC
Paul Taylor - MODERN DANCE @ SPAC
La Traviata - OPERA @ Glimmerglass
In several of these I was struck by some unexpected instances of kindness. Perhaps "unexpected" because so much of today's entertainment is brutal on a regular basis. How sad.
- In "The Reader," I was moved by the young boy's thoughtfulness toward his older lover (Kate Winslet), when the waitress on their "cycling holiday" thought she was his mother. He proved differently by kissing her passionately in public as they left, yay for him!
- At the Paul Taylor Dance show, one number featured a little "boy" sleeping and dreaming guided by a father-type figure. When the boy slipped on his pajamas and fell, the father tenderly picked him up and looked at him with such love to make sure he was not hurt. The boy limped in pain but the father-figure was there to comfort and help him.
- And lastly, at the fireworks, a REAL LIFE act of kindness. As night fell over the Wal-Mart parking lot I spied and was touched to see an ARC staff member hold the hand of a disabled older adult waiting for the show to begin. The staffer seemed completely content to keep his client/friend happy and didn't act like it was a "job" or a "duty."
How satisfying to have kindness so intertwined with my delightful summer experiences.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Two institutions done in by the economy
CloverPatch then Shriners. Both with fabulous staff members who work as an interdisciplinary team.
RIP.
RIP.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Brangelina & the Dalai Lama Visit Albany - at the same time!
Mayor Meets Angelina Jolie
Last updated: 6:53 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2009
It was a routine Saturday for Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings a number of events to attend, including a stop in North Albany.
Also, on his "to do" list was a visit to the set of "Salt," the movie starring Angelina Jolie that was finishing its last weekend of shooting on the highways near the Empire State Plaza.
"Who's in charge," Jennings asked one of the set guys as he arrived. The guy pointed and Jennings went over and introduced himself to the "boss," who said he was aware the mayor had reached out to director Phillip Noyce when the filming began.
"Is everything all right?" Jennings asked the boss, adding, "If it's not inconvenient, I'd like to welcome Angelina to the city."
Jolie walked over dressed in jeans, a cap covering her hair and a light-colored coat for the scene where she jumps off a truck shook Jennings' hand and told him she enjoyed her stay in Albany.
The city was chosen because of the three levels of highways near the Empire State Plaza meant to represent the nation's capital. On the set was a D.C. police car, Jennings said. "They looked at this and loved it," he said of the roads.
He knew the actress was staying the night and suggested, if she needed anything, to let him know. She said "Brad (Pitt) was coming over and they were going to take it easy, stay in the hotel room and watch the fight," referring to the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton light-welterweight championship from Las Vegas, Jennings said.
Jolie invited Jennings to stay for some of the shooting. He declined, saying he had other commitments. But, before he walked away, the mayor posed with the star for a photo on his cell phone.
------------------------------------------
Dalai Lama Tickets Available
By BRIAN ETTKIN, Staff writer
Last updated: 6:36 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2009
As of 4 p.m. today, about 300 tickets were available for the 14th Dalai Lama's public talk Wednesday at the Palace Theatre, marketing manager Sean Allen said.
Capacity at the 2,800-seat Palace will be about 2,600 for this event, Allen said.
That the Dalai Lama's first appearance in Albany hadn't sold out yet could be attributed to the unusual start time of 2 p.m.
Allen said he wouldn't be surprised if the event sells out.
The Dalai Lama, the winner of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, will speak on ''Compassionate Ethics in Difficult Times'' as a guest of event organizers the World Ethical Foundations Consortium.
Last updated: 6:53 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2009
It was a routine Saturday for Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings a number of events to attend, including a stop in North Albany.
Also, on his "to do" list was a visit to the set of "Salt," the movie starring Angelina Jolie that was finishing its last weekend of shooting on the highways near the Empire State Plaza.
"Who's in charge," Jennings asked one of the set guys as he arrived. The guy pointed and Jennings went over and introduced himself to the "boss," who said he was aware the mayor had reached out to director Phillip Noyce when the filming began.
"Is everything all right?" Jennings asked the boss, adding, "If it's not inconvenient, I'd like to welcome Angelina to the city."
Jolie walked over dressed in jeans, a cap covering her hair and a light-colored coat for the scene where she jumps off a truck shook Jennings' hand and told him she enjoyed her stay in Albany.
The city was chosen because of the three levels of highways near the Empire State Plaza meant to represent the nation's capital. On the set was a D.C. police car, Jennings said. "They looked at this and loved it," he said of the roads.
He knew the actress was staying the night and suggested, if she needed anything, to let him know. She said "Brad (Pitt) was coming over and they were going to take it easy, stay in the hotel room and watch the fight," referring to the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton light-welterweight championship from Las Vegas, Jennings said.
Jolie invited Jennings to stay for some of the shooting. He declined, saying he had other commitments. But, before he walked away, the mayor posed with the star for a photo on his cell phone.
------------------------------------------
Dalai Lama Tickets Available
By BRIAN ETTKIN, Staff writer
Last updated: 6:36 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2009
As of 4 p.m. today, about 300 tickets were available for the 14th Dalai Lama's public talk Wednesday at the Palace Theatre, marketing manager Sean Allen said.
Capacity at the 2,800-seat Palace will be about 2,600 for this event, Allen said.
That the Dalai Lama's first appearance in Albany hadn't sold out yet could be attributed to the unusual start time of 2 p.m.
Allen said he wouldn't be surprised if the event sells out.
The Dalai Lama, the winner of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, will speak on ''Compassionate Ethics in Difficult Times'' as a guest of event organizers the World Ethical Foundations Consortium.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
At the Convenience of the Undertaker?
This is a phrase I've often seen at the end of winter obituaries. "Interment/burial will be held at the convenience of the family." Sounds nice, pleasant, considerate of the grieving family members.
NOT!
It's seems like it's more at the convenience of the funeral home. My father-in-law's burial would have cost more if held on a weekend, and since business is brisk apparently, we had to quick book a date soon. Hmph. So 1:00 on a Friday right before Memorial Weekend. Real convenient.
NOT!
It's seems like it's more at the convenience of the funeral home. My father-in-law's burial would have cost more if held on a weekend, and since business is brisk apparently, we had to quick book a date soon. Hmph. So 1:00 on a Friday right before Memorial Weekend. Real convenient.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
ESAM Visit
The three of us (Alison slept in, of course) enjoyed an all-you-eat pancake breakfast at the Empire State Aerosciences Museum in Glenville this morning. We spent an hour touring the museum inside and out after our satisfying meal. It's a great place, next to the Schenectady Airport, $8 per adult and free for kids. Eric had a blast sitting in the Army Chopper!
Friday, April 17, 2009
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