Paradise

As an old lady boarded a bus, the driver, who evidently knew her, queried, "And how are you today?" "Just fine," said the old lady; "it's another day in paradise!"

L'Elisir d'Amore

A few nights ago, I took myself to the Conservatory, for a performance of Donizetti's 'L'Elisir d'Amore.' Although the Concert Hall wasn't designed with opera in mind, the staging worked well, complete with a narrow runway along the front and one side of the orchestra pit. In several scenes, singers entered and exited along the runway. Since I was in the third row, singers were often only a few feet away; it was instructive to see how hard the singers were working, and to hear how powerful their voices really were. The costumes were 'American Great Plains' circa 1940; I was reminded of the musical 'Oklahoma.' The running translation was unobtrusively projected onto the silhouette of a barn, at the left rear of the stage. The most impressive singer, of an impressive cast, was the tenor, Mario Rojas. He will have a great career.

Lollipop

A few nights ago, as I boarded a 5 Fulton bus, the driver said, "The front seats are for seniors. Please give up your seats for seniors!" A lady promptly departed the seat closest to the front door, a seat which I occupied. A moment later, the driver called to the lady who had vacated the seat, and rewarded her with a lollipop! Throughout the run, the driver advised each passenger to "watch your step" when alighting.

Books

This afternoon, in Aardvark Books, I encountered a book which, according to the book plate, had belonged to a friend, now moved away. I was pleased with this discovery, and bought the book. From time to time, I come across books that I have owned and sold. I like to think that coincidences are signs that The Universe Is Unfolding As It Should!

Some years ago, when I was "between jobs" as the saying has it, I sold books to Aardvark, among which was one I had bought in Iceland in 1971. I never meant to sell it, since it is one of the few mementos I have of that journey. When I realized, the next day, what I had done, I returned to the shop as soon as I could, and bought it back. I still have it.

Mind

A notice outside a local shop reads, "Whatever comes to mind!"

Shostakovich

Recently I found myself at the Conservatory, listening to Craig Sheppard play Shostakovich's '24 Preludes and Fugues' Opus 87. I didn't know this work. I've heard his symphonies and string quartets and have seen the opera 'Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk', but haven't heard much else. So Opus 87 was a revelation. The variety of moods and styles was astonishing. Within a few bars the mood could change from lyrical charm to anger to humor and more. A fugue could open as a simple exercise in two-part counterpoint and suddenly explode into several voices and as complex a structure as one could follow. The work takes more than two hours to perform. There was one interval, during which about half the audience deserted the hall. Crass, I thought. Some students brought scores, which they followed assiduously. I spoke with one young man who knew the work; he contrasted it with Hindemith's 'Ludus Tonalis'. Said the performer after long applause and a standing ovation, "This is great stuff, isn't it?"

Beetle

During my walk through the neighborhood this afternoon, I observed a new Volkswagen Beetle, bright yellow, adorned with large rubber "eyelashes" above the headlights. I remember Beetles of the 60s and 70s, decorated with flowers and peace signs and whatnot. What is it about the Beetle that invites these additions?

Variations

I took myself and a friend to hear Corey Jamason at the Conservatory play the Goldberg Variations. The harpsichord was a 20th-century instrument, modeled on one of the 17th-century. The evening began with a short suite by J C de Chambonnières, after which the performer left the stage, and returned a moment later in his shirtsleeves, jacketless. This surprised the audience, who responded with good-natured laughter. He explained, somewhat shyly, that since he had to cross arms occasionally to play two keyboards, the jacket would restrict his movement, and his cuffs would snag on keys. So, no jacket. The audience listened with rapt attention throughout, to a very interesting and enjoyable performance. Corey performed the repeats in perhaps 6 of the pieces, so the entire performance took about an hour

Period Piece

After a pleasant afternoon with a friend, viewing the Keith Haring exhibition at the deYoung Museum, I took myself to the Conservatory of Music, to hear some Beethoven cello sonatas (from Opus 5 and Opus 102) on period instruments. The performance was surprising, interesting, very passionate, energetic --- there were a few moments when I feared that the cellist would fall off his chair! He and the pianist were thoroughly engaged; this was no dry academic exercise in historical reconstruction, but a very expressive and intelligent performance. The cello dated from 1710, the fortepiano from a hundred years later. The cellist admitted that the bow was from the mid-19th century, but averred that its innovations had already been introduced by Beethoven's time. The scores, however, were very 21st century: small digital screens operated by a pedal, by the cellist, and by touch, by the pianist. All in all, a very involving and exciting event, that I felt privileged to hear and see. The encore (after a standing ovation) was a set of variations by Beethoven on themes from Mozart's 'Magic Flute.' A good time was had by all.

Iceland

I remember a time, long ago in Iceland, when I happened to be relaxing in a garden behind the parliament building. A very drunk official, possibly a politician, sat down beside me, and spoke to me for some time in Icelandic, a language with which I have only a slight acquaintance. But I caught the drift of his remarks: the abuses which Icelanders were experiencing at the hands of foreign countries, fishing illegally in Icelandic waters. Our very one-sided "conversation" went on for some time; somehow, we understood each other.

Beauty

Recently, as I was walking along Market Street downtown, I was accosted by a young woman determined to supply me with a cosmetic cream, a promotional item for a nearby shop. "Why not?" she demanded, when I declined the item. "Because," I said, "I'm beautiful already!" A few yards further along, a young man canvassing for an environmental cause queried, "Are you friendly?" "Not right now," I replied.

Inquisition

A few nights ago, I spent an agreeable early evening at Azucar Lounge, at 9th and Folsom in The City. The Day of the Dead décor makes for a unique ambience, and the drinks and snacks menus are interesting. The bar stools are very uncomfortable --- "leftovers from the Spanish Inquisition," someone said. The rest of the lounge more than makes up for them.

Unicycle

This evening in The Castro, I observed a young man on a unicycle, pedaling confidently along the new wide sidewalks. I was reminded of an afternoon in Toronto, long ago in my taxi-driving days, when I watched from my cab a young fellow on a unicycle, pedaling up a hill while cradling another unicycle in his arms.

1968

A beautifully restored 1968 Chevrolet Malibu is for sale in my neighborhood. Only $25000!!!

Caltrain.

On Caltrain this afternoon, the conductor announced our approach to one station thus: "Belmont! Belmont! Party town! This is Belmont!" And the next station: "Hillsdale! Home of a really big mall! Go shopping! This is Hillsdale!"

Exteriors

A friend reports that ads for credit cards have appeared on the exteriors of local buses. The name of one purported cardholder is 'Alex Martin'. I'm reminded of the moment when, a few years ago, I was getting off a bus downtown. Two women passed in front of me on the sidewalk. One of them said to the other, "And then Alex Martin said..." ...I'll never know.

Handsome is as handsome does.

At Trader Joe's in Stonestown, I needed an extra bag for my groceries. "Extra bags are free for handsome men," said the cashier. "If you say so!" I replied, with a smile. No one has called me "handsome" for many years.

Spin

At a bus stop, I observed an older man, 60ish, spinning wool or cotton with a hand-held drop spindle. The yarn was colored, so I imagine he had dyed the unspun tufts. He had with him a small spinning wheel --- the wheel had probably belonged to a small child's bicycle. He continued his spinning on the bus, completely absorbed in his task.

Moto

A motorcycle dealer has opened two blocks away, in a space formerly occupied by a typewriter shop, which closed in 2013. There are several very new and very shiny motorcycles in the space, but in the front window, beside the door, is a wooden soapbox racer. I don't think it's for sale!

Technology

At a café this afternoon, a barista successfully exterminated flies in flight, with what appeared to be an electrified tennis racquet. Each contact was accompanied by a sharp snapping sound. Technology is definitely making great strides these days!!