First Posted: 2018 October 15
Today, I had the incredible opportunity to see Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub’s adaptation of Twelfth Night at the Young Vic Theatre. It compresses the entire show into 90 minutes, including all of the1 musical interludes From the opening until the curtain call, I was almost overwhelmed with joy.
Now, onto a description of the show itself. The show opens with an old man handing out jerk chicken.2 At least I hope that was part of the show, and it wasn’t just a random stranger giving me food.3 The set is a beautiful one point perspective feeling city street. In the middle of the thrust, a van is parked. The show begins with the van slowly moving upstage while mourners come out and soulful saxophone plays. However, that is the first and last time the show is anything less than overwhelmingly energized.
The biggest uniting thread in the show, other than the comic ridiculousness, is the women’s chorus. After every major plot point, they come out, singing “What’s the word on the street?” before explaining what just happened, in case we had somehow missed it.
Then, when Malvolio sings his song about becoming Count, it felt like the quintessential musical number, but something I couldn’t name was missing. All of a sudden, he does a magic trick and has a cane in his hand, and the chorus comes out in top hats. The tap dancing interlude that follows was exactly as fun and cheesy as it4 sounds. That was a hallmark of the show, honestly: the cheesy, over the top fun.
Another musical highlight for me was the scene where Viola5 and Andrew are preparing for the fight. I had equal parts Rocky and Meatloaf coursing through my head in the song, where the cast starts air punching and jump-roping to fast paced electrical guitar and strong drums.
I left the show the happiest I’ve been after a theatre production in a while. And really, what more can I say? If you get a chance, I would highly recommend watching it
Today, I had the incredible opportunity to see Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub’s adaptation of Twelfth Night at the Young Vic Theatre. It, like all good adaptations, takes the best parts of the original show and leaves out the bad. From the opening until the curtain call, I was star struck for the entire show.
Now, for those of you who don’t know, I sometimes just have a great time. As the diving coach mentioned, I have an expression of joy when I’m doing things I enjoy, there diving. This weekend, I had the chance to climb around Arthur’s Seat, and had a great goofy grin on. And, tonight, my cheeks were almost sore from how much I was smiling.
Now, onto a description of the show itself. The show opens with an old man handing out jerk chicken.6 At least I hope that was part of the show, and it wasn’t just a random stranger giving me food.7 The set is a beautiful one point perspective feeling city street. In the middle of the thrust, a van is parked. The show begins with the van slowly moving upstage while mourners come out and soulful saxophone plays. However, that is the first and last time the show felt anything but energized to me.
When Malvolio sings his song about becoming Count, it felt like the quintessential musical number, but something I couldn’t name was missing. All of a sudden, he does a magic trick and has a cane in his hand, and the chorus comes out in top hats. The tap dancing interlude that follows was exactly as fun and cheesy as it8 sounds. That was a hallmark of the show, honestly. It was a cheery, fun, lively show.
Speaking of the chorus, they were another highlight of the show. After every major plot point, a women’s chorus came out, singing “What’s the word on the street?” before explaining what just happened, in case we had missed it.
But, throughout the show, every actor was as over the top as they could possibly be without making it into a farce.
Another musical highlight for me was the scene where Viola9 and Andrew are preparing for the fight. I had equal parts Rocky and Meatloaf coursing through my head in the song, where the cast starts air punching and jump-roping to fast paced electrical guitar and strong drums.
I left the show the happiest I’ve been after a theatre production in a while. And really, what more can I say?
First Posted: 2018 October 14
Wisdom 7:7b “I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.”
Today is the 26 Sunday of Ordinary Time in Year B.
Today’s first reading tells two important things. First, if you pray to the Lord for help, he will aid you. Second, wisdom is the ultimate treasure anyone can have.
The second reading echoes this sentiment, calling that “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.”1 To me, this is such a meaningful statement. The word of God is what caused creation to be, is what breathes life into all of creation, and is what calls us each day to follow Him more closely. I know I don’t do it enough, but I do really appreciate the time I spend listening and reading the Word.
Hebrews 4:12a↩︎
First Posted: Day beginning 2018 October 13
Today, I was planning on posting about my trip to a museum. But, I’m also in Scotland.
Since I was in Scotland, I decided that I should try to take the opportunity ot listen to some Scottish Folk music. Last night, my friends convinced me not to go. So, tonight, I decided to go.
Of course, it turns out every pub operates on the “Folk Music Friday” “Standard Pop Saturday”1 realm for music, so finding folk music was hard. I did end up being able to find a single pub with it, around a mile away.
By 23002 I was feeling tired, and so routed myself home. After a short walk, I found that the hotel I had routed myself was a different version of the hotel that I was staying at. So, I routed myself to the correct one. Then, at 2326, the unthinkable happened: my phone died. I became slightly worried.
But, I found out that people were very willing to respond to “hello, do you know how to get to the train station?”3 Of course, I soon learned that there were two train stations. Thankfully, my gut did tell me the right one, so I began heading. Somehow I ended up on a gradually curving set of streets which led me in a circle.
Talk about disappointing. I was so excited to see familiar sites, only to realize that it was where I had just been. Eventually, I found my way to the train station, although it was much larger than I remembered. I found a hotel, which had a map and a very helpful man who was willing to draw directions to my hotel. I found a familiar site finally, and made my way home.
Highlights: two drunk men, who “aren’t from around here” asking everyone near me for directions to the train station. But, I did hear some music, even though it was a little disappointing. I also managed to take more than 30000 steps, which is a lot for me.4 Time for some sleep.
First Posted: 2018 October 12
Today, I was on a five hour train ride. While on the ride, I was doing some homework on the iPad that Grinnell College lent me for the semester. Then, having finished the homework, I decided to play around on the iPad. I saw that the iPad came with GarageBand, so I thought I’d play with it. It was fun!
I forgot how much fun it can be to make musical sounds with synthesizers. Of course, it took around three hours to make a just under three minute long piece,1 but that’s still less time than composing, recording, and then post processing. It wasn’t great, but people who’ve listened to it have responded more positively than neutrally. If you’d like to hear it, feel free to email me at flyingrebelpipes@gmail.com.
Today, I was on a fiveish hour train ride.2 While on the ride, I was doing some homework on the iPad that Grinnell College lent me for the semester.3 Then, having finished the homework, I decided to play around with an app on the iPad. I saw that the iPad came with GarageBand, so I thought I’d play around with it. It was fun!
I forgot how much fun it can be to play around with synthesizers. Of course, it took around three hours to make a just under three minute long piece,4 but that’s still less time than composing, recording, and then post processing. It wasn’t great, but people who’ve listened to it have responded more positively than neutrally. If you’d like to hear it, feel free to email me at flyingrebelpipes@gmail.com.
not a song, which I talk about somewhere earlier↩︎
as I’ve mentioned multiple other times, I’m apparently not supposed to say where in case terrorists are targeting me (because apparently the many devices I carry with automatic location setting don’t exist) so I won’t share my location.↩︎
I love my class↩︎
not a song, which I talk about somewhere earlier↩︎
First Posted: 2018 October 11
One of my biggest concerns about studying abroad was how homesick I might get. For those of you unfamiliar,1 I’ve lived my entire life in the same beautiful city2 of 8000 or so people. This semester, I decided that I would spend a semester of my life 4100 miles away, in a city of many millions.
I was expecting some culture shock, which I wrote about earlier. But, I was also expecting to get homesick, if only because all of my friends told me I’d feel that way.
Now, the only time I’ve ever been truly homesick was, strangely enough, at a camp at Grinnell College.3 But, I’d never spent so much time away from family, friends, and familiar surroundings. And, the first night, I worried a lot about how homesick I might feel, to the point that I began to feel a little homesick.
But, in the 43 days that have followed,4 that’s the only homesickness I’ve felt. I’ve still got another 70 or so, but I don’t think it’s going to suddenly come on. So, yay! No homesick for me.
One of my biggest concerns about studying abroad was how homesick I might get. For those of you unfamiliar,5 I’ve lived my entire life within the same beautiful city.6 Then, I decided that, just for funsies, I would spend a semester of my life 4100 miles away.
I was expecting some culture shock, which I wrote about earlier. But, I was also expecting to get homesick.
Now, the only time I’ve ever been truly homesick was, strangely enough, at a camp at Grinnell College.7 But, I’d never spent so much time away from family, friends, and familiar surroundings. And, the first night, I worried a lot about how homesick I might feel, to the point that I began to feel a little homesick.
But, it’s been 44 days8 and that’s the only homesickness I’ve felt. I’ve still got another 70 or so, but I don’t think it’s going to suddenly come on. So, yay! No homesick for me.
and unable to use google↩︎
gotta love Iowa definitions↩︎
more details may come in the future, if I feel introspective but have nothing else to write about↩︎
also, I just realized I’d almost forgotten my daily beard photo. Thank goodness for this post↩︎
and unable to use google↩︎
gotta love Iowa definitions↩︎
more details may come in the future, if I feel introspective but have nothing else to write about↩︎
also, I just realized I’d almost forgotten my daily beard photo. Thank goodness for this post↩︎
First Posted: 2018 October 101
As I mentioned in an earlier post,2 I plan to leave every draft of every post visible for all eternity.3 All of those drafts have come from a4 continuous writing,5 except in the case of the assignments I have posted, which have taken a few days.6
But, just because I’ve published7 a post doesn’t mean that it’s finished. I’ve left posts before I was satisfied because I was too tired to continue.8 Since my self defined obligation is writing daily, not writing well daily, it’s fine.
Nonetheless, a certain part of my personality9 demands satisfactory writing out of me. So, I may go back and update old posts. If so, I’ll make a note about the fact that I’ve edited them, and also add in the date of first publication, since that will become relevant afterwards.10
As I mentioned in an earlier post,11 I plan to leave every draft of every one of my posts visible for all eternity.12 All of those drafts have come from a single writing stint, except in the case of the assignments I have posted, which have taken a few days.13
But, just because I’ve published14 a post doesn’t mean that it’s finished. I’ve more than once left a post not because I was satisfied, but because I was too tired to continue.15 Since my self defined obligation is writing daily, not writing well daily, it’s fine.
Nonetheless, a certain part of my personality16 demands satisfactory writing out of me. So, I may go back and update old posts. If so, I’ll make a note about the fact that I’ve edited them, and also add in the date of first publication, since that will become relevant afterwards.17
New question: what about the drafts of my written assignments that I wrote earlier than the day that they were posted? I think I’m just going to ignore that in the past, and make an effort to remember in the future. Great.
As I mentioned in an earlier post,18 I’m leaving each draft of my posts up for all eternity.19 But, just because I’ve published20 a post doesn’t mean that it’s finished. I’ve more than once left a post not because I was satisfied, but because I was too tired to continue.21 Since my self defined obligation is writing daily, not writing well daily, it’s fine.
Nonetheless, a certain part of my personality22 demands satisfactory writing out of me. So, I may go back and update old posts. If so, I’ll make a note about the fact that I’ve edited them, and also add in the date of first publication, since that will become relevant afterwards.23 Now the question becomes: do I alert my24 readers about the changes. Advantages: looks like I’m writing even more, lets people see what polished me looks like. Disadvantages: spams other people, I’m not even sure if I want to remember. So, I think I’m not going to make notices when I revise a post, unless there’s a significant reason to. Woo25 good job writing by the seat of my pants26 take two.
As I mentioned in an earlier post,27 I’m leaving each draft of my posts up for all eternity.28 But, just because I’ve published29 a post doesn’t mean that it’s finished. Very often, I’ve left the post unsatisfied, but more tired than able to continue writing. So, I publish it and call it good enough.
But what happens when I decide to revise a post later? Should I just add another draft number to the top? Do I make a note after the draft, like “revised this date”? Ooh, does that mean I should start writing when each draft is written? I think I’m actually going to start doing that. Whoops, instead of solving an issue I just made another. Actually, this works. Now I can just add to new drafts, or even at the top of the page, updated this date. Great job writing at the speed of thought.
the date format that makes the most sense↩︎
it makes the sense that disclaimer is the first post with drafts, but I’m still surprised↩︎
barring any unforeseen circumstances, or the foreseen ones listed in the post↩︎
nominally↩︎
i.e. I get distracted while writing, but the computer never closes and the document is never saved because I like to live dangerously↩︎
because I am good student↩︎
for a liberal definition of publishing↩︎
sometimes I start too tired. Those tend to be the really short posts↩︎
the Type A part↩︎
I’m not going to do so ahead of time because that takes energy, and isn’t worth the effort right now, and I’ll probably forget to in the morning↩︎
hmm I guess it makes the most sense for my disclaimer to be my first post that has drafts, but it was still a surprise↩︎
barring any unforeseen circumstances, or the foreseen ones listed in the post↩︎
I think↩︎
for a generous definition of publishing↩︎
sometimes I start too tired. Those tend to be the really short posts↩︎
the type a part↩︎
I’m not going to do so ahead of time because that takes energy, and isn’t worth the effort right now, and I’ll probably forget to in the morning↩︎
hmm I guess it makes the most sense for my disclaimer to be my first post that has drafts, but it was still a surprise↩︎
barring any unforeseen circumstances, or the foreseen ones listed in the post↩︎
for a generous definition of publishing↩︎
sometimes I start too tired. Those tend to be the really short posts↩︎
the type a part↩︎
I’m not going to do so ahead of time because that takes energy, and isn’t worth the effort right now, and I’ll probably forget to in the morning↩︎
alleged↩︎
Whoo? I have no clue how to spell that sound and refuse to look it up↩︎
I swear that’s a metaphor I’ve heard↩︎
I’m not going to look up which one↩︎
barring any unforeseen circumstances↩︎
for a generous definition of publishing↩︎
In popular media, there’s an expression:1 “growing the beard.” It tends to mean that a show2 has begun to become more serious as it progresses.
While abroad, I’ve begun growing the beard myself. Now, this isn’t to say that I’m not still the joyful, carefree child that I was before I left. I’m growing a literal beard.
The reasons for this are varied. First, I enjoy having a beard, since it means that shaving takes far less time.3 If I only shave my neck,4 I can shave and be done in less than a minute. Even when also doing my cheeks,5 it still takes less than a few minutes. When I have to shave my whole face, it takes a fair amount more time.
Partially, it’s that I feel a much greater need to use shaving cream when doing my whole face. My neck doesn’t need it anymore,6 so if I only need to trim my neck, I can save all the effort there.
Partially, it’s that when I shave my face, I have much higher standards. With my neck and cheeks, I’m satisfied with “less hair than before, looks vaguely like I care.” But, when I’m shaving my whole face, I want it to be smooth. The last time I counted, it took,7 5 strokes with the grain, 5 strokes perpendicular to the grain, and 15 strokes against the grain, all on my very close cutting razor. That’s a lot of time, and it means that I inevitably cut myself at least once.
So, other than convenience, there’s the fact that I like the way I look with a beard. I continually get told I look far younger when clean shaven, so this way I don’t. Tying into that reason, it’s also a way of mapping my time.
Every one of my friends8 has at one point or another expressed to me that my beard has an ideal length. That generally comes in the form of “your beard is the wrong length,” but. So, while in London, I’m also taking a daily photo of my beard growth to document its progress. I take a photo in a different place everyday, as a way to motivate me to remember where I am.
Next, and most practically, we’ve passed the summer solstice. Days are getting shorter. Nights, therefore, are getting longer. In theory it’s getting colder.9 Having a beard means that I’ll keep warm as the days get colder.
So, the reasons are: convenience, appearance, documentation, and warmth. I think that’s all the reasons I’m growing it out, but I also tend to make up reasons as asked, so it’s possible that more have existed in the past, or will in the future.
well, many expressions. This is one of them↩︎
or other medium↩︎
after shaving for the past 7 years (I think 7, maybe 8 by now)↩︎
because fashion says not to have hair on your neck↩︎
because apparently that’s another area↩︎
although it does feel nice when I use it↩︎
for each 1-3 inch section↩︎
note: if you haven’t and consider me a friend, I also have confirmation bias here, so don’t worry, we’re still friends↩︎
it was 20 degrees (F) cooler here than in Iowa when I left, so I just accept that temperature isn’t real↩︎
Today, I had the immense fortune of seeing Arinzé Kene’s “Misty” at the Trafalgar Theatre. Misty1 tells the story of a man writing a theatrical work. Throughout the process, he deals with internal doubt, lack of support from friends and family, and pressures from the theatre administration. It was an incredible experience, and not one that I can otherwise summarize.
The set began basically, with a cube-like shape on the stage. Where its shadow might go, the stage was roughened. Throughout, the stage and set are changed mostly through lighting.
The sounds of the show came both from prerecorded audio and from two live musicians. At times, it was difficult to tell what was prerecorded, and what was being done live, which was also true of the performance itself.
Though serious, the show was at many points incredibly funny. Though funny, many of the jokes still pointed to deeper issues.
Overall, it was an experience I would repeat in a heartbeat
as far as I could tell↩︎
Mark 10:15 “Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”
Today is the 27 Sunday of Ordinary Time in Year B.
The main focus of today’s readings is marriage,1 but the line that stuck out to me was in the optional section of the Gospel. After exhorting the Pharisees that divorce is not from God, he talks to his disciples. Jesus tells the disciples that they must have faith like a child. For most of my life, this was one of the pieces of the Gospel I had the hardest time believing. As I look back, I realize it’s mostly that I have a problem with unquestioned faith. To be more precise, I have a problem with being told not to question my faith.
More importantly, I remember being a child. I questioned everything. And I do mean everything. I asked the normal questions, “why is the grass green,” “why is the sky blue,” and so on. I also2 asked slightly odder questions, including many about my faith. I don’t think that I was not a normal child in that regard. But, I did trust that whoever I was asking would know the answer, and tell me the truth.
That’s what having the faith of a child means to me. Children don’t blindly follow, but they do follow. They question, but they trust in answers. There’s a sense of joy that comes with every question, and a sense of peace that comes with every answer.
Mark 10:15 “Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”
Today is the 27 Sunday of Ordinary Time in Year B.
The main focus of today’s readings is marriage, but the line that stuck out to me was in the optional section of the Gospel. Jesus tells the disciples that they must have faith like a child. Now, this is a belief that I’ve had a lot of trouble accepting the explanations for in my life. The way I tend to hear it expressed is that we should believe unquestioningly.
But, I remember being a child. I questioned everything. Questions like “Why is the sky blue? Why is grass green?” and so on were a constant feature in my life. And to me, that’s what child-like faith is about. It’s not blindly following, it’s questioning everything, to really learn about it. There’s a blind trust that the person answering your questions knows the answer,3 and that the person answering will tell the truth.4 And, there’s a sense of joy and wonder when we learn something new. I still remember the constant sense of excitement I used to get whenever I learned something new. So, faith like a child means questioning everything, not nothing.
Today was1 the annual 10/10 celebration at Grinnell College. It’s weird being further away from it than I ever have been before. Apparently in years past, students in my program would host an event for the Grinnell students in Europe. That didn’t happen this year. I wonder if that’s another 10/10 tradition that’s gone forever.
is?↩︎