Where have I been? Grocery shopping, the gym, the pool, a nice walk at Dyke Marsh, Pentagon City Mall, out to lunch,
Who have I talked with? Deirdre, Emily, Karren (with 2Rs), John, my sweet Bear, Mike - a college classmate of J's, Erica,
What have I been up to in the Kitchen? I made a fun whole wheat bread. Steaks with cheesy scalloped potatoes. A hearty beef stew. A blackberry cake, a total experiment I had a box of blackberries in the refrigerator that I needed to use.
What is my great accomplishment for the week? I sorted through the travel plans for next month, everything is in order, and all of the dates are correct.
Who deserves a slap this week? Congress for caving in on a budget deal with the devil, 5 out of 5. Remember these weasels at election time.
When will spring arrive? Soon. The early bloom is later this spring than some. The National Parks Service is still predicting Cherry Blossoms before the end of the month. I have a feeling the spring bloom will come fast and fade fast.
What am I reading? I finished a book on medical aid in dying written by one of the first practitioners in Canada, it was informative, and depressing; and started into a book on living in a cabin in central Maine. It is time to head back to the library again.
What birds have I seen this week? A male cardinal, blue jay, robins, turkey vulture, pileated woodpecker.
Political Trigger Warning
What made me think? There was a newspaper report, JD Vance, the Vice President and his wife attended the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Because of the security screening the performance started 30 minutes late. When JD and his wife took their seats they were booed for 30 seconds or so. My thoughts. It is nice to see people sitting in the Presidential Box, it is empty much of the time. There were lots of nasty comments about the hillbilly going to the symphony, I am reminded that origin is not destiny, the man has an Ivy League education and while I don't often agree with his politics he is a bright man. If the administration wants to improve the arts and the Kennedy Center, they need to see the place, attend the programs. They can start by fixing the aging building. The escalator from the Blue Level parking on the south end has been broken down for months. Fix it, replace it. About half of the time one of the two elevators in the concert hall is broken, they need replacing. Look at the outside, the paint on the ugly columns is faded and chalky, the columns themselves were obviously a budget cut item when the building was built, they need replacing. Update the seating. Add security capacity so when VIPs attend a performance, the show can start on time. Why have a Presidential Box, if we can't get people seated in time for the show to start. Provide funding, the arts feed to soul of the attendees, leave the art to the artists, but fund the work. People will decide what is worthy by buts in seats, not bombastic speeches by politicians.
Is there a separation between the operation of the venue - i.e. who owns and is responsible for maintaining the facility and who books the acts? Although the public sees and perceives one entity, it is possible that the funding streams for expenditures on mounting and administering the productions (perhaps a vendor contract) are separate from the capital maintenance and improvement costs. Like so many things beyond the comprehension of HWSNBN, this may be nuanced based on the political and economic conditions at the time that the center was established. Also it's easier to 'hit up donors for funds for a production than a commemorative coat of paint and elevator repair.
ReplyDeleteWill Jay
PS I will always wonder whether or not JD Vance's admission to Yale Law was a DEI admission - they needed a hillbilly from a first tier state university to diversify the class.
He was a first generation college student, that usually added points to his score.
DeleteI would guess that people who are artistically inclined, including those who would visit a symphony orchestra performance, would not be great fans of #47 and his bitch boys.
ReplyDeleteThe Symphony crowd is rather white and older.
DeleteI wouldn't hold my breath with that crew updating or doing any remodeling to the Kennedy Center. I think the only reason they ever took over so many parts of it was because it was yet more power to yield.
ReplyDeleteHWSNBN did a walk through the other day, and was pointing out things that are shoddy.
DeleteSurprising forgiveness shown to James Vance. Are you turning into a Trumpist? It begins with a single germ.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't vote for HWSNBN for rat catcher.
DeleteI have not one single positive thought about JD Vance and I found it satisfying to know he was booed. Blackberry cake sounds wonderful. Were you happy with how it turned out?
ReplyDeleteThe cake was dry and soggy at the same time.
Delete"If the administration wants to improve the arts and the Kennedy Center" -- HAHAHAHAHAHA, oh please, David. Don't drink the Kool-Aid.
ReplyDeleteIt was just my wish list for repairing and improving the place.
DeleteI cannot imagine this administration doing anything to fix the building. They care little about the arts; they know little about the arts.
ReplyDeleteI will stop there before the cursing starts because it's a glorious day!
The sun is out here this morning.
DeleteI think they only took over so they can keep groups out and control who gets to perform. I would have booed, too.
ReplyDeleteTrue.
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