When I am Empress of the World, Mother's Day will be renamed Mother & Child's Day. For me the day celebrates the relationship rather than my role in it.
Met Nicole in NYC where we walked in a Code Pink peace rally. The weather was perfect - sunny & warm with a light breeze.
We had lunch with Renee at Blossom Cafe on Columbus. Great place for a nice vegan meal.
After lunch Nicole and I browsed a couple of flea markets. I was looking especially for a necklace but didn't find the right one. Later we rested on a bench by the New York Museum of Natural History. The spot was shaded by great leafy trees.
Made the 5:35 train. Returned home to New Haven very tired and very happy.
On Wednesday I saw a production of Glass Menagerie at Long Wharf Theater. It was wonderful. The role of the mother, Amanda Wingfield, was played by Judith Ivey whom you might remember from her role on Designing Women. Her performance was flawless.
This is the third time I've seen a production of this work. The first was the movie starring Jane Wyman which I saw as a young adolescent and related to Jane Wyman's character Laura. For many, many years the play was, in my mind, about the crippled girl called "Blue Roses".
I saw it a second time at Portland Stage Company. I was in my mid-twenties and Portland Stage was located at the Temple Street Parking garage where the Nickelodeon Theater is now. That production was directed in a way to highlight Tom's story. And, feeling I had settled too much and too soon, I related to the character's frustration and guilt.
This most recent experience of Tennessee Williams' work was been the most balanced. While all four stories where heard, the most riveting was that of the mother, Amanda Wingfield.
And, if the night needed anything more to make it a great experience, my ticket cost just $4.50. Less than half the price of a movie ticket at Bowtie Cinema; less than a cup of soup at Claire's; less than a paperback bestseller.
I expected to be happy in New Haven because living here would make it possible to see Nicole, Renee, and Dad & Pegg much more often. What I didn't anticipate is this easy, affordable access to arts and cultural events.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Thoughts on Home
Psychologically New Haven has become my home. Proof? Last weekend while cleaning out my wallet - without hesitation - I cut up and tossed out my Portland Public Library card.
The Portland Public Library connected me to the city's energy in way I enjoyed. My library card was a talisman of sorts - proof that I belonged there - the streets belonged as much as to me as anyone else. (Although Deb and I felt a greater right to Portland since we "loved it more".)
When I first moved to Portland, the library was in the Baxter Building near Longfellow Square. Soon a new library was built across from Monument Square. The day the new library opened, I turned in my old library card from the Baxter Building for a new card and a new library.
Once, I thought the card was lost and had to get a replacement. Some months later the original was found! I had it reactivated and tossed out the replacement.
I acquired my New Haven Free Public Library card within days of my arrival here with the same results. It connected me to New Haven's positive energy. It send out psychological roots.
I guess for these past six months I've been, psychologically, a resident of both cities; Portland and New Haven. The transition of the soul taking longer than that of the body.
No doubt, Portland will always be a place I call home. When I traveled there in November and December, I talked to people in Connecticut about "going home". And, although I haven't lived in Vermont for many decades, I still use that term "home" when referring to Canaan.
It seems that my relationships with place are like my relationships with people. Once established, they don't end, they just change as I move through the stages of my life.
The Portland Public Library connected me to the city's energy in way I enjoyed. My library card was a talisman of sorts - proof that I belonged there - the streets belonged as much as to me as anyone else. (Although Deb and I felt a greater right to Portland since we "loved it more".)
When I first moved to Portland, the library was in the Baxter Building near Longfellow Square. Soon a new library was built across from Monument Square. The day the new library opened, I turned in my old library card from the Baxter Building for a new card and a new library.
Once, I thought the card was lost and had to get a replacement. Some months later the original was found! I had it reactivated and tossed out the replacement.
I acquired my New Haven Free Public Library card within days of my arrival here with the same results. It connected me to New Haven's positive energy. It send out psychological roots.
I guess for these past six months I've been, psychologically, a resident of both cities; Portland and New Haven. The transition of the soul taking longer than that of the body.
No doubt, Portland will always be a place I call home. When I traveled there in November and December, I talked to people in Connecticut about "going home". And, although I haven't lived in Vermont for many decades, I still use that term "home" when referring to Canaan.
It seems that my relationships with place are like my relationships with people. Once established, they don't end, they just change as I move through the stages of my life.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday With People I Love!
Sunday I took the train into the big city. Twenty eight dollars round trip. What a deal!
Nicole took the Chinatown bus up from Philadelphia. We met in Grand Central Terminal. Worked out that we arrived there within 15 minutes of each other.
A small snafu in interpreting the bus schedule but we made our way up Third Avenue to Gobo's, an up-scale vegan restaurant, without too much delay.
Renee met us there. I felt so happy sitting across the table from my sister and my daughter. We had a great time catching up over lunch. The food was excellent. Service was pleasant. The prices - well, it's New York.
Then on to the Metropolitan Museum of Art especially to see an exhibit of vintage postcards from the collection of Walker Evans.
If you don't know, the advertised $20.00 admission is only a suggested contribution. You truly can pay whatever amount is affordable for you. No one raises an eyebrow. And who cares what they might say among themselves at coffee break!
Back home in New Haven by 8:00 pm - very tired - very happy.
This is why I moved to New Haven. To be able to spend a Sunday afternoon with people I love and - dare I say it - who love me too.
Nicole took the Chinatown bus up from Philadelphia. We met in Grand Central Terminal. Worked out that we arrived there within 15 minutes of each other.
A small snafu in interpreting the bus schedule but we made our way up Third Avenue to Gobo's, an up-scale vegan restaurant, without too much delay.
Renee met us there. I felt so happy sitting across the table from my sister and my daughter. We had a great time catching up over lunch. The food was excellent. Service was pleasant. The prices - well, it's New York.
Then on to the Metropolitan Museum of Art especially to see an exhibit of vintage postcards from the collection of Walker Evans.
If you don't know, the advertised $20.00 admission is only a suggested contribution. You truly can pay whatever amount is affordable for you. No one raises an eyebrow. And who cares what they might say among themselves at coffee break!
Back home in New Haven by 8:00 pm - very tired - very happy.
This is why I moved to New Haven. To be able to spend a Sunday afternoon with people I love and - dare I say it - who love me too.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Yale Repertory Theater
When considering this move to New Haven, I googled Yale Repertory Theater and found the 2008-2009 season included the world premiere of Notes From Underground.
The play has started it's run and I attended last Tuesday when all tickets were $10.00
It is based on Dostoevsky's book of the same name. The book is said by some to be a satire of lower-middle class Russian life in Dostoevsky's time; by others a description of the underbelly, the dark side of humankind.
I don't know much about Russian life in any time period. It is my general interest in Jungian thought and, more specifically James Hollis' book and seminar Why Good People Do Bad Things, which drew me to this work.
The central character is an anonymous man, an underground man, who describes himself as wicked, spiteful, and sick. He speaks of complete alienation from society. He considers himself to be highly conscious and it is this consciousness which torments him.
His notes from underground are stories of cruelty and callousness. The kind we want to believe exists only in some few others. And from which we can insulate ourselves from by working hard and buying in a good neighborhood with good schools.
While the book is written in the mid 1800's, the play brings the characters into modern times by way of stage setting and costume. Baseball caps and concrete walls. Steel, blue jeans and sneakers.
There are a total of 4 actors but essentially it is a one man show. A two hour monologue presented without intermission - carried off perfectly by Bill Camp who co-wrote the play with Robert Woodruff who directs
One very interesting and - in my view - highly successful tool was a webcam. When Camp spoke into it, which he did especially in the beginning of the play, his image was projected onto the back wall of the set. Effective in conveying overwhelming despair and torment.
I came away from the play less disturbed than it might be acceptable to admit. It was a bit like a trip to Disneyland or some other theme park. One has the experience but in a safe, simulated environment.
The play has started it's run and I attended last Tuesday when all tickets were $10.00
It is based on Dostoevsky's book of the same name. The book is said by some to be a satire of lower-middle class Russian life in Dostoevsky's time; by others a description of the underbelly, the dark side of humankind.
I don't know much about Russian life in any time period. It is my general interest in Jungian thought and, more specifically James Hollis' book and seminar Why Good People Do Bad Things, which drew me to this work.
The central character is an anonymous man, an underground man, who describes himself as wicked, spiteful, and sick. He speaks of complete alienation from society. He considers himself to be highly conscious and it is this consciousness which torments him.
His notes from underground are stories of cruelty and callousness. The kind we want to believe exists only in some few others. And from which we can insulate ourselves from by working hard and buying in a good neighborhood with good schools.
While the book is written in the mid 1800's, the play brings the characters into modern times by way of stage setting and costume. Baseball caps and concrete walls. Steel, blue jeans and sneakers.
There are a total of 4 actors but essentially it is a one man show. A two hour monologue presented without intermission - carried off perfectly by Bill Camp who co-wrote the play with Robert Woodruff who directs
One very interesting and - in my view - highly successful tool was a webcam. When Camp spoke into it, which he did especially in the beginning of the play, his image was projected onto the back wall of the set. Effective in conveying overwhelming despair and torment.
I came away from the play less disturbed than it might be acceptable to admit. It was a bit like a trip to Disneyland or some other theme park. One has the experience but in a safe, simulated environment.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Four Months In 125 Words - Or Less
Four months without an entry. Not the best way to build one's blog readership. Reasons? In addition to the expected activity related to moving in and settling in:Having summarized the last four months I can finally move forward! One writing block overcome! I feel another one settling in already.
- Sick - flu, flu again, double ear infections, temporary but significant hearing loss, fluid drained from my knees - twice!
- Loss of Deb, my dear and much loved friend of 32 years.
- Holidays! Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year & MLK!
- Time spent with family!!! The primary reason I made this move!!
- Visits back to Maine & southern New Hampshire
Monday, September 1, 2008
Labor Day Weekend In Maine
For the moment, don't take this blog title, Notes From New Haven, too literally. I'm still in Maine. The move happens the end of this month.
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the logistics of moving. And, I'm doing what I always do when I feel overwhelmed: I am procrastinating.
I planned to really, actually, finally start this weekend. However, it's Labor Day weekend, my last as a resident of Maine and the weather is fine. So yesterday, I walked Crescent Beach then sat in shade of the Lighthouse Museum at Spring Point reading and watching the activity on the water. Maine is truly a beautiful, wonderful place and I am one lucky woman to have lived here all these years!
Today I had to start up this blog. Now I have a few hours of work to do for my paying job. After that, I need to cook or I'll eat horribly all week.
Next weekend, I'll really, finally, actually start then. Really!
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the logistics of moving. And, I'm doing what I always do when I feel overwhelmed: I am procrastinating.
I planned to really, actually, finally start this weekend. However, it's Labor Day weekend, my last as a resident of Maine and the weather is fine. So yesterday, I walked Crescent Beach then sat in shade of the Lighthouse Museum at Spring Point reading and watching the activity on the water. Maine is truly a beautiful, wonderful place and I am one lucky woman to have lived here all these years!
Today I had to start up this blog. Now I have a few hours of work to do for my paying job. After that, I need to cook or I'll eat horribly all week.
Next weekend, I'll really, finally, actually start then. Really!
Why Move? Why Now? Why Blog?
Why Move?
- To be closer to most of my immediate family. I want to see them more frequently. I don't want it to require the level of planning and coordination it takes today.
- To shake things up and see what bubbles to the surface.
- Can't keep thinking about it forever. It's never going to get easier.
- There are people in my life, extended family and friends, I'll be with less frequently after the move. I want to stay connected.
- I want to document this change in my life. It's a big deal!
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