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Saturday, July 24, 2004
As You Like It, as I saw it
Posted by Lis Riba at 8:55 PM
 Since I first saw it two years ago, As You Like It has become one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. It's bawdy, wicked, gender-bending fun. Ian likes to point out that it really is a kitchen-sink play: pastorals are popular, and our competitors are producing Robin Hood, so let's put on a Robin Hood pastoral. And many of the songs and speeches (particularly Touchstone's and Jacques') feel like existing shticks that Shakespeare had lying around that he threw in as time-fillers. We're not saying this as a bad thing. As Ian and I discussed on the drive home, we respect Shakespeare for being a working-class hack. He's very good at it. If Will lived in modern times, I could see him writing a story in a store window (as Harlan Ellison did) to raise money and publicity. [Ian then made further comparisons between Harlan and Shakespeare, which I rebutted by saying Harlan sounded more like Marlowe, with their reputations for controversy and argumentativeness. But I digress.] So, how was this production? Here are Ian's comments. There's more I was going to say about Shakespeare & Company as a whole, but I think Ian covered most of it. The biggest positive over previous versions I've seen was in costuming. During the court scenes, everyone was dressed in black. When they went to the forest, they dressed all in white. [The rustics wore primary colors.] As in most productions of AYLI, roles were doubled: the Duke and his brother were played by the same actor. The costume difference made it so much easier to recognize when actors had swapped characters. And the few characters who appeared in both the court and the country changed their wardrobe. [Orlando and Adam did a through-the-rabbit-hole costume change to shift the scene to the forest.] My greatest complaint was that Rosalind was too femme-y. For those unfamiliar with the play, Rosalind is a young woman who disguises herself as a boy. This actress pulled her long hair back into a ponytail and wore men's clothes, but she didn't change her makeup or bind her breasts or make any effort to really look boyish. It seemed more like everybody was playing around with a "nudge-nudge wink-wink sure she's a boy," which just didn't work for me, because it seemed to conflict with the text. My other complaint is my usual -- something that no production of AYLI that I've seen has gotten right yet. Two of the funniest running jokes in the play rely upon slang terms no longer in current usage. I get the joke, but most of the audience seems to miss it. In fact, last night's performance so buried the first joke that I wondered if the director didn't get it.
Ganymede was a historic term for gay men. It's as if she had said, "call me Twink." Now imagine the rest of the play, where a man tries to get over his love for a woman by flirting with a young man with that name in mind. It adds a further queer spin to the gender-bending. The question is how to convey that to mainstream audiences unfamiliar with the term. You could explain it in the program, but how many people really read the program before the play? I am neither a director nor actor, but I think one could add body language and giggling to Rosalind's initial announcement of the name. Accompany "call me Ganymede" with enough swishiness to get the point across. Have Celia clearly get the joke, to clue the audience in that there's a joke to be had. You've got two giddy girls: if they have enough fun with the initial naming, then you don't have to resort to offensive stereotypes in the rest of Ganymede's time on stage, because the audience recognizes it. From then on, when anybody else is introduced to the young man, give them a double-take when they first hear the name. When Oliver goes to find the young man that his brother has fallen for -- well, he's just reunited with his brother and, even though he's uncomfortable with homosexuality, is trying to be supportive of his brother's choice. Honestly, I would love to see AYLI performed with an honest-to-goodness boy actor playing the dual role of Rosalind/Ganymede. Do something like B.D. Wong in M. Butterfly or Crying Game's Jaye Davidson. The epilogue even provides a place for the boy playing a girl to unmask (or de-wig) for full dramatic effect. Get a boy of 14 to 16 to play Rosalind/Ganymede (think of the current cast of Harry Potter if you can't picture ). Celia is obviously less mature than Rosalind; cast a girl a year or so younger. Orlando would be played by a boy of 18, and his older brother Oliver maybe 20. Their youth makes many of their seemingly impulsive actions more understandable. [Also, Oliver's the young man trying to assert his father's authority. Of course he comes off inflexible and hard-hearted.] And this would have a trickle-down effect, letting the Dukes and older characters be correspondingly younger. But most important in all this to me is an appropriate and convincing Rosalind/Ganymede. Orlando's confusing bisexual attraction to the boy and girl who are secretly one and the same. [Wonder whether somebody will move the play to modern-day Massachusetts, where Orlando actually could marry Ganymede in their play ceremony, and Phoebe would have to reject Rosalind because she (Phoebe) is het, not because she can't legally wed a woman.] Oh, as for the second slang term most modern audiences miss: Take thou no scorn to wear the horn; They actually cut this song from last night's performance, but there were still plenty of references to horned men. Wearing horns implies a man whose wife committed adultery. It's a source of ridicule and a running gag in most of Shakespeare's comedies. I'm not sure how to get that across to mass audiences, but much of the humor depends upon it. 
Friends, Trojans... Lend me your ear!
Posted by Lis Riba at 10:50 AM
Last night, Ian and I went to see a free 1-hour lecture at Shakespeare & Co. in Lenox, MA, followed by one of their plays. [More on the play in a later post.] They are holding two further Friday night lectures which we want to see (well, 3, but one conflicts with Ian's work schedule):
Presentations are free, but tickets are required because space is limited. Lenox is a 2-hour drive from our house -- seems a little bit far for a one-hour lecture. However, Lenox is only one hour away from Troy, NY. It's been a long time (over two years) since we were first/last in the Schenectady/Troy/RPI area. Anybody care to get together with us at one of these Friday night lectures? Maybe go as a group to see Comedy of Errors after the lecture on food? [Did you notice they're offering a tasting!? I have the cookbook in question - my mouth is already watering.] Then, we could hang out in Troy with you Saturday (and Ian's work schedule/catsitting depending, maybe Sunday) before heading home. Anybody interested?
Friday, July 23, 2004
What the filk?
Posted by Lis Riba at 12:25 PM
I apologize in advance, but that still won't stop me from sharing them far and wide.
If anybody else actually wants to write the rest of these songs, be my guest (wait, that's a different tune). All I ask is you let me know so I can read the rest of what I've wrought. [Some time in the past, I also tried my hand at "Springtime for Voldemort," but I've mercifully lost the link. (No wait! Found it, but it's not terribly good.) And someone else has written Hogwarts Story, rewriting Order of the Phoenix to the tune of West Side Story. Enjoy!]
Allies, allies oxen free!
Posted by Lis Riba at 10:50 AM
How does the saying go? Politics make strange bedfellows? The White House helped to block a Republican-brokered deal on Wednesday to extend several middle-class tax cuts, fearful of a bill that could draw Democratic votes and dilute a Republican campaign theme, Republican negotiators said. But how can the longtime liberal icon [Ralph Nader] rationalize being the successor to right-winger Buchanan on the Reform Party ticket? "It's almost a pro forma thing," he said. "There was not a single quid pro quo." Besides, he said, "we agree on 80 percent of the issues," including the need to curb corporate power and end the U.S. military intervention in Iraq. [Sigh. There's lots more I want to write, but I worry that if I overload people with too much information, none of it will get read...]
A riddle, a riddle, a hole in the middle
Posted by Lis Riba at 9:35 AM
Friday again, so time for an update on my new feature of Anglo-Saxon riddles. I'll begin with the answers to last week's riddles:
So, good show to the hardy souls who attempted to answer these. I have no prize to offer you, just two more riddles for this week: On earth this warrior is strangely born and I saw a swift one shoot out on the road. I think next week, I'll share another of the bawdier double-entendres. [There aren't that many, so I'm trying to ration them.] Enjoy!
Attention City Hall
Posted by Lis Riba at 9:05 AM
I appreciate your courtesy in giving us advance notice that "On Wednesday, July 21, 2004, the Public Works Water Division ... will be performing water distribution system upgrades in your area. During the course of this work, you will experience periods with rusty water; low water pressure; and no water to your home." However, the statement that "The water system should return to normal by 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 21st." meant that we were quite surprised and upset to have our water go out completely this morning. As far as I know, Friday is not Wednesday. Drily yours, Added later: Okay. I phoned the number of the Public Works Department on the "Attention Residents" letter to see when I could expect water to be restored. They said they had a water main break this morning ("actually, several breaks") which is what took the water down today. And they're still working on fixing it, with no ETA as of yet (but she said if I cane to the office, she could give me a lollipop). Accidents happen, and while I'm unhappy, that's more excusable than my original evaluation of the situation.
Queen for a day
Posted by Lis Riba at 8:00 AM
I doubt many people were aware of this (before my posting, I mean) but in 1982, the city of Boston declared July 23 an official 'Queen Day.' Not in honor of the monarchy from which the city rebelled, but in honor of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon. The band were given the keys to the city by the mayor and an official declaration was signed, stamped and presented to them. Brian May has been quoted as saying, "Boston had been one of the first American cities to really break for us. They were all so enthusiastic, they had parades and Queen events, it was just great, they loved us." (paraphrased from Queen: as it began) I haven't seen anything about this outside of books on the band, but I'm sorely tempted to look up the Boston Globe archives and read about the events of that day in more detail. I'd love to hear recollections from anybody living in the area at that time who remembers the event. Probably the best way to honor the day is by listening to the band's music. Share your favorite song? Added slightly later: from a Queen collectibles site I found the track listing for the concert Queen played at the Garden this night 14 years ago: LIVE AT THE GARDENS '82
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Let me get this straight
Posted by Lis Riba at 12:05 PM
The protest zone for the DNC is across the street from the convention, and is subject to a lawsuit for still being too inaccessible. Lawyers for the city claim the 28,000-square-foot zone is only 10 feet from where delegates will enter and exit the FleetCenter. -- Boston Herald Meanwhile, in NYC, protestors seem to be taking a different tone: A national peace coalition that is planning a mass demonstration at the Republican National Convention bowed to pressure from the city yesterday and accepted a rally site on the far West Side of Manhattan. According to a New York Times article, not only did the protestors get "nothing" they wanted in terms of location, but the site they agreed to will cost them $150,000 more than Central Park. Despite that, they decided to settle rather than hash it out with a lawsuit, in hopes that their acquiescence will get them further concessions from the city. Because negotiating from a weakened position is such a successful tactic. Which city is making more concessions to protestors and allowing them closer access? And which city is in the news (and the courts) for being unfair to demonstrations? Paradoxically, from here they seem to be one and the same: Boston.
Oh say can you see?
Posted by Lis Riba at 10:05 AM
It's generally accepted that there's a correlation between high intelligence and nearsightedness. This is usually attributed to heavy reading ruining the eyes. But a recent study has shown a link between myopia and intelligence independent of reading or other close work! The study looked at over a thousand children in Singapore, testing their intelligence, eyesight, the amount of close work they do, and family history (whether nearsightedness runs in the family). And after tabulating, they found the correlation exists regardless of reading habits. This was only reported today, so no followup studies have yet been done, but I wonder if we can't pinpoint the genetic marker for one to see how it affects the other. I think I need to clean my glasses now.
Silly political question
Posted by Lis Riba at 9:25 AM
But one I've been thinking about more as the DNC gets closer. If you had the chance to meet and chat with one of the politicians or celebrities who will be in town for the Democratic Convention, who would you most want to see? Top three answers on the board. My answers would be At any rate, I've now seen two events (one at Copley and one at Hynes) where Carville will be speaking. Even though I know the chance of any real conversation is remote, I think I'll sign up to attend one or the other. [Maybe I can get his autograph on All's Fair or We're right, they're wrong.] No word yet on Clinton speaking engagements, though I've heard thru the grapevine which hotel he'll be staying at. So who would you like to meet?
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
What does Gd need with a starship?
Posted by Lis Riba at 4:12 PM
Okay, I just received a piece of spam from "full-size Winslow." If you haven't read Phil Foglio, you might not understand why I find this so funny. Here's as good an explanation as any. Given the opprobrium with which spammers are usually treated, I can see that divine indestructability would be beneficial. Although it amused me enough to blog about, that is still not sufficient reason for me to actually listen to a spammer's claims nor look at its website, no matter what kind of "magic" it promises.
What's going on
Posted by Lis Riba at 3:05 PM
So, I went to the job fair yesterday. Probably spent 90 minutes waiting in line for at most ten minutes with three different recruiters. But it got me out of the house, my resume is now at three more places, and I had some very nice conversations with the people beside me in line, which also got me a few other companies to look into. [BTW, if you are the guy I was chatting with in line who mentioned that a networking buddy is also looking for library jobs, here's my links to the best sites.] Right now I'm procrastinating writing more cover letters. Have I mentioned recently how little I like jobhunting? :/ I wish this were a vacation; there's loads I'd like to do if I didn't have to spend my time finding and applying for jobs. For example, Friday evening in Lenox, Shakespeare & Co. is giving a lecture on Traditional English Building Techniques, presumably things they've learned as they've been building their replica period theater. I think we're going to go to that; we only have to decide whether we're going to get tickets to As You Like It and make a full evening of it, or if we're going to drive all that way just for a one-hour free lecture... [By the way, don't forget about Bard In Boston for all your Shakespeare needs in New England!] We have family events to occupy the weekend. Seriously, I'm starting to wish the convention would start already, so we can get over all the pre-convention kvetching. Yes, it's going to be an inconvenience, but it feels like everybody's going over the top (in both security and complaints). And as much as I support the ACLU, when I hear about their suit over protesters being kept too far from the convention, all I can think is that demonstrators here are getting a lot closer to the Democrats in Boston than NYC is letting them near the GOP. Meanwhile, things are seldom boring if you're a homeowner. This week we've discovered the following urgent issues about the house: a squirrel wants into our third floor, and ongoing problems with our shower have gotten worse. It's nice having helpful and supportive friends with whom we can share such troubles, particularly with regard to the squirrel. Boopsie is picking up bad habits from Persephone (the downstairs cat). The other night, Ian made noodles in a peanut sauce for dinner. He's a faster eater than I am, so after he finished he left the table to use the computer. Boopsie hopped onto his chair to sniff his bowl. This is part of what I mean about picking up bad habits: she's usually not that bold nor blatant about going onto the table. Percy is; doesn't know any better, I think. I told Boopsie off, and she hopped down, but then came over to start begging from me. With a sigh, I held my bowl down to show her "Look, it's peanut noodles. Nothing you would like." And then she licked at and tried to eat them. Shows what I know. We put Ian's bowl on the floor for her to lick off the rest of the sauce (we *do* have a dishwasher, where the bowl went afterwards). But there was nothing in there cats should like... I'm so confused. That's about all that's worth mentioning at the moment, and probably all the time I should be taking on this. I've been ruminating on a few topics that will require longer essays to discuss, but not now.
That's what I want
Posted by Lis Riba at 10:50 AM
Another Wednesday, another Free Will Astrology horoscope: Is there a lack of money in your life? If so, and you do nothing but whine about it in the coming weeks, your energy levels will decline. If, on the other hand, you develop a plan to pad your bank account -- even if that plan doesn't ultimately work out -- you'll become better looking and your health will improve. It's possible, of course, that you're one of the lucky people whose financial life is thriving. If so, and you do nothing but spend your money on yourself in the coming weeks, your energy levels will decline. If, on the other hand, you share your wealth, you'll become better looking and your health will improve. For some reason, "it's too late to turn back now" is playing over and over again in my head like an earworm. I'm approaching the two month mark since I was laid off and, well, anything else I'd write about my job search would sound like whining. But my energy are already down and I'm feeling like I'm slipping into a low-level depression. Outside of jobhunting, I can think of one money-making scheme, involving an idea I had for some merchandise to sell on Cafe Press. I don't expect it to bring in much beyond pocket change (if that), but maybe I should get off my butt and finish up the designs. But for now, I should get back to the grind of job applications. <grumble-whine>
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Note to self
Posted by Lis Riba at 2:55 PM
No matter how amusing you find it, unless you are applying for a job in the comic industry, it is not a good idea to stand in the hiring manager's doorway and say, "Face it, tiger. You just hit the jackpot."* And it's probably not recommended within the comic industry, either. Lead me not into temptation. I can find it well enough on my own. [And people sometimes wonder what's going through my mind. Aren't you sorry to find out?]
Read it and <bleep>
Posted by Lis Riba at 2:25 PM
A few short bites:
Anyway, I wanted to share these with folks (particularly the Byrne quote, which deserves to be shot down like a balloon in a carny game). I'm going to a job fair this afternoon in Woburn and should leave the computer to start getting ready. Don't have terribly high hopes, but it gets me out of the house and speaking with employers.
wow
Posted by Lis Riba at 12:35 PM
Just when you think "at least there are some jobs that couldn't possibly be outsourced," employers prove you wrong. McDonalds is outsourcing the drive-thru -- or testing it, anyway. When customers place their orders, instead of connecting to somebody inside that restaurant (and I use the term loosely), they're connected to a remote call center. Operators will take the order, confirm it's correct, and only then transmit it to the kitchen to be filled. Owners claim it saves time, saves money, increases accuracy, yadda yadda yadda. [I can't help wondering how well it handles the common kitchen emergencies that might affect orders: the shake machine isn't working, or they're out of a particular soda...] If you're curious about how this works in practice, Norwood is one of the test sites. [From the BostonWorks Job Blog]
Eediots!
Posted by Lis Riba at 11:25 AM
Apparently, there's a problem with the ceramic tile mosaic in front of the new Livermore Public Library. From the Contra Costa Times, as seen on Library Grrls: The trouble started in May, when the $26 million library opened. The errors in nine of the names spelled out in the mosaic were glaring to some residents. "Shakespeare" is missing the second "a," Michelangelo includes an extra "a" and "Einstein" has one "n" too few. Residents find the misspellings particularly galling because the art is in front of a library, bastion of literacy. Um. I hate to break it to critics, but Shakespere is a legitimate spelling of the Bard of Avon's name. It may not be the most common, nor the modern standardized spelling, but according to sources, it was the most common spelling during his lifetime for nonliterary references outside London (legal and governmental documents). Modern names, after spelling was standardized -- those may be legitimate errors (or artistic interpretations). But in the case of Shakespere, the critics are in the wrong. [I wonder how they would've coped if she wrote it "Shaxberd"?]
The high price of paying attention
Posted by Lis Riba at 10:15 AM
So, in the news today are some new studies that show hands-free cell phones are no safer than handheld models when used by automobile drivers, and might even be more dangerous. The distraction is not fiddling with the phone, but the conversation itself. This led Ian and I into a conversation about what makes cell phones so different from listening to books on tape/talk radio or conversations with passengers. If the problem is with the driver talking, then why aren't conversations with passengers more of a problem? In that case, I think, the fact that passengers are in the car means that not only can *they* respond to difficult driving conditions ("why don't we wait to discuss this until after the merge"), but for passengers in the front seat, the driver can pick up some nonverbal body language through peripheral vision. You can't get those subtle clues over a cell phone, meaning the speaker has to make more of an effort to be sure s/he's getting through. But these are just my guesses. Has anybody seen further research on these driver distractions (conversations, books on tape) to compare? I'll confess, I'm a bit put out by the study. While I don't actually own a cell phone at the present time, if I do get a job with a long commute, I was hoping that having a cell phone and being able to talk with Ian might mitigate some of the tedium. Though I haven't tried one in a car in a long time, my mind often tends to wander when listening to books on tape. Ah well, we'll burn that bridge when we get to it, I suppose.
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