Amending Defeat

So, yesterday was dramatic. I admit. Sorry, pain killers plus Clariten D and Flonase and not breathing, blood dripping down the back of my throat, a torn tendon in my wrist, a headache and fever equal a little out of it. So, amending this defeat is what is going to happen. I am going to continue on with this "E" book because it is great...like I said, though, I don't feel like I am being a productive reader and here's why:

1) I am tired.
2) A sudden shift in social life this week.
3) Lyric Opera
4) Barnes and Noble 40 hours
5) Working at Gap at 5:45AM this morning and then having to be at Barnes at 4PM this afternoon.
6) SICKNESS.

So, because 4 of the reasons could not be avoided, I am going to shift this week into next. I am going to be one week behind and that is ok. I am going to be very busy before I fly out to South Carolina, so it might be a good idea if I keep reading Eggers into next week. I will probably finish it on the plane. When I see the end is approaching, I will announce "F" book. I felt really inspired today and realized it is ok to have to be off...this is not life or death. I think I just set an expectation for myself and did not foresee actually getting sick, etc. So, here's to continued reading!

I was inspired today at work by our CRM who introduced me to a children's author and a publisher. I cannot believe the connections that can be made. I met Justine Larbalestier's publicist/publisher and Dr. Cuthbert Soup who wrote A Whole Nother Story (which will be read, btw and blogged about). Both were extremely nice. I felt very bad for having this infection in my head because I didn't get to talk as much as I wanted to them. I am just excited for great writers coming together in our store. I have heard wonderful things about his book and based on his personality and his likability, I know I will love it. I read the back cover to it again tonight and just about peed my pants. It was fantastic, so, I cannot wait.

So, yesterday, oh yesterday....dear yesterday. Since I work for the Chicago Lyric Opera (yes click on it to go to website), I will get tix to dress rehearsal or opening nights of productions I do not work. Well, I received dress tix for Hector Berlioz's La Damnation de Faust. Faust is a legend brought to us in a beautiful form by poet Wolfgang von Goethe. It is an extremely deepset Romantic piece seeing that it comprises of all of the components of Romantic literature...and operas/symphonies based on Faust are from the Romantic Period. Faust is the story of a man seeking to overcome the boredom of a set, monotone routine. He longs for love and a life like others. Upon seeing his longings, Mephistopheles sets forth a proposition...eternal glory and dreams for his soul. Marguerite also comes with the whole contract. Well, as you know, dealing with Satan is not going to wield the best results and it all goes to HELL (literally and figuratively). Faust is taken to Hell by Mephistopheles and Marguerite dies. The end.

Chicago Lyric Opera House (or work)

So, a few notes on the production, though. It was magnificent. It is set now. The mountains Faust sings of in the traditional 1846 libretto have now transformed to skyscrapers. His office is suspended above the stage. Faust is a businessman. To show his monotony, the office has projections of endless numbers and computer scripts on the back wall as he sings his opening soliloquy. When that is finished, his office lowers into a gigantic, open stage. The meadow scene begins and enter the townsfolk. All of them look exactly the same. 80 men and women walk on stage. They represent 20 sets of families. Within each family, there is grandmother, grandfather, father and mother. They all look the same as the next and they are all doing the same thing. It is amazing. Then, the army comes in and begin the propaganda. Germanic-like flags are waved, my friend James is stripped to his skivvies on stage and a ballet of soldiers and poodle skirted girls begins. The girls all get prego and come out pushing strollers. Exit soldiers and the next thing you see is coffins being carried on stage. They have died in war. The congregation at church is the 80 original townsfolk on stage. There is a priest in their midst as well. By the way, the lighting is UNBELIEVABLE. I cannot describe. You have to click the damnation link above to understand. Well, the priest turns out to be Mephistopheles who takes off the collar and black robe to reveal a purple shiny suede suit (perfect for this Lent season). He offers Faust the world and Faust accepts, they descend to Hell and the congregation of men become rowdy as they enter a brothel. Two women in dominatrix mouse-like suits with whips as tails pop out of the casket and POLE DANCE. This is incredible pole dancing. Probably the most complicated I have seen. Holy crap, they were incredible. Then enters Barender who looks like Riff-Raff from The Rocky Horror Picture Show who sings about rats in karaoke style. How you sing Karaoke to Berlioz, I don't know. How do you pole dance to Berlioz? I just found out. Well it gets wilder from there. In the end, Marguerite dies and does not realize she is dead. We find ourselves back in the church. She is in the center aisle amidst the 80. Forty children enter to make a set of 120. She does not know she is dead. She walks to the casket and sees he picture on it. A little child runs up to her and hands her a rose. As she is leaving the cathedral, the choir is singing a beautiful hymn. I did cry, I admit. She walks up to the area on the floor where Faust signed his name to Satan (he did this in blood...Mephistopheles took blood using a hypodermic needle from his wrist and made him sign it with that) and places the rose next to his signature. She then walks down the center aisle as the hymn is ending and the lights dim. I would have to say the Lyric did an amazing job. I have been moved by both productions of Faust this year: Gounod and Berlioz.

Dena and I had a great time at the production. She was lovin the Riff-Raff and pole dancers. I was, too. All I could thing about was the blue hairs in the audience not returning after the pole dancing stuff...they did. What an interesting production to see at noon on Ash Wednesday. I am going to go see it again before it is over. :)

Sir Andrew Davis conducted the Lyric Orchestra. It was fantastic. All components of this opera fell together well. In order to experience true art, one must keep their mind open to all new ideas.

Dena and me!

Dena and I went to Garfield Park Conservatory after the production. For any of you that do not know. GPC is my favorite place in Chicago. It was designed by Jens Jenson and sits in Garfield Park. It is around 102 years old. You will have to check out my pics on FB from times I have been there, even though I will post one or two on this blog from their Spring Flower Show. I really want to see Fleurotica which is a plant fashion show. That would be interesting.











So, book...What is the What? is still wonderful but sad. Like I said, it is the second book I have read about African refugees. I love the way it is written, though. My next blog will be today's progress. I will post it tonight before I go to bed.
So anyway, no more queening out about reading. My period is over. Back into action. :)

Below is a pic of the Aroid House at GPC. Chihuly is the glass artist! LOVE it!