If you know me, you know that I love the violin. Although I like to focus on rock, folk, and pop outside practice time (electric strings are so sweet),I was ecstatic to see Itzhak Perlman, arguably the world's best classical violinist, in concert yesterday. He played Vivaldi's "Winter" and "Summer" brilliantly with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and then he conducted two pieces by Mozart and Brahms. The music was, frankly, amazing.
Unless you are a classical music fan, however, you probably couldn't care less about what he played. But Perlman was more than a stony-faced maestro. He was down-to-earth and he had a prominent sense of humor. While he played "Winter," his sheet music kept blowing off his stand, probably due to an draft on stage. When he finished, he just laughed it off, remarking that it is usually windy in winter.
That day, the Baltimore NFL team (the Ravens) were playing a home game against Texas crucial to their season standings. Perlman seemed aware that many in the audience, while enjoying the performance, had football at the back of their minds. He made a couple jokes about this between pieces. Before conducting the Mozart, he deadpanned, "It's the fourth quarter, 20-13" with a wry smile on his face. After the intermission, he gave the audience members a thumbs-up. The Ravens had won. That was one of the best symphonies I've ever heard, and the football game wasn't too shabby, either. Itzhak Perlman is now my favorite violinist and one of my personal heroes. It almost makes me forget about the Ravens' upcoming match with the Patriots.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Two Spies of the American Revolution Have Failed Somewhat in Impressing Me
After a not-so-brief break/long lazy lack of commitment, I'm back! I am many movies, school days, books, websites, videogames, and TV shows older, and perhaps even a bit less immature.
Today, I'd like to say a few words on the topic of espionage. Most Americans know about Nathan Hale, the Yale grad who supposedly said he only regretted having one life to give for the good ol' USA. He has a lot of statues and is the namesake for many places of interest in Connecticut and elsewhere, including a freshman girls' dorm in a secondary boarding school (don't ask). He was brave and patriotic, to be sure: I am not challenging that. As a spy, though, he was less than stellar. He was recognized (RECOGNIZED!) in a pub, mistook the people who asked after him for patriots, and spilled the beans to them, getting himself in very hot water very fast. Definitely an "Oh crud" moment.
Fewer people know about Major John André, a British officer-turned-spy. He was a friend of Peggy and Benedict Arnold, and a minor figure in the American Revolution. His situation was eerily similar to young Hale's. He thought some patriots to be redcoats, and the rest, as the kids say, is history. Like Nate, he was even caught with the secret papers in his shoes. A note to spies: avoid storing things in your shoes. It seems to be the first place people look and would perhaps be uncomfortable should you have to transport documents in thumb drive form.
These musings were inspired by:
-Reading about poor Amir Mirzaei Hekmati in the New York Times. Like the majority (I assume), I don't think he is a spy and hopefully he will be acquitted.
-Rewatching the "One Life to Give" episode of that old PBS Kids! show "Liberty Kids."
-The biographical book "The Traitor and the Spy," an excellent read for anyone wanting to learn more about Major John André, Benedict Arnold, and Peggy Shippen Arnold. (population: 1 so far)
-Thinking about how awesome a spy Rose O' Neal Greenhow was, as I tend to do in my spare time.
Today, I'd like to say a few words on the topic of espionage. Most Americans know about Nathan Hale, the Yale grad who supposedly said he only regretted having one life to give for the good ol' USA. He has a lot of statues and is the namesake for many places of interest in Connecticut and elsewhere, including a freshman girls' dorm in a secondary boarding school (don't ask). He was brave and patriotic, to be sure: I am not challenging that. As a spy, though, he was less than stellar. He was recognized (RECOGNIZED!) in a pub, mistook the people who asked after him for patriots, and spilled the beans to them, getting himself in very hot water very fast. Definitely an "Oh crud" moment.
Fewer people know about Major John André, a British officer-turned-spy. He was a friend of Peggy and Benedict Arnold, and a minor figure in the American Revolution. His situation was eerily similar to young Hale's. He thought some patriots to be redcoats, and the rest, as the kids say, is history. Like Nate, he was even caught with the secret papers in his shoes. A note to spies: avoid storing things in your shoes. It seems to be the first place people look and would perhaps be uncomfortable should you have to transport documents in thumb drive form.
These musings were inspired by:
-Reading about poor Amir Mirzaei Hekmati in the New York Times. Like the majority (I assume), I don't think he is a spy and hopefully he will be acquitted.
-Rewatching the "One Life to Give" episode of that old PBS Kids! show "Liberty Kids."
-The biographical book "The Traitor and the Spy," an excellent read for anyone wanting to learn more about Major John André, Benedict Arnold, and Peggy Shippen Arnold. (population: 1 so far)
-Thinking about how awesome a spy Rose O' Neal Greenhow was, as I tend to do in my spare time.
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