West Meets East...Finale

Well, it's over.  18 months, 20 books, 800 pages.  The exhibion of the "Cultural Book Exchange" has come to a close.  We worked very hard, and, I believe, our shows were very successful.  Daniela said that the gallery had more visitors than usual. And, according to her, due to the promotional materials for the show, student applications to the school of art are up. Whether this is due to her hard work (she did a phenomenal job with all the promotion) or simply timing, it's all good in the hood here.

After the show came down, we headed over to the Opera House to see Puccini's "Madama Butterfly". The show was really great.  Unfortunately, it looks like the company operates on a shoestring. Old costumes and minimal stage props....and the theater, though once grand, is showing lots of wear and tear.  So sad. The seats were great...5th row center. Perfecto!

One negative: the two women behind us kept running their mouths. After a few looks and shhhh's, you'd think they'd get the message.  Then one of their phones rang...LOUDLY.  When you go in, you're told to turn off your phones. There's always one, isn't there?  After this incident and all the dirty looks, they shut up. Of course, this was towards the END of the show.  My favorite opera contains, of course, my favorite aria (Un Bel Di). Cho-Cho-San (Butterfly) was in the midle of this incredibly emotional aria, and those hags started talking! Talk about breaking the moment!  I looked back, shusshed them, and said PLEASEEEEEEE. That shut them up, but the magic was gone from the moment.  What rotten luck. Bitches!!!!!

Hence the very reason I no longer go to the cinema, or any other type of public entertainment. It seems as though someone inevitably spoils it.  People have no courtesy anymore. Not here, not anywhere.

I met 3 folks from Connecticut who were sitting in the row in front of me.  Of all places! They live about an hour south from me. They had been traveling for about a year...imagine!  They were in their 60's too, bless them.

One more thing....A big THANK YOU to my friend Manette...she bought the tickets.  THANKS MANETTE!!!! You rock!

Opera House

Orchestra under the Stage