ringing the ancient song

Last week I surprised Julia with Opera tickets (Carmen) via a nice employee discount I recently became aware of (and to quell the constant and justified “we never do cultural things” comments). I had never seen a real opera before (we saw a bizarre, awkward rendition of Oedipus a couple of years ago) and was actually looking forward to it.

On the way up the stairs of the State Theater in Lincoln Center I hit my head on the sculpture pictured above so hard that it rang for several seconds (the sculpture, that is – my head rang for an hour). Julia laughed hysterically while I tried to figure out if I had a concussion or not. Had someone filmed the sequence (which included me continuing up the stairs, embarrassed, acting as if nothing had happened), it would surely be making the rounds on youtube right now.

At the first intermission Julia realized that I had paint chips on my neck from having shook the thing so hard. If you’re reading, Yasuhide Kobashi, I’m sorry I damaged your sculpture (Ancient Song, 1972) with my thick skull. I wonder if I’m the only idiot to ever do that. Probably.



The other night we came across this fantastic “lost Ernie doll” flyer, which is hilarious because:

1. these people already had a picture of Ernie in a vulnerable position and
2. they actually think someone might find it and call

If I was less morally-sound (probably more of a flaw than a positive trait), I’d be tempted to record a prank/ransom call and post it here. Regardless, that thing is definitely cuddled up next to some baby rats in the sewer right now. Sorry, guys.



Yesterday someone at work left a Green Party candidate flyer propped up against the bathroom mirror. It is a testament to the sterility of my current workplace that I felt compelled to take a picture. I mean, people just do not do things like that here. I’m dying to know who it was.

Speaking of voting, I did my part last night at 8:30, with just enough time left to hit the fantastic new Vietnamese sandwich (banh mi) shop in the neighborhood that I’m currently addicted to. I almost didn’t vote, for no good reason other than a combination of apathy/bad weather/errands, but am proud to have done my little bit towards today’s good news.