13 March 2025

Misc. (very)

I don't believe that you would be surprised to learn that if I put on a pair of socks with a logo on them, the logos ALWAYS have to face OUTWARD. I'd feel very uncomfortable otherwise. 

Ads on the DC Metro can often be entirely enigmatic.

 

Now here's something to ponder...


12 March 2025

Some Reflections or Where Am I Now?

Well, I've been retired for 7 years now. It feels longer than that, which is probably good since the next major life event is my inevitable demise. I started off in 2019 busily exploring DC, sorting out the public transportation, getting a feel for various parts of the city, etc. I also set all sorts of self-improving goals for myself, which only served as an exciting new way of beating myself up for not accomplishing them. I wrote about this in a previous post, but I'll be darned if I can find it. 
 
Then came Covid, and the lock-down. We only went out to go food shopping or taking a walk outside where there weren't many people. This served to take the wind out of my sails. Once the pandemic died down, I lost the energy and interest to go out out and explore and do and all. I don't fully understand why; perhaps the homebody part of me took over. In either case, I found myself always busy with housework or some household improvement project (David trembles in terror when I say the word "improvement"). I then started to beat myself up for not going out while at the same time feeling trapped in endless things that "needed" to be done.. 
 
It took me what, like 3-4 years to finally shake that off and start doing things again. Much to my suprise, it simply became a matter of resolving to get out and do this or that and not allowing myself any excuses. It was extremely effective to ask David when he wanted to go out for lunch this week. A commitment made like that is very difficult for me not to honor. And so, with not much effort as it turns out, I started to go out.
 
If someone out there finds this helpful in some way, I'd be delirious.
 
Speaking of going out, cherry blossom peak is supposed toi be March 25-31.
 


11 March 2025

Huh???

 So help me, this actually appeared on Pinterest a while back. I have no idea if it was meant to be funny or what, but I'm very sure Louis XIV did not save big money at Walmart!
 


10 March 2025

Light Political Commentary

Forgive me; I couldn't resist...



 

09 March 2025

Jollities


 

08 March 2025

The Renwick-3

As I said, the Renwick is frequently challenging. Seeing this exhibit was especially pleasing since the gallery is right across Pennsylvania Ave. from the White House.
 
 

That this was done with quilting just took my breath away



07 March 2025

An Astronomical PS

À propos my Renwick-2 post, a recent image of star formation from the Web space telescope.
Image from https://www.instagram.com/galaxies?hl=en
 

A Brief Musical Aside

Last evening we went to the NSO again, this time Bolero was on the menu. I’ve largely been kinda indifferent to the piece, and never heard it performed live. Wow!!! Live was a totally different experience from the recording. The sound was amazing, and WATCHING the orchestra play it was more fun than hearing it. The strings plucking in unison (doesn’t that sound intriguing) the various instruments taking the leads, it was positively hypnotic. I left feeling “so THAT was what Ravel was trying to achieve” Noseda's vigorously energetic and animated conducting, without a score, was a sight to behold. A great night!