Monday, November 8, 2021

Time change blues

 


I was wide awake at 4:30 this morning, thank you very much. Not one of those lucky people who can just roll over and take advantage of the "extra" hour. Changing the clocks, such a stupid thing. Gave up, got up, pushed the button on the coffee pot.

The first snow of the season fell this weekend in the Methow Valley. The view is from Amanda and Tom's hill property-- that's the yurt on the left. The snow didn't stick around on the valley floor, but it soon will. It snowed heavily on the mountain passes. This of course adds a new dimension of excitement (if you want to call it that) to the drive. We need to watch the forecasts and road conditions, so the days of jumping in the car and taking off whenever are over for now.  

We had a good time at the Symphony yesterday, a lift to the spirits on a dark rainy afternoon.  Ray Chen, a young violin virtuoso, made the diabolically difficult Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto look easy. Not only is he a brilliant player, he has an engaging personality and a presence on social media. Check him out on YouTube. A classical celebrity with a big following and the audience was younger than our usual Sunday matinee crowd.

From the milling around and looking for seats, you could tell it was the first visit to Benaroya Hall for many. Another dead give-away was all the applause (even a standing ovation) between movements. In the snobby old classical world, interrupting the piece for applause was an ignorant breach of audience etiquette. Here and now, no one cares, in fact the performers seemed to welcome the enthusiasm. 

The last concert was sparsely attended by die-hard season ticket holders, a subdued affair. It was nice to feel some energy in the hall again.  Almost like old times, except proof of vaccination and masks are required, which is starting to feel almost normal. At least in Seattle. 



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