Apologies for dereliction of blog duties the past few weeks. To be honest, I’ve just felt a little empty, with nothing to say.
Don’t worry, not that empty. I’m not despondent and no more or less anxious about the state of things than usual. In most ways, my life is as good as it’s ever been, save for the part about having more flesh, less hair, and having started my Medicare research. Gulp.
Maybe it can be summed up as broad dissonance. I’m more or less healthy, my work is meaningful and my colleagues are young and terrific. Beth is healthy and going gangbusters with her teaching. Gus is safe. I am fortunate.
Except recent events recall the height of the cold war, when nuclear obliteration was much nearer top of mind than it has been for a long while. And it’s been long enough since we lost our friend Janet that’s it’s really sinking in that I won’t see her again. That’s never going to be right.
A favorite movie of mine is Grand Canyon. The cast includes Danny Glover, Alfre Woodard, Steve Martin, Kevin Kline and Mary McDonnell. Kline and McDonnell play a couple whose marriage is teetering—but the movie’s about a lot more than that eternal theme—give it a watch.
Anyway, there are several lines from that movie that are etched in my memory. These are three short ones:
Themes of this movie resonate today.
McDonnell’s character: Everything seems so close together.
Kline’s character: Hmm?
McDonnell: All the good and bad things in the world. Everything.
Last Thursday some generous friends treated Beth and me to dinner, followed by a performance of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The CSO is always magnificent but that night, Riccardo Muti conducted Beethoven’s 9th. Though Beth and I have been to the symphony plenty, we’ve only seen guest conductors, so this was a real treat.
When Muti took the stage, he took the microphone and spoke briefly about the day’s news of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I can’t remember precisely what he said—it was impassioned and solemn and heartfelt. What I do remember is his point: That the music he and the orchestra were about to perform was the opposite of what was going on in Ukraine. The opposite of hate, violence and war.
And when the 120+ strong chorus belted out Ode to Joy, they made his point
Mike, there is no end to the things you triggered in this post. From the Cold War (which is on all our minds, to say the least) to references of aging, the CSO is an antidote to all that ails us in this time of turmoil. But the Ode to Joy is exactly what we need right now. So happy you and Beth received such a gift. I’m very happy for both of you. My heart and soul are with the people of Ukraine.
Yeah, it’s hard to process it all. At some point I just conclude that all these things, incongruent as they are, exist simultaneously.
I attended that concert on Friday afternoon. Muti did not speak, but the impact of the symphony’s final movement and the “Ode to Joy” was just as powerful. And so fitting, as the “Ode to Joy” has become the unifying anthem of the European Union. (Not Schiller’s words, just Beethoven’s music.)
It was really powerful. Glad you could go, too!
Medicare needs research? Is there a test you must pass before you are allowed to get old?
Do you have to make choices based on what medical conditions you might experience in your dotage?
Thank goodness you have decades yet to go.
Yes Jim. When we Americans finally qualify for Medicare we have to jump through hoops to figure out what private supplement we want to buy to cover what basic Medicare doesn’t cover. It’s a delightful system. Here’s to those decades and maybe we can enjoy a drink and a meal together.
Thanks for recommending Grand Canyon. I missed it when it came out and then just forgot about. I watched the trailer just now and will watch the movie tonight.
Mike, we didn’t have the Muti speech because we went on Friday afternoon.
But that concert sent shivers up and down my spine. Wow!
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