Bombs are exciting, right? -- Part 1

What a week it has been.

Since my last post on the 19th, a number of tale-worthy events have unfolded.  I'll try to talk about all of them to whatever degree of detail that they warrant, but don't blame me if I forget something and end up posting about it later.

On the evening of the 19th we attended a ballet called "Artifact" by the Royal Ballet of Flanders.  I had seen a ballet once, several years ago, and was not fond of it.  After attending this ballet, however, my view of the genre's capabilities has been drastically altered.  Combining the haunting dissonant/melodic  duality of Bach with apocalyptic undertones, Artifact was a great time for everyone.  I wish I could have taken pictures or video, because there's no way to describe the surrealistic journey that this contemporary ballet presented.

The 20th was an uneventful day.  A few friends and I decided to take advantage of the fair weather by heading to Hyde Park and renting a row boat.  Unfortunately the sunshine didn't last long, and we found ourselves on open   sea  lake with the menace of a thunderhead barreling towards.  Needless to say, we made it out alive and unscathed.  April 20th also happens to be international marijuana advocacy day, and on our way out of the park we ran into 2000 people enjoying themselves very much.  I can't quite put my finger on it, but gosh, there sure was a weird smell in the air over that portion of Hyde Park.

Sometimes you just have to climb a tree.

The dark sky provided a cool contrast to the color of this tree's leaves.

Tom, Nick, and Nader near the boat rentals.

Oh, what's up Luke? 

Hyde Park is usually pretty.  

Monday the 23rd was supposed to be another lazy day, peppered with a few museums as usual.  Instead, I went out on a limb and purchased tickets to see Jack White at his album release show -- with only 3 hours until the doors opened!  The choice turned out to be well-made, because the concert was definitely one of the best rock shows I've seen.  Held at the HMV Forum, the event was quite intimate; there were only around 2,000 people in attendance, and my friends and I managed to get to the front of the stage.  The crowd made up for their numbers with pure passion, and the tiny venue erupted with the intensity of packed stadium before, after, and during every song.  Mr. White returned the gesture with a level of genuine emotional investment that I've never before witnessed at a rock show.  After playing a set of solo material, as well as a lot of songs by his other bands The White Stripes, The Dead Weather, and The Raconteurs, White closed with the Leadbelly standard, "Goodnight Irene."  I was somewhere between shocked and humbled when White's eyes welled up after the last chord.  "You've always been good to me,"  he said in departure, blinking rapidly as a few tears found their way out.

Anytime, Jack.




(I have to go fold laundry and grab a bite, so I'll do the rest of this post either later tonight or first thing in the morning.  Scout's honor!)