Background music:
"Begin the Beguine" by Cole Porter.
While I was busy, the balsam began to bloom in my yard. I have sprinkled its seeds here and there, and it is beautiful. I am about to "unplug" for a week or so, to focus on
The Language Archive, by Julia Cho, and to spend time with my family wamily. Meanwhile, the pink blossoms will pour out their beauty.
I didn't know what a
Beguine was till I went to Wikipedia to learn a bit more about that lovely
song. It's a Christian lay woman who did not marry. Now I want to know more, which is what always happens when I learn a little. Likewise, with
L.L. Zamenhof, the inventor of
Esperanto, the language of hope. We need more of that--hope, and a way to communicate beyond our divisions--in the world today. He tried so hard to help foster a world without war. Tonight I saw
The Railway Man, a war movie about reconciliation. With Colin Firth. Enough said.
Here's some fun advice from
Bitter Gertrude about what makes her happy with a new play. Having read several new plays lately, I tend to agree! Stop writing flat characters, stereotypes, and the "expected" in hopes of pleasing people and "selling" your work. Write the real, I advise!
And here's a
short review of
girl show, by Kristy Bowen, at
Prick of the Spindle--my latest Poetry Cheerleader column. And over at
Escape Into Life is a
wonderful review, by Julie C. Graham, of
Let Me Clear My Throat by Elena Passarello, all about voice. Literally, the
voice. OK,
back...to the future! Of the abundant pink balsam!
If you are going offline, I will have to figure out Cole Porter and the Christian lay woman all by myself.
ReplyDeleteYes, you will! But I did provide some Wikipedia links, so that should help. The YouTube link is to Sheryl Crow singing "Begin the Beguine" from DeLovely, the movie about Cole Porter's life, with Ashley Judd as his wife. Fantastic singers in that movie! Also on YouTube, you can find links to elaborate movie clips of "Begin the Beguine," with Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell dancing!
ReplyDeleteI think I can say with some authority that Julie C. Graham is also a big Colin Firth fan.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your unplugged state. And I hope all goes well with The Language Archive--it sounds like my kind of play.
It's like following the Arthur Murray dance steps with your links.
ReplyDeleteFor other seekers check out http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Beguine&allowed_in_frame=0
ReplyDelete