Why Shakespeare? (No, it’s not an assignment. It’s fun.)

Recently, I implored (and will continue to remind) my friends to attend “Measure for Measure” as performed and interpreted by the North Fulton Drama Club. After attending last night’s performance for myself, I began to wonder what compels me to promote this show.

I discovered Shakespeare, really discovered the draw and awe of Shakespeare, while attending a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s The Swan Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon in February, 2012. The ticket to the show was part of U.K. travel package organized by a now friend and formerly my high school English teacher. She selected a performance of “Measure for Measure” as well. The play leapt off the page and into my face, my consciousness in a manner which I never encountered reading Shakespeare and watching movie adaptations of Shakespeare plays.

Certainly, Karen Ferrell-White (formerly know as Karen Strickland) took great pains to describe in High School Senior English Lit what an actual experience of a live production of Shakespeare. She always said that you must see it truly understand. I enjoyed reading “MacBeth” and “Hamlet.” Viewing the film adaptation of “Much Ado About Nothing” provided me with greater understanding of the comedies. I always imagined though that the men in tights and Elizabethan collars would be off-putting

As I watched these wonderful characters in this theatre present these magnificent ideas in Elizabethan English, costumes updated to be more contemporary (not a stiff collar among them), the draw of Shakespeare crystalized. Some of the players interacted with the audience, drawing me in and holding my attention. My role was not that of a mere spectator but participant in the mysterious machinations afoot to resolve the cruel injustice seemingly about to take place.

Shakespeare’s plays then reach far beyond the words on the page. Anyone who even slightly enjoyed the ideas contained within Shakespeare should witness and participate in a live performance. During intermission of that RSC performance, I sought out Karen Ferrell-White, trip organizer. I had to tell her. I get it. It all makes sense now. I was overwhelmed.

The North Fulton Drama Club interpretation of “Measure for Measure” finds Shakespeare’s cast in Prohibition Era America. The most striking aspect of this play? Realizing the transcendent nature of the ideas and issues of Shakespeare’s time. The play explores the meting out of justice with fairness and equity, how personal impulses influence choices made by those who govern, and the struggle to find a just resolution.

Please, attend this show before the run concludes. Rarely does a group perform this particular play. Explore the important ideas, experience WHY Shakespeare continues to be a critical part of education, but most importantly, have fun.

Interesting News of the Day

Are stock analysts better or worse than weather forecasters? This New York Times article discusses the seeming herd mentality of those advising us on what to buy and what to sell in the stock market. As I read the article, I thought of snow predictions based on “science” and the predictive models. Are stock market analysts any more accurate or reliable?

Passing notes, digitally? App for messages that have a short-life span. Interesting concept.

Organization Apps. Sure I could probably some help with organization. Here’s an article from PBS reviewing apps on organization. Just need to find the time to read it.

Food Traditions of the Chinese New Year. Today is the eve of Chinese New Year for those who celebrate. NPR educates us about the foods of the Chinese New Year tradition.

Retraction: With a Flourish

“This American Life” and its host Ira Glass will dedicate an entire hour to retract an episode aired excoriating Apple and Apple’s Chinese factories.

Why? Glass is highly respected and he prides himself on the work of his show. Or at least that’s my impression from listening to his show and the fallout from the Drug Court episode with the attendant hoopla that followed in Georgia and in the Georgia legal community.

Glass’s choice to retract with headlines and “sound and fury” reflects something that is missing in much of today’s journalism, if you can call it journalism. The Apple Factory story created a frenzy against Apple. Glass’s choice to highlight the mistake made with the same press and controversy shows a respect for objective truth and a recognition that neither he nor his show are perfect.

When retractions and corrections are but footnotes on an inside page of major news papers, Glass publicizes his own mistake with an hour not merely a quiet voice note during the current episode. The media could learn from Glass. But I doubt they’re paying attention.

Edinburgh Larder

Some of my fellow travelers located the Edinburgh Larder prior to the arrival of the rest of the group. The Larder offered wonderful, wholesome foods along with gluten free options. The folks who operate the Larder were helpful and nice to the visiting Americans. Best find: gluten free brownies. Stop by for a coffee and dessert. You won’t regret it. Wish I had taken a photo.

Castle Terrace: Edinburgh

The first night of my visit to Edinburgh our group ate a splendid meal at Castle Terrace. Sally Parrott Ashbrook, creator of Tilth and a member of our group, organized the meal with the staff at Castle Terrace. Many of our group members suffered food allergies and Castle Terrace created a menu for our group that was spectacular. The servers tirelessly attended to the group and provided guidance about the menu options. I highly recommend Castle Terrace for an appetizing and comfortable meal. The prices may be higher than the average traveler plans to spend, but the meal and service are worth the price. Castle Terrace is located beyond the Castle.

Day One: Rosemary Challenge

This rosemary plant hopes to be a rosemary bush one day. It suffered miserably in a pot on the front porch while I was out of town for two weeks. Since returning I’ve ignored it another two weeks or so, believing it on it’s last legs as it were. Tonight, in the beautiful Georgia daylight savings time evening, I transplanted it from the Trader Joe’s pot into the yard.

I hope that the organic soil and homemade compost added to the sticky Georgia red clay will support growth. Today is the first day of the challenge. The poor little plant was barely surviving in the pot without attention. Perhaps some positive attention and room to grow will provide me with free rosemary for years to come.

Random News; January 24, 2012

NCAA Disparate Treatment. Rushdie, still? Occupy Wall Street, Occupy Danielsville?

NCAA Outrage. Joe Nocera of the N Y Times writes about a college basketball player suspended because his mother took a plane ticket and then may have accepted money from family friends to support Christmas. So let me get this straight, Cameron Newton’s father can accept a large check to steer his son to a school without repercussions to the son or the school, BUT a single mother of four accepting a plane ticket and help from family friends is suspect. It’s time for the people who buy tickets and donate money to stand up to this outrageous behavior. This young man, it looks like, did not accept any of this assistance and he is being punished by an arbitrary and capricious bureaucracy which chews up hope and dreams in the name of “justice.” Shame on you, NCAA!

Long memory. Salman Rushdie’s appearance by video at a Literary Festival in India has been cancelled due to protests and threats of violence by Muslims. Rushdie cancelled his scheduled live appearance due to death threats. While I understand that “Satanic Verses” had some very offensive chapters, the rest of it was incomprehensible. No one would have read the book, least of all me, if Ayatollah Khomeini had not issued the fatwa for Rushdie’s execution. It’s been more than 20 years. Stop talking about, you’re only making him more “famous.”

Careful what you Occupy. Occupy Wall Street Protesters traveling to the King Memorial in Atlanta, passed through Danielsville, Georgia yesterday. Apparently, someone felt “harassed” and called the police. Two protesters were arrested when they failed to provide identification. Really? Yes, folks, really. Fortunately, the judge released them. Hopefully, those charges will just go away. They should.