My Oyster

OK, I loved it...

Tonight I went to a sneak preview of the Sex and the City movie.

I was expecting to not like it. I loved the series. I still watch it every week on TBS or somewhere on cable. But I had heard not so good reviews and I just couldn't believe they could do a good job with it - but they did.

The theater was packed - mostly with women. And gay men.

The movie starts with the signature theme music and as soon as the first few notes played, there was, literally, a group scream of happiness and expectation. It was very fun. I think a lot of people miss those 4 women.

If you liked the series, go see it.

The History Boys at the Studio...

Good show. Long show. 3 hours.

I did enjoy it though. Coming from a family of educators, I liked the focus on teaching and learning and what is important to learn and how it serves you in the present and throughout life.

The show takes place in the 80s in a high school in England. Lots of 80s brit pop to set the mood and mark the era - that's my jam.

I guess it was made into a movie a couple years ago. I will have to rent it.

DC's Shrine of the Immaculate Conception...

Today Ma and I hopped a few blocks eastward to go to mass at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  DC's only Basilica.

Here she is up on the alter with the Jesus mosaic behind her.

I have been in DC for 16 years now and have been in many of its churches and I have been in catholic churches and basilicas and cathedrals around the world - often with Ma.  This one is really special.

Like the Basilica of St. Mark in Venice - which we saw in 2006 - the ceiling of our DC Shrine is a succession of decorated domes.  Beautifullly decorated.  Differently than any I have seen.  Tiny tiles making amazing mosaics - infused with lots of glittering gold.

Each of the domes is an independent unit - leading to the last half dome in the north apse - which features the incredible mosaic above - the awesome, apocalyptic (see the flames) Christ in Majesty.  He comes to judge justly (depicted by raised right brow) and with compassion (depicted by the relaxed left brow). 

This is part of the outside of the Basilica - with the main dome and the north apse showing. 

There are sculptures of saints all along the outside.  Ma found Malachai - for whom her (our) dog is named - in part.

Here are some more snaps from the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception...

Take me out to the ballgame...

Tonight I visited the Nationals Ballpark for the first time and saw my first Nats game.  I actually felt quite proud of the stadium and how that part of the city has changed in the last few years - despite the fact that the city bought, closed down or mowed over the best gay clubs in the city to build the stadium.

We bought the tickets weeks ago - not realizing that we would be watching the last place Nats lose - by 12 runs in the 6th inning (when I left) - rather than watching David v. David in the American Idol final results show.

There seemed to be a steady stream of people out the gate all night.  Ma and Suz left around 4th inning.  Daryl and I made it until the 6th.  Chris, Heather and Grant lasted until the 7th inning stretch.

Thankfully, I have DVR.  I was pleased but surprised by the AI results.

More baseball pics below...

St. Matthew the Apostle in Downtown DC...

This is the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington D.C.  It is dedicated to the Apostle Matthew, who among other things is patron saint of civil servants, having himself been a tax collector.

Ma and I went to the mass in Latin this morning. 

It was my first time to the Cathedral and my first Latin mass.  Both were a great experience and worth the wait.

St. Matthew's was originally established in 1840, the fourth Catholic parish in the District of Columbia. Originally located at 15th and H Streets, construction of the current church began in 1893, with the first mass being celebrated on June 2, 1895. It was finally dedicated in 1913. In 1939 the church was designated as a Cathedral when the Archdiocese of Washington was established.

The structure is Romanesque with Byzantine elements. Designed by architect C. Grant La Farge, it is shaped like a Latin cross and seats about 2000 persons. The interior is richly decorated in marble and semiprecious stones, notably a 35-foot mosaic of Matthew created by Edwin Howland Blashfield. Both structural and decorative features underwent extensive restoration starting in 2000 and ending September 21, 2003, the Feast day of St. Matthew.

Here are some more pics…

Before The Rains...

I caught this one tonight with Atul and Dr. David.

As the movie poster says, it is a "hothouse of sensuality, empire, class and guilt". And that's a lot.

It is a Merchant Ivory film - and definitely looks and feels like one. Atul informed me that Merchant and Ivory were actually a gay couple and that one of them, sadly, is no longer with us.

I really enjoyed it - ok, I fell asleep at the very beginning and Dr. David had to tap my shoulder.  But once I woke up, it was a very engaging film.  I have not seen much of Linus Roache - since The Priest.  He did a great job. 

The story takes place in southern India in the 1930s and deals with cultural and economic and political issues of the day.  Very interesting.

Two thumbs up.   

Go Fly a Kite...

This is the handmade kite I got in Seoul.

I have finally been reunited with it here in Washington, DC. This kite was made by Roe Yoo-Sang. He is 104 years old and is a Seoul Intangible Cultural Heritage.

These traditional kites are made by pasting paper onto thin branches. Korean kites are different than those around the world in how they are engineered and built. In fact, there are 70 different kinds of kites categorized according to shape and design. Mine is a shield kite. During December of the Lunar calendar, kites are created and flown in Korea. On the following January 15th - the night when the moon is the most full - the kites are flown with writing meant to send away misfortune and welcome good fortune.

I really treasure this one. I got it shopping with some colleagues and new friends in Seoul last month.

Back from Seattle...

I am back in DC after a week in Seattle and five weeks on the road.

I did not have time to blog over the weekend as I was swamped with work and Jean flew out to spend a few days. The pics below are from our Sunday in Seattle...

This is Jean and I at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) which is a block or so from the hotel and was open late on this Sunday night...

The SAM has opened up a sculpture garden on the waterfront. It's beautiful...

This is a Washington State Ferry...

And here is me on the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island...

Here is the Starbucks at Pike Place Market. It is the original store- and now there are more than 15K of them in 44 countries.

And finally, here is the Lusty Lady. The last of the porn shops in a now gentrified downtown Seattle. The right half of the sign is a reference to a Roman exhibit at the SAM - across the street...

More Seattle pics here...

Woodland Park Zoo...

I love this guy. It looks like he has teased out and blow dried his facial hair.

Today Jean arrived in Seattle for the weekend and we headed to the Woodland Park Zoo.  After being cooped up in offices all week, I needed to be outdoors - even though it was overcast and chilly - yes in Seattle - can you believe it?!

I had not been to the zoo in ages.  I used to live just a couple blocks away.  It is a great zoo in a beautiful park.  We had a nice time walking around. 

Here are some more pics...

Check it out next time you are in Seattle.

Why add stuff when you can get it built in?

Hehe.  Very cute and very true.  I have the tablet version of this Lenovo and LOVE it.