During and after the events of this weekend I was so overflowing with emotion and experience that I wanted to share every detail with everyone I met. Now, however, that I am home and alone I have hesitated to put my experiences into words, onto paper. It is as if I fear that doing so makes tangible the fact that the events are over and I wish to continue holding them dear and living in them longer�..
Friday morning, September 15, I awoke to nervous excitement. This was the day of the adventure I�d been looking forward to for so long! I�d first read the notices of this upcoming event on the fiennes-fans list with the same envy I had read of other rare happenings, which I knew I would have to miss. But when all those things came about to change our lives so drastically, namely Tony�s job offer from Siemens in New Jersey, my attitude changed. As soon as I knew that we would be living in the East rather than in Champaign, this event dangled tantalizingly before me as an actual possibility - one which I could not resist! I called and ordered my tickets and the months of luxurious anticipation began.
In addition to the overwhelming joy at the prospect of seeing him perform on stage and the comfort of doing so in the company of other fans, I began to see the weekend as a romantic holiday as well. Tony and I would be able to share this experience and the wonders of the Big Apple together - a well-deserved time away after all the stresses of the past months � and years. But, fate stepped in again and changed this view and these plans. Siemens sent Tony to Germany and I was alone with an extra ticket and no definite plans�..
I was fortunate that the fiennes-fans list came through for me. I found a deserving soul to take Tony�s ticket and companionship as well. Working out the details of this had occupied most of the week before and explained some of the nervousness with which I had awoken Friday morning.
Thursday had been spent working out the last of the details for my trip, arranging care for the kitties and choosing what to bring. I tried on every possible outfit and still could not decide what to wear. I had such a difficult time deciding! I finally opted for outfits that could be crammed in the bag without wrinkling. Thursday evening I primed myself for the upcoming event by watching Onegin on tape (sent to me by sweet Beth Knapp).
Friday morning�. I got up to go to my acupuncture appointment and made it back, full of excitement. I�m glad that Tony caught me before I left altogether. It would have been sad not to talk to him at all before the weekend! We were both sorry that he would not be able to join in the fun in New York, although he had a weekend trip of his own planned - to Nuremberg and Bamberg. After lunch I made sure that the kitties were taken care of and I was off. I ran by the bank to get some cash and had to go to two different stores before I could find an umbrella and some pantyhose. I didn�t need the umbrella after all (Murphy's Law). I was running a little late by the time I parked at Siemens and rushed to the train station. There was a long line for tickets, so I thought it�d be quicker to use the automat. Like a fool I went through the whole transaction, wondering why the tickets were suddenly so expensive, before I realized that the machine was only for Amtrak tickets! No wonder they cost three times as much as I�d expected! So, I waited in line after all and the kind lady credited me for those tickets and sold me the NJ transit tickets, I�d wanted ($11 round trip). Virginia (Jensen) had called while I was at my appointment to confirm that we were to meet between 2 and 3 at the hotel. My train left at 3 and I hoped she wouldn�t be too worried. Once at Penn Station, it took me a little bit to orient myself and I went a block out of my way before I found the New Yorker - right across from Madison Square Gardens. As before on the way to the train station, I wished my bag had been lighter. But, soon I was in the room and greeted by Suzanne York at about 4:00. The adventure was about to begin!
First the three of us got to know each other a little more. Virginia is originally from South Carolina, but has lived in New Mexico and now in Colorado. Virginia and her husband had flown to London to see the plays there, but the night they�d arrived her mother-in-law died and they had to return the next morning without seeing the plays. (she�d had front row center tickets!!) I was happy for Virginia to get Tony�s tickets because she is very nice and deserving. We were fortunate that Virginia�s sister-in-law works for the NewYorker and was able to get a room for us there - the location was extremely convenient! Suzanne York had been in town for two days already and had been staying at a sort of hostel. She was very happy to have a real room and to have company. She�s also very nice -- works for a Non-Profit group on Globalization in San Francisco. Suzanne is originally from Portland, but she went to grad school at American University in D.C. She has finished only recently and had bought the tickets not knowing that she�d not be on the East Coast anymore.
We all three headed out together via subway to Brooklyn on Friday around 5:00. Hope Clark had arranged a little get-together at the BAM Caf� at 5:30 (or so we thought). The Caf� was only a few blocks from the subway stop - but when we got there we didn�t see anyone from our group - not at first anyway. The hostess started to send us upstairs to look when I saw someone near the gift shop looking at me quizzically. It was Hope. My brief description (5�2�, short curly reddish-brown hair, glasses) seemed to have helped. The others hadn�t shown up yet. A friend of a listee was a member and she was supposed to have made reservations. They allowed us to sit upstairs and order drinks while we waited (I got a Mint Collins - it was ok). The bread was ok - we were starving-but they had excellent olive oil for it! Finally, we discovered that the ladies we were waiting for were downstairs and had already ordered! We rushed downstairs, managed quick introductions and pulled two tables together. It took forever to get a menu and to order - and then much longer to get our food. I had an appetizer portion of vegetable eggrolls and had to scarf them down in order to leave on time.
Hope is a really sweet lady from Texas. She�s from Houston (although born in Florida) and is a true Texan. She�s very nice and down-to-earth and was a nice contrast to our new companions (Cosmopolitan New Yorkers). There was listee (Nellie?), another woman (didn�t catch her name) who didn�t speak much. Then there was Diana (Finini?), the BAM member who is an OPERA singer and has many celebrity �close friends.� Diana has managed to see all of Ralph�s stage performances since Hamlet/Ivanov at least 4 times or so each and raved for the longest time about Coriolanus. It�s amazing - some of his best work! We were in for a treat.
So, with great expectations, we left the caf� and found the Harvey Theater. Our seats [that is, Virginia�s and mine, Suzanne had tickets for the matinee the next day.] were in the Gallery and we were shocked at the number of stairs to be climbed to reach them! (I was afraid that Virginia wasn�t going to make it at one point. Her leg was really hurting her, but she was a good sport). The seats were very uncomfortable, too. They were so high that my feet didn�t hit the ground very comfortably. There were footrests of sorts, but my lap always dipped down, and I had to clutch my belongings to be sure that nothing fell.
We had an ok view of what was going on, but even with Suzanne�s opera glasses couldn�t get small details. The set was sparse, the main effects were accomplished via a lighted section of the stage floor. Through this different light effects were shone - also smoke and water effects. I imagine that some of these effects were very nice from the orchestra level, but from where I sat they were a bit distracting actually.
Coriolanus was good but I think I had elevated expectations of it - due to all the rave reviews I�d heard. It�s hard to say exactly
what it was about it that didn�t �do it� for me. The first half seemed to drag a bit - the duel was not half as dynamic as I�d expected (perhaps
due to the smaller size of the stage or Ralph�s injured hand?). I didn�t care much for the main character, really, I guess. I enjoyed him most when
he was funny, but when he was suffering nobility, not so much. Perhaps that�s not even it�.there were many scenes in which he was funny
and enjoyable�.. I wish I�d seen or read the play before so that I could have a more informed opinion. My suspicion is that I didn�t care for the
direction - it was good to play up the farcical aspects of the play, but I think that the emotional truth was lost somehow. None of the characters
seemed to relate to others in a way that rang true. Some of the characters were perhaps too over the top�I did love Oliver Ford Davies,
no matter how over-the-top his performance may have been. [Oliver Ford Davies played Sio Bibble, confidant and ambassador for Queen
Amidala in The Phantom Menace - he�s much better on stage After the play ended, Virginia and I headed downstairs. She queued up for the restroom and I saw Hope who was trying to call her ride to
come and pick her up. By the time Virginia rejoined us and Hope had finished, we�d missed the actors. Apparently they all had rushed off.
Ralph had signed a few autographs, but they all seemed in a hurry to get away. Virginia and I were joined by another woman (a young film
maker from Austin, Texas) and we took Hope�s ride since she found another group going back to her hotel.
All in all, I went to bed kind of tired and disappointed -- although elated at the same time to have seen Ralph Fiennes in the flesh (if from a
distance). It was warm in our room. I had troubled dreams -- in my dreams I wanted to dream of the play, but was continuously disturbed. I
think dad kept trying to wake me (in my dream) but I couldn�t wake up�. Something like that.
Looking back, I fear that I was not up for the play � allowing minor annoyances to mar my enjoyment of what was, in retrospect, not bad
at all. Most of my actual memories of the play are positive, it�s more the feeling of it that I was disappointed by. If only I had the opportunity
to see it again, I�m sure I�d be ready to appreciate it more! I woke up tired and took a shower - which felt soooo good! Virginia already had a breakfast date, but Suzanne and I went together down
to Starbucks for breakfast. I hope I didn�t talk Suzanne�s ear off while we were there (or hers and Virginia�s over the whole weekend!), but I really
enjoyed talking to her about globalization, Heart of Atlanta and stuff like that. After breakfast, Suzanne headed out for the matinee of Coriolanus
and I took a walk up and down 8th Ave. I bought some T-shirts for the kids for Christmas and soaked in the atmosphere. Then, I went back to
the room for a little rest - feet up the wall. I had a genisoy bar for �lunch� and then Virginia came back and we got ready for the evening.
What to wear? I�d been surprised at how casual many people were dressed at the show on Friday. Even saw some jeans and T-shirts up
where we were sitting. On the one hand, I suppose it�s a sign of the democratization of the theater. On the other though, a part of me (the part
that clings to the concept of �Sunday Best,� I guess) marveled at such a casual attitude toward such a momentous occasion! Having myself
embraced the comfortable in church attire, why not do the same for the theater? This in mind, I selected the more comfortable of my skirt sets
and rejected both pairs of shoes in favor of my trusted Birkenstocks. Even Ralph has been known to wear his in public appearances. Needless
to say, my feet were much happier than on Friday. They were ready to enjoy the day!
Virginia had a car pick us up and it took us straight to the Harvey. After missing our chance to see Mr. Fiennes after Coriolanus
the night before, we weren�t going to take any chances this time. We promised Suzanne that we would save a place for her in line. There was
no one at the stage door when we got there (around 5, I think) and so we wandered into the Harvey to see how far into the performance they
were. (about 15 minutes to go). We met another woman and her date. She is a member of the fiennes-forum. Apparently there were about 15 of
them meeting between shows on Saturday --- we were supposed to have about 20 in our group. We got to chat again with the lady at the
Kiosk - I�d bought a Richard II script from her the day before. We were disappointed that there weren�t any other souvenirs to buy
like they�d had in London. No post cards. No fancy programs. Actually, we could have gotten one of those fancy programs by joining
BAM - only $60 or $80 or so. I think you get a mug, too. What a deal! Anyway, the young lady at the BAM table let us read the program while
we waited. It wasn�t worth paying that much by any means, but it was nice enough. It was primarily an overview of the different actors who have
played Richard and Coriolanus over the years.
As soon as the show let out, we headed around to the stage door. Virginia noted that it was the sod for Richard II that was piled
outside the door. I snapped some pictures, starting to feel school-girlish and giddy. We met some other people waiting and we all giggled
together some. Soon, workers started carrying the sod inside and we began to fear that the actors might not leave the theater at all - or at least
not from where we were standing. The �doorkeeper� finally promised that if we went around front, he would send him to see us. I chose to
believe him - if it were a ruse to get rid of us, that is, if the Ralph et al wanted to flee that badly, then I figured it was better to let them. But, he
wasn�t lying. Soon after we got to the front, Ralph came out to meet us. (We did see several of the other castmembers leave - Oliver Ford Davies
scampered by us several times, always too quickly for us to catch him).
It was amazing to see Ralph up close. He had completely shed all vestiges of Coriolanus. He appeared completely relaxed and not tired -
even after what must have been a demanding performance! A young blind aspiring actress was helped to him - she had something to give him,
I think and had to tell him her whole story (she�ll be in Hollywood soon, or something like that) . He listened politely and his assistant or bodyguard (?
a young blonde woman who wore a sweater draped over her shoulders) assured her that she would make sure that she�d take care of whatever
it was the woman was so concerned about. While they were talking, it gave us the opportunity to stare and take photos. [I know that he
doesn�t enjoy posing for pictures, but he didn�t seem at all distressed by our picture taking while he talked and signed autographs]
It struck me how he paid such close attention to who ever spoke to him. He smiled and said �thank you� what seemed like hundreds of times as
he listened and signed autographs. I didn�t have a pen (!), but borrowed a red felt tip from someone in the throng and had him sign my Richard II
script.
By the time, Ralph pulled away and the other fiennes-fans were on their way to the Caf�, I was floating on air. (stayed that way for the next
day or so) I don�t recall exactly why we were running behind - but Suzanne, Virginia and I didn�t leave with everyone else. Once we started to
head in that direction, we noticed that the reason Mr. Davies had been scampering around the way he had been was because he and Ralph were
trying to meet up for dinner and apparently kept missing one another. Seeing them heading down the street together was just too much of a
temptation to resist, so we, of course, followed them. How could we not? If we�d felt like silly school-girls photographing the sod, you can imagine how it felt to follow a block behind these two stellar actors while
trying not to seem like stalkers! Just as we were about to give up and head to the caf�, they stopped and went into a restaurant - a small
Cambodian restaurant. We stood on the corner for a long while trying to decide what to do. It would be too much like stalking to go
into such a small restaurant after them, wouldn�t it? What if they recognized us? We couldn�t figure out a way to saunter in nonchalantly as
much as wanted to. So, what did we do? We parked ourselves across the street at a juicebar (I tasted some of Virginia�s carrot juice, which was
surprisingly delicious) watching and giggling. We were too far gone to come back from the edge. We were silly teenagers, starry-eyed fans,
giggling googly-eyed across the way where we could see Ralph and Oliver through the window. Actually, we could see their knees and their
jacket sleeves. They sat so still that we wondered if they hadn�t just dressed-up mannequins in the corner to get away from us - the rabid fans! I have to say that as silly as it all was, it was fun! The rest of the weekend, we three definitely had a taste for Cambodian food! (big grin)
Finally, we decided that we really were not going to ever get up the nerve - or gall - to run in there and disturb the poor men during their
brief dinner hour. They did have another performance to give after all! And we were going to see it!!!!
So, we headed to the caf� and met up with the rest of the group. I finally got to meet Mary Ann, who is a fellow Tongue-in-the-Mail listee
(Finn-fan, that is). We talked some Neil as well as Ralph. Beth Knapp was there. She didn�t recognize me at first (I guess my hair is a bit
different) - but it was so good to see her! A familiar face (even though we�d met just once). It seems like we�ve known each other much longer,
though - she certainly has sent me lots of wonderful stuff! I�m afraid I made a bad case of matching up everyone else�s name and face�.except
for Judy. I remember Judy. (I think because I somehow relate her to the Judy on my book group list, but whatever works). I didn�t meet Marcella
(from Germany) until later that evening. I would have liked to have talked to her more - loved her account of the weekend on the list�but I
digress. I had a mushroom tart for dinner and Suzanne and I split an order of sweet potato fries. It was all exceptionally yummy, but my stomach
hurt most of the evening. Either the food was too rich, the fries too greasy, I ate too fast, or it was the excitement. It was quick - but not the
mad dash of the previous evening! Before we headed back to the Harvey, I bought another script - I figured that there�s probably a poor soul
who didn�t get to go to the shows who�d want one - and ordered one for Cori as well.
I don�t know if it was just the view from the cloud I was still floating on, but I enjoyed every minute of this play! We had much, much better
seats this time (in the Orchestra) and they were more comfortable, too. But, I didn�t even notice my stomach ache once the play started. I
remembered reading on the list how it starts, with one player, then another walking out onto the green (that sod, we�d fondled earlier), waiting.
Linus as Bolingbroke paced to show his agitation. Then, the king entered, carried upon his throne - just as we�d seen in the promotional
photos, wearing the elegantly embroidered robe. From where we sat I could see their faces and every little expression and gesture! Sigh. I�m
afraid I cannot as of yet talk about the details of the play so well as I was too captivated by the whole for close analysis of details.
Intermission came before I knew it. We got up to walk around. I lost Virginia somewhere in the crowd and went downstairs to see if I could
find her, Suzanne or any of the others from our group. I did see Joe, a potential listee whom I met earlier with his parents. His mother is a great
fan although his father doesn�t seem to see the point in it all. They were looking at Beth Knapp�s little photo album - amazing photos she�s
collected of Ralph after performances and such. Anyhow, during intermission Joe was also alone and we talked for a few minutes - both in awe
of the performance we�d experienced thus far. I bought a coke to drink and barely gulped half of it before the lights began to flash and I rushed
upstairs for the rest of the play.
Poor Richard! To see the regal figure of the first scene, full of life, whimsy, arrogance, and�majesty� to see him develop and fall, so to
speak, to the uncertain lost soul of the end - it is amazing and Ralph embodies Richard to the fullest, I believe. Then, in the end as he lie there
dead, it struck me that this was the best sivasana I�ve ever seen! I wish I could ask Ralph if he was, in fact, doing sivasana, because if not
consciously it certainly appeared that he was. Total release.
There were other things I began to wonder about. The Queen, for instance. I remember during my book list�s reading of Penman�s
The Sunne and Splendour , dealing with Richard III, that there had been some sort of a parallel between Richard II and Richard III. Both
Richards lost their beloved Annes prematurely to illness and thereafter experienced tragedy themselves. I wanted to look this up and figure out
where this Queen Isabel (who, according to Virginia, was supposed to have been only a child when Richard died) fit in. I also wanted to know
how Richard II fit into the chronology I knew (William through Richard I, John, etc.; Henry-Richard III-Henry Tudor) - that is, I seemed to be
missing a Henry somewhere and wanted to find out which was which.
What could top this experience? I think I would have been satisfied just having met Ralph earlier, albeit briefly - the magnificent
performance had moved me to such a point that I could have died happy at that moment! (figuratively anyway) But in addition we were blessed
with yet another encounter afterwards! Barbara Jefford, I believe, was one of the very first on the bus - she was so quick! Then, the others
came out one by one. We were behind the barriers and couldn�t get their attention - they must assume that we Americans don�t know who they
are enough to want to meet them�or perhaps, since they aren�t the stars they don�t feel as obligated to meet the admiring throngs? Linus
came out and bypassed the barriers and bus. We thought he would get away but someone caught his attention and seemed surprised and
pleased by the attention. I was happy to get his autograph and photo, but only managed to say that I really enjoyed his performance. He seems
very sweet, funny and chatty. I think the beard is quite fetching on him - I don�t usually care for beards - but it makes him more the dashing
figure. I recall my impression of him on stage was that he is slight enough to make Ralph seem much larger -- that is to say, that we know that
Ralph is very thin and can appear small and fragile at times, but he is taller and broader-shouldered than Linus is and this difference was
compounded on stage - especially in Coriolanus. Seeing them as themselves afterwards, Linus is also much more filled with nervous
energy (even when exhausted), whereas Ralph is very self-contained. When Ralph came out, it struck me once again how great his acting ability
is, because there is absolutely no evidence of Richard or Cori when he leaves the theater in his street clothes. There is such a sweetness and
calmness about him. He was very relaxed, as earlier, but clearly much more tired. In fact, when I mentioned that it must be difficult having to be
murdered twice in one day like that, he responded that he was very tired. That was the repeated chorus (along with the thank yous) . But he still
listened, smiled and thanked as he had earlier, just more rushed. One woman did ask him what color his eyes were and he didn�t answer right
away, but after she asked again he said blue-green. Isn�t it obvious? I mean, they change from blue to green in different photos and in person
both colors are evident. Isn�t that Hazel when they eyes change like that? I know that mine are brown hazel and they go between brown, gold
and green - more information than most of you wanted, I�m sure ;-) I was worried that Virginia�s card didn�t get signed and pushed it forward,
trying to share her story, but doing it very badly. Had he heard it told well, I�m sure he would have been moved. At least he signed her card and
we have photos. I wish we�d gotten a group photo with him, but it was clearly not the right time to ask. The same young woman pulled him
away again to his car.
We three roomies road back to our hotel still on cloud 9. Slept well and had good dreams, though I can�t recall what of�..
I think I woke up with a smile on my face. We parted from Virginia early since she was being met again for breakfast (I
believe she was going to go to the Cloisters � I�m saving that for when Tony can go with me!). Suzanne and I went back to the diner at the
hotel where we�d stopped the night before - I�d forgotten to write that. We were all hungry and too awake for bed when we got back on
Saturday night. So, we went to the diner and got a bite. No chance for Cambodian - although the idea of eating Cambodian will always have a
special place in our hearts, I think! I had rice pudding. I think Suzanne had cheesecake and Virginia chocolate cake, but I�m not sure � I do
recall referring to Ralph�s eating of chocolate cake in QS, so there was something about chocolate cake somewhere (only a few of you will get
the CH reference, I suppose ;-). Anyway, Sunday morning - or almost noon, Suzanne and I had a hearty breakfast there. We�d stowed our
bags with the porter and then we parted and were off on our own. Well, Suzanne�s friend met her and they were off to the Village or something
like that. I decided it was finally my chance to get to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
I took the E, I seem to recall, uptown and hoped to catch the 7(? ) u p to ? Unfortunately that connection didn�t work that day�maybe not
on Sundays in general. So, rather than riding back down to Grand Central for another uptown connection, I walked and walked. It wasn�t bad
though and I did make see a Borders on the way, where I found the answers to some of my questions.
Those of you who already have a Masters in English History - or who have already consulted your Britanica - feel free to skip ahead ;-)
Richard II is the son of Edward the Black Prince. He is grandson of Edward I (Longshanks - son of Henry III) and nephew of Edward II
(remember, the one whose wife Isabelle had invaded England with her lover, - no, not Mel Gibson - Roger Mortimer. The two imprisoned
Edward who then died, probably of foul play). Richard II, as we all now know, was succeeded/deposed by Bolingbroke/Hereford/ Henry IV.
Then comes Henry V, who did pretty well as against France - or atleast Kenneth Brannaugh has led us to think so. He was followed by
Henry VI - old Lancaster. The doting old fellow I got to know of in Penman�s novel. He is deposed by the eldest surviving son of York, that is
Edward IV, whose younger brother, Richard follows him. Richard is then deposed by Henry Tudor (VII).
OK one mystery solved, so to speak. Now for the problem of the Richards and their Queen Annes. Richard II�s first marriage to
Anne of Boehmen was reportedly a happy one. They apparently doted on each other or at least were unusually close. They traveled together
on all major itineraries and there is no record on either side of infidelities - pretty good for Kings and Queens, don�t you think?
[That their marriage was childless led contemporaries to theorize that they had had a chaste marriage - credited by the fact that Richard was
devoted to the cult of Edward the Confesor who�d set such a precedent with his wife Edith. This was about the time when chaste marriages
were kind of �in�, but it is also true that it was often said of childless couples - royal ones, that is. It�s more likely that he/they were infertile,
since succession was such a big deal and they would have taken that duty seriously.] In any case, when Anne died (of plague?) after
12 years of marriage, it is said that for a year he would not enter any room she had been in and he had the manor where she�d died destroyed.
This behavior was credited to his devotion to her. So, there is a base for the comparison to Richard III. Apparently, it was unlucky for a
King Richard to love his Queen Anne�. Or something like that.
Isabelle was only six when handed over to Richard and only 9 when he was deposed. Their relationship was also supposed to have been
close - with him doting on her like a daughter. This sheds some light on Shakespeare�s Queen - or at least as she appeared to me in this
production. Although Ralph�s Richard is very childish at times, Isabelle seems quite childlike.
Shakespeare (and Ralph, imho) do seem, according to the historians to get Richard right. He seems to have been a man of passion and
contradictions - kindly generous, considerate, thoughtful (to his wives, for instance) but a cruel, arrogant and capricious tyrant at the same time.
One historian I looked at (forget which one) explained this as typical of a narcissistic personality. Some historians interpret the mistakes of his
later years as his having become unbalanced after Anne�s death - since his most erratic behavior occurs during his second marriage. His loss
of Anne may have deprived him of whatever sense of security he�d had. For certain, being marriage to a child while you have no heir in an
uneasy political climate cannot be good for a king�s sense of security, eh?
OK. History lesson over.
I did get to walk in Central Park on a beautiful day. There were hundreds of parents with strollers, people walking their dogs, children sailing
boats on the pond. It was lovely! Then, at the museum I took in the medieval collection - pretty sparse, since the best stuff is at the Cloisters.
I looked everywhere, but no sign of an Elizabeth (of Hungary). There was one Riemenschneider - a Madonna, or a Pieta -- I forget. Not one of
his best. I enjoyed the rooms of European decorative arts. Then, I had a few minutes to rush through European Paintings. Thinking of Tony,
I wanted to be sure to catch the Vermeers. There are a few nice Flemish/Dutch works. There were even a couple of D�rer�s sketches - not his
best work either. I need to go back when I have time to really look at it all. The Asian collection sure looked inviting, too!
From there, I managed to catch the train downtown that hadn�t run uptown and had an easy connection all the way back to Penn Station.
I grabbed a bit of pizza, got my bags and headed homeward. On the train to Metro Park I met three women from Louisville, KY. They work for
UPS and were doing Philadelphia and NY over the weekend. Sounds like they mostly partied, but they were friendly and had the giggles. We
chatted some, laughed and the time flew. When I got home the kittens were excited for me to open the door (for them to look out). They hadn�t
missed me too much since they still had food waiting on them and had even more toys than when I�d left (Heaven Help Us!). I think Phoebe was
happy to see me, though.
Now, it�s Thursday as I finish writing this. I just got my first set of photos back and they are ok -- not as good as I could have hoped. The
ones from after Richard (with Linus and Ralph) are on an unfinished roll still in my camera. I�ll have to finish that roll soon!
Tomorrow, I�m going to go see Coriolanus again. I�ve jumped on each notice of an extra ticket on the list and this one panned out.
I�m not thrilled with the notion of traveling alone at night - after the show - but otherwise am jumping for joy. I�m certain I�ll enjoy Cori
more this time - the seats are much better in any case! If only I could see Richard again, too! I finished reading it yesterday. I wish I had my
Cori script already - but I may read it off the internet before I go tomorrow.
Well, time to put this thing to rest�.for now. I feel so amazingly fortunate to have been able to have this experience!
Saturday - A Very Good Day
Richard II
Sunday and afterthoughts