These days I’m studying Article 2 of the Constitution, which deals with the Executive branch of government. That’s a hot topic these days, and one our current Executive doesn’t seem to understand very well. Last time, I looked at Article 2 §1.4, which put Congress in charge of the electors. The electoral college makes me cranky. I’m glad to move on to Article 2 §1.5, which determines eligibility for the presidency. Spoiler Alert: intelligence isn’t on the list.
ByGD
Qualifications for President – Constitution Article 2 §1.5
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Music I Liked – Deicide, Willie Nelson, Dark Tranquillity
Last week there was so much music. I saw 5 bands and 7 ballets, and that was all I had time to write about. But I did listen to a little recorded music, and I liked Deicide, Willie Nelson, and Dark Tranquillity.
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Good News and Bad News
No, this doesn’t mean I’m done posting pictures of China. I’m just remembering the old story about how good and bad fortune aren’t always easy to tell apart. Our flight from Qingdao to Shanghai was delayed, and our airline graciously placed us on another airline that was leaving sooner. We arrived in time to check in for our international flight to North America, but the check-in line wasn’t moving. At all.
More than two hours later, when it was too late to catch our plane anyway, we got to the counter. The frog-like woman at the counter ignored us for 10 minutes, then got up and went away. I think her shift was over. Eventually someone noticed us standing there and came over to explain that our flight was overbooked. (By about a third, judging by the length of the line.) We were handed a liability waiver, a hotel voucher and ticket for the next day’s flight, and several hundred dollars in cash.
When I got home, I did the math. Through the magic of exchange rates, and because I am an airfare ninja, our standard “involuntary disboarding” compensation was nearly exactly what we spent on airfare. Since my travel-style is more “dirtbag” than luxury, the free flights made this one of the cheapest international trips ever.
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Jerome Robbins Festival Program B
PNB dancer Lesley Rausch in Jerome Robbins’ The Concert Photo © Angela Sterling.
This year PNB is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Jerome Robbins’ birth with a Jerome Robbins Festival. Artistic Director Peter Boal created two separate programs using seven of the twelve Robbins’ pieces in the PNB repertory. Tickets for the two programs are sold separately. It’s a lot of ballet for one weekend, but I think it’s worth attending both programs. If you have to pick one, Program A is a little easier to process. That said, I think I liked Program B best.
ByGD
Jerome Robbins Festival Program A
PNB dancers in Jerome Robbins’ In the Night Photo © Angela Sterling.
This year PNB is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Jerome Robbins’ birth with a Jerome Robbins Festival. Artistic Director Peter Boal created two separate programs using seven of the twelve Robbins’ pieces in the PNB repertory. Tickets for the two programs are sold separately. I recommend seeing both, but it’s a lot of ballet to take in all at once. So what if you can only make it to one? Here is my take on Jerome Robbins Festival Program A. Read More