skip to main |
skip to sidebar
At my job yesterday at the ol' Ordway Center, it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas. We had a huge event for the on-sale of "Irving Berlin's White Christmas." And yes, people came in throngs to get their tickets for this holiday show. The lobby was all adorned in holiday ornaments, a scary sight for late June, with carolers strolling around the lobby, holiday cookies, a very expensive 18 foot tree, and yes, Santa. There was an attempt to force us to wear Santa hats, but there was a coup and only a couple of people did. Hats don't do well on me.
My attempt at reading "Ulysses" is going rather, um, slowly shall we say...it's a pretty difficult book, I didn't realize. I do feel like I'm back in school in some ways. I may have to get some Cliff Notes for this one! So far, in the first 12 pages, it's rather "stream of consciousness-like." I barely have an idea of what is happening, so this should be interesting. Just thought I'd keep everyone up to date on my progress. Or lack thereof. :( Doesn't mean I'm giving up, though!
-Tennesse Williams
On Sunday, Father's Day, Joe and I went to the Stone Arch Festival of the Arts, which is always a fun time. Lots of cool artists and their wares, and some yummy albeit "not so healthy" food to chow on as well. Didn't buy any art this year, rather unusual for me. I'm a huge supporter of the independent artist, and generally can always find even more photography to purchase. Too much sometimes, so maybe it's a good thing I didn't find anything that completley "struck me." Then we went across the river to look at the new Guthrie Theater. It is simply incredible. The entire outside is like one big reflection of the outlying buildings, and they have huge metallic "photos" of various playwrights, from Tennesse Williams to August Wilson. Their first production in the new space is a play version of probably one of my favorite books, "The Great Gatsby." So, we'll be getting tickets for that very soon.
This summer, I've decided to tackle what is considered the 20th century's modernist classic in literature, James Joyce's "Ulysses." Pray for me. :) When I was in college, and off during the summer, I would always choose light, sometimes on the verge of fluffy, books to read. Now that I'm all growed up, I thought this summer would be a good time to tackle a tough one. I'll keep you up to date on my progress. Wish me luck!
So back in the early '80s, I lived in Des Moines, working at Younkers Dept. Store for some time. Somehow it happened that I became good friends with people who were in bands, of course now I can't remember any of the bands' names, it's been too long. But there was this one band that had this lead singer, a guy named David I believe, who for some reason once told me "Ken, you're like a Ken doll. But a Ken doll from Hell." I of course wasn't sure how he meant that, but I took it as a compliment because I think I had a crush on him. Then in college, some of my friends also started calling me Ken doll. One friend in particular, who spoke French as I do, took to calling me Ken Doll d'enfer - Ken doll from Hell. Hmmm.... what does this mean? She in no way knew these friends in Des Moines, and would have had no idea of this moniker. Nonetheless, it so happens I was born the same year that the Ken doll was "born." I don't think the doll influenced my parents' decision to name me thusly. And I still have at least one very good friend who calls me Ken doll occasionally, or at least just "Doll." You know who you are. :)
Aunt Marge and Joe enjoying the sun on the deck, after filling up with delicious burgers and grilled chicken, yum. Also a photo of the two sides of the Hahn family, my Mom's sister and her husband, as well as my Dad's youngest brother. They live in Clear Lake so it's always very nice to see them when we go down to the lake.
