Little Things

This is another oldie, taken at the school in Maputo that Wes and Molly Jordan's son Philip attended during their time in Mozambique. The editing, as you can see, makes it look like a Hallmark card. I'm too invested in this "partial black and white" idea, maybe because it makes me look way more Photoshop-competent than I've actually become. Truth be told, the course is pretty awful. The prof is dull, intermittently unpleasant, and hasn't made the most of either our class time or our intelligence. There are also No Handouts, and let me tell you, if you miss something as simple as where to click to begin the process, you're sunk. Photoshop is not an intuitive tool. It is an acquired taste, like oysters.

Incidentally, that's what Stephen Sondheim said about reading when he visited campus this week. His talk was both hilarious and deeply moving. He tells stories with a Pete Seeger voice and looks like my Uncle Hank, and for an 80-year old guy, he's got the sprightliness of 65. I went to a Q&A session with him, and while we didn't meet in the sense of shaking hands, I did ask him a question about lyric-writing and characterization, and he did look at me while he answered. Progress has been made towards a deeper intimacy! Seriously, folks, there are those figures who are inspiring but distant -- or whose words strike your intellect and set off sparks without touching anything deeper -- and there are those who are simply too intimidating or you know they're "great" but for you? Pah. You can read their speeches. But I could imagine a series of very meaningful conversations with Stephen Sondheim...and hey, he said he's in the market for a young collaborator!

Winter Study has surprised me with crayoned murals of St. Sebastian, a read-aloud night, sleepovers, dance parties, new friends, inspiration, a few ego-bruisings and the deeper renewal that accompanies them, progress in my work (who knew? I might be able to really sing one of these days!) and some unseasonably warm weather -- also regenerative!

Today, though, is going to be a hard day. So today in particular it's important to remember: grace, forgiveness, open-heartedness, a zeal for truth and community, and the words of Moominmamma to her Moomintroll: "No matter what happens, I will always know you."