Listening To: the sound of the computer humming and the keys clicking while I write. It's a quiet evening.

Recently Watched and Enjoyed: Last Chance Harvey starring Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson. My aunt, sister, and I had a girls' night out for my sister's birthday and decided to take in the aforementioned. The plot follows the two older characters as they navigate disappointments related to profession and family. We (and I do mean the audience as a whole) were really pulled into the story through the brilliant characterization (dialogue and performance). Members of the audience began commenting out loud as the action continued, rooting for each character in turn. What we all seemed to thoroughly appreciate was a romantic comedy/drama in which the actor and actress displayed wrinkles and age-appropriate weaknesses while still maintaining witty conversation and projecting appeal. A good time was had by all.

Must Quote: from Landis's Longing (a longer post about same is in the works) because this is just such a beautiful way to describe the effect of Clara Schumann's experience as a composer . . . "To write for an orchestra was like throwing stars into an empty sky. And then to write, and play, a solo part was to fly among those stars in danger and delight."