New devices

Much matter has gone beneath the bridge; the maimed laptop finally gave out in a slow demise of clogged electrons, or something.  Now getting accustomed to a relatively tiny device, a Kindle.  Actually the touch screen typing is about my speed, as in what would constitute flunking in a secretarial class, but that' s all right. Only time I ever took a typing class, the nice older lady instructor told me I was way too anxious to do well.
Now is the dark, sodden, cold winter of this neck of the woods; perfect atmosphere for reading grim tales from China Mieville and Joyce Carol Oates.  He' s amazing, but she in her broad and deep intelligence could show him a swathe of things...

Is it some kind of hex?

Another trip down to the work out joint, and another funny incident:  This time I was on a block where two more of my cat pals reside, next door to one another apparently.   Taco is a fluffy little tortoiseshell, and Tulip is  a short-haired one.   Taco came flying out of a driveway and wrapped him/herself around my legs, so I stooped to pet the little dear.  It rubbed itself all over my waterproof jacket coat sleeves, then proceeded  to chew on my left elbow.  Maybe the waterproofing has some kind of kitty THC in it...
Distracted it with a long green twig, and hurried away.

A buddy

Heading down for a workout along the leeward side of the street, wind trying to eviscerate my umbrella, I saw a familiar feline acquaintance running towards me.  The sweet tiger cat ran across a street and mugged me. I shut the umbrella, and squatted down to pat the little critter.  It wound itself around me, purring, then jumped up on my back.  I scooched over to some wet cement steps and sat, while the cat made itself comfortable around the back of my neck.  Fortunately I had on my new waterproof and evidently cat claw proof jacket, or I'd have been feeling some puncturing kneading.  I gently tipped this way and that, trying to dislodge the kitty, but it clung like a burr.  It must have been enjoying the warmth of my neck.  Eventually I started to stand up, and it jumped down.  I had to hustle away, as it tried to follow me.  Odd little interlude in a miserable sort of day...

next round

Our concert band has been preparing for more than two months for a big concert, a West coast premiere of a piece titled "Quodlibet,"written to commemorate the AIDS quilt, and it's been challenging. It's a modern style work, lots of crazy time signature changes and tempos, as well as coordinating  with a 50 person choir.  Somehow it all came together last night, on World AIDS Day.  Our big crazy quilt of musicians and singers did beautifully, even the wild patches where we wondered if we'd make it.   We rounded out the concert with more traditional melodies like Greensleeves, Auld Lang Syne, and In the Bleak Midwinter. The clarinets had plenty of solo work, and our section leader generously doled it out to several of us. It was thrilling to be able to play with the youngsters.
It was also amazing to see the giant red AIDS ribbon hanging on the White House; to think we actually have a humane leader. At the same time, I fear it is a fragile situation, with far too many backwards and hating people ready to tip us back into barbarity.  As my dad used to say, you prepare for the worst, and hope for the best...