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Cirque Again
We all live in a house on fire, no fire department to call; no way out, just the upstairs window to look out of while the fire burns the house down with us trapped, locked in it. Saturday, May 12, 2001
I was all set for Jack to come down here today, so I was surprised when I got a call from him around nine. That would be early for him to be leaving, so I figured something was up. Sure enough, Jack's ex-wife didn't want H---- to come visit her this weekend since she had other plans. She's always difficult to reach, so the arrangements hadn't been nailed down before today. This pattern has been a long-time source of aggravation and frustration for Jack, his daughters, and me. So Jack suggested I should drive up there, and tonight we could go see the Cirque de Flambe performance scheduled at Western Washington University tonight. The college is very close to his house. This sounded good! I'd sent the info for Jack to forward to the science fiction club there already, but I hadn't expected to be able to see the show. When I got up to Bellingham, Jack's daughter H---- was (understandably) upset about not getting to see her mom. I was impressed with how patiently Jack talked with her, at first from outside her bedroom door, then face to face. Hugging him, I said, "I almost wish I had some crisis so you could devote such attentions to me!" He really did make an impression on her, talking about how his older daughter went through the same difficulties with her mom. He went into how you can't force others to change, but you can try not to let their butt-headedness ruin everything else in your life.
In the evening, we drove over to the college campus in my car, with three plastic lawn chairs in the back. Jack knew where the "Red Square" was, so he directed me to a back alley nearby and we found a parking space -- one of the last ones, so I'm glad we didn't wait at home any longer. It was starting to drizzle, which would be bad for this outdoor performance! The square had been blocked off on all sides except one, so this was evidently going to be a real deal where we'd half to pay. After we got in line, I asked the person in front of us if they already had tickets. Yep! and she kindly pointed to the brick building across the street where I needed to buy them. The box office at the very nice Performing Arts Center was selling, so I dashed over there, bought three non-student tickets, and got back before Jack and H---- were up to the front of the line. We found a place for our chairs with just one row of people in front of us, and sat down to wait. I was wearing a windbreaker belonging to Jack, while he had his new-ish motorcycle jacket. H--- had a blanket. Of the three of us, I was best off in the rain. It was raining more seriously by now, but it appeared that the show would go on. There was a warm-up band (and we needed warming up!) playing while the crowd gathered. As an opening act for the Cirque, there was a local fire group. Even giving them credit for performing under damp conditions, they were rather under-rehearsed. I guess they are just starting out, though. The Cirque was great! Even though the rain and drizzle continued through their performance, most acts worked just fine. I was very impressed by the act that was just before the big finale (the finale was still Wally Glenn as Pyroboy); they had put together a group fireworks act that dominated the large space -- very powerful! After the show, I took H---- around to say hello to Wally. He was trying to cool down, and was soaking his feet in the reflecting pool in the center of the plaza. He was very polite and friendly to H---, which I appreciated. |
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