Yesterday, the radio opera was “Fire Shut Up In My Bones” by Terrence Blanchard. It certainly took the Met long enough to present an opera by a black composer (it’s not as if there weren’t any – Anthony Davis has written more than one, including “Amistad” which Chicago Lyric broadcast so long that I have a cassette tape of it which I made from the broadcast), but I must say when they finally did, they did it handsomely. Stunning cast, and premiered on opening might so it could not be ignored. I often think and sometimes say, “Not like opera? It has sex, violence, betrayal, revenge – what’s not to like?” and this is no exception. A black boy – a boy “of peculiar grace” – coming of age in the South (Louisiana) – in the seventies – when Jim Crow was not legal but still seething – and all that implies, and more. OK, it’s not pretty, but as Latonia Moore (who sings Charles’s mother) said, “It shows what you can overcome if you are honest with yourself.”
Also, I got the modem set up by quarter after six. It would have been faster has I not had to crawl under the desk and untangle a plethora of cords. But it’s done, and it works.
Cartoon –
Short Takes –
The Nib – “Beyond the Scope”
Quote – A battery researcher’s work is supported by a hidden supply chain. In order to store power, batteries convert electrical energy into chemical energy. these reactions require a material sourcee, extracted from … somewhere.
Click through. It is, of course, a graphic. But you’d have to look hard to find the same information elsewhere, and then it would not be from the same perspective.
The 19th – The 19th Explains: What older people and caregivers need to know about omicron
Quote – Vaccinated older adults have significantly better outcomes than unvaccinated seniors, but the vaccine does not make people bulletproof. COVID-19 is still a threat to older adults, who are at higher risk of severe illness and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Click through. None of us is getting any younger. And there’s been a lot of talk about Omicron’s symptoms being mild … sometimes.
Daily Kos – Cyber Ninjas hit with $50,000/day fine for not turning over public records
Quote – Cyber Ninjas says the firm has shut down and Doug Logan is now the “former” CEO and all workers have been let go. The firm’s lawyer even tried to resign during today’s 2-hour hearing, since he says he hasn’t been paid. Maricopa Superior Court Judge John Hannah was having none of it; Cyber Ninjas is sitting on records that the public is entitled to, and they can’t escape their responsibilities by simply saying they’re out of business.
Click through for story. Lots of poetic justice here.
Bonus – There’s a virtual event coming up which should be – ah- interesting. The Conversation is hosting a webinar with the originator of, and fomer winner of, the IgNobel Prize on the subkect of “Physics and psychology of cats – an (Improbable) Conversation.” This will take place on Thirsday, Januaty 20, at 4-5 pm EST/1/2 pm PST and corresponding times between. Registration is here, and they say it is limited (I’m not sure why, but that’s what they said), although it appears to be free.
Food For Thought:
