contours provocations - 2005-0610

contours provocations
journal - 2005-0610 - fri 2000

Fellini; Aznavour; Tiger; Dumbledore

Sunday afternoon, I visited the clinic for the umpteenth time with an upper respiratory infection. I've noticed that my chart looks to be the size of "War and Peace." I've suggested a couple of times that they should just keep it under the counter, so it will be handy.

The number one problem with respiratory infections is a strong sensation of wired fatigue. You feel exhausted but too wired to sleep. And decongestants add to the sensation. Which means I could not sleep that evening. But finally, I took a couple of ativan and drifted off. However, ativan can make you feel depressed.

Oh, gee! What a wonderful set of options.

Monday, after work, I decided I'd go to Macaroni Grill. I thought maybe a high-carbohydrate meal and a gooey dessert would make me feel better. (Which it did.)

But there were two unexpected surprises that were most beneficial. Macaroni attempts to imitate the environment of an actual restaurant in Italy with its large open space and hanging strands of lights. Not the tiny white bulbs that you see in trees. But regular small-wattage bulbs. As I sat there, I suddenly had a very vivid image of such a resturant setting from one of Fellini's movies. As though I were suddenly in the movie. A very odd sensation.

Almost always at Macaroni, I try to figure out the background music - piece and singer. Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Dean Martin, Ella Fitgerald are among the most commonly heard. I could just hear the song, which was an unknown, but the singer sounded familiar. Then I realized it was Charles Aznavour. Although not well-known in the US, he is truly one of the greatest of the world's singers. Most certainly an unanticipated pleasure on a Monday eve.

Within the last few weeks, I've taken in a stray kitty. He has the appearance of a diminutive white tiger. Hence his name has become "Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright." His age must be about two months. And he is absolutely full of himself. He's discovered the joys of jumping into the air and never misses an opportunity to practice. He gets a hugh kick out of helping me type.

The four elder kitties look at him with something that resembles the way Endora always viewed Derwood. At any moment I expect to see a puff of smoke reveal a large toad.

I watched a few minutes of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" the other evening. Just enough to catch the scene of the train on the way to Hogwarts.

"The rain thickened as the train sped yet farther north; the windows were now a solid shimmering grey, which gradually darkened until lanterns flickered into life all along the corridors and over the luggage racks. The train rattled, the rain hammered, the wind roared, but still, Professor Lupin slept."

I've always wanted to go to one of the book releases, such as the upcoming one for "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" on July 16. To be more accurate, I want to go as Albus Dumbledore in full Dumbledorian drag. And I'd love to have memorized a list of quotes from him.

PAX!