Monday, July 19, 2010

The Age of Washington, Summer Seminar: Part 1















As much as I have enjoyed the recent week, by far, I enjoyed getting back to the Southwest. No, we have more brown soil and dry air here than back east. I had a bloody nose the 1st night back, as is usually the case. Why the photo then of a hot dog stand in Albuquerque? It reminds me of happy times: my son, when he was young, even a teen, and I loved to go to this place to eat. My wife and daughters opted for a place nearby, but this was the place we two liked. I miss that little boy. All 3 of my kids grew up way too fast.

For a second time I applied for, and was awarded, a type of mini-fellowship, this time at a fine Eastern university, Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Noted historian Gordon S. Wood from Brown, and M.I.T. professor Pauline Maier as guest professor, were very, very good. 2 years ago in Philadelphia (see past posts in this blog history) Carol Berkin taught. I sat in these lecture halls, noted libraries of ancient texts and documents, getting to handle some of them, reading actual letters written by Revolutionary War, Declaration of Independence, and Constitutional leaders, on the campuses of eastern U.S. Ivy League schools, and I find myself very fortunate. For the past decade I've seen these historians on PBS "American Experience" episodes, History Channel documentaries, etc., and so getting to sit less than 10 feet from these aging historians of reknown, as one of 30 participants, mostly college professors and high school teachers, is a thrill for me. To better understand the extreme disharmony between Jefferson and Hamilton, and then to wonder how President Washington managed to get done all that he did in those first two Presidential terms.....it's all very interesting to me. If you've not done so already, the documentary to see is the very recent PBS American Experience presentation: "Alexander Hamilton". It was a time of dirty, nasty politics. Most libraries have a copy. Irish actor Brian O'Bryan portrays Hamilton. I saw him in New York City in the recent past in the lead of the Broadway play "Doubt" prior to his filming this. He was nominated for a Tony Award for that. He does equally well in his portrayal of Alexander Hamilton in this piece of historical work.

As far as Providence itself goes, there are some wonderful things I love about this city. Like all eastern cities, Au Bon Pain bakeries can be found, so too, lots of Ben and Jerry Ice Cream Shoppes. I can't eat there like I once could, but it's fun to be back and have at least a taste. If I had known about it as a youth, I think I would very much like to have attended the Rhode Island School of Design. Illustrator Chris Van Allsburg did his undergraduate work there. I simply did not know anyone with a degree in design, much less that such a degree even existed. The same can be said of Landscape Architecture and Design. I think I might have been very good at it, but I never knew it existed. But I do love fine, landscaped spaces. As such, I'm fond of Providence's River Walkways and boardwalks where I ran daily, often on cobblestone, up to their State Capital where I ran up and down those 60 granite steps time and time again. "Waterfire" is a unique architectural revitalization aspect of downtown, where for over a mile, within the Providence River, are large wire baskets wherein wood is burned on selected nights, creating reflection of light in the night water. Google "Providence Waterfire" and then click "image" to see some of these night views. Some of these wire baskets have been altered to grow amazing floral displays in the summer. This Riverwalk area is a wonderful place to run. It's hot and humid there, but I feel good while running within their city, up and down steep hills.
Be well, do good...

18th Century Architecture: Rhode Island, part 2










In the last 7 years I've been to Rhode Island 4 times. I really like the place. Perhaps it reverts to a research project I did as a 5th grader. I leaned much then about Roger Williams, Nathaniel Greene, and how "Hope" was/is central to these people.
Near Brown University, high on that hill that looks below on Providence, are amazing old homes, restored. Built between the 1750's and 1820's, these Pre and Post Federalist Era homes are amazing. I'm always intrigued, when I'm in New England, how Revolutionary War era American flags are flown at the entry doors of these homes. Whether it be Annapolis, Maryland; anywhere in Massachusetts, but especially the Beacon's Hill area of Boston; Vermont and New Hampshire; or even little Rhode Island, one walks back in time at these places. The time of Washington, Jefferson, Hamiliton, Adams, and aging Franklin. Slave trader John Brown's home in Providence, was noted by visiting John Adams: "...The finest home in all of America." I toured it twice on this trip. I found the woodwork to be it's most amazing feature.
Be well, do good...

Refurbished & Functional, Brown University part 3






At about age 22 I kicked around the idea of becoming an architect. My lack of confidence in mathematics, coupled with my local college not offering any architecture classes, combined to deter me from that. I became a teacher instead. And, I'm okay with that. A friend my age from California actually got his architectural degree, didn't like the field, so went into teaching as well.

Still, I have an interest in architecture. To wit, the building where our lectures were held at Brown University this past week, was at one time, a gymnasium. Rather than demolish it, wealthy donors paid for it's being remodeled into a functional lecture hall with smaller classrooms supported by steel stilts in the upper parts of the old gym. The architects utilized the same design for any wooden parts, as seen in the rafters, as well as replicating the wooden floors of a basketball court in the commons foyer. I really like how respect for the past was incorporated into the modernized functional use of a fine old Ivy League brick building. This more that speaks to the old adage: "fix it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." It honors the past. That resonates with me.
Be well, do good...

Monday, July 5, 2010

July 4th on the Riverwalk



I've long enjoyed good symphonic music and fireworks on the 4th of July. This year my wife and I went to nearby Pueblo, and there enjoyed pre-concert western/bluegrass music of Overton Road (including a supportive fan, albeit somewhat drunk, that danced to their music much to the enjoyment of the crowd). The Pueblo Symphony then took the stage. Taking the stage via a smooth floating gondola, appeared guest Broadway stars Jan Horvath and Sal Viviano. They stepped out of the boat, up to the symphony, and began singing, they were really good. Viviano, a versatile baritone, sings songs of Sinatra in much the same velvet-like voice. If you like music of Sinatra and that era, google Sal Viviano to listen on his web site.

We enjoyed the fireworks. Nothing compared to New Years Eve at Disney, nor Delaware's Longwood Gardens with massive light-colored water fountains dancing with music by the Philadelphia Philharmonic and fireworks above, nor Macy's Fireworks Show on the Hudson or East Rivers backdropped by the Empire State Building lit in red, white, and blue,... still, being so close, it's an amazing fireworks show in it's own right because of proximity: colors rain down on the crowd while fading. The Riverwalk, of course, is one of our favorite places. We found a new self-serve yogurt place nearby that we'll return to again and again. Good Times....Good memories.
Be well, do good...