Dracula

I've just started reading Bram Stoker's Dracula to Serafina (and Lynn who takes to listening in sometimes). We're only 20 pages in. It's very significant reading. The vocabulary is immense, the sentence structure is complicated, and the imagery is astounding. And Serafina is engaged. It helps that she played "The Child" in a stage version of Dracula (with Cuesta College Theater Dept, last October, see some pics), and that makes for interesting discussions comparing the original writing to the play. I haven't read anything as demanding in a very long time; loving it.

Be warned: there are significant adult themes and horrifying (imagine that, in a horror story!) descriptions of sexual predators and mental illness. Not for the faint of heart, and not for any-aged person who doesn't have a basic grip on the world. Fortunately, it's never explicit (IMO), everything is done with imagery, leaving the mind to fill in the blanks as it can. Your mileage may vary. The lowest age I saw mentioned as appropriate was 8th grade, and some suggested "adults only".

When we get done, I'll come back and update this post with any additional thoughts I may have about the experience of reading this with a well-grounded 4th grader.

Picasso at the Lapin Agile (and more)

Did you know Steve Martin wrote plays?! The SLO Little Theatre is doing Picasso at the Lapin Agile this October. It all takes place in a bar called the Lapin Agile (Nimble Rabbit) in Montmartre, Paris where Einstein and Picasso fictitiously meet, along with a couple other characters that fill out the evening. It's a fun exploration of the nature of art and science, pretty funny, too. I would have liked to play Einstein in this adventure, but alas, at the time, Al was a youngster by my standards. As fate would have it, though, I did try out for the play and got the role of Schmendiman. What a great experience; a few photos are here.

Here's the Wikipedia entry.

This book also contains three other Steve Martin scripts: Zig-Zag Woman, Patter for a Floating Lady, and Wasp. Don't buy the book just for any of these, but as "extras" they can be fun, and they're short.

Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims & Rush Revere and the First Patriots

Fascinating romp through history with "Rush Revere" and a time-traveling horse. Kids are eating it up, I understand, and I enjoyed them, too. Limbaugh received the "Author of the Year" award at the Children's Choice Book Awards for these titles.

Proof

SLO Little Theatre is doing this play in the next few months, and I was intrigued by the father/mathematician character - so I bought the script to see what it was really like. Fascinating, quick read (couple hours max). This play explores many things: love, science/math, genius/insanity, family, and even has a mystery element to it. You will relate if you're trying to decide whether to fear or hope that you become like your parent(s).

Update: I auditioned for the father/mathematician role. I told you it was intriguing to me. My first theater audition ever. It's a little daunting to prepare and present "two contrasting monologues". I thought about backing out at the last minute, but realized this would be my only opportunity to show off what I'd put hours into. So I auditioned. Audience of one, the director. Felt surprisingly good. Afterward, I mentioned to a friend that I couldn't remember saying half the lines; he said that was a good sign. I didn't get the part; nobody goes one for one. Except Serafina.

U.S. Constitution, etc.

I happen to think that the best overall approach to getting this country back on track, straightening out the mess in Washington, convincing people of the best environment to create for the most success by the greatest number of people, etc. is to get back to living by the U.S. Constitution. If you'd like a very nice leather version, click on the link to the left. There are other versions available, including free printings for which you pay modest shipping & handling, such as at: http://www.thecapitol.net/Publications/PocketConstitution.html.
My New Year's resolution is to fully assimilate this material and focus any political discussions in which I might find myself on this content.

Duncan's War

The adventures of a 17th Century boy is exciting enough, plus a Christian world view to boot. We understand this story is going to be made into a movie: https://www.facebook.com/DuncansWar

The Pacific Coast Railway (PCRy)

The Pacific Coast Railway: Central California's Premier Narrow Gauge by Kenneth E. Westcott and Curtiss H. Johnson is the must-have book for the PCRy. Whether you're trying to model the railroad and its buildings or enjoy some railroading history, this is a fabulous book. Through the Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, we've organized some tours along ex-PCRy right-of-way. Much of the information came from this book and another by Hal Madson, Railroads of the Santa Maria Valley.

May 4, 2013 field trip: http://friends-smvrr.org/130504.html