the miracle game comes to life

Had a wonderful morning in Czech class. Hana brought part of the candy tithe she demands from her boys every year, so I ate Reeses Pieces for breakfast. It's nice to be so functional in class, to speak and translate right off the top of my head. Oh how I love the language even if I don't love studying.

A reporter and a delegation from the Czech Republic are arriving next week to write about UT's Czech program. How neat for Hana. I volunteered to be the token undergraduate representative of the department. Heh.

Talking with Hana after class, we decided to go ahead with an independent Skvorecky project. I'm overjoyed. She's going to talk to Skvorecky and see if he will come visit next semester!! I almost fell out of my chair when she brought that up. I can't imagine meeting such an amazing writer and figure in the Czech intellectual scene. Hana says he is very humble and was a wonderful guest on his last visit here. Skvorecky! Wow. Maybe I'll write him a letter.

Only six more hours til the concert. Whee. Should really see more live music.

I know you read this

You know then, that I've waited for months to see if you would come to me and talk. To see if you would have some dignity and try to salvage our friendship. I waited, and you never came. You spoke to everyone but me. The time for forgiveness and reconcilliation is passing. I wonder why I have waited so long, why I have held out hope that the friend I once had still existed.

Now it is time to settle debts and move on.

Tori Amos

The show was fabulous, amazing, wonderful, etc, etc. Such a happy experience, glorious. It's grand how one voice and a piano can fill the room, can soar like that. Watching her and her piano, they're like lovers.

An intense "Bonnie & Clyde '97" on a tattered black canvas, colored lights and the picture from the album hanging to the right. We had such great seats, perfect seats.

She played "Past the Mission" and driving home I felt it all over again, under the brilliant aching moon and the bright stars in the cold sky. "Jackie's Strength," "Pretty Good Year," and "Talula," all favorites of mine. A beautiful "Playboy Mommy."

Holding the microphone close enough to catch every whisper, every swallow, every crack, she sang "Me and a Gun." I didn't realize how tight I was holding my hands until she finished into the silent hall and launched into "Cooling." Which is perhaps my favorite song ever, and takes me through the past couple of years. I had tears on my cheeks.

Heard her fantastic cover of "I don't like Mondays" and as an encore, "Landslide." Oh, it was so good. I wish I could keep this feeling forever, but the real world is already intruding.