Loveliness

OK, fast approaching final edit. And then? I will worry about that when I come to it.

Meanwhile, at last it is beginning to feel like a special time. Another visit to a beautiful cottage, this time in Cambridge, with fields beyond and a night so dark and icy, we didn't even stop to gaze at the stars; inside waited pickettywitch, justicefallen, the every wondrous tadeous and other merry makers. There was mulled wine, Captain Nemo and several werewolves, there was a truly magical present waiting for me...what a lovely night!

I forgot to mention that recently larians and myself went to Rupert Goold's production of Turandot at the ENO. This was an awesome if ghoulish, rendition. Fantasy Orient became a bit Ravenloft, ruled by an Eastern Artemis who, at the opening of the opera, has slaughtered 30 suitors for failing to answer her riddles. Heads and cadavers wait in the kitchen of what appears to be a Chinese restaurant peopled by Elvis impersonators, golfers and Marilyn Manson. larians chuckled. 'This is Hell!' He said, caught up in the sheer grotesquerie, contrasted with which, the music was even sweeter.

Only fly in the ointment was the introduction of an unnecessary character, the writer. Pain in the bum, a case of trying too hard. Goold was fortunate that everything else was so exceptional. Similar to Rigoletto, I would be afraid to see another production in case it isn't as good. Absolutely inspiring.