A Trip Though Chinese History

Shen Yun

Saturday evening I bravely dropped my daughter off at her grandmother's house for her first overnight babysitter.  Nobody has ever watched her for more than a couple of hours at a time, and that was mostly my husband, and once my big sister.  She is 14 months old today, so it really was time I got used to the idea that she could survive a night without me.  Honestly, I was more concerned about me surviving a night without her.  She has become so integrated into my life, and basic daily functions, that I'm not sure what to do with myself when she's not here.  Even for short periods of time.

We headed out to Cincinnati, stopping at Carrabba's for dinner.  I'd never been there before, and we had giftcards anyway.  We hardly ever go out to dinner, so it usually takes a while to use up a giftcard. I enjoyed a sinfully delicious plate of Lobster Ravioli, and a dessert called something like Chocolate Dream, that was meant for two people, but only eaten by one.  Anyone who knows my husband will realize that he ordered steak.  He's a meat person, hunt it, kill it, skin it, eat it.  Restaurants simply bring that meat to him a bit easier, and with less blood in my kitchen.  For a little while I was still tense about leaving my daughter, and then spent the rest of dinner trying to remember how to eat without a 14 month old sitting beside you making messes and squeaking and talking and demanding your dinner and wanting to eat in your lap.  It turns out, I am capable of eating on my own.  It just takes a little practice.

It was raining all day Saturday, so when we made it downtown to the Aronoff, we indulged in the luxury of valet parking.  I'm a bit hesitant to leave my car in the middle of downtown with strangers, but it was cold, and raining.  It turns out, if you tip them ahead of time, when you leave the show, your car is one of two they already have waiting in front of the building.  There was a line of people waiting for their cars to be retrieved, but mine was waiting and ready when I emerged after the show.  So, remember to tip well, tip the people bringing your food, tip the people handling your car, if you're going for a night out anyways, spend a few extra dollars to make them happy, and in turn, you happy. I had also used this opportunity to dress up, since I rarely have the chance to wear anything that hasn't had food thrown at it, or baby spit on it, or other various disgusting things.  So I was showered, clean smelling, and in a dress.  It would have been no fun walking from a parking garage in the rain, in the cold, in a dress and heels.

So, into the Aronoff, over to will call to pick up my tickets, since this was a last minute decision, and then we spent some time milling around the lobby looking at souvenirs, and my husband sipping his glass of wine. I was interested to see the different types of people who had come to see the show, and their various states of dress, from old jeans, to black tuxes.  I noticed and overheard quite a few couple's who had adopted babies from China, and were bringing them now that they were older to see the show, and learn a bit about where they came from.  I was also more than thrilled when one of these couples seated their tiny 4 year old daughter in front of me, instead of her 7 foot tall father.  I thanked them profusely. I will admit, tickets were quite expensive, but the show is a one of a kind performance, and I'm glad to have gone.

Now a bit about Shen Yun, in case you have no desire to read all about it on their website.  It's a non-profit group based out of New York City, with three equally large dance companies that tour the world seven months out of the year.  The idea was to try and revive 5,000 years of rich culture, history, and belief that was being lost to modern society, and a bit to politics as well.  Much of it is based on, and supported by the Falun Dafa religious group and their beliefs.  The show has gotten criticism from the Chinese government for it's political messages, and some international shows have been canceled due to the pressure.  I agree, there are a couple scenes and messages that convey the distress over the repression of religion in China, but the show is a beautiful performance, filled with traditional dance, history, mythology, and song.  The orchestra contains traditional Chinese instruments playing alongside those in a modern orchestra, and live they are amazing to listen to. 

We sat in the second row back from the orchestra, so when the opening scene began, the fog rolling off the stage actually washed over the first 2-3 rows after filling the orchestra.  Three cheers to them for being able to perform with absolutely no view of their music or the conductor until it cleared.  There were drums and fans and dancing, and dozens of intricate costumes and hairpieces.  It's something you can't describe.  All the dancers were so light on their feet, even with so many on strange leaping and flipping.

Overall it was an amazing evening, relaxing, and full of good food, music, and dancing.  And yes, my husband came willingly.  If you ever get a chance, and can find the funds, please do yourself a favor and go see Shen Yun.  You won't regret it.

Listening to the stars and riding in old cars.

I mentioned before that I took a research trip to the NRAO in Greenbank.  The day we left there was the day they got "official" possession of the big dish.  During our stay we got a tour of the new wing that was built for running the scope.  The walls were shielded with thick lead to keep the computer equipment from interfering with the dishes. 

Greenbank lies in the hills of West Virginia, in a radio dark zone. Which just means you won't have much luck getting a radio station in the area.  It also means there is a guy whose job it is to drive around with sensors finding leaky microwaves and such to repair.  Did you know your leaky microwave could be inhibiting valuable scientific research?  The idea just seems hilarious, some guy showing up and offering to fix my leaky stuff.

The scopes are so sensitive you can't drive just any car back the extensive campus where they lie.  There is a gate after the main facilities and dormitory that you must pass through to head back there.  You are limited to diesel vehicles since the lack spark plugs.  Or, if you're feeling adventurous (or were students like us) you can ride a bicycle. Our professor did drive us on occasion, in one of the NRAO's old 1950's cars.  I may have a picture of this someplace.

The best thing about radio astronomy is it's lack of certain limitations regular astronomy has.  I can do it during the day, at night, or when it's cloudy. Depending on the type of radio dish, there are a mountain of other obstacles to overcome, but everything has it's pro's and con's.

I believe I wrote a length essay on this trip for a college writing class that earned me an A.  So, yeah for double positives.